The Dorcas

She always made my reviewer during summer so I would be ready for tests once school starts. She trained me to do advance reading even during school breaks.

She is a great coach whenever I joined the Declamation Contest.

She loved to put blue dyes on our white uniforms so it had a special bluish effect.

She's quiet when she's angry and when I was younger, she won't talk to me until I said sorry. It made me think about my mistakes, swallow my pride and apologize.

When she receives a gift from her friends, she will ask me first if I wanted it and gives it to me without hesitation when I said 'yes'.

She made me choose whether I wanted to study or help out with house chores. Of course, I always chose the former.

She worked very hard, even teaching in three schools (highschool and college), just to give us the best education. I know we can't afford being in a private school but God made all things possible.

When we didn't have money to pay for my tuition fee, especially when our examinations will happen the next day, I usually felt bad but she always told me to just pray for God's provision. She never worried about money. Well, she never worried about anything.

She left for Surigao 8 years ago, not to be away from us, but to be a channel of blessing to her relatives there and start a ministry to her students who needed to know Jesus.

When I started working in an NGO in 2002, she asked me to try to work in a call center or  to work abroad. I didn't like the idea and she respected that. But eventually, maybe with her prayers, I found myself working in a call center, as an Executive Assistant though, from 2007-2009 and I left to work abroad in 2010.

I always ask her to write me letters especially after she left for Surigao. I even bought a journal for both of us so we can share our thoughts for each other even though we're apart and whenever we have an opportunity, we exchange journals.

It breaks my heart that I won't be seeing her for more than a year for the first time in my life. More so, it saddens me sometimes that I wasn't with her during my pregnancy and even after I gave birth. But even though we're apart, I am certain that she whispers prayers for me unceasingly.

She's my Hilda Koronel.

Whenever I have a decision to make, aside from asking God for wisdom, I'd ask my self, "What Would Dorcas Do?" :)

I am always flattered whenever people say that I am like her.

Now that I am also a mother, I am beginning to realize the sacrifices she did especially when she worked from morning until evening when we were younger, which made me appreciate her more.

She wants me to become a lawyer, even now. I am glad that she is more confident in me than I am of myself. I would love to study further but for this year, I would try to master being a mother.

I love you and I miss you so much, Mama! Happy 59th Birthday! Yes, she's 59 but she still looks young. :)

Eligay: Year Two

On our second year, nothing major happened.
We just had Quest.
What's the big deal with that?
Everything!

Let's have a little recap...

By the end of May 2012, we learned that we have a bun in the oven. I remember waking you up at 2am and I showed you the positive pregnancy test result. Do you remember your reaction? You said, "Ehhhhh..." then dozed off. :)

During my pregnancy, you shared my appetite for food, you were snoring as early as 8pm, and we fought like kids over whether to make the room warm (because of your allergy) or cold (because I always felt warm).

We transferred to a bigger room one week before I gave birth and I applaud you for carrying our stuff all by yourself.

But for me, the highlight of our second year was when you accompanied me at the delivery room. We were just there for four hours but even until now it still feels like the longest four hours of our lives. You patiently massaged my back through each of my intensifying contraction and you held my hand while I was in pain. You coached me when I was having difficulty in pushing.

You were so brave that you even took a picture of Quest the moment he got out!

And while we were in the delivery room, you were also coordinating your family's trip from airport to our house. I cannot thank them enough for their love and support toward us especially during their stay in Brunei.

You also braved the Brunei road and drove to visit me at the hospital and also be with your family at our house even if you're not supposed to drive. Shhh! That's our secret. :)

Last March, we had another bump on the road, which caused us to be apart for 3 weeks. I held back my tears when I drove you to the airport but I cried the moment I lied down beside Quest at home. I believe it was the most painful postpartum blue I had but I thank God for the comfort.

When you got back, you were fully armed and ready for fatherhood! And Quest may not say it yet but I know he adores you and looks up to you a lot! Thanks for all the creative stuff that you did for Quest. I'm sure he appreciates them.

I didn't know what to expect in terms of how Quest will change our lives but he did turn our lives around! No more TV time, no more taking a nap after arriving from work. Sometimes, even going out for a walk requires major decision making.

But I'm blessed we have him and more so, I'm blessed we still have each other.

Thank you for still being my buddy, bestfriend, and lover. I'm joyful that even through the challenges we are facing now, we still find ourselves laughing most of the time even in the littlest of things, even things that don't make sense, even things that others won't laugh about.

There will still be bumps on the road, I know, but as long as God is on the throne and as long as we focus on our love and commitment to each other and to Quest, everything will work out fine.

So how about another baby maybe in 2 to 3 years? Yes? :)

I love you Bubu! Happy 2nd anniversary! ;)

Quest: 2nd Month

Hi there! I'm now 2 months old and am 5.1kilos heavy and 38.5cm long! Thank God! And here are my adventures so far :)

On 6th March, I went to the Philippine Embassy in Bandar together with Nanay, Lolo and Lola to apply for my birth certificate and passport. It's my first day out! I cried a lot at the Embassy though because it was too cold! Brrrrr!

While Nanay was processing my papers, two girls came to check me out while I was on my cozy car seat :)

After my papers were processed, we headed to Holiday Lodge's All Star Cafe for some brunch.

At 1 month and 5 days old, I started holding my toy/s

At 1 month and 6 days old, I began to try holding my feeding bottle

At almost 1.5 months, I'm learning to suck my thumb and I began to love the crib!

I'm also cooing a lot and I love it when Nanay, Lolo and Lola talk to me. Nanay and I also have a singing time at around 4pm or after our siesta. She plays Nursery Rhymes and Children's Bible Songs and sings along. I coo as well so she knows I am trying to sing with her.

I am crying way less nowadays because Nanay and Lola can already understand what I want better.

Nanay and I also started my tummy time and I'm not crying either!

On 17th March, I attended the English service at church for the first time. We went to Jollibee after that. 

On 27th March, I saw Tatay again! And I was so thrilled!

I'm enjoying my bonding time with Nanay too although she's working already.

I even look forward to having our photoshoots!

I also love the mobile toy from Tito King and Tita Yeng and the carrier from Nanay's officemate plus all the baby's stuff from Tita Penny!

Had my first dose of 6-in-1 vaccine on 2nd April. I didn't cry much because Nanay already oriented me about what will happen and a lot of people prayed for me. See the cotton ball on my upper left leg? The pain didn't even bother me anymore. I also learned that I'm now 5.170 kilos heavy. Whew! Thank God!

And to celebrate my 2nd month birthday, here's an interview I had with Tatay. Happy viewing!