Behind the scenes

So it seems like I’ve gone missing.  And it seems so not just in cyberspace.  Running at hectic pace does not allow for indulgent breathers, and somehow, quiet time online has been spent zoning out.

Life has been marked on calendars and in bullets, and summarized neatly as such:

1. A couple of weeks ago, I booked a flight to Singapore.  One ticket, two-way.  I was at the airtime at 4am in time for my 7:20am flight.  I got my boarding pass (no luggage to check in), ate a huge Delifrance sandwich, and went to the ForEx.  I arrived at Singapore at 10:30am, with the plenty of time to change, hail a cab, and make it to my 12nn appointment.  By 3:10pm I was on the road again, heading back to Changi for my 5:25pm flight back to Manila.  I arrive at NAIA by around 9pm, stood in line for an airport metered taxi (which I discovered charged horrendous rates!) and took the MRT home from Magallanes to beat the traffic and cut down on my expenses.  I was home before 11pm.  My trip was less than 24 hours, and even allowed me to grab a late dinner at McDonald’s with Armand and Matthew.

2. Last December, I was asked to be a co-editor for a baby book by Smart Parenting magazine.  While I gladly took on the job (thrilled to work on something mum-related), I had only a month to get things in order, counting the holidays.  Somehow, through the help of some writers/researchers, I made it to deadline, edited, rewrote, and submitted on time.  Last Saturday, they launched the book (“The Smart Mom’s Guide to Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year”), but although I was unable to attend, I’m happy to know that the book is finally out there. I hope to get my own copy soon.

3. Busy with work.  The reason why I had to miss out on many other things.  Like my college batch’s first reunion for our 10th year anniv.  Or canceling a night of catching up over drinks (sorry!).  It’s the first time in a while that Armand and I are working on a major project together.  It may mean stress, but it also may mean excitement, productivity, and fulfillment.  At the very least, I have him home for a couple more weeks.

4. Movie date without the baby.  Finally. Finally!  I haven’t seen a movie in ages.  The last time I was at the cinema was too long ago, I can’t even remember what the film was.  But last Friday, we were able to muster the courage to leave Matthew with Armand’s sister so we could go out.  Just the two of us.  We even had dinner alone.  As much as I love the threesome, I can’t place enough value on couplehood.  Hoping that we get to do it more often.

5.  Matthew spends the day singing, playing, “cooking eggs” with hand-me down kitchen toys, lining up his trains and cars, jumping on the bed, visiting lola cynthia, talking to lola chi on the phone, and a lot of other random things.  He talks incessantly, like a commentator (“Daddy is opening the gate. Now, he’s closing the gate!”), and surprises us with his observations (“There’s a baby on the motorcycle.”). Granted, to those who don’t spend that much time with him, he may need an interpreter, especially with the missing R and L sounds, but bias aside (I hope), we are getting impressed with how much he communicates with us.  Spending all this time with my son really makes me appreciate my decision to stay home, and if things continue the way they are, it looks like the Universe is also agreeing and throwing me some bonus items along the way.