All posts by Reah Padla

The Mommy Notebook

October 31, 2012MotherhoodReah Padla

I have this habit of buying notebooks but I always end up not using them. I have this one corner in my tiny bedside bookshelf where empty and unfilled notebooks are all lined up. I like pretty ones, leather-bound, or anything with unique design.

One night, I decided to open a purple journal which I know once belonged to my sister. I meant to use it as a “baby notebook” where I would write down my pregnancy tales and experiences as a new mommy. But guess what, I never got to write down anything after all these years. I only wrote on two pages and pasted some magazine clippings for me to read on about five pages. That was almost three years ago.

It was in July when I started writing again on this notebook. This time, I decided to use it a “Mommy Tips” notebook. I plan to share this with Noah to prepare him and his wife for parenthood in the future, and God willing, to my daughter someday.

It is my prayer that I become the mother God wants me to me. I decided to share what I’ve written in my notebook here in my blog. I hope mothers (and dads too!) may find these words helpful.

I have more than a hundred in my journal already but I will share a few from time to time. The tips and reminders here are from various books I’ve read, advice from other parents, or things I read online. For now, here are my first 10 Mommy Tips:

Pray with your children and remind them that when they pray according to God’s promises, He always answers.
Parents, know the Lord yourselves, and saturate your children with the Word of God– the greater heritage they can receive from you.
Prayer is the key to your success as a mother. Pray for and love your kids.
How to ensure protection of your children: (1) plead the blood of Jesus; (2) take advantage of angelic protection; (3) listen to your spirit; and (4) discipline your children.
Step out and do the one thing you really need to do today. Do not wait for tomorrow.
The mother should “warm the nest” by setting up a loving, forgiving, and peaceful atmosphere in the home. You can do this by meditation on His word, praying for His grace, peace, love, and joy to fill your home.
Examine your child’s talents and interests. Encourage them and help develop their skills. CAST THE VISION.
Plant a seed today of the very thing you believe God will provide.
Develop intimacy with your husband. It takes time and effort but always, always worth it.
You can plan and plant the future of your children by way of preventive praying.

(NOTE: I don’t claim ownership of these words. Most of these are direct quotes, others rephrased.)

’til the next set of parenting tips. Ciao!

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise — “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)

Super Duper Scary

October 30, 2012RantsReah Padla

Allow me to share with you Mars Dizon’s story. She is part of my Work-At-Home-Mom Facebook group and she posted this to make more people aware. I know this isn’t a first of its kind but I think it’s important we know the many different modus operandi out there.

Nothing happened to Mars, she was just frightened. But what if she obliged to the man? It could have been worse.

Similarly, Chuvaness posted something like this last week: On the road: More scary in the Philippines

Being victimized isn’t a joke. It’s scary. By God’s grace, I haven’t experienced anything like this inside a moving vehicle but there are a lot of robbery going on in the area where we live. I’m scared at times because I know we are being “watched”. I’ll share with you my story soon. For now, read Mars’ story and SHARE on your website or Facebook.

Today was the first time in more than 10 years that I once again drove to Makati. It was so traffic going to Buendia from Ortigas, took us almost 1 hour to get there. Going back, I took the wrong turn and ended in the Fort instead of Edsa. Naturally I was already in a bad mood trying to get out of the Fort to C5. Crossing the pedestrian road at the high street area there was a motorcycle that was slightly in the middle of the lane that was going very slow. My instinct was to blow my horn and slightly take the opposite lane to get passed him. Reaching the stop light the motorcycle to my surprise stopped to my left, a man in fatigue (the kind that I only saw for the first time) was signaling me to pull my windows down. Recently reading about horror stories about pretend cops that would flag you down and would turn out to be hold uppers came to mind so I thought I need to be careful. I lowered the window to a level just so I could hear what he was saying. He said “ano problema mo? Ibaba mo yang bintana mo”. I said “wala”. He said, “nakita mo na naka uniporme ako, halika sa police station dun tayo mag-usap!” I told him “wala akong violation, wala akong violation”. Seeing that the road was free, and being confident that there was nothing wrong I did, I continued to drive. To my fright, the man continued to follow me. I was so scared because Roni is beside me sleeping. He continued to follow me and I was already anticipating that he would try to block my way just to make me stop. I continued to drive normally, trying not to drive faster and make me look that I was guilty with anything. I was constantly looking at my rear view mirror and to my sides to see where he was. Upon exiting the Fort, he made a u-turn and stopped. That made me relax a bit. But he signaled an MMDA on a motorcylce to follow me. I even saw the MMDA signaling to the man and was asking him “eto ba?”. This made me nervous again. Entering C5 I was trying to find my cellphone but could not find it! The MMDA was following at this time but from a distance. He was following until I crossed Kalayaan road and seemed to vanish in a few seconds. This incident surely gave me a fright! I am so glad that they stopped following.

I just want to share lessons I learned from the experience:

Pray, when you find yourself in trouble, remember to pray.

When driving, always try to keep your cool no mater how annoying pedestrians or other motorists can be.

Always have your cellphone at hand. Place it somewhere in your car where you can easily reach it. Have enough charge every time you leave home.

When you know you have done nothing wrong, be confident and be ready to defend yourself. Do not allow anybody to scare you. Do not be afraid of men in uniform that will take advantage of their positions or power to intimidate you. If you have done nothing wrong then say it straight to their face.

Lastly, be grateful. Be grateful that God has kept you safe

Stay safe everyone!

I don’t wish these things to happen to anyone. Others had it worse. I don’t know what I’ll do if I were in her place. Honestly, I don’t feel safe anywhere anymore, even inside the house. But thank God that He is there to protect us.

Light, space, zest—that’s God! So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces. When besieged, I’m calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool. Psalm 27:1-3 (The Message)

Keep Calm and NOAH Muna

October 30, 2012Promo, Technology, World Wide WebReah Padla

I laughed when I saw this poster because as much as I would like to say being with my son Noah always calms me down, there are times that he’s the cause of my stress. Hehe. Anyone who knows the famous “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster would be drawn to this local version and be interested what the NOAH here means.

This isn’t something I made for Noah. It’s a government initiative that I want to support not only for the NOAH reference but also because I know for a fact how technology can be helpful during tragedies. Remember during the Typhoon Ondoy and Sendong when Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks were used to spread and share relief efforts?

I got to hear Under Secretary Manuel L. Quezon III during the WordCamp Philippines 2012 Conference last Saturday. His keynote focused on the Official Gazette of the Philippines, Taxonomy, Corp Identity, Portal, and Institutional Memory efforts. I had no idea of such initiatives but Sir MLQ3 piqued my interest to support the government in this area. I’ve always dreamed of a hi-tech, super digital Philippine government and I’m looking at these efforts as only the beginning. I am all for spreading the cause and help promote the projects of the government I believe in.

So what is this Project NOAH all about? Read on.

Project NOAH is the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) response to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III for a more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines.

The Project will harness technologies and management services for disaster risk reduction activities offered by the DOST through PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), in partnership with the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences and the UP College of Engineering. (Source: Gov.ph)

DOST has a more comprehensive description of the project HERE.

NOAH’s immediate task is to integrate current disaster science research and development projects and initiate new efforts within the DOST to achieve this objective. Presently there are eight(8) component projects under the NOAH program, namely:

Hydromet Sensors Development

DREAM-LIDAR 3-D Mapping Project

Flood NET-Flood Modeling Project

Hazards Information Media

Enhancing Geo-hazards Mapping through LIDAR

Doppler System Development

Landslide Sensors Development Project

Storm Surge Inundation Mapping Project

The current NOAH Program team is composed of the scientist-leaders of these projects. The country’s warning agencies: PAG-ASA and PHIVOLCS are also represented.

Within two years, NOAH shall provide high-resolution flood hazard maps and install 600 automated rain gauges and 400 water level measuring stations for 18 major river basins of the Philippines. (See complete list HERE.)

I am reminded of this Project NOAH last night because I wrote about Google’s effort to provide Hurricane Sandy its own Google Crisis Map. I think this is exactly what the government is aiming for.

This is just one project of the government but I hope more people, especially those hiding behind their desks and computer screens all day (like me!), support this one. What we did during the Typhoon Ondoy and Sendong were amazing and we thank technology–the Internet for that.

I guess it’s time, we Netizens, step up and support such cause. Tama na ang cyberbullying at pagbabasa ng mga blind item websites (note to self). Use your Internet and Technology skills for a good cause. You never know how much it can change lives. Continue reading Keep Calm and NOAH Muna →

Eat your veggies

October 29, 2012Exploring the City, Food Trip, Health, RavesReah Padla

I’ve been wanting to try this restaurant ever since I learned about this from friends and Patty Laurel but Quezon City is too far! Haha! Alam mo naman tamad akong bumyahe. Since we’re chained to our house, going out has been a challenge lately. Hihi.

Kidding aside, I’m glad that this Filipino vegetarian restaurant is now on my side of the metro. A branch has recently opened up in Jupiter St. Makati. Yes! I have no more reason not to go because it’s near. I used to live nearer this new Pipino resto and I could imagine it would have been more awesome. Continue reading Eat your veggies →

Noah is turning 3!

October 29, 2012FamilyReah Padla

It just dawned on me that my son is turning 3 next month. Time flies so fast! I’m currently planning a small party for him to be held a week after we get back from Thailand. When I say small, it’s gonna be family only. As much as I want to invite a lot of friends, his classmates, and church mates, we can’t. We weren’t really planning on having one because we’re going out of town but during my niece Jam’s last birthday at Jollibee, he had a grand time with the kids and Jollibee. So yeah, it’s going to be a Jollibee party.

He just learned to sing “Happy Birthday” and has been practicing everyday. He already knows how to blow the candle too.

I guess he’s at that stage when he can understand what’s going on around him. He still speaks gibberish but I know he understands whatever we are telling him. He’s been saying a few sentences, trying to communicate with us by saying “please” and “thank you” a lot of times.

This uber active toddler is starting to behave too. It’s been a challenge but he has mellowed down a bit. I can finally bring him to the grocery without having a heart attack. 😀

This motherhood– parenthood for me and my husband, has been a wonderful journey. Roads are rough but thank God for guiding us. We are thankful that we have a Father we can ask about raising this kid.

He’s turning 3. That means my husband is getting a year older too as the daddy’s birthday comes a day after. I believe that God really set that to happen— Noah being born on November 9 and Joshua on November 10. God’s humor.

It’s gonna be a back-to-back celebration for our little family. Will you celebrate with me by saying a prayer for them? That’s all I’m asking. 🙂

On my boys’ November 9 and November 10 birthdays:

“THESE ARE THE DAYS the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in THEM.”
Psalm 118:24 (my version)

Allow to me share with you an old video we played during his Noah’s Ark-theme dedication party:

Art and Video By: Claudine Rodriguez

PS: But…it won’t hurt though if you sponsor something for Noah’s birthday. Better yet–the whole party… (Ate?!) Hahaha!

Confessions of an UnReader

October 29, 2012Raves, TechnologyReah Padla

stack of magazines — My Stack of Unread Magazines for this month

I prefer reading the old fashioned way. As much as I confess being a techie but digital reading really isn’t for me. I tried but I ended up not reading the e-books and magazines, only wasting the dollars I spent.

And for this month and the last, I have this pile of magazines unread. I have read only a few pages but I wish I could have the luxury to sit and read them. All I need is an hour or two. I guess I just have to bring them with me on the plane. We’ll see.

What local magazines do I read? Smart Parenting, Real Living, Metro Home, Working Mom, Food, YES, Star Studio, and the newly launched ELLE Decor Philippines.

I don’t buy all magazines each month. I only buy if I want to read a special feature or if I like who’s on the cover. My must-buy though is Real Living magazine. The Smart Parenting, I subscribed on Zinio but I don’t get to read them anymore. :/

How about you? Which mode of reading do you prefer? Do you prefer to read your books or magazines electronically or have the actual reading material in your hand?