Are you a woman of substance?

You don't need to answer immediately. I'd love to know about that later, in the comments. Let me tell you a story first.

Few days earlier, I spent one beautiful weekend afternoon with two of my current favorite women in my life -- Martine and Louise. Yes, ze Dainty Mom and Mommy Practicality. I'm a loyal reader of these powerful blogs, so to say that I'm happy being offline friends with the authors is an understatement. The happiness didn't just stay inside me. It was seen, heard and felt that day. In fact, if you had passed by our table in Cibo, where we had our lunch, you can even smell it -- it smells like vagina. Hahaha! Okay, not literally. We were just sooo woman in what we were, were talking about and all that jazz that happened. Like what Louise said in her post about our Mademoiselles' Day Out, "What happened or talked about on that table, will stay there and will remain sacred to us three." 

I know it sounds intriguing. We actually just shared a little about ourselves with another. And being with Martine, my numero uno bloggy momspiration, and Louise, who has the strength I so admire, I have absorbed much-needed wisdom that could be a foundation for one to become a woman of substance. 

The Kid President

I first learned about the adorable and smart 10-year-old Robby Novak when Thammie Sy posted one of his videos on her blog. It's entitled "An Open Letter to Moms from Kid President". Robby Novak, as from what I have Googled, is an American comedian, motivational speaker, TED speaker, and a YouTube sensation, interviewing Beyoncé, Andrew WK, Pen Ward, Rainn Wilson, Ban Ki-Moon, and others. 

Sophia Turns Five: My Little Pony School Party

When I was Googling for parties with My Little Pony themes, almost all of the girls who had it were five-year-olds or older. It's undeniably a little lady's favorite. My little girl breathes ponies day in and day out. Instead of saying everybody, she'd say "every pony". She'd sleep with her ponies, plays with them whenever she can and sometimes tags them along when she poops. Haha! Yes, she is that hooked to the colorful gallopin' cuties. So even without asking her, I decided to make it as her school party's theme. As you will see in the photos, the ponies weren't that evident 'cause it's not easy to look for MLP merchandise here in the Philippines, so I played with colors of the ponies instead. 

Warning: I'll be flooding this post with photos from the event. I enjoyed being the photographer that I didn't have a photo with the celebrant. You know, something for posterity. Well, we had one; a family selfie inside the car. That'll do. Hehe. Anyway, if I had the means and money, I could have just ordered party paraphernalia here. But because we're a single-income family, I went DIY. Momma, I had a blast up to the littlest of details!

Sophia Turned Five: Lunch at Home and Dinner at Red Ribbon

Two weeks and few days earlier, the Rayala kingdom was uber busy preparing for the princess' 5th birthday party which was held at her school. I will share with you the details of LB's colorful gallopin' gala of sweets and fun party on a separate post. If you wish to see it on Instagram, you may search it via this hashtag #LBTurnsFive. Yes, may sariling hashtag ang event ng bagets! In the meantime, allow me to make kwento the things that happened on her exact birth date. 

The Lipstick and A Grateful Woman

Whenever I stop working (read: depending on husband's salary), there's this little voice inside me always discouraging me to buy something for myself. I feel guilty. Reasons? One, it's not basically my money. Two, I'm "manipis" by nature. Three, I'd rather buy food, which we can share altogether. However, a girl is a girl with material needs. I know you know what I'm talking about. Say, how can we get to have presentable hair without going to the salon at least every 3 months? Or at least have a decent shampoo-conditioner combo at home. Honestly, I haven't treated my hair for some time now and made a mental note that I will when I have "extra" money. Extra means all bills are paid, the fridge has enough food and my little girl would have her occasional visit to Jollibee or McDo. 

As a SAHM, life is not all easy. But to be honest and fair, my husband's salary is enough. Thank you Philippine government. But just enough for all the payables and simple pleasures. That's why again, there's this little voice inside me pushing me to earn. Because I'm feeling materialistic. Ugh. Rhambo doesn't really tell me to go back to work but he didn't tell me to stop either. Haha! He just supported my decision to "be there" for our child. Thank youuuuu, baby. I love you! But during my flor contemplation moments (happens usually before I sleep or when I do my business haha), I will have this girl wants, which will all be shunned away when a person below 4 feet will knock on the door, saying "are you done 'Nay? I'm bored." 

What do I want to say here? 

Rayala Dialogues: The Sorority Girls

Earlier at school, LB and I were in a serious talk because she hit my face! She was running around and getting messy. I told her before we left home that she can't do that before class. After class, pwede. That's how she got pneumonia kasi --- sweating like a pig then will go inside an airconditioned room. Of course, she got annoyed that I was telling her to stop and sit. Perhaps, she felt embarassed. Actually, I still don't know yet. I will ask her later when I pick her up. Anyway, I was really furious but still trying to keep my cool because I didn't want to make a scene. As I was talking to her, her classmates, all girls named Ar, Al and Sh, surrounded her. It was like her support system, they are actually her "bestfriends". She always mentions their names here at home. They were like a sorority bullying me. Hahaha! Chos.

Clockwise from left: LB, Sh, Ar and Al.

Sangobion wants you to be an Iron Lady!

I just love that while I'm typing this, I can hear the squeaking sound of my old washing machine outside. Yup, I'm also doing the laundry while blogging. That's how a rock star momma roll! And later before 5pm, I shall be picking up my little girl from school, will cook dinner, wash dishes, clean up our mess, talk to the military husband over the phone, evening bath with my mini-me, story time, bedtime... And there, finally a real time for myself. It doesn't sound so bad and tiring, you know. I love what I'm doing and if I can only stretch the day into a few more hours so I could do more, I would. I need to recharge so I need to sleep. Speaking of sleep, few weeks ago, I was one of the mommy bloggers who got invited to attend the exclusive Sangobion media luncheon held at Makati Shangri-la.