I totally understand the need to undergo medical examinations, especially if you’re applying for a job (whether here or abroad), however, this does not excuse people (from diagnostic clinics) from abusing others caught up in the situation.

What the heck am I talking about? Well, I’ve just finished taking my medical exams yesterday, and I just spent an extra thousand on dental procedures that seemed bogus. Let me explain.

First, since I had my last visit to the dentist last October, I was very confident that my set of pearly whites are okay. Not only did my visit involve a checkup, but I also had a prophylaxis back then. Second, since I’m mostly at home now, I get to brush my teeth more regularly than before. So how can my teeth be in worse condition than before? (I didn’t have any problems when I was still teaching.)

However, when I had my teeth checked in the medical examination, the dentist didn’t clear me. She said I needed 4 pasta procedures and a cleaning. Say what? She didn’t accept my arguments and told me the only way she would give me an OK is if I had the procedures she suggested. So I did, but not without a heavy heart. If only it’s as easy to find a dental lawyer as it is to get a Houston asbestos lawyer, then  I would have done something about that dubious dentist.

Anyway, since it’s only a little over a month till my departure for Brunei, I’d rather focus on enjoying my remaining days with my family. Karma will probably catch up to that dentist sooner or later.

I hate people who drink irresponsibly. But then again, the last word can be taken subjectively. No, it’s not that I don’t drink alcohol. I do, occasionally. However, I have never taken enough to actually lose my wits or become illogical. Even my friends who’ve witnessed me drink my fill and lose sorely on a certain card night, could testify to how sane I still was (way beyond tipsy but not even close to puking level). Of course, I never drank that much again after that.

It’s true that alcohol sometimes makes it easier to ease up, blow off some steam, or relax. But to the point of getting unreasonable? I don’t think so. No matter how many times it has been used as an argument, drinking does not excuse anyone from behaving recklessly, from illogical and often aggressive arguments, or from hurting others with physical or verbal lash outs.

That’s one thing I’m looking forward to in Brunei. Drinking is strictly regulated.

The original documents that I’ve been waiting for finally came today. The contract and the visa are now in my hands. All that’s left for me to do is to pass the medical examinations, meet with the agency, and process some more papers from POEA, then it’s going to be a waiting game till the 29th.

The only problem is I’ve been a little under the weather lately and I’m not sure that it’s a good time to get a medical examination. Despite the vitamins that I’be been taking, people at home have been getting sick and I can’t help but catch a few virus here and there.

So until I’m better, I’m leaving andrea in charge of the document management and the rest of the planning. I’ll try to focus on getting back on good health and doing the article assignments. Hope I get better soon though because I’m not quite sure how fast processing would be.

Because we barely have enough time to devote for other things (with most being taken up by baby time, mateo time and article time), andrea and I have been considerably out of shape. Of course andrea is more frustrated than I am because it’s taking her longer to go back to her pre-pregnancy weight. I, on the other hand, remain pegged at 140 lbs (dunno why though).

Anyway, since I can’t imagine having more free time when we get to Brunei, I’m considering giving andrea some FitFlops for Christmas. I figured since the footwear claims to give leg muscles a nice workout just from walking, it might give us a way to get things started (at least physically).

The question is, would I be able to save enough to get a pair before Christmas? We’ll see…

Last October 22, SM Nova opened its doors to the public. We didn’t even dare to think about going to the formal opening despite all the offers, promos, and the fact it’s just a tricycle away from us. You see, we’ve tried going to a mall opening before and let’s just say it’s not something we’re very keen on experiencing again.

Anyway, we only saw the inside of the new mall a week after its grand opening. Not all the stores inside have opened yet, but it’s looking fine. Not a must-see, but it’s alright, at least if you’re after the necessities, that is.

The cinemas look clean, though I haven’t really been inside yet. The department store seems adequate, and the supermarket feels big enough. The shopping carts look pristine, and the 1U lcd monitors that they mount on racks are still all working.

I’m not really sure how long it’s going to stay clean and attractive. For now though, we still find the new mall appealing… so kudos SM Nova.

Anika has been going back to her twilight schedule lately. In fact, yesterday, I had to rock her in my arms until 2 AM before she finally fell asleep. The dark circles under eye are testament to our struggle. However, we still don’t know why she’s been having trouble sleeping.

She regularly catches a 15-45 minute snooze though but that’s it. At night, when she’s supposed to sleep, she’ll be really sensitive to sounds and would easily wake up at the slightest noise. However, during the day, she’ll sleep without problems until lunchtime.

If only we could match her sleeping schedule, things would be a lot easier. Unfortunately, we can’t. Andrea and I both have obligations to the work, the house, and of course, to mateo.

So I guess, until anika reverts back to regular sleeping schedule, andrea and I would be having less sleep ourselves.

Just like last year, we’re having an early Christmas this year because mateo has been insisting on decorating the house already. He saw where the Christmas tree was kept and demanded that we take it out and start putting it up.

At first I was opposed to the idea because not only do we have lots of clutters in the house, but we also have little space left because many of our things from antipolo are still taking up room in the garage. However, after convincing his mamu and papu to put up Christmas decorations, I finally gave in.

Now, the Christmas tree sits on the garage and a lantern adorns the kitchen with glowing balls of light. There are still a lot more decors to put up though, but I’m sure it’s not going to take long before mateo insists on having all of them hung. It’s just a matter of time.

Lately, andrea has been asking for more and more writing jobs from the people we’re working for. I can’t blame her. Our kids are scheduled for vaccination, anika’s going to be baptized, I’m due for a medical examination and a meeting with the agency, and it’s barely over a month before my scheduled departure. We need funds quickly, so we’re pouring it on real hard especially these last few days.

In fact, we’ve been staying up late most of the time that I can’t remember going to bed before 2 AM anymore. It’s also showing in our eyes too. Pretty soon a wrinkle cream isn’t going to cut it anymore. I just hope we last till I get a regular salary on January. huhuhu!

It’s funny how serendipitous moments lead to major changes. Viagra, for example, became a natural male enhancement product when it was originally intended to work on hypertension; and I’m out of job now and waiting to go abroad after a simple inquiry with my friend lead to a series of unavoidable processes that landed me a job in Brunei.

Sometimes, it makes me wonder how much of these things we really were in control of in the first place. Were these all accidents or are they all part of a bigger plan we simply cannot see?

Anyway, regardless of what they really are, andrea and I have always been going with the flow, trusting that everything given to us are meant for us (whether good or seemingly bad). So for now, that’s what we will continue to do, no matter how difficult everything seems to be right now.

When mateo was just a few months old, he was really fat. And I mean really fat. I wasn’t surprised though because he used to drink a lot of milk (from andrea and his formula). At that time, I never thought he would ever become thin again, but apparently it’s not that easy to predict a baby’s development.

By the time he was 2, mateo was lean. With all the jumping, climbing, and running that he did everyday, it was no wonder how he lost the belly and all the cute fatness that comes with being a baby. He quickly became a kid, and a very rambunctious one at that.

Now, he’s almost 4 and his body has remained lean. Don’t get me wrong though. He eats a lot and frequently too. In fact, sometimes, he eats more than andrea and still manages to take snacks in between. Yet, his frame remains far from being fat. It almost makes me consider giving him weight gain supplement just so he could become a bit stouter than how he is now.

We’ll surely be asking his doctor on the next visit, if he should take supplements or perhaps have some de-worming done just to make sure.