Quarantine

During the pandemic, I never experienced being quarantined as the time that I had COVID, it was during the Omicron phase and almost the whole household had it. Two years after, I managed to catch the dreaded virus but asymptomatic. Nevertheless, I had to isolate myself to ensure that those with comorbidities don't catch it.

It just sucks that I had to test positive, 3 days before Christmas and quarantine is for 5 days. This means that I'll be missing the Christmas festivities--lunch with my dad on Christmas Eve and lunch with my husband's extended family on Christmas Day. Not to mention missing the Misa de Gallo at 430AM--which was my pledge to finish to give thanks for my son's healing.

I tested myself as two of my team members tested positive. The first one tested last Monday but the day after, I didn't feel any symptoms so I didn't test. But on Friday morning, my other team member confirmed that she has it so I had no choice but to check. Lo and behold, two lines. It wasn't the same excitement that I felt when I also saw two lines years ago (e.g. pregnancy tests).

I was in the office then so I was quickly sent home and I ensconced myself in our room. Hubby had no choice but to set up a bed in his home office and the kids can't go near me. 

I'm pretty optimistic about this though. I've been running myself ragged the past few weeks with all the parties, office deliverables and what have you. Hopefully, I can spend the time sleeping or watching my pending KDramas or cleaning our room. I'm also praying that I don't develop any symptoms and remain asymptomatic.

Before my youngest got sick, we planned this to be an unforgettable Christmas as we were supposed to fly for the US last Dec. 18 and spend Christmas with my mom and my siblings. It will still be a Christmas to remember as for the first time, I'll be spending it all by myself (cue Celine Dion's song).

So for all what's worth, Happy Holidays, everyone! And may your celebrations be virus-free!

Christmas Day at Balayan

We spent Christmas Day here at home where Leo's relatives came over for lunch.

Mandaluyong Friends

On Dec 27, I went to Mandaluyong to distribute gifts and meet up with old friends. I first visited Willie and Tina to see my inaanak, Elisha. Afterwhich, I dropped off my gift at Kuya Emil and Ate Marie's house (Kuya Emil is one of the principal sponsors at my wedding). For my last stop, I went over to 9 de Pebrero to see Tita Lita and her family and the Juyad family--my VSM family.

Christmas Eve at Dita

Leo and I celebrated Christmas Eve at Dita with Daddy, Cheryll and family, BJ and family, Tito Noel, KC, Tita Rosa, Kiko and Mamu

SCB Christmas Party 2008 - 12Dec08

It was time again for the annual SCB Christmas Party. However, this year's party was more low-keyed compared to the previous years. For one, the prizes were not as grand but they did not scrimp on the food and the open bar. Party was held at the PICC Forum Food was catered by Via Mare. Our table was also very nicely placed. Our seats were preassigned and it was a nice surprise to see that we're seated behind the CEO table, near the stage exactly in the middle.

Contrary to what other people think, I just proved that pregnant women are not necessarily lucky in raffle prizes. They gave away 100 winners of 1000 pesos, 20 winners of 5000 pesos, 5 winners of 10000 pesos, 1 winner of 20000 pesos, 1 winner of 30000 and 1 winner of 50000 and I did not win any of those. There were minor appliance prizes and I didn't win any of that too! Oh well.

We didn't have trip prizes this year (we used to have prizes for trip to the US, Europe, Australia etc) probably due to the economic crisis and we somehow understood that. It was fun though even if I was not able to join my team in the round of drinks (the tequila shots just keep on coming) and the dancing. I think my baby enjoyed it though as he kept on kicking during the live band performance.

Day 3 of Block Leave

After a hard day of cleaning yesterday, I resolved to just take it easy today.

Late this morning, Leo and I went to Town Center. I bought a copy of the latest issue of YES! magazine (it's the only local showbiz magazine that I read) and had lunch at Mexicali (somehow, the food tastes different there compared to their branch in RCBC). Afterwards, we had dessert at Razon's (love the halo-halo yumyum) and did some shopping at National Bookstore and Toys R Us.

When Leo took me home, I resumed wrapping gifts. Late in the afternoon, I realized that I underestimated the gift wrappers so we're going to the bazaar tomorrow morning to buy some more and probably buy gifts as well.

There's something therapeutic about gift wrapping, probably like origami. Though my skills are pretty simple and sometimes crude, I love taping and folding the wrappers. I've even copied the style of the professional gift wrappers by using double-sided adhesive (yeah, it's more expensive than scotch tape but hey, it makes the gift look clean!). I don't have ribbons though but I did have custom-made gift tag-stickers done at Robee Stickers (I love this shop! Too bad they closed their branch here at Town Center. Now I have to go all the way to Glorietta 3 to have the stickers made).

To make sure my lower back doesn't ache too much from the sitting, I placed two cushions on my monoblock chair. To set the mood, I even played christmas songs while wrapping! Now, the baby's room is again a mess but it's due to the Christmas gifts scattered all over the room.

We went to Alba's at Westgate for dinner to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. It was my first time to eat there and the food was ok. We got Chris (my BIL) some golf balls which he can use in the driving range.

I'll probably sleep in an hour. I'm happy though as I sleep throughout the night (with a couple of bathroom breaks in between). I now wake up at 7 or 8 AM. I don't nap anymore in the afternoon though as I get enough sleep throughout the night. Maybe when I'm done with the wrapping and cleaning, I'll resume my old habit of napping in the afternoon.

Block Leave

I can't wait to start my block leave. It'll start on the 19th of November and I'm due back to work on the 4th of December.

I have so many things lined up to do and I hope I can finish them:

1. Prepare the baby's room - the spare room is a big mess. It's basically where we put stuff that we don't use but might use. We need to get rid some of the stuff to make way for the baby stuff.

2. Buy baby stuff - so far the big major thing that we already have for the baby is the baby carrier. Other big purchases are: crib, stroller, cabinet, sterilizer and breast pump (yes, I intend to exclusively breastfeed for the first 3 months).

3. Finish Christmas shopping - I really don't know how far along I am in our Christmas list. I have to sit down and check out the stuff that we already bought and match them to the people in the list.

4. Wrap Christmas gifts - I love wrapping gifts. I'm already preparing my gift-wrapping station. I already bought dozens of gift wrappers and had stickers prepared. Can't wait to start wrapping!

5. 3D/4D ultrasound - I also scheduled this during my block leave and on a weekday. Hopefully, there will be fewer people at the clinic and the doctor can take her time. I'm glad I already had my congenital scan done and the baby's healthy. With the 3D/4D ultrasound, we can have a clearer view of the baby and probably see who he looks like.

And some other stuff.

Leo and I intend to go somewhere also for my birthday but we haven't really talked about it. For sure, I can't travel too far as sitting for too long a period makes my back ache already.

Merry Christmas!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1686083153

May the Christmas season bring peace and joy to our hearts, remove all our fears, worries and anger and replace them with courage, confidence and love. Merry Christmas!

All the best,
Leo and Sunshine