Sore Eyes: Blessing in Disguise

The last time that I have been a full-time housewife was when I have just given birth to the love my life, Alkie. For the first two months, I was hands-on with all things Mommy. It was a gratifying experience and I love it that I was able to breastfeed him and take care of him my way but due to financial difficulties, I had to get back to work. For almost 3 straight years of working, it was only this week that I felt for the second time how it is to be a full-time housewife.

April 02 was my first working day of the month and I was ecstatic with my new schedule which is 10am to 7pm. My 1st time in 3 years to be working on a pretty humane and normal schedule. But as unwanted as it is, I was hit with sore eyes. I didn't like it at all since i was using my sick leave credits in vain and the fact that it's Holy Week means it's double pay. But I also realized that it was timely due to the fact that our babysitter/house-help left a week ago.

I'm really not the type to be complaining or whining too much so I thought to myself if I can't be productive at work then better be productive in the kitchen. I started with cooking pasta for my boys and some Filipino beef steak for dinner. I'm glad that my in-laws loved it. Other than that, I was finally able to do some intensive cleaning in our room and organize our closet the way I like it. But most importantly, I'm thankful for being able to spend time with my boys especially my little one.

My little one and I have gone out for an exclusive picnic date and I'm just savoring my every minute with him. I also get to teach him the basics in preparation for his 1st year in school this coming June. This coming Easter Sunday, we will have our crafts day by painting some faux Easter eggs hoping to bring out the creative side in him. And as the week is nearly ending and my sore eyes is almost healing, what I thought would be a long, boring week is now something i wish would not come to an end. 

Oh.. a week is actually not enough for all things fun and creative. I've jotted down some of the things that i want to accomplish before the week ends such as revamping this site which apparently I haven't done or decorating our room and such. I have 3 days left and I surely wanna make the most out of it and I can only do that if I get off this keyboard NOW. <3

The Story of my Life- Part 2

When i got to Romblon, everything changed big time! From living the life to witnessing the simple life my dad, my step-mother whose a total bitch btw and their 4 kids had. I stayed there for 3 miserable years and it was during those years that i felt tormented and really torn emotionally, mentally, physically and socially. It was those 3 years that somehow caused me to have the broken soul that I am now trying to mend.

My life in Romblon was close to hell. It was only my siblings and some true friends who I was clinging to for some glimpse of hope. I felt abandoned by my own dad since i could feel no support from him as he was totally in-love with my whore of a step-mom. I, on the other hand was close to being the house helper with all the daily chores I had to complete.

It was when I was in 3rd year that I just felt so ALONE. It was my birthday and I didn't have any birthday greeting from anyone. It was when I started to question life. It was when i started looking for a mother's love. I was just so down at that point that i got into stuff like smoking and drinking and being too attached to friends. My friends who to me was my only family.

But miracles do happen. In my 4th year in high school, I regained communication with my mom. Then she started supporting me financially. It was my chance to leave Romblon and live my life the way i want it. After graduating from high school I didn't really go to college right away as I had a lot of missing documents. For a year, I traveled to places like Kalibo, Ilo-ilo and Bacolod. It was in 2006-2007 that i went back here in Manila. At the age of 15, I was living by myself and at the age of 18 I started working. Until now, i haven't finished my studies yet since I don't even know who I am or worse what it is that i really want. I wasn't able to establish my identity and my self-esteem. I did and saw things differently. My heart and soul were scarred so bad it's now hard for me trust or even believe people. My past experiences somehow emulated who i am today.

Then 2009, all the empty holes in me were filled by the greatest family I've had. A1 and A2, Alkie and Armand. It is true that all the right things fall into place at God's perfect time. And I couldn't be more thankful and happier. However, going back to the origin of this story, I still need to do a lot of reflection and this Lenten season is just perfect for it. A reflection to help me realize who I am and what I want and I know for a fact that with my boys being there for me, it'll be a lot easier. :)

The Story of my Life- Part 1

All of us, once in our lives go through a phase wherein we just want to take things slow, relax a bit and try to do some soul-searching. That's exactly what I'm going through right now. I'm thirsty for peace of mind and happiness of heart that I have decided to change the pace of my life and just make out of things a day at a time.

Let me tell you the story of my life.

I was born in Sanaa, Yemen. During that time, my parents were required to change their religion to Islam in order to get married, hence the name Samira. After a few years, my dad thought that my name sounded so Muslim-like that he opted to Sweety for my first name and of course my last name as Escarda. My mom whose name is Seema worked as a head nurse who by the way is pure Indian. And my Filipino dad, Elmer, worked as a bartender. Unfortunately their marriage only lasted for less that 5 years. I was told that there were a lot of reasons behind the failure of their marriage. There goes the differences between their culture and my dad's love affair with a Filipina co-worker. 

During the 5 years that my parents were still together, there were instances that I stayed in India. I was even surprised to learn that I studied there for 1 and a half years. But 1993-1994, I went here to the Philippines.

My dad asked my mom to send me here in the Phil. alongside his Filipino friend, my kuya Mike. My mom at that time was probably that young that she somehow agreed to my dad. Now, whenever I ask my mom she would tell me it was out of her love to my dad, she was hoping that sending me here would bring them back together. 

But that wasn't the case. Her decision turned to nightmare which up to this moment she regrets for that was the last time we saw each other.

When i first got here, I was hoping that my dad would take care of me as he promised but he didn't. Instead, I was adopted by my Uncle (my dad's brother) and his wife who as a couple didn't have kids. My mama tita worked in Intel while my papa tito worked as an OFW in Saudi Arabia. My life was normal and I found myself really happy under the care of my mama tita but I guess not everything is permanent. 

I was in 1st year high school when my mama tita and I learned about my papa tito having a second family in Davao and he was addicted to drugs, alcohol and gambling. That incident shattered my mama tita to pieces and ruined her life. It was also when my papa tito turned unsafe to be with since he was showing signs of abusing me that my mom decided for me to leave Makati and go my biological father instead who at that time was living in Romblon. Then the second chapter of my life was born.

33 Ways to Stay Creative =)

India in Manila: New Bombay

A blast from the past mode on.

When i got back from India from a 3-month vacation April of 2008, the first thing that I looked for is an authentic Indian restaurant that offers food as good as my Granny's cooking. I was in search for the one place that would satisfy my cravings and put an end to my growing frustration. I just love Indian food so much that i gained 10 kilos in my 3-month stay in India. Gross, i know.

Just a quick background reference, my mom has 100% Indian blood while my dad is purely Filipino. Sometime in the 1980s, their paths crossed, they fell in love and had me. Unfortunately, their relationship is one of those that doesn't end up like fairy tales do and they went on their separate ways. I was 5 then, and since then i haven't seen my mom until February 2008. I might dedicate a separate post for that "mommy-daughter" moment but for now let's mainly focus on how good Indian food is.

In my first few days in India, i was reluctant to indulge to their spicy foods. Thankfully, one of my Aunts, despite being a full-blooded Indian doesn't have the tongue for anything spicy. So, every time food is being prepared they would have the "spicy" and the "non-spicy". But even the non-spicy stuff was unbearable for the first few days because of the smell and the tangy taste of it. I remember having scrambled eggs for days and i even cooked Pork Adobo which to them is nothing but blah.

Not until my mom convinced me to step out of my comfort zone and be more adventurous with food. Then I thought of Anthony Bourdain and I realized that you're not a full born traveler without trying the native food. Haha! Feeling traveler. So little by little i opened up my heart, mind and mouth and tried their basics: Chapatti, Khana soup and Beans. It was okay and i was learning to like it but it wasn't until i had my Granny's Chicken Biryani that i went nuts over Indian food. Oh.My.God. Biryani is to-die for!

And there goes the looong list of my favorite Indian food both spicy and non-spicy which eventually resulted to my 143-lbs weight. HAHA. But what can i do, the food is just lovely. I would even have one Samousa a day (a street food for around 5 rupees) which is equal to 400 calories. Even their sandwiches and fruit shakes are unforgettable! So you can just imagine how upset I was when I got back here and found nothing that tastes like anything straight from my Granny's kitchen.

I was on the verge of losing hope when ta-dah I learned of New Bombay! It's one of the happiest feeling ever! When they say that their food is authentic, it really is! I just got to give it to them. The food is GREAT, the price range is a WINNER, even the place gives out a Taj Mahal vibe. I was in-love with the food that it became a weekly habit.

So for all of you out there who wants to experience India even for just a few hours, try New Bombay which has 4 branches in  Manila and trust me when i say that you will NOT regret it! Enjoy!

ABABU

I've always been a fan of Meditterenean food. And I firmly believe that good food plus a reasonable price to it is always a champion of a deal. So i'm really glad when years ago, my partner-in-crime, Armand, introduced me to Ababu.

Ababu located at 75 Xavierville Ave. Loyola Heights, Quezon City serves Persian food from Kebab (which is my personal favorite) to Shawarma to Kibda to the evil Ox Brain. And the price ranges from 55php to 300php, ain't bad at all, right?

So if you pass by Katipunan area, you may wanna try Ababu for your share of pocket-friendly and sumptuous Persian cuisine. Now, i'm drooling. Ugh.  

Mommy Sam

I would have to say that being a mom has to be the most grueling role in the world. It plays up with all your emotions. From being sad to happy, to excited and panicky when the little one is sick. It consumes you. It makes a fool out of you because you just give your all and everything. It's when "unconditional love" comes in the picture because nothing and no one can stop you from being a mom. It cannot be taken away from you. Well, only death can end your role as mom.

I am writing this now because I am kinda overwhelmed by my role as a mom. I have a handsome, sweet and such a loving baby boy and I can't help not to feel blessed for having him in my life. But being a mom is far from a perfect life.

Being a mom requires a lot of patience and understanding. And it's not hard to execute those since in love everything comes naturally. But there are still instances when your patience is being tested. I was told once that as a parent I have to be extra careful with my actions and that's true since your child would emulate your actions and even your words as they grow up. When you become a mom and start your family, your priorities change. All of a sudden all the things that seem so important when you're single suddenly becomes trivial. It changes you and the responsibility you have is never-ending. Imagine a life depending on you? It's not an object, it's a life. What a miracle, indeed. You want the best for your kid's future, his welfare and well-being. You work hard to provide him with his needs and the best education possible.

When you're a mom, you love your child with all your heart. Yes it is stressful, crazy and tiring but the reward is priceless. Just by hearing your child's laughter and being showered by hugs and kisses gives you inexplicable joy and happiness beyond words. :)