My Facebook profile photo shows me holding our cat Wapshot and Tom talking to my mom via Magic Jack and webcam

I got into Facebook a few days after I lost my job. It was my former officemate Peter who convinced me to get an FB account. I wanted to keep in touch with them so I did. But the most fun part for me was to reconnect with many people from the Philippines: my classmates in college, high school, elementary, my teachers, my ballet teacher, my friend's mom, my officemates from Manila, my piano teacher's daughter, cousins, neighbors in Albay, former art workshop students etc. Seeing their photos and their families. A lot of them I haven't seen for over 20 years!

Even with friends who live "nearby", you are updated with the latest scoop on what's happening in their lives on that very day compared to taking the intitiative of staying in touch via email. Like how a friend was robbed on his way out of the gym the other day or how many miles Rhebs ran today or how a cousin in Maryland got 24" of snow yesterday. I think it's the way how Facebook make it easier for you to visit just one page (home page) where you can both write in your new status and read the new going ons, links, photos and videos from those in your friends list as well and "liking" (pressing the like button) or making a comment on them all in one spot. I hated the numerous clicking I had to do in the groupmail website just to read the complete message or view each photos.

Other features that I like in Facebook is the "hide" button, either hide friends (for those who have the tendency to constantly make nonsense posts) or apps (those games like I Started A Pillow Fight, Farmville etc) from other friends which I have no interest in. I also like that you can "customize" a friends list whom you choose to read your status or view your photo albums. My favorite is the "block" user list. You know, very helpful for those people who happens to be a friend from someone on your friends list. It's nice to read a wall without having to be reminded of their existence.

But I still have complaints. I like the Facebook when I first joined last year. It was simpler then. I didn't have to be constantly bombarded with who-is-newly-friends-with-who or what apps they are using.  They used to be found unobtrusively in the sidebar. I also don't like it that friends-of-friends can have access to the "friend request" button even if my account is private. Or that friends-of-friends have access to my friends list. When the privacy settings was changed it bothered me so much that I contemplated on closing my Facebook account, even if I was that big a Facebook junkie. But they modified it which appeased me a little, still I prefered the older version. At the end of the day I do realize that this website has to make profit somewhere and their business are the apps/games and getting as many users as possible, that is why privacy is sacrificed.

For me Facebook is a fun outlet, something I can unwind with. In the beginning I joined a political page of my local hometown. It was a novelty for me to read about "inside stories" of the political going ons from that city in the Philippines. But just as quickly I removed myself from it's friends list when talks got dirty and the loudest, most offensive hecklers are the ones who go by fake names, surprise! Yesterday, I read on my wall (since a few friends are still members) talks about suing already. I don't need that kind of aggravation.

I have noticed though that people who were addicted as I was when I first started have began to slow down on their posts, so I can see myself not be as enthusiastic with Facebook when the trend continues. Which is fine by me, I do look forward to the time when 1 visit to this website for maybe like 20 minutes a day or less would be enough. Even healthier. I don't think Facebook will ever replace what blogging is to me.

Another surprise for me was the Razzie (bad movie) nominated All About Steve. I actually liked it and laughed out loud (something I seldom do for movies, just like crying) in a few scenes. Sandra Bullock has always been a favorite and Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) is a favorite of Tom's. I liked how Sandra Bullock's nerdy character gives out a lot of information on the littlest things in the movie.

I also made a discovery that Netflix offers a lot of Tagalog movies, even newer ones. It's under Foreign > Foreign Language > Tagalog Language section. It had a few on Instant Play and the critically acclaimed  Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming Of Maximo Oliveros, yes, it has subtitles) was one of them. It is about an openly gay young boy who takes care of his father and 2 brothers, all of whom are thugs. Having lived in the U.S. for 6 years it just a contrast to me how more tolerant and accepting filipinos are to gay people. Sure they get teased a lot and yes, there are filipino fathers who disown their gay sons but in general we have very little of the homophobic undercurrents I have witnessed here, especially if they dress in girl's clothes.

I also watched Food Inc. a documentary which has me seriously considering of going organic (maybe buying organic produce with skins we eat) and vegetarian. There were things that were said and images shown that was very disturbing to me. Like how ethylene gas is used to artificially ripen green tomatoes, how cows stand kneedeep in their feces most of the time and how these can get into ground beef which in turn are washed in ammonia, how this chicken farmer developed all sorts of allergies and how she's immune to all antibiotics because of the many antibiotics being fed to chickens, the big possibility that we are now eating cloned meat (with those impossibly huuuuge chicken breasts I've been seeing lately I won't be surprised)... The only meat I probably won't and can't give up are fish and crustaceans (mmmm.... crabs and shrimps!) The movie has a website that I plan to explore more.

Our city has recently banned celphone use in cars (no, unfortunately I didn't have anything to do with it), they are still working in banning hands free use as well. I rejoiced when I heard that but watching this No Phone Zone episode in Oprah was sobering. Some quotes:

"a recent survey finds that 71 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 49 admit they text or talk on the phone while they drive...

0.08 blood alcohol level has a four-time crash increase. ... talking on a cell phone is about the same as driving drunk,... When you're text messaging, the crash risk goes up to eight times.

Nearly 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 are killed each year because drivers are talking, texting and e-mailing behind the wheel."

Doesn't just make you think twice of bringing your child with you when we venture into the streets? What's baffling to me was that one young man Oprah interviewed who killed 2 other men because he was texting behind wheels said that people his age are not aware how dangerous it is like how drivers ed would emphasize the dangers of drunken driving. These kids even text while driving at 50mph, how crazy stupid is that? People, hands free or not, THE BRAIN JUST DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!!!

Okay, I know a lot of people will love me for posting this but I was really entertained by Obama's Q & A with the GOP House Issues Conference. I didn't watch the State of the Union Address but I was transfixed with this. I was most surprised by the persistence of the congressmen of giving their too obvious talking points and asking the same question over and over even when Obama called them out to it, they came off as not very bright. Those people are making decisions for this country? Yikes. I don't know how the Q & A with the Dems would fare, a lot better I hope. It would be interesting how Obama's critics who are in denial of Obama's smarts and constantly attribute his riveting speeches to the teleprompter react to the presidents off the cuff schooling of their bumbling representatives.

Okay, I am calling it a night. Btw, I won't be entertaining anonymous comments from people who can't control themselves. Nor their husbands. 

A sample of Evan's imagination. Before bedtime, after I read Evan books, it his father's turn. Instead of just saying goodnight to him, a few days ago Tom has begun telling Evan stories that Tom made up. Evan absolutely loves it. What's more, Evan contributes to it too - to the point he now dominates the storytelling. The video clip only has one story since Dad and Son 4-story session could last more than 30 minutes.

On a side note, I don't know why some of the letters got cut off on the video - my theory is that the overlapping titles don't save well on lower resolution.

Even if he already goes to pre-school we don't have reading, writing or math drills at home. Nor art sessions either. But I do let him watch me draw for his homework (instead of cutting out pictures that starts with the assigned-letter-of-the-week). If he asks for paper and crayons I give it to him. If he wants scissors and glue and paints, I give it to him with supervision. From time to time I ask him to count objects. I try to get him to count past 20 but I stop when I see he's not interested. The same with reading too.

That was why I was a little nervous for his pre-school's parent-teacher conference. I didn't know what to expect. Based on many of the literatures I've read - for kids Evan's age, play is emphasized when it comes to learning. I believe in it but I wasn't sure if Evan's schoolteacher does. Especially since Evan only attends pre-school half days 2x a week

So I was pleasantly surprised to come home with a glowing report card. For Language Development, Reading Readiness, Arithmetic Readiness and Religion he got "Outstanding Work" marks. His Social Development he got "Satisfactory Progress" marks. No "Need Improvement" marks - which I was half expecting to get a few.

His teacher's comment was: "Evan's love of books and creative play are exciting to observe. His language skills are well developed. He has made good progress in following directions."

Talking to his teacher I asked him about what things I should do at home and there was only one thing she said: "Just read to him. Which you obviously have been doing."

I am so happy that Evan's teacher and I are on the same wavelength.

p.s. this is a wonderful site that advices on what pre-schoolers should know.

As you can see this boy can and will read anywhere. Evan at 3 years and 8 months.

Jan 12 at dinnertime I was giving Evan a rundown of our itinerary tomorrow: gym, library, asian store... Then I told him I was going to leave him at Charlene's house because mommy had to go see a doctor. "And you'll come bac?" he asked. Of course.

Jan 16 Evan to Tom: "Dad, do you need a son?"

Jan 19 last night I was making drawings for Evan's homework. Evan: "Is this a tennis ball?" Me: ""No, that's a marble." Evan: "Is this a bear?" Me: "Noooo, that's a monkey." Okay that's enough, you are now giving mommy a complex.

Jan 19 we had the perfect weather (mid 30s and sunny) for running outdoors today. So happy I did it while my son napped in the stroller. I missed it so.

Jan 19 Evan: "I am a super hero and my wife is Charlene."

Jan 21 Evan looking at a framed church wedding photo of Tom and I. "You know," I told him, "when that picture was taken, you weren't even here yet." "Yeah," he answered, "I was in the house playing with my toys."

Jan 26 before bedtime father and son took turns telling each other stories they made up. Tom, impressed by our 3 year old's imagination asked, "how do you know that?" Evan replied with, "because I thinked."

Today At father and son playtime last night. Tom (the monster): "I'm going to eat you up!" Evan (the victim): "Noooo, I am not tasty!!!"

Maybe when I remember to put a glass of milk on the fridge's lower shelf I will get to sleep until lunch time.

Not that I didn't saw this coming, the other week when I didn't get up early I found him like this:

Still eating cereal he prepared himself for breakfast (we normally have oatmeal) on the yellow table and chairs he carried from his bedroom just for this occasion.

That Tuesday, I saw Evan reading with books scattered all over his room. Then the next time I visited his room I saw the books like this:

And this is without any prompting from me.

I guess this is the advantage of having no yaya or nanny to wait hand and foot for your child as it teaches them early to be self-reliant. And I don't even "formally" train my son to do this. During the day I don't stop him from creating as much mess as he wants, as what Phyllis Diller quoted "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." But I do encourage him to help me clean them up at night time, help me do chores around the house heaping on him praises of how he is almost a big boy. And to him that is the ultimate compliment.

When Evan is all grown, this video is going to make me cry buckets. I just know it.

Ever since Lea introduced us to Laurie Berkner, Evan and I was hooked right off bat. For me, I was happy that Evan had other songs he can appreciate aside from Disney and Wiggles. Songs that don't drive me crazy and in fact actually enjoy myself. We know all of Laurie's songs from 5 albums. Yes, we are fans to state the obvious.

Last Sunday we took a trainride and headed for the concert. I was surprised by the number of adults that were there. Even MEN (granted they were doting dads or granddads)! It was nice to be rubbing elbows with people who just adore the band as much as we did, singing along together to songs we know by heart. Dancing too (jumping in Evan's case). I even saw two little girls cry when the concert was over.

We had time to kill before the next train left for home, so thank goodness for Google maps, I was able to plan a short visit to Waukegan library which was only 2 blocks from the Gennessee theater. It's smaller than our library but they had a children's activity center that I could only be jealous of.

The thing that most surprised me that day, was that of all the people who were there at the event (the place was packed which had a 2,500 seating capacity), only 2 families (us included) came in by train when the station was only four blocks walk from the venue. That is so sad! To think I only paid $5 for the roundtrip fare. Evan was free.

Why?

Photos of Evan's gifts and some video clips of him playing with the toys. Music by Laurie Berkner.

As early as now I try to teach Evan to appreciate each of the presents he gets. That was why we tried to get him to open 1 gift in one day. I don't just see how opening them all at the same time doesn't get to be overwhelming, especially for a small child his age.

The fun thing about giving something to someone as young as Evan is his genuine delight at almost everything that he uncovers under the christmas wrapper.

Sunday Lunch at my family's house in the Philippines captured with the webcam. I was chatting them one moment then I was told that it was lunchtime. So I got to witness that. It's so cool that modern technology allows people from different continent to stay in touch this way. If only I was also able to taste the crabs, charcoal grilled fish, vermicelli noodle soup, roasted pig bought by the kilo, marble chiffon cake and macaroons too. See the coke litro?

They are ordered for room service at no additional costs (covered by insurance).

LUNCH

APPETIZER
fresh cup of fruit

ENTREE
Salmon Florentine
atlantic salmon broiled and served with spinach in a homemade tomato sauce

SIDE
Asparagus
Brown Rice

DESSERT
Strawberry Mint Trifle
moist yellow cake topped with vanilla pudding, strawberries and mint

BEVERAGE
Prune Juice

When I was done giving my order, the woman on the other end commented dryly, "after all that you're going to have prune juice?" We both had a good laugh. Well, I felt like having prune juice!

DINNER

APPETIZER
Cup of Fruit

HOT OFF THE GRILL
Chicken Fajita

DESSERT
Low Fat Creme Brulee with Fresh Mint and Whipped Topping
low fat custard topped with caramelized sugar

Beverage
Iced Tea

Yep, you bet I ate all that without guilt! The last meal I had the day before was my pm snack and lunch the following day was at 2pm. I was so impressed by their healthy menu that I asked for a copy. It would be a good start with my future healthy cooking projects.

I thought I was waking up from sleep. I was woken up by the impact of my butt smashing the floor. Then I remembered my stomach pain, it was still there. Still intensely painful. Then I realized I had just fainted. If only I can get to the bathroom. I moaned as another round of something sharp gripped my insides.

"Mommy?" I heard my 3 year old's voice as he got out of bed. I probably woke him up. "Evan?" I called weakly. I was still in a supine position in the hallway, a few feet from his bedroom door. I saw him come out from the room but he didn't see me. "Mommy?" he called going to the dining room where my computer was. "Evan," I called out again,"mommy's right here." Then I saw him coming back. "What are you doing there?" he asked. "Mommy's a little sick, I am going to the bathroom ok?" As I tried to muster some strength and willing the dizziness to go away, I deliberated whether to call 911, call a neighbor or wait for Tom. My husband should arrive anytime soon, maybe in 20 minutes. 

But to call 911? What if this was just indigestion? That would be embarrassing. Worse, maybe I could even be fined for a call that wasn't legitimate. But what if this was more serious than food poisoning? Somebody told be that when she had her heart attack the feeling of indigestion and nausea were one of the symptoms. I have always had low blood pressure, my cholesterol always good, blood sugar too but we'll never know. If it happens, I didn't want my son to see me that way.

I managed to crawl 3 steps into the bath room. Then I felt I was going to black out again. "This is bad," I thought. "Evan!" I called to my son who was somewhere outside the bathroom, "can you bring to mommy the phone please?" The phone stand was only around 3-4 meters from me but I didn't think I would be able to make it. "Okay!" then he comes in with the phone. This was only the second time he had done this for me.

So there huddled in the dark bathroom I dialed the famous number I never thought I would ever call for myself. It took three rings. Are they kidding me? When somebody did, I hesitated, debated whether to give them a long or short version of my problem. "Uh, I think I'm going to faint and I have only a 3 year old son with me," was what came out. The person on the other end asked for my name, address then told me somebody will be there to see me.

A couple minutes and I could hear the sirens. I crawled a few paces and stationed myself underneath the buzzer so I could buzz them inside. I also told Evan that that was the firemen and they are going to help mom. But I could hear the firetruck went past our building. Despite my situation I was amused. A few more minutes I heard them coming back. Then a buzz.

I sat up, kneeled and reached for the buzzer. The I heard heavy footsteps rushing up the stairs, a knock and our foyer was immediately filled with 3 giants dressed in fireman suits. They found me sitting on the floor with my son perched on my knee. I was then bombarded with question of what happened, how am I feeling, what am I feeling. Follow up questions of any allergies, what medicines I was taking, what did I eat, when was the last time I ate, if I was pregnant etc. They put something on my fingertip to measure my heart rate, then another took my blood pressure. Then three more people came to the scene, the EMTs one of them was a woman.

They were friendly to Evan, they asked him what he got for Christmas and he chatted with them. "He's very sociable," the lady EMT commented. The fireman who was taking my blood pressure was annoyed with our cat who kept brushing his nose with his tail. "Get away cat!" he shooed while pushing Wapshot away. Our cat always gets excited when we have "visitors". I was told they will take me to the hospital and asked what hospital did I want to go. I gave them the name of the hospital where I have given birth to Evan but expressed my concern that Tom will be coming home soon. One fireman told me that he will leave a note.

So I was loaded into a chair with wheels which wasn't quite a wheelchair. They asked for Evan's coat and shoes. They were amused to see Evan's hat and mittens all attached to the coat with a thin ribbon. I reached for my shoes but was told I didn't need it. I wondered how I will survive the below freezing cold outside without my own coat and just socks. I felt bad having to them take me 6 flights down then I realized that there were many of buildings in our city a lot taller than ours. Which is the reason why when calling 911 both the firefighters and EMT (emergency medical technician - those in the ambulance) teams are sent because the former are better able to access tall or hard to get into buildings.

Once outside, a stretcher was waiting for me. As I lay down I happened to look up the window where Braden, Evan's close friend, lived. I turned my head to see a smiling Evan being carried by a fireman with one arm. Thick blankets where immediately thrown to cover my body. I sighed in relief. As the stretcher was lifted to the door of the ambulance, I saw Braden's mom, only in her shorts and sweatshirt. "Geri?" she called "do you want us to take Evan?" I was very grateful. Aside from their own 3 year old, they have a baby too that was why I didn't want to impose on them. "Yes! And please tell Tom we are at ______ Hospital!"

Then I was inside the ambulance. My blood pressure was again taken, heart rate and an IV inserted in my arm. The IV was painful and uncomfortable even throughout my hospital stay. After a few more minutes my concerned husband was there. I quickly told him that I was okay and that Evan was at our neighbor's house. He asked me if I wanted him to ride with me. I answered that he has to see Evan first and just meet me at the hospital.

Tom would later on say that when he saw the fire truck lights from a distance on his way home, he initially didn't think that it was in front of our building. But as soon as he saw that it was he had an uneasy feeling. He lingered for a moment in front of the ambulance when one of the 8 foot tall (as Tom would say) firefighter asked him if he was Evan's dad. Tom's heart sank, he imagined worse. And when Tom said yes, the firefighter asked him what my name was to verify and then told him what happened.

I am very thankful Tom caught us because Braden's mom related to me what was on the note. It said, "To Tom: Geraldine and Evan were taken to the _________ Hospital. The _________ (name of city) Fireman. Can you imagine to come to an unusually empty house and to find that at your door?

After a short very bumpy ride, I was taken to the ER. I was turned over to a nurse, a lady doctor and a male doctor with teeth so white it looked flourescent blue. The ER not surprisingly was full. In the six hours I was there, I was stationed in the hallway 80% of the time. I eventually ended up having to be observed, admitted to the hospital and didn't get home until about the same time the following day.

The rest of my stay was uneventful, although the facilities provided for my comfort in my room had me marvelling for some parts and the sumptuous room service hospital food complete with menu for appetizers, entrees, soups, salads, side dishes, dessert and drinks. Still, even with a very comfortable sleepnumberlike bed complete rest was hard to accomplish with the constant (every 3 hours I think, even in the middle of the night) knocking on the door, the uncomfortable/painful IV I only slept 2 hours. I have become convinced that the hospital doesn't really care if you are rested or not. All they want is to keep you alive.

Not surprisingly I was glad to be home. Looking back, with all that happened, dialing those 3 numbers was probably the smartest moves I did in my life.

1.) Create 3 new websites and renovate this Tabulas site.

I am particularly tired of my soon to be 5 year old look (has it been really that long?) so I am itching for a make-over. I just might do this first too. So if you chance upon this blog looking screwy, that's because I am working on it.

The other 3 websites are a mommy projects blog, my husband's short stories and another blog which is confidential for now. I might throw in some business kind of site too to complete my portfolio. This will be good practice for my budding web design skill. Since I have no desire of maintaining so many blogs (as you probably notice with my dormant running blog which I plan to revive soon) this Tabulas site might act as more of an aggregator in the future. That still remains to be seen though.

2.) Finish 2 book lay-outs.

Remember my perfect gift for Tom? That was supposed to be a compilation of his short stories complete with book cover, about the author page and all. But he turned up to be pickier than usual.

The other book is a memoir about my pregnancy to Evan's first year, most contents will be taken from my blog.

This is also will be to practice my Adobe graphic design skills.

3.) Compile online healthy recipes made from scratch.

Something that is healthy and yummy enough for me and Evan to eat. It should also be easy to make and freezeable. I will be sharing my finds (with links) in the mommy project blog. Maybe I could do this in a book form too.

4.) Run A Marathon On May

I am still choosing between 2 marathons but I should make a decision and register next week. I already began my marathon training yesterday. After 2 weeks of running hiatus (just to change pace for the holidays), I ran 3 miles without a problem. Once a runner, always a runner? :)

5.) Do a couple more Portraits and a Figurine

One of the portraits will be a family portrait. I have been itching to make a figurine out of clay when I saw a photo of this young girl. Then I thought there's no better time to make these stuff while I am still a full-time mom.

Now you can see why I am so excited! This will be fun, fun, fun.