5 Things I Look Forward To

1. Christmas break

2. New Year

3. Prom at the Crowne Plaza

4. Tala Amzi Marie's 1st birthday ♥

5. Family Summer Outing (hopefully in Boracay) ♥

10 Most Significant Events In My Life... as of now! ♥

1. When I was born.

2. My first day in school.

3. My 8th birthday in Baguio City.

4. Sundays @ Pepin Street with my family and relatives.

5. Baguio trips.

6. College graduation.

7. My baptism last July 26, 2006.

8. My wedding day.

9. When Tala came to our lives...April 27, 2012.

10. When my father died nine years ago ( July 11, 2003 )

Tala @ 6 months ♥

Last October 27, we celebrated Tala's 6th month at Red Kimono. She really is a big girl now. She loves to explore anything and everything. As you can see she loves to stand, play with pillows and the remote control. Can't wait to see what she can do on the following months. We love you Tala.♥

Our standing Tala ♥

Loves to stand and knock on the wall ♥

@ Red Kimono with ate Erin and daddy ♥

Playing peek-a-boo with the pillow ♥

Loves to smile a lot ♥

One of her favorite toys...the remote control♥

With the BALIK-Bayans ♥

Mel, Aggie, Katch and Ging

Had a great night last October 6, 2012 with my SHSian friends! We had dinner at Yakimix then continued our chit chats and drinks at CAfe 80's. Wonderful thing is I get to meet again a new friend.♥

Tala Amzi Marie @ 5 months

Our Tala Amzi Marie is now 5 months. She loves to look at pictures and listen to conversations. She is also magulo and loves to roll over.♥ Although she looks like a boy she is still our pretty little princess.♥

My Wish List (Things I want to have and own come year 2013)

Christmas is here! Though I do not celebrate Christmas I still would like to receive some goodies during the said season.(hehehe) So here is a list of my wants and hopefully I would be able to get it through the generosity of my family, friends and strangers(generous ones).♥hehehe♥

1. iPhone 5 or iPod Touch. Yes I know it's expensive but who knows, right? Somewhere out there someone might land on my blog page (who is very rich and generous) and decides to grant my wish of having an iPhone 5. I want this phone or touch all because of the Instagram. Haay! Just because of that! I am so intrigued with that Instagram that I too want to see ... "pictures taken with Instagram". Well, it's not bad to wish for something BIG and expensive.♥

2. Blackberry Bold 9790. I like to use BB cause it's user friendly and I can email and FB using it. Yeah iPhone has those features too but I just want to take pictures with the iPhone and not use it for call or txt. BB is more professional looking and I like the "porma". It looks more sophisticated compared to other phones that I used to own like Nokia and Samsung.

3. Organizers (Filofax). Yes I'm old school! I need to write all my to-do list in a filefax. I love using the filefax 'cause it makes me look like a "busy" working girl.♥

4. Bags (yes with an "s"). I prefer to use big bags as big as my eye bags...hehehe joke only. Well, kidding aside, I need to own and use big bags to put all my essential "junk" in. I like leather bags and water proof bags. Branded bags I will gladly accept.♥

5. Laptop. This was promised to me by my husband and I'm expecting it by year 2013. I prefer a MacBook or a new HP G42. A laptop is a necessity now for a teacher like me. My husband has one but we cannot share because I have my own files to take care of. Hhhmmm... which is better?

6. A Pentax Q10. I saw in Yahoo that there is a new Pentax digicam and that is Pentax Q10.  I like the way it looks, so old school. What's good about it is you can change its lenses plus it is "like"an SLR. It is better to have a digicam that works like an SLR, right? I sure hope Tal would be able to give this as a birthday gift when I turn 35 next year.

7. Clothes and shoes for my babay Tala Amzi Marie. Whether it's a dress, a pair of pants or shorts, blouses or shirts as long as it fits (her size is 4m-6m) she will wear it in style.

8. Moleskine notebooks. Yes with an "s". I like the big ones for my future big bags. Before I type some of my blogs I write it down on paper first. But I don't just want to use any ordinary paper. It must be Moleskine. I like the notebook without grids so I can also draw freely. I feel pretty and smart whenever I'm using one of my Moleskine notebooks. ♥ I also love the elastic page holder. It helps secure some envelopes and pen or other knick knacks. Whether it's small or big, soft bound or hard bound as long as it's Moleskine ...me likey!♥

9. Breast Pads. Yes I still need breast pads'cause I still breast feed my baby Tala. I prefer the brand Pigeon.

10. Jewelries. I'm into jewelries and other accessories(new or vintage).

Math Fair 2012 ♥

Every year, FEU-FERN DILIMAN celebrates its Founder's month and one of the highlights of the said occasion is the Math Fair. 

This year, our celebration of Math Fair is more fun just like the its theme, Math More Fun @ FEU-FERN. ♥

Since we had an increase in enrollment , we now have additional games made by all our high school students and higher elementary students. All the students enjoyed the games especially the prices. 

Also this year, we invited the third year high school students from FEU Silang, Cavite. We entertained them with song numbers, cheer dance by our PEP Squad and of course the math games. 

I saw the eagerness in them  when they joined the Mathinik contest and surprisingly they WON!♥

I just hope that every year our Math Fair would grow bigger and better!♥

Tala @ Trinoma ♥

Last September 1, we went to the doctor for Tala's monthly check-up and her last 5 in 1 vaccine shot. Usually, we go home right after the check-up but since Tal and I forgot to claim our baggage in Landmark the day before, we were obligated to return to Trinoma with our Tala.♥
Since we're there, we decided to buy her a play gym and a play mat. As you can see Tala tested the merchandise. 

At the same time, my ate and mom were also there in Trinoma. I loved the reaction of my mom when she saw Tala. Mama was so happy and excited to see her.♥

Hhhhhmmmm....kailan kaya ang susunod na pasyal ni Tala?♥

♥ Tala's 2nd Day Out ♥

Tala is now 4 months old!♥ So we decided to give her a day out at UP-Ayala Techno Hub last August 27, 2012. We had a great feast at Kanin Club and had our dessert at Starbucks.♥ Tala's cousins gave her a new jump suit in pink and kuya Johndy took lots of pictures of Tala. Thank you kuya Johndy, ate Lailani and tita Eya for celebrating Tala's 4th month.

Happy Birthday Mama/Lola Nymia♥♥♥

Last August 11, 2012 we celebrated mama's 64th birthday. We had dinner at T.G.I.Fridays. The birthday girl/lola ordered grilled chicken Ceasar salad and I had Jack Daniels Salmon (my favorite).  After our gastronomical experience we went to National Bookstore to buy a birthday gift for her.My sisters and I  are thankful for the gift of life.♥ May she reach her 65th next year with grace and good health.♥

Tala @ 3 months ♥

Our baby Tala Amzi Marie just turned 3 months last July 27 ♥

Engagement 2010

It's very obvious that Tal and I are not comfortable in front of the camera. We're both camera shy.♥ Well, this was taken a few months before we got married. I enjoyed our engagement shoot and after wards we had our dinner at a nearby resto. How I miss the pasyalan days.♥

♥Happy 2nd Anniversary Talento♥

It's never too late to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Talento ♥ Tala and I love you so much! Thank you for the love and care.♥

FEU-FERN DILIMAN Elementary and High School Department

Elementary and High School Department

What's in a name?

Two months before I gave birth, my husband and I were thinking of a name for our first born. We asked for suggestions from friends and family. My best friend Honey suggested Tala .My husband and our boss didn’t like it but I loved it and there’s nothing they can do to stop me. Anyways, Tala means star and my baby girl is a star!♥ One time we searched for a second name for our baby girl in the internet. We came across a Hebrew name for boys which is Amzi and it means strong. Immediately, Tal and I loved the sound of that name, Amzi. So, Amzi it is for our Tala’s second name. Tala Amzi F. Castro♥ It’s a good name! We then announced it to our co-teachers. My close friend Ms. Nora suggested another name for our baby because Tala Amzi is too strong and it needed a feminine touch. She suggested Marie. Tala Amzi Marie F. Castro. Thanks mama Nora ♥

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♥♥♥♥♥♥☺☺☺

My baby girl is a strong bitter star.Marie in Hebrew means "bitter". Haaayyyy!!!♥

Special Delivery

April 26, 2012-April 27, 2012

This is it! I'm going to give birth! 
Those were the words that kept me awake.

4-26-12, 10AM 

Talent, Hannah and I went to Capitol Medical Center to see Dr. Quiambao. She told us to come by to check if I'm ready to give birth (I did not feel any contractions). She wanted to deliver our baby before she leaves for the states. Doc checked my cervix and it was still 2 cm (it has been that way for one week) so she recommended us to take a walk first at the mall and just come back at 5PM for the big event ♥. So we head off to Trinoma, had lunch, walked, had merienda and walked again. Then at 4:30PM we returned to CMC.
Doc was already at the delivery room all preped up.

My co-teachers and mommy friends told me what to expect during "labor day" that's why I was confident and excited to give birth, not knowing what's in store for me.

Doc checked my cervix again and it was still 2cm. So the nurses and doctors prepared me, cleaned me and then induced me at 6PM. From 6PM to 11PM they monitored my contractions before giving the epidural (anesthesia). They again monitored my contractions and come 2am, April 27, 2012 Doc told me to practice my "push" (as in "ire" in tagalog). With the epidural in me at that time, it was so difficult for me to push "cause I can't feel anything! From 2AM to past 3AM I was having difficulty pushing my baby out. Before 4AM, they moved me to the delivery room. We've been pushing and pushing for 2 hours so Doc asked  help from my anesthesiologist in pushing my baby out. I told myself I must give birth before 7AM. After 2 pushes my baby came out at 6:48 AM. I just heard Doc say, "Agnes ang laki ng baby mo!" After a few seconds I saw my baby on my chest looking up to me. I wanted to cry but I was too overwhelmed .

I enjoyed the bonding time with my baby. Especially when our eyes locked...oh it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!♥

Welcome baby Tala Amzi Marie F. Castro♥

At 8AM they returned me to my room. Only Hannah was there. I think Tal and ate Eden was waiting for Tala in the nursery.

After lunch, I was surrounded by visitors. My mama, tita Mimie, ate Eya, ate Tina, my best friend Honey, my FERN friends (Nora, Mhe Ann, Fiorelle, Romel and Karen). Thank you family and friends for your company.

I was filled with JOY that day! It was a very special day for it was not only Tala's birthday but it was also my mom and dad's wedding anniversary ♥.

The next day 2 of my students visited me and Tala. Thank you Jambrin and Gerald.♥ That night tito Mark Anthony Fernandez came by for a visit too.♥ Thank you doc Mark (for the Jollibee too)♥

April 29, 2012

It was time to bring Tala home. But before that, Dr. Panllilio (Tala's Pediatrician) checked Tala and was proud to announced that our small wonder was showing signs of maturity. Wow! Impressive!

Kuya David (ate Eden's friend) was the one who drove us home. Ate Erin and ate Hannah made a welcome home banner for Tala. Thanks guys♥

For the first two weeks , we made sure that our little angel was super comfortable in our room that's why the air conditioner was on 24/7. On the third week, we let natural air cool us.

For the first two weeks also, I was not able to take care of my baby Tala during night time. I was thankful for my ate Eden was the one who looked after our Tala.

On the third week, I was feeling fine but still my hormones was not normal and very chaotic. I also noticed that my body was changing. I'm beginning to lose weight and my tummy was getting flat.

After one month, I was ready to face the world and work again. The sad part is that I only get to see my baby Tala at night after work.

Me and my husband are thankful for all the blessings God has given us everyday. Most especially for the gift of life. Mommy and daddy love you so much Tala Amzi Marie♥

You truly are a special delivery to us.♥

Blog♥Blog♥Blog♥

I'm back!♥ Now what to blog?♥ Well, I'll be blogging about my experience before giving birth and of course my cute baby girl Tala.♥
Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to start.♥

Happy weekend to everyone!♥

Tala Amzi Marie @ 1 month ♥

Happy one month old to our lovely Tala Amzi Marie♥ ♥ 

WELCOME Baby T.A.M. (Tala Amzi Marie)

 Meet our beloved baby Tala♥ 
Mommy and daddy love you so much♥

Excited for the coming of Tala♥

Good Old College DAZE!♥

We ARE the CHAMPIONS...again!♥

Promenade 2012 @ EDSA Shangri-La

What's in my bag?

Here are my so called essentials.

1. A book or two. I need this especially if I'm waiting in line or if I want to relax after working.
2. My journal. Everytime I go to Starbucks I tend to write my thoughts or anything I want to share in my blog.
3. Organizer. Of course I need to organize my schedule especially during our year-end activities and my dates.
4. Medicines. In case of emergencies like if I have a cold or slight fever there's no need for me to run to the clinic to ask for meds.
5. Make-up and toiletries. Hey, I'm a teacher and I need to look presentable everyday. I need toiletries in case I'll be using a public toilet at least I get to clean it first before using it. 
 6. Cell phone. It's not in the picture but it's also a necessity and we all know that! 

Preparing for the birth of Tala

It's a good thing I bought Nina Garcia's Look Book a few years ago. It has helped me prepare and wear the perfect wardrobe for all occasions. Now that I'm going to give birth this April or May, there's a section in the book that tells you what to pack and bring to the hospital during your labor day.

Here are some of the no-fail list of necessities for my trip to the hospital a few months from now.

1. pajamas or nighties
2. bed jacket
3. change of clothes to wear home (preferably a dress)
4. make-up (just the basics)
5. toothbrush and toothpaste
6. hairbrush
7. slippers
8. bathrobe
9. Identification cards
10. birthing plan/medical  info and other important documents
11. several pairs of maternity undies
12. snacks for visitors
13. camera
14. books

I can't wait to see our baby Tala this April or May!♥♥♥ Can't wait to be one hot Momma!♥