Rayala Dialogues: Little Bebengisms

I have collected some of my darling amiga's antics that she said the whole month of April. Some were funny, some were just plain aww-worthy. Enjoy!

~ ♔ ~ 

OPPOSITES

My husband Rhambo and I are exuberant conversationalists. So whenever there's something that really interests us, we tend to raise our voice a bit. Our unica hija, being not used to seeing her folks talk [personally], is always shocked when it happens. One day, we were making chismis. I totally forgot who or what the topic was, when ----

LB: Guys, stop. Stop fighting. You should be NICING.

Ah. Present tense po ng nice. 

This is to You, the Military Wife

I just want to share this article with you my fellow military wives that I came across upon doing my regular affairs with Google. Some parts were US-based andwar-related, most made me shed a tear and gave me a lump in the throat. It's a long read but  really, really worth your time.

THIS IS TO YOU, THE MILITARY WIFE

By Ashleigh Baker 

This is to you, the one who married the uniformed man. To you, the one who stands beside him. You, the one with whom he links arms, but not hands, because, of course, intertwined fingers aren’t authorized while in uniform. 

Nanaygosyante of 2013: April

It gives a special seal on relationships when people go matchy-matchy with what they wear --- watches, shoes, flipflops, shirts, etc. When my then-boyfie, now husband, had our first out-of-town trip, we bought matching slippers. When I had my daughter, I tried to always match my outfit with her; actually, until now. Though I know we would be looking like we'll go on a dance number, it gives me so much joy. 

It became a trend now as mompreneurs started to open their online stores to mommies who want nothing but the same as what their children are wearing. I usually see outfits for mommies and little ladies, and nothing for fathers and sons. Perhaps, we think men as macho and serious; that wearing the same shirt with his son might lessen his masculinity. Wrong. It actually gives them a more welcoming aura; the aura that is called fatherhood. Good thing one courageous wife of a lawyer broke that machismo goings-on in our society. She opened a clothing business that makes matching outfits for moms and daughters; and yes, for dads and sons, too. 

Review: Zest-O Slice

As much as I want to shield my daughter from carbonated drinks that do no good to her health, the inevitable always happens. Of course, when she sees us sips from a glass full of ice and Coke, she'd think she can, too. So yeah, I usually let her. My mothering style is basically democratic. But please don't think I'm raising a brat here, I minimize my softdrinks intake so she won't take at all. 

We love water. Water is THE only thing that really quenches my thirst. But there are times I look for variety --- iced tea, flavored drink, fruit shakes and juices. I have tried a lot already, especially when I see something new in a convenience store near us. My latest discovery, which I am very grateful to have received samples of, was Zest-O Slice. 

It was delivered to our house one humid day. My thrilled girl instantly grabbed one and she chose the pink bottle --- the Grapple. After a long gulp straight from the bottle, I heard a "mmmm, it's deleeeshaus, Nanay!"

A Mom's Life: 13/48

I almost forgot I have this weekly feature. My thoughts and soul are still on vacay.

Well, we're back home and Rhambo's back in the camp, too. I am actually feeling a bit lethargic because of my husband's come and go status but I felt the need to just go on with my life as a mom and blogger. Sigh, it's not easy. We've been doing this long-distance hullabaloo since 2007, so I must not complain. But really, I still cry every time he leaves. I'm such a wimp. 

Anyway, enough about me and my drama. 

Today's A Mom's Life star is a fellow Army wife and Mandala (Philippine Military Academy Class 2006) lady. I met her through this blog. She was one of the few who messaged me about how she appreciates the articles I share in this shack of a site. It is just fitting to feature her here as she is also an inspiration to other military wives, regardless of religion, race and weight. Below are some quick facts about her.

NAME: Sharijane Cazandra B. Dinayugan

AGE: 26

CHILD, AGE: Hamzalahdin "Youme" B. Dinayugan, 7 months and 16 days

OCCUPATION: I'm a Registered Nurse. Pero dahil sa Army ang jowa ko eh 'di ko carry ung 10-hour shift so now I am a part-time Publishing Consultant (managing a small-time printshop as well). Most of the time, I'm a SAHM.

FAVORITE OUTFIT: Basic jeans and shirts and cardi's

MUST-HAVE BEAUTY COSMETIC: My most-loved Skin79 BB Cream and shimmery lipstick

HOBBIES: Telebabad with my poging asawa (that's how my day starts and ends) or read manga comics

CURRENT READ/WATCH: Read - Sun Tzu's Art of War / Watch - Rurouni Kenshin Oav

The Soldier, the Queen, the Mermaid and Hundred Islands

We paid Php1500 for the boat that toured us around, brought us to Quezon Island (the most commercialized out of 100+) and picked us up so we could go back to reality. It's big and sturdy enough to hold around 20 people. The manong bankero was also kind to inform me (his most inquisitive passenger, btw) of what the islands are known for. Turtle Island because it's shaped like a turtle; Crocodile Island because it's shaped like a croc; Bat Island because that's where thousands of bats live; Children's Island because it's small (most well-thought name noh?!); but he didn't tell me there was an EMPI ISLAND there. The island looks like a floating bottle of Emperador. Hehe. #imbento (no photo though). It was a great experience; except for 1) the population of Quezon Island's vacationers during weekends, 2) my burnt shoulders that Beach Hut didn't cover up well, 3) the 100-peso payment for the 5 gallons of non-salty water you can use if you will take a bath, 4) one fresh buko juice costs Php100; and 5) the sleeping bats in Bat Island, which were supposed to show off. I'm 28 and it was my first time there so the complaints observations I made were very petty. I only knew about Hundred Islands during HEKASI class in gradeschool and now, I actually stepped on it. I think if there were less people, the trip was close to perfection.

What made my Saturday super worthwhile was that I saw how happy my little traveler was. Her pink Dora life vest helped her swim without my assistance. It's Php149 only! Her independence and enjoyment were affordable, in fairness. She didn't complain about having burnt skin. It was her tired legs that made her sleep for 14 straight hours! She woke up the next day telling me and her pop about the beach that she dreamed about. Cuteness. R and I promised that we will travel to different places more whenever we can. And now that our preschooler is beginning to appreciate what her innocent eyes can see, every trip we make should be worth for her to remember. I hope these photos could help her reminisce this experience once she gets to study Hundred Islands in school.

*photos taken using a Samsung S3 Mini, Samsung ST66 and iPhone 4s. 

Rayala Dialogues Special: My husband can sometimes be a jerk but he's a great father!

Well, we're still here at the camp and so far, nothing so spectacular happened yet; just a few extraordinary moments. The officer's been talking to his men like they're honeymooners. Well, he's doing his job. I love that he's so into it. Guess I'm lucky to have him, right? At least he's not a bum or something like that. Anywayyyy, he has already planned about our Hundred Islands trip. One of the staff has his family here, too, so we might invite them to come along with us. LB and the 6-year-old boy have begun to be playmates; this can be a great chance for the two to play more. I just hope that my girl's cough will soon be gone. I gave her her well-deserved massage while she was watching Little Pony vids on my phone before bedtime, plus some Vitamin C tomorrow; that might do it.

Speaking of my girl, she just gave me a dilem-mom I will never forget.

THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS. We bought her a swimming vest then I looked for my swimsuit. While I was scouring the skimpy bikinis and mustering enough courage to buy one, LB ran away and Rhambo couldn't find her. I threw the black maillot swimsuit I was eyeing and helped him look for our runaway princess. It was the most terrifying 5 minutes of my life (next is a flying cockroach). I was panicking, my heart was beating so fast and I feel cold. Most of what I thought of were bad things I've seen in news. Media, you are killing me. Thank Jesus my husband saw her at the counter! She was paying for the big shovel and rake she picked for her sand castle session she's planning to do at the beach --- only she got no money. Hahaha! It was the cutest sight ever but I was in no cooing state. I immediately carried her and gave her a hug. I wept. I almost died but the girl was not worried at all. The thoughts of going to the beach was all over her, her door was closed for any negativity. The innocence of a child is breath-taking but nerve-wracking. Btw, I didn't buy myself a swimsuit. The husband said something like "pambata ba yan?" I was totally discouraged. And to be honest, my body was not beach-ready so forget about it. Sigh. He's really, really something else of a lover, noh? But you know what? He's a great dad.

FATHERHOOD BECOMES HIM. We were on our way back to the camp when LB asked where we're headed. So when I told her "camp, baby", she gave us an unforgiving crazy wail, nonstop. Rhambo, who was suffering from a real bad toothache, turned to be the most handsome father ever. He asked her princess if she wanted to drive with him. Of course, my adventurous tyke didn't say a word. She just sat on her pop's lap and held the steering wheel like a pro. I'm sure she will never forget that, too, like I can never forget the moment I lost her for 5 hell minutes. Rhambo may not bathe or feed LB now like he used to, but he's doing special things our daughter will surely remember. I'm loving him more because of that. But what can you say about the next paragraph? ;)

MY INNER (AND OUTER) BEAUTY. I was watching Dove's experimental video last Tuesday when I thought of what Martine of Dainty Mom has posted months ago, something like "dressing up for your husband". It said something like showcasing the body parts that your husband likes most; that left us with this conversation:

Bebeng: Beb, anong favorite part mo sa body ko? (while flirting with him)
Rhambo: Eto.. (sabay hawak)
B: Bilbil?
R: Hindi, eto. (tinaas ng konti)
B: Ano ka, masahista?
R: Ano ba, katawan ba?
B: Ay ganun, inner beauty lang ba meron ako?!

We were on laugh trip for the next 10 minutes of our bickering/cajoling then he said "hindi ko nga gusto inner mo eh". I was super shocked. He said he was just trying to see what my reaction would be. Well, I was saying the whole time "a-hole ka talaga". And we just laughed again and again. Natural high, it is! 6 years of togetherness made me realize he likes my curves and behind. It's not as wholesome as eyes or shoulders, but at least there's something in my body that he likes. It's not just an inner beauty. Oh, I don't think I have that anyway, haha!