My experience with mumps

So, what is up?

Here I am, stuck at home, together with the 2nd kid. While the rest of the fam went to church this morning and is now at a relatives' place having dinner. I have been in bed for a week now, mainly because of adult mumps and the complications I've had since I got this.

Some of you might say, "Mumps? On an adult? Whut?!" Yep, I have them. I know I didn't get them yet when I was a kid so for sure, when the youngest had them, I was next in line. She was always with me and sleeps in between I and the hubby. We cuddle, we kiss. You know the drill.

So let me tell you what has happened in the past week, aside from NOTHING.

• I have had the fever for many days now. It only goes down when I take antipyretics (Medicol and Advil) or give myself cold packs on the head and face. Since yesterday, it has gone down one notch. In fact, I was able to drive up until Greenhills earlier to get my replacement charger for this Macbook. (Ugh, I'm a few thousands poorer -- remind me!) 
• I have been feeling that my heart skips a beat or two every so often. This one I really dread, and have woken up several nights, praying to God to forgive me, claiming He'll bring me to heaven and not anywhere else if it's already time. At the back of my mind, it was all okay, except that I kinda worried for my family and my parents. They'd be really, really sad, I know. This gave me a hard time breathing, which leads me to another happening...
• I think I have asthma again. I haven't been taking my MaxGXLs for quite some time now, and especially not since I've had the mumps. So I know this was bound to happen too. Plus my immune system has been compromised.
• My pee smells funny. For the past week, this has been so. I either cough it up to the mumps, or the meds I'm taking is taking toll on my kidneys, or that my blood sugar levels may be high. 
• I get chills every time. Although I can take a bath, I still need my blanket and socks at times, even when its in the middle of the day. Without A/C.
• My back aches like there's no tomorrow. Well, in general, my whole body does. My back just became the highlight. 
• I wasn't able to eat well during the first 5 days. Now I eat better BUT I get dizzy after every meal. Weird, I know. 
• I started a journal just right before I got the mumps and haven't really written anything substantial for a few days. So much for my Bullet Journal-ing. 
• I have orders for the business that I couldn't deliver. Well, because.
• I have projects for my part time stint, and yes, I still wasn't able to deliver. 
• I had too many ideas, but then my laptop charger broke down on me, so I had to drive some 33 kilometers (to and fro) to get a replacement, which by the way, costs a fortune.

Yes, a lot has happened. I've also documented my face during this experience. Please excuse the not-prepared-for-a-photo faces. 

High fever redness

This is my ordeal. Still not completely healed as of today, but I know that in the days to come, I will be. I also wouldn't want to worry about the other things I've been feeling lately too. Nothing will harm me. My God is with me. 

Also, we received many blessings this week too. Paid bills and really high grades and honors for my children. GOD IS GOOD.

Ciao for now :) 

Changes and GlutaFIT

A few months ago, after I made a career change, I also started to take care of myself more. I was looking in the mirror and kept thinking, 'I know I could look a lot younger if only I made time and spent a little for myself'. So that's exactly what I did. I started with buying makeup and facial masks, usually from Korean stores as they are more compatible with the look I want to achieve. Then I had lash extensions and regular nail salon visits. I also started to think on how to keep my skin looking fresh and moisturized but not too oily, which was the hardest for me since I have combination skin -- part oily, part dry AND it depends on the weather. A small chunk of me also wanted to be fit, as I was feeling the heaviness of it all.

I remembered that I saw a post on Facebook one time that there's a supplement that has both anti-aging and slimming effects, PLUS it can whiten the skin too! Yay me! The name? GlutaFit.

JC Premier's GlutaFit 

I searched for suppliers on the internet, and found a friendly one. I wanted to try it ASAP so I asked if we could meet up instead of having it shipped. Luckily, she lived a few minutes away from me. I initially just wanted to buy 1 bottle so I can try first, but the price becomes significantly low if I buy 2 or more. So I went with it and also bought the Omni Soap.

After some exchanges on Viber, I was so convinced to resell the products and I asked how. I also wanted to make sure that the product does live up to what they advertise. After about a week and a half, the hubby and I (yes, he takes them too) noticed visible changes in our skin and our bodies. Shirts and jeans fit better and people also took notice of our lightened complexions.

So here's my shameless plug : Buy JC Premiere Products HERE

We have ongoing promos and Starter Kits ;)

3 Day Stress-ings and Blessings

Time to recap the days that were.

Friday.
It wasn't a good day. I was starting to worry about things that concerned finances. Why you may ask, since it's only 2 days after payday? Well, simply because Ive only had one of my (two) clients pay me (actually, it was a day after). If you must know, as a mom who takes care of the household budget, our finances are scheduled and carefully allotted on our daily needs, bills and even our recreational activities. For this payday, even before the actual day came, I had counted every single peso would go somewhere. So yes, it was quite a stressful day for me.
One more thing about me : I reboot my system and purge when things start to get taxing. So that Friday night, I told the hubby I was craving for a Mint Chocolate ice cream from Caramia (yes, I soooo love Mint Chocolate ice cream!!!). And he had this idea that all of us would watch a movie. Exodus (movie review will follow). So yeah, of course I would want that. If he had suggested just about anything that would make me leave the house (working almost 20hours a day is no joke, I tell ya!), I would've gladly said yes.
Things didn't exactly end so happy that day, but I got one wish, which was to go out. And then some :)

Saturday.
I didn't go to work the night before so I had a good rest for the day's activies. Day out at S&R with the fam.
My mother-in-law asked us to accompany her and do some shopping for our monthly and Christmas supplies. I gladly obliged since it has been more than a year since I last went. Original plans were to go their BGC branch, which the hubby would have a hard time finding, since I am his GPS, if I didn't go.
There was a debate as to what S&R branch we'd go to when we boarded my hubby's uncle's new Trailblazer. As soon as we reached the highway, it was no contest that we'd go to the nearest one since traffic was piling up and it looked as if we had no choice. S&R experience post will also soon follow. All I can say is that, this was a day full of blessings. The only money I had to shell out was my renewal fee.

Sunday.
Day for the Lord.
We had to go to the mall first to have lunch (Church starts at 3PM), buy candies for the kids' Christmas party, and a cake for the birthday girl, Alyssa, my cousin-in-love.
By this time, I was definitely stressing out about my pay from my other client. I haven't received it, and the email I sent Saturday morning was only answered a day after, saying that it is top priority, but didn't have a set time or day when it will be sent. I have stuff to pay and bills are piling up. I know we have some other things we need to spend what's left of our money on. And my loan for my Macbook would need to be paid too. Ack, stress!

I am hoping for a better day tomorrow. Our househelp (she used to work for me and will work again for us now) will arrive tomorrow (hopefully), looking forward also to a stress-less work day and of course, PRAYING that I will be paid finally by tomorrow.

That was my 3-day recap. You?

Remembering and praying

Currently reading Chicken Soup for the Couples' Soul, and yes I remembered what my husband and I have gone through for the past 13 years. We had painful memories, that only God can heal, but we had so much love for each other that it was evident in our whole relationship, that serving each other was one of our priorities. Whether it may be a big, bold act or a teeny tiny one that only true love can notice. 

I miss the hubby. He's out for an employment requirement. This morning, I told him to pray for things like these. For decisions, especially big ones, we he has to make. As this will definitely affect, good or bad, our life, both ours and and our family. I have asked God for guidance, but ultimately, its His will we ought to follow. 

Job. Quit. Job.

Last week was pretty challenging for me. I almost quit. My job, that is.

It has been an ongoing battle for me. I have a very moody boss, who, if I choose to understand, is the way he is because of his responsibilities. It should not be the case, but that's the way it is. It was a fight or flight.

There was one instance where he was giving me feedback and using such harsh words. No, he didn't use curse words but he might as well have. I was working very hard. Even after hours (which I realize now that I shouldn't be doing - another post on work ethics and personal space). But after I heard his feedback, it was like all my work went down the drain. I was frustrated, disappointed and disheartened. Then finally I decided. I messaged my boss and told him that I'd quit. Thanking him for the opportunity yada yada yada. All these, while crying.

First he said okay, then probably changed his mind and said that he still encourages me to stay. In a way, he apologized. And gave me time to think.

I thought about it and weighed my options. I had other available work waiting for me, but you see, its very hard for me to "move on" when I've finally made my way through a job. So after all the debate with myself, I chose to stay. I'm still hoping that this is the better choice.

Praying, by the way, is a constant during these times. This is my ultimate shield. Against everything else, including myself. Thank You God!

Thank you Hubby!

This post is dedicated to my wonderful husband, who's celebrating his 32nd birthday this Friday, July 8, and whom we dearly miss. He's abroad working, to bring food to our table.

I have always thought of going back to work. I still actually have that feeling of my need for work. But I am THANKFUL that my husband is as responsible as he is and is doing his best to provide for us. I seriously don't have to work. We have enough. Not much, just enough. And I am blessed to be able to spend my days and nights with my babies. And no matter how much I go crazy at times because I miss the hubby so much, I am still at that state where I'm content and happy.

I love you By! I'll forever be grateful for what you have given us.. me..

Happy 32nd birthday!

"Here Without You"

A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me

The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

Everything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
And when the last one falls
When it's all said and done
It gets hard but it wont take away my love

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

What I have now...

Got a mail regarding a comment in one of my old blogs. So I started to read. I was a really unhappy, depressed, whiny woman! That was 5 years ago. I think I still am, though, but in a mature kinda way (that, I'd like to think!).

I was really sad. I can't help but pity the person I was. I was constantly looking for things from different areas in my life. I only had 1 child then. Maybe the kids brought more "life" to me, more optimism. Come to think of it, I think I have more patience, more time, more humility, more "ground".. I'm more like what I need to be.

I guess it was the pressure. It was the environment, the people around me. Actually, things started to get really bad after that. Then it was okay again. Then bad again. Okay, bad, okay, bad. It's okay now though. And I seriously hope it stays this way. Although there are missing "parts" of me now (hubby being away and all), I still consider this time as one of the "better" days.

See yah.

Back in the game?

How do I go back in being a work-at-h0me-mom? It has been months (ok, a year maybe) since I haven't been doing some real work online. Hubby and mother-in-law asked me not to. But this time, since things are going downhill (well, not exactly.. i just can't seem to think of a better word) financially, I think I need to revive an old money-making business.

How do I do that? It's not like I have all the time in the world. I have learned to be too domesticated the last couple of months, that I have my hands full already. So yes, please tell me how do I do it?

I know I'm good at certain "virtual assistance" stuff but I'm humble enough to say not all of them.

I will start small. Small steps again. Then I'll tell you about it.

While waiting, you can visit my other sites :)

http://virtualassistant.i.ph

http://beautyreview.i.ph

http://radiantbrown.wordpress.com

http://manilaassistant.webs.com (my business website)