Two Years of Domestic Life

Today marks the second year of my domestic life.

I can say that it started not immediately after marriage but figuratively 3 months after our wedding in December 2006. That was when Zach finally migrated to the UK in 23rd of March 2007.

In the past 7 years of my life prior to marriage, I have lived independently and was used to looking after myself alone and added to that was the luxury of having a household help that took care of the chores at home. However, when Zach joined me here in England, we found ourselves having to do almost everything on our own. This, for me, was something to get used to as I have a husband to think about and not just myself.

However, in that department, I am so blessed to have a "new generation" husband who perfectly understands my position as a working wife and shares the household chores with me. He knew very well that ironing was quite a "heavy" task for me thus he volunteered to take over that responsibility while I do the laundry, that is, loading the clothes in the washer. Haha! (But hey! Loading clothes in the washer entails proper planning and sorting. haha!) Zach and I alternate in cooking as he can manage well enough. We have an unspoken rule at home that when one cooks, the other should do the washing up later.

Cleaning is another thing though. Maybe it is natural for us women to be "OC" and men to have high tolerance to clutter, cleaning has always been a struggle. With both of us working, we only have weekends to do the cleaning with him doing the vacuum cleaning and dusting all over the flat and me changing the beddings, sheets and pillow cases and doing the scrubbing of toilet/bath and kitchen. I don't think I can let him or anybody clean the toilet/bath as I would eventually clean it all over again. Haha! I think I am just super-OC when it comes to the toilet, though I cannot really say that I can clean it 100%. Haha! And mind you, I always turn into a nagging thing when I realised that I am the only one working. I know...it's not nice but I just can't help it. (If I am at home, my grandma will surely say "Ka-isip gid sa imo, ubra lang bala kung ubra. Pabay-i ang iban!". Haha!)

I feel I am blessed that I cannot relate to this comic strip. Haha!

The first two years of my domestic life is not that bad at all and thanks to Zach for being so patient with me especially during the times when I am such a pain. I know that these routine will definitely change when time comes when we will be blessed with kids. When it it will come? Only God knows. ;-)

Reunion of the Stars

The STARS* are at it again!

After almost 14 years since high school graduation, we sort of gathered again for the second time (the first one held in Mambucal Mountain Resort in 1997). Though I must say that the "usual" people never fail to get together every December of each year, this time was something major and quite special as the organizers led by Dahneeleine prepared for it early on and invited parents and teachers as well.

The reunion was held in Palmas Del Mar last 29th of December. There was a retro theme and all the while I did not prepare as I thought nobody will bother dressing up. But I was wrong! Almost everyone came in their best retro outfit (well, everyone in the steering committee, that is. Haha!). Classmates that I have not seen since after graduation came and others attended with their partners and kids in tow. Of course, not everybody was able to make it as most of us have been based in Manila and abroad.

The Attendees with Teachers and Parents

Starpipol**

It was so much fun as it seems we were the same giggly teenagers as if we never matured and the same camera-loving individuals who did not overcome the love of flashes. There were parlor games, songs and dances and everybody participated just like in high school. A slideshow was shown showing old and recent photographs of each of us. It definitely brought back NOHS memories.

One of the games facilitated by Robin

A Singing Rostell

Towards the end of the program, the teachers were made to choose the awardees for the night - Mr. & Ms Retro, Youngest Looking Star and The Most Transformed Star (this award had caused a lot chuckles and cheers as it has lots of meaning. Haha!)

The Awardees - (L-R) Abigail, Youngest Looking Star; Tsarevich, Most Transformed Star;
Robin and Rizza, Mr & Ms Retro

Chow time with Janice and Abigail - my high school and college buddies

High School Bestfriends

Definitely, I can say that high school years were the best years of my life. It has contributed a lot into what I am today and it was in high school that I found true-est of friends that are worth keeping and I am actually keeping until now.

Thanks to Dahn and the committee, to the sponsors and everybody else for making it an unforgettable event.

Here's to a lifetime of FRIENDSHIP that transcends time and distance.


More photos here.


Notes:
* Star - our class section was referred to as "Star 1" or "Star 2" to indicate that we were the pilot section of our batch under the Special Science Class curiculum of the Department of Science and Technology. We were actually the first batch of the Special Science Class in NOHS.

**Starpipol - that is how we refer to ourselves.