E.Nopi

I have not enrolled the kids for school (yet?). This is because we are waiting for the VISA application results. We are crossing our fingers for a positive outcome so we can go ahead and live with Hubby in Norway by August.

The kids, aged 6 and 3 would be bored in the house if I don't enroll them in something. Perfect timing because I saw ensogo had deals for e.nopi/Eye Level Center sessions for June. I quickly bought 2 vouchers worth 990 each for 8 trial sessions for about 30-45minutes.

 

The setting was casual, relaxed with the teachers handling not more than 5 kids at a time. Joshua seemed fine with it. Jacob was rattled at first. However, I am pretty sure it wasn't as "fun" as both expected it. Basically, they were drilling the kids using workbooks for English and Math.

Joshua was in Level 7 in Math and Jacob Level 1 for English. This is just a trial class and so we'll see how the boys take it and decide later on if subjects should be added.

 

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Fitness is Fun

A friend of mine is into running and now into biking. She is very fit at 30 and I envy her immensely! I am jealous of her determination and endurance. I am pretty sure both are challenging. She has joined a few marathons and finished them too. Me, on the other hand didn't even join my kids fun run at 1k! She is based in New York and she has a lot of opportunity and place to bike and run. I wish I could say the same for the Philippines. Although, truth be told I see more and more fun run's lately and suv bike rack's occupy a few cars already. Most people who do that drive further away from the City to bike. It is difficult in the city itself since we don't have bike lanes and our parks are too small. I hope like New York we had a Central Park. 

The elections are coming up and I don't know who to vote for but I will do my research and make sure to vote for those who will make sure to include improvements in the parks and recreational places in their agenda.

 

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Jump Rope

Speaking of fitness and exercise, what I enjoy doing these days is jumping rope. I try to do it for 10 minutes but most of the time, I just do 200 jumps until I can't do more. Then I use the stationary bike for 30-45 minutes. Sometimes if I am up for it, I also do crunches. Since I am not yet advanced I just try to do it with my own pace. I also try eating healthy by eating more fruits, vegetables and fish. I have lessened eating rice and sweets and I have stopped drinking soda as well.

So far, I have lost 2kgs. I am not very happy with the slow descent of the scales but it is better than an ascending!

 Online, this is what I read! You can burn 200 calories in 2 - 10 minute session workout!

5 minutes: double-leg jumps Jump continuously at a steady pace. Keep shoulder blades down and back, chest lifted, and jump softly. Swing the jump rope with wrists, not arms. 

45 seconds: plank Bring elbows directly under shoulders, nose directly over thumbs and feet shoulder width apart. Draw belly button up and in. Keep legs engaged the entire time. Take deep breaths. 

2 minutes: single-leg jumps Jump continuously on one leg for 30 seconds. Switch to other leg for 30 seconds. Repeat one more time, 30 seconds each leg. Keep leg that is lifted in front of leg that is jumping. Try to switch feet without stopping. 

2 minutes: double-leg jumps Jump continuously as fast as possible. Make sure feet are not pounding on the ground and chest stays lifted.

45 seconds: opposite arm/leg extensions Come onto hands and knees with wrists directly under shoulders and knees under hips. Extend left leg only up to hip height as you extend right arm up next to your ear. Come back to center and switch side. Lift right leg up only to hip height as you lift left arm up next to your ear. Come back to center and continue to alternate for 45 seconds. Make sure to keep core engaged and shoulders down and back the entire time. 

Repeat the entire circuit one more time (2x total).

I am surely going to do this!

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Going Back

I am highly stressed lately. 

There have been a lot of things in my mind and these things are taking a toll on my health. I have not exercised for more than a week already and I miss sweating it out. I am focusing on cardio workouts these days because I want to lose weight and not gain muscle. 

When I did Yoga, I developed muscled in my arms and back - not I look hulk-ish. When I get into my desired weight, I will tone it out with Yoga. I will try to go to my friends studio. While it is a bit far, their place looks nice and it is near the grocery store. Not to mention they sell Yoga accessories, clothing and even yoga pants for men. I need to buy a new mat because mine is really dirty and it has a bit tear.

Yoga was relaxing and it kept my mind off some stresses even for an hour so I should go back soon.

 

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Second Time

So, for the second attempt - the circumcision did not happen. I am furious. Mainly because he has agreed to it. He knew exactly what will happen (because he was there the 1st time) and now, he was crying wildly again.

This time around a sever punishment is going to happen. It is disappointing because he keeps on saying he is ready, he even told all our neighbors and all his friends. He was very proud about it. Then he did not go through with it. Hai nako!!!

I am never going in there with him again. I will wait for Hubby to be here. I really can't go through that again. It is taking a toll on me. It is draining and stressful, and embarrassing  The OR's staff already knows us and not to mention it is causing an inconvenience to the Doctor!!!

 

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Traveling With A Budget

When Hubby and I went to Paris in July last 2012, we did not join any tours or anything. What we did was do our own research and made our own itinerary. To be honest, it was more fun that way! What was essential was to learn about the metro system and everything else was easy. So basically this was our itinerary.

Paris Itinerary

ETA CDG Paris: 20July2012 10:20am : FRIDAY

Checkin at Campanille Paris 10 Gare Du nord 1:00PM.

1:00-2:00PM – Freshen up.

2:00-7:00PM – Montmarte. 

8:00-10:00- Louvre Area.

10:00-11:00 Seine Cruise

SATURDAY

8:00-9:00 – Eiffel Tower

9:00-10:00 – Napoleon’s Tomb (Invalides)

10:00-11:00 – Place de la Concorde

11:00-12:00 – Arc de Triumph, Champs Elysees.

12:00-2:00 – Lunch

2:00-6:00 - Versailles

6:00-7:00 – Republique

7:00-up – Dinner etc

SUNDAY:

8:00-9:00 Notre Dame (Mass here)

9:30-10:30 Go down to Crypt

11:00-12:00 Chapelle Ru du bac

12:00 Lunch

2:00-3:00PM Pantheon

3:00-5:00PM Luxemburg Garden

6:00-8:00 Dinner

8:00-9:00 Galleries La Fayette

MONDAY

Disneyland

We ended up not going to Disneyland. But we were able to hear mass at Notre Dame and we had so much fun at the Seine Cruise.

We dined and we enjoyed the City on foot and by metro. Good thing we were able to book a hotel very near the metro, else one can always check out luxury rental paris now for more choices on where to stay maybe an apartelle or one with a concierge.

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Growing Pains

I was disappointed at Joshua last Tuesday. He was scheduled for circumcision on that day and he chickened out. We have been discussing this for a year already and he seemed okay with it already. He knew what to expect. Two Doctors talked to him about it already! Everything was fine that morning. He woke up early, ate his breakfast and went to the OR. He was patient and he was calm. That was that until he had to wear a lab gown...and a topical cream was given. He started to fidget and started to resist.   

I was able to talk him into it so I thought it was going to be okay. 

When the doctor came and asked him to go inside the OR he started crying and saying NO NO NO. He won't go through with it daw. We had to talk to him for 45 minutes and then finally the doctor said we just have to reschedule because Joshua was very anxious already. She won't do the procedure when the child is traumatized. So we had to come home and resched. I had talked to Joshua and he decided that he will go through with it and the schedule it tomorrow, Friday at 11AM. I am more afraid now than before. Not because of the pain but the anxiety of the thought of him backing out AGAIN. I feel bad because we are wasting the doctors time. Sometimes I think about moving this thing again for a year, but then if I do that Joshua will think that he can easily just move the procedure back. I will have Aunty Jen come with me tomorrow. She has is better in convincing people into doing her will.

Hope there's no more third time for us.

 

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Friday Fill-Ins 04-12-2013

And...here we go! 

1. Right now I'm busy trying to conquer level 135 in Candy Crush.
2. Smelling my babies armpits is my well known quirk.
3. Are you like that as well?
4. Diet first, then exercise to maintain it!
5. That's why I've not been losing weight, Yoga is turning my fats into muscles.
6. Game of Thrones and Friends is one of my favorite tv shows ever!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with my friends, tomorrow my plans include exercising (running 3k) and Sunday, I want to hear mass and rest!

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Out With The Old

Speaking of summer, now is the time for revamping or start renovations in the house if any. Last year, it was our comfort room which we renovated. There was molds and I was scared that it was causing sickness to the kids. Actually, this year, I just want to add cabinets in the room, change the mattress and add blinds instead of curtains to avoid gathering dust. I found a site http://www.goedekers.com/ where you can find quality items where you can pay for at 0% interest for 6 months. For a household manager like me who works with a budget can safely say that this - having credit payable in 6 months is a great thing. Thinking of renovating? Head on over there and check their whole range of items out.


 

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What Are We Gonna Do Today?

Summer can be very memorable to kids because that's 2 whole months of having nothing on the agenda. My Grade One son felt so much pressure last school year because he was an honor student and I expected a lot from him. I didn't want him to have mistakes so he had to review everyday.

Have you seen Phineas and Ferb?

 


Summer is the best time for kids. That's no question there. My son wakes up late plays with his friends all day and watches his favorite shows too. So for him to fully enjoy I would want to enroll him in a summer activity - maybe a sports camp for swimming, soccer or taekwondo. He had tried taekwondo last year and he loved it. He says he wants to try soccer this year - who knows we'll get soccer trophies?!

After his circumcision, I can go ahead and proceed to enroll him in a summer activity. Hopefully, his recovery from the procedure will be quick and stress-free.

I know it will be a bit painful for him - I am praying he does not whine (so much) about it.

 

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