One Big Year!

Today marks hubby’s first year working in Sri Lanka!  I am so proud and happy for him as he was able to accomplish so much at work (double the business anyone? And that’s coming from a considerable base!) and more so at home (to the frequent readers of this blog and my Facebook friends, you all know how I gush about every single little thing hubby does right?).   

So, my dear hubby, it has been a great one year and I’m honored that you brought me along for the journey.  I vowed to you that “wherever you are, that’s where I need to be.”  So it may be a challenging ride and so far away from home, but I will do what it takes to support you.  Because at the end of the day, you are my home and there is no other place I’d rather be than with you.

I love you and I am confident that you can make even bigger things happen in the next year.

One Big Fight for the year to go!   

Mama La Vida Lanka: Novenas During Pregnancy

One of my very good friends from my previous work, C, shared a couple of Novenas with me.  Prayer is a very powerful part of my life (I know it’s quite unbelievable!) and it has been a refuge for many a difficult days.  In my pregnancy away from home, prayer has helped me be “home” even for just a few minutes.  I would like to share with you 2 Novenas that I pray for the health of baby and a safe delivery. 

Prayer to Saint Raymond Nonnatus

Patron of Childbirth, Children, Falsely Accused People, Fever, Infants, Midwives, Newborn Babies, Obstetricians and Pregnant Women

O Blessed Saint Raymond Nonnatus, so loving to all your devotees, I being last of them all, I am happy to know that through the infinite goodness of God, He has designed to make you a saint, adorned thee with special graces and help, for which I am most thankful.  On the Most Holy Trinity, and you my adorable patron saint, through your merits and those of the blood poured by our Savior Jesus Christ, and through the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I most humbly beg thee, deign to intercede from the most sublime God, protection for the Holy Mother Church, that through your prayers, God’s wrath be taken away, see the progress of true faith, defeat the wrong doctrines, the peace and understanding of all Christians, peace of the whole country and the redemption of the Christian captives.

I am humbly begging you my devoted saint, that you may be my intercessor.  Since for many hours you did not die in the womb of your dead moth and you were successfully delivered from her side, to be the joy of the world, and that my soul may live in grace in this earthly world, may I imitate your life and exemplary holiness, so that when the hour of my death comes, I may detest all evil thoughts and temporary wealth of this world, so that with the burning love for God, my soul may reach heaven and to and together with you and the angels and all the saints, praise God Almighty forever.

Deign to grant me most amiable father the favour I am asking in this novena (mention the request).  I firmly believe most amiable father that you will be my protection since you are merciful to any one imploring thy help.  But if the favour I am asking will not be for the glory of God and the good of my soul, then beg from God that I will be resigned to his Divine Will, so that I may have the peace of soul while I live, till the hour of my death and that I enjoy true happiness in heaven.

Novena to St. Gerard Majella for Awaiting Mothers and Fathers

St. Gerard Majella is the Patron Saint of Motherhood

O everlasting and almighty God, Who, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, prepared the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to be a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who through the same Holy Spirit, sanctified Saint john the Baptist before his birth; deign to hear the prayer of Thy humble servants.  We implore Thee, through the intercession of St. Gerard to protect me (her), in maternity and to safeguard against the evil spirit the child which Thou hast given us, that by Thy saving hand, he or she may receive Holy Baptism.

Grant also that , having lived as Christians on earth, we may attain to everlasting bliss in heaven.  Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Note: After 6 months and a dose of creative inspiration, I've changed the series title from Mommy Diaries to Mama La Vida Lanka :-) 

Mama La Vida Lanka: Maternity Fashion Stage 1

As soon as my first trimester ended, I realized that I should start preparing my maternity clothing.  During the first trimester, I even lost weight because of my morning sickness.  But as soon as the appetite came back I knew I had to prepare my wardrobe. 

I didn’t have any idea whatsoever so I messaged my mommy friends and asked for their advice. 

Here’s a collection of the wisdom that I got which basically centers around the principle of wear what you have as you still can and buy stuff that you can use post pregnancy.  That's what I call the look for less!

• Use Cotton Stretch Dresses and tops, Tunic Tops, leggings and drawstring pants.  These can be worn during and after pregnancy!

• I personally swear by Belly Belts – they are God’s gift to pregnant women on a budget.  I can use most of the pants I have – especially those for work since it’s stretchy (as compared to jeans) but just extending the button and hole by the use of Belly Belts.  I knew about this before I became pregnant and was able to ask my mom to buy me one from the Philippines and send it over through a friend. Lifesaver!

• They also bought clothes but something that they could still use post-pregnancy.

• Another school of thought is to buy maternity dresses because it’s more flexible as you grow and the maternity ones will make sure that the seams are the same from front to back.

• Topshop maternity is a good resource (although it’s only 2 racks in Topshop Ion, Singapore) – I bought maternity pants which I think I would not only use during maternity but even post :-)

•  Belly Band is another option – it’s like a tube to cover tummy until hip area – I can get to use my regular tops and just look like it’s layered with something. I don’t have this but sounded like really good advice.

• Long maternity spaghetti straps – which works like the Belly Band for layering.

• Bra extenders! My gosh I never thought about that!  I was dreading the fact that I need to buy new bras without knowing how it will all "end up" (hoping for a bigger cup size!).  Thank God for Mommy Friends for bringing it up!

• The best of all is borrowing your friends' old maternity wear (Thanks C for the stuff!)

They said that most of regular clothes can be worn until the 2^nd trimester.  Now that I'm nearing the last month of my 2nd trimester, I feel that my regular button-down shirts (and just this morning, even dresses) are counting their days in commission.  The top I’m currently wearing, I’m popping out of it already – to think that it used to be a bit loose and I would wear a belt over it before. 

Cool and Comfy Even With The Belly!
Channeling one of my favorite Celebrity Mommas!
Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

I’m seeing my own sense of fashion changing as well.  At least for work, you will never see me in flats except for dress-down Fridays (unfortunately in Sri Lanka we don’t have “dress down Fridays” where I work, I miss my jeans!), I never wore leggings (too hot!) and most of my loose outfits are worn with a belt over it.  I’m wearing more what I would say chillax outfits even to work.  And it actually feels good!

It’s funny my youngest brother once mentioned right after I got married that I should start dressing up like a “married woman” – whatever that means.  And he can’t tell me to dress up like my mom because my mom dresses up “normally.”  But now, I feel like I’m dressing up like a mom – on the go, comfortable, ready to take on a child on one arm and the world on another.   

Thank you to my college block barkada and FBPhils mommy friends!  You guys are such awesome resource for motherly advice and inspiration :-)  I am lucky to have you, help me make pregnancy away from home a less "lonesome" experience!


Note: After 6 months and a dose of creative inspiration, I've changed the series title from Mommy Diaries to Mama La Vida Lanka :-) 

The V/W Syndrome

In the Philippines we have a lot of grammatical syndromes.  Thanks I believe to the Spanish language where most of these come from (if you notice, Spanish-speaking folks also have similar syndromes like the P & F) or just plain inability to enunciate. 

Notice there is no "wa" because it's the same as "va"

In Sri Lanka, grammatical syndromes also exist.  The most obvious of which is the V and W where they change V into W.  This is because in Sinhala script and language, there is only one character for V and W.

So let’s have some examples:

Visa = Wisa

Vacation = Wacation

Victory = Wictory

A lot of confusion can exist if you are not aware!  Especially if you are SMS-ing with them.  You will notice a lot of “V”’s.  They are not “very” as we would write it, but rather “we.”

Once, we asked the owner of the Kabayan Filipino Restaurant (more on this later!), Ate Leah if aside from Efficacent Oil, does she also have Vicks.  She said, “available yan dito!  Pero kailangan sabihin mo Wicks.”  (“that is available locally!  But you have to ask for Wick.)”  Hmm...

During a Filipino community gathering just this Sunday, we formally met a lady who was on the same flight when we came home last April.  I asked for her name and she said, “Wilma.”  I repeated, “ah Wilma.”  And she caught herself and said, “ay, Vilma.  Ano ba yan, nalito na ako.  Dito kasi nasanay na ako sabihing Wilma. (“oh, Vilma.  I got confused there!  Here I have been used to saying Wilma.”) 

Oo nga naman.

So if ever you find yourself talking to a Sri Lankan, be aware of the V/W Syndrome and it can save you a lot of confusion.  A friendly reminder from Livin’ La Vida Lanka!