Roaming Cellphone

While I was in the Philippines during our vacation, I decided to finally purchase a cellphone that is roaming capable.

Being the "barat" that I am, I of course asked the sales lady in Cell Mart for the lowest priced cellphone that I can use for roaming. I don't need a fancy cellphone because all I just need is a roaming cellphone that will allow my family to send me text messages if they want to and if needed.

Anyway, I ended up buying Sony Ericsson R300. I like the phone and I can play with their built-in games.

Sony Ericsson R300

So now, I have my roaming number for my friends and family to keep in touch with.

Ear Tube Surgery

Yesterday, we went to see Andrea's ENT doctor. As I mentioned in my past blogs, Andrea has ear infection. She suffered from this infection late October last year. The infection never went away. She needs to have ear tube. Although ear tube surgery is not the first option, Andrea already pass the stage where antibiotics still didn't make the ear infection go away. Sometimes, the infection gets better but whenever she has colds the infection gets going again. So we followed doctor's advice, she will have ear tube surgery on Feb. 18, 2009.

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I researched the net for some info on ear infection and ear tube surgery. These are some facts:

Many kids get middle ear infections (otitis media, or OM), usually between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. Although these infections are relatively easy to treat, a child who has multiple ear infections that do not get better easily or has evidence of hearing loss or speech delay may be a candidate for ear tube surgery. During this surgery, small tubes are placed in the eardrums to ventilate the area behind the eardrum and keep the pressure equalized to atmospheric pressure in the middle ear.

About Otitis Media
The middle ear is an air-filled cavity located behind the eardrum. When sound enters the ear, it makes the eardrum vibrate, which in turn makes tiny bones in the middle ear vibrate. This transmits sound signals to the inner ear, where nerves relay the signals to the brain.
A small passage leading from the middle ear to the back of the nose — called the eustachian tube — equalizes the air pressure between the middle ear and the outside world. (When your ears pop while yawning or swallowing, the eustachian tubes are adjusting the air pressure in the middle ears.)
Bacteria or viruses can enter the middle ear through the eustachian tube and cause an infection — this often occurs when a child has had a cold or other respiratory infection. When the middle ear becomes infected, it may fill with fluid or pus, particularly if the infection is bacterial. Pressure from this buildup pushes on the eardrum and causes pain, and because the eardrum cannot vibrate, the child may experience a temporary decrease in hearing.
With treatment, a bacterial infection can be quickly cleared up. In most kids the fluid will resolve over time and hearing will be restored. Some research suggests that long periods of hearing loss in young children can lead to delays in speech development and learning.

Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of otitis media include:
pulling or rubbing the ears because of ear pain
fever
fussiness or irritability
fluid leaking from the ear
changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
trouble hearing

Call your doctor if you think your child has an ear infection. He or she will perform a physical examination and look at your child's eardrums. If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection (often based on the presence of pus behind the eardrum), treatment will begin immediately.
In some instances, the doctor will insert a needle through the eardrum to remove a sample of the pus from the middle ear for a laboratory culture. Called a tympanocentesis, this procedure can help the doctor decide which antibiotic to use.

Treatment
Although ear tube surgery is a relatively common procedure, surgery is not the first choice of treatment for otitis media. Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial ear infections but many ear infections are viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics. These infections need to get better on their own, and only time can help them heal.
But if your child has frequent ear infections that don't clear up easily or a hearing loss or speech delay, the doctor may suggest surgery to drain fluid from the middle ear and insert a ventilation tube.
Because most kids have had infections in both ears, surgery is often done in both; this is called a bilateral myringotomy, or BMT. A tiny tube, called a pressure equalization (PE) or tympanostomy tube, is inserted into the eardrum to ventilate and equalize pressure in the middle ear. This will help to prevent future infections and the accumulation of fluid, and will help normalize hearing.
The presence of the tiny hole in the eardrum from the tube doesn't impair hearing (in fact, kids with a speech or language delay from hearing loss often will see a normalization of their hearing). Depending on the type used, the tube remains in place for about 6 months to 18 months or more.

Tympanostomy Tube Surgery
If your child is old enough to understand what surgery is, talk about what happens during ear tube surgery:
Because your child will receive general anesthesia, the surgery will be performed in a hospital so that an anesthesiologist can monitor your child. The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
The surgeon will make a small hole in the eardrum and remove fluid from the middle ear using suction. Because the surgeon can reach the eardrum through the ear canal, there is no visible incision or stitches.
The surgeon will finish by inserting a small metal or plastic tube into the hole in the eardrum.
Afterwards, your child will wake up in the recovery area. In most cases, the total time spent in the hospital is a few hours. Very young children or those with significant medical problems may stay longer.

After Surgery
A tympanostomy tube helps prevent recurring ear infections by allowing air into the middle ear. Other substances, including water, may sometimes enter through the tube, but this is rarely a problem. Your surgeon may or may not recommend earplugs for regular bathing or swimming.
In most cases, surgery to remove a tympanostomy tube isn't necessary. The tube usually falls out on its own, pushed out as the eardrum heals. A tube generally stays in the ear anywhere from 6 months to 18 months, depending on the type of tube used. If the tube remains in the eardrum beyond 2 to 3 years, however, it will likely be removed surgically to prevent a perforation in the eardrum or accumulation of debris around the tube.

Although effective in reducing chronic ear infections, ear tubes are not always a permanent cure for otitis media. Up to 25% of kids who need ear tubes before the age of 2 may need them again.

Source : http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/ear_infections.html

Reviews

During our vacation we decided to stay at our family home most of the time. Since our vacation is short, we wanted to spend as much time as we can with the family. Besides, staying at our family home is practical and it will save us too.

Before our flight going back here in the States, we decided to stay at Dao Diamond Hotel in Bohol (http://www.daodiamond.com/) for a night. We were impressed with their service. For $20/night it was really good. We got a room for ourselves and we also got a room for my mom and dad. They have a good breakfast which is free. We highly recommend this place for a budgeted stay.

Miravilla Restaurant. We always love this place. Everytime Dave visits me we always eat at Miravilla's. They have fresh seafoods. They have the best Ice tea and green mango shake. We brought some of my family to eat during our last night in Bohol. Everybody enjoyed it. The food was very good although it is somewhat pricey but it is WORTH it. I was somewhat disappointed though that the white bench that we had our picture taken during Dave's last two visits were no longer there. It had a sentimental value for me. I wished we could have our picture taken there. This place is highly recommended.

Carlston Hotel, Pasay City. When we got to Manila, I told the taxi driver that I want to stay in Kabayan Hotel but I don't have a reservation. He suggested for us to stay in Airport Hotel. All the while I thought that the hotel was the one near the airpot. Sadly, we ended up in Carlston Hotel in Airport Road. We were disappointed with it. The place is not well kept. The area is not very good. We decided to check out after our lunch and loss our whole night payment. We believe that we are better off losing the money we paid on the hotel than not be safe. Not recommended.

Heritage Hotel, Manila. Very nice. Near the airport and mall. Place is well kept and it has a casino in the 2nd floor. The room is awesome (for a standard accomodation). Somewhat pricey but worth it. Highly recommended.

Sbarro Italian Pizza. Dave likes their pizza. It is somewhat different. Personally it was so-so for me. For a filipino taste I wouldn't recommend it.

Pizza Hut, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. I love it! Their pizza is sooo good. Very different to Pizza Hut in the USA. Service was so great! All their value meals are GREAT! I highly recommend this especially if you miss american food while staying in Bohol.

Aristocrat, Malate, Manila. Their food is great. The sizzling sisig was great! Ice tea is different - we dont like it. Of course there famous bbq pork and chicken is incomparable. Recommended.

Meeting Joan

One of the friends I miss back home is Joan. Joan and I used to be workmates. We didn't work together very long but we developed a very strong friendship. We enjoy each others company and we share the same passion... reading!

I used to share with her my novels. I was the one who introduced her to Sue Grafton novels. We also share the same "bargain hunting attitudes".

I had fun spending time with her. I wished we had more days to spend with her but our vacation schedule was pretty tight and she was not able to leave from work. It was amazing though how she and Andrea became friends right away.

Here's some of the photos of US and Joan.

SM Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines

SM Mall of Asia... who can resist it? It is a big mall. Actually bigger than I want. Most of the time, we don't know where certain shops are. Thanks to the mall guards who are always courteous and ready to help and answer you when you ask where to go.

We were killing our time in Manila and so we decided to stroll in SM Mall of Asia. We decided to have our lunch in Sbarro Italian Pizza. The food was good, Dave liked the pizza. After our lunch we then waited for few hours to meet my good friend Joan.

While waiting for my friend to show up, we let Andrea ride the carousel. She really loved it! We also sat on the benches provided by the mall and even Andrea played in there.

While we were strolling in the mall, Dave didn't expect to see a skating rink (and a big one too). We had great time in the mall, we went to different shops, bought some filipino goodies and even went to one of the internet cafes in the mall.

SM Mall of Asia

The Skating Rink

Andrea playing at the mall

Riding the carousel

We are BACK

After two weeks of vacation, we are back to our little own place. We had so much fun with our vacation.

The vacation was great but I miss all the comforts that we have here. I miss our car. I miss the cold weather. I miss the washer and dryer, the cr, the hot showers. I definitely enjoy our stay at our own place in Hanopol but still I could not stop wishing to have a centralized aircondition. Andrea and I could not get enough air condition and we feel so hot. We both end up getting sick.

The air travel was hard on us especially with Andrea. Our flights with Philippine Airlines was not very pleasant, both Dave and I had ear problems because of the air pressure. I am sure Andrea had her share too.

Last night, Mom and Dan surprised us when they picked us up in the airport. Mom had flowers for me and stuff toys for Dave and Andrea, that was so sweet. When we got home Mom and Dan had food/groceries ready for us. Thanks to you both!

We spent the night sleeping. We were all so tired from the long travel. We had fun and we are glad the family back in Philippines were able to meet Andrea.

Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines

I am now blogging from Mall of Asia in Manila. We are killing some time while waiting for my friend Joan to show up.

Today will be the last day of our vacation. We will have our flight back home tomorrow. I have so much blogging to catch up and hopefully post some pictures.

We had so much fun and as usual we are poorer again.... hahahha like we had been rich! (wink) We are so glad that we were able to see the family and even for a short period of time we were able to buy some things for them and spoiled them a little bit.

The vacation was great but I am ready to come home to our own little place.

Blogging from Tubigon, Bohol, Philippines

After more than two years I am back to where I used to live and work. I saw the place where we used to have our own internet cafe. It is vacant now.

When we got home to my sister's house, we were so impressed... the house looks very different. It looks awesome now.

We spend the night at my sister's house. At around dawn, heavy winds were gushing and heavy rains too. There is a typhoon that's why the weather is bad.

We went to the market (as we always do before) early in the morning and buy some fish. There were only a few fish vendors because the weather is bad and the catch if rare. At least we were able to buy fresh fish for breakfast.

We will be back to Mom's tonight for the festival tomorrow.

Blogging from Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines

After few days of a very hectic schedule and so much fun with my brothers wedding, I finally able to log online.

We are finally in Bohol. We are having so much fun eventhough it has been muddy since we get here since it has been raining.

We are having a grea time with our vacation. I will update my blog when I can.

Yeheyyyy!

Note: No hot shower and i am so brrrr in the shower! lol

Vacation... Philippines

Finally! In few hours we will be leaving for our 6am flight to Philippines. We are all so excited. I dread the long flight but at the same time, I couldn't wait!

I am all packed and ready to go. Mom and Dan was so sweet in taking me (and Andrea) out for dinner that way, I wouldn't cook and wouldn't clean dishes and worry about left overs. Andrea had so much fun eating the foods in the salad bar and broccolli. Of course, I enjoy the food too. Thanks to you both!

I couldn't wait to be back home, spend some time with the family and kids and of course enjoy eating the food I really miss.

I am also excited for my family to finally be able to see Andrea. Everybody is so busy right now in preparation with Jerome's wedding. Can't wait to see some friends too and to be there for our fiesta! I know it will be a busy vacation for me but I am sure we will be having so much fun.

We will miss our family and friends here but we will be back and I am sure time will fly so fast!

Philippines.... here we come!

Rain

"Rain, rain go away come again another day"

It has been raining since last night. When it rains, I don't wanna get out! I hate my feet getting wet in the rain.... and shoes gets dirty!

Rainy season is not my favorite when I was in the Philippines. While I was in the Philippines, I worked most days, rain or shine. Not having your own means of transportation, which is the common thing in the Philippines, you will surely get wet on the way to work even if you have your umbrella. Besides, when it rains, I am always lazy to get up. I love to just snuggle in bed with book in the hand and stay inside the room forever.

When I lived in Manila for a couple of years, I had my share of floods when it rains. I remember how our rented house will be flooded. Sometimes the water is up above your knees, sometime higher. Good thing was we have a second floor in the house so we still stayed warm. The worst when it floods is the cleaning up since the house will be so smelly. We have to wash it with powdered soap and chlorine and then dry it up with a mop. It was so much work but it was kind of fun because all our neighbors are doing the same thing. The biggest problem when it floods, we couldn't eat because our kitchen was in the first floor.

When I moved back to Bohol and worked in our own internet cafe, my problem when it rains is the muddy path way from my sister's house (where I lived) to the main road. We don't have a concrete pathway, so the more people go back and forth, the muddier the pathway gets. One of the things I am not good at is walking in the rain. I couldn't master walking without getting dirty at the back of my legs where the back of the slipper flaps. Even if I wear shoes their is still a lot of muddy splash at my back.

The best memory I can recall when it rains, was the fun we usually have showering in the rain. We usually run around and play in the rain until our parents would say enough because we have stayed in the rain for so long. When we are all dried up, we usually get a good nap, tired from all the running and playing. Mom or dad will always make a rice porridge to warm us up. These are simple pleasures that gives me a smile remembering.

Still raining up till now, I have to lay down and sleep and enjoy the sound of rain outside.

Benadryl

Well, it is getting so close! We are so excited in few days we will be in the Philippines! Can't wait to eat fish and fish and fish!

Anyway, I asked Andrea's pediatrician what will be best for Andrea to be comfortable with the long flight. Andrea is a really hyper baby so I am worried she would be all over the airplane. The pediatrician advised us to try benadryl. Benadryl could either hyper her more or make her sleepy. She advised us to have a test so that we will know what will be Andrea's reaction to it.

We tried benadryl last night. Andrea fought sleep (as usual) but after an hour it calmed her down then she went to sleep. We felt bad, because she sleep so long. She just woke up and cry for milk and sleep again. The way she sleep, she is just OUT. Sometimes, she would wake up for a second or two, look at me and then go back to sleep. I couldn't even believe that she slept before midnight and wake up noon. She usually wakes up in the morning and play then go sleep more but with benadryl she is sleeping straight.

I know it will be good for her on our flight from Chicago to Japan since it is a long flight. Hopefully all of us will be able to have a good rest.

Benadryl works!

Fresh Milk (Transition)

Andrea is already one year old. The last time we saw her pediatrician, she told us that we can now switch from formula to fresh milk.

Lucky for me, Andrea likes the fresh milk. She likes it warm. She giggles when I give her cold milk and just bites the nipple and not take the milk so i have to warm it up before giving it to her.

I didn't have a hard time with the transition. I just give it to her and she took it right away. I still have few bottles of Similac but I decided to just give Andrea fresh milk. I assume that it would be easier for us (especially going to Philippines) that Andrea will now drink fresh milk instead of formula.

Fresh milk is cheaper (as in way cheaper) than formula for sure!

New Year 2009

I started New Year being sick. I had a very upset stomach the whole day... perhaps, I ate too much last night from the New Year's get together at Lotlot. I surely did enjoy the New Year celebration even though I had a hard time with my upset stomach.

Dave bought some medicine for me for my upset stomach and it did work really good so I felt better today... Thanks goodness.... I just hate going to the bathroom all the time.

Anyway, today, I also talked to my brother in Philippines, informing me that Mom was hospitalized earlier. It is nothing serious though. She is just having cough and fever. It was best for her to be treated right and in the hospital that way when we come home she will be feeling good. Maybe Mom got sick with all the stress for the past few weeks when Joy passed away. Gladly she is okay when I talked to her, so nothing to be worried about.

New Year.... I hope and pray for economic stability this year... hahaha that way more shopping!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

Chick-A-Fillet Bowl

Last game of the season for LSU. I never expected this game to be won by LSU. Georgia Tech has been playing good so I was prepared for another loss. I have resigned to the fact that LSU has more losses.

Surprisingly, LSU ran over the Georgia Tech team. I couldn't believe how good LSU's defense and offense and how good LSU's quarterback (Jefferson) had played tonight. Somehow I think "where are these kind of plays when they needed to win"

Well, I am happy they won the game. Hopefully LSU team has found its QB and hopefully next year they will do better.

Good luck and geaux tigers!

Welcome 2009

Another year has passed. Time really flies so fast that sometimes you can hardly even noticed. Bad and good things happened in the year 2008. But still, I am grateful for all the good things and all the blessings.

YeaR 2008 was a year that I watched how Andrea grew up from a very tiny little girl to a very bubbly, giggly,hyper little girl. It has been a great experience, not just being a wife to my wonderful husband Dave but trying be a good mother to my little girl Andrea.

My family here in States has been so wonderful to us (Me, Dave and Andrea). I would like to thanks Mom and Dan, Dad and Jan, Terri and family, John and Mischa for being a part of our lives.

Year 2008 ends and I welcome 2009 praying for good health and more blessings. Blessings not just for me but for all the people that I love.

Happy New Year everyone!