PinayHekmi Ponders

There are women who become mothers when they have children. Then there are women who are mothers just waiting for a child. There are women who are mothers even though their child is gone from this world. And then there are women who is a mother to every child.

I think I’m the second type. Even as a young girl, I already thought about becoming a mother. I once announced that I would have seven children. But now that I actually know what I’m talking about, I think we’ll stop at three max. Having Mina has been an overwhelming experience. 99% Good - great even. But the other 1% is enough for me to know that having a baby is different than having a doll, or a dog, or a sack of flour during home ec. class where you have to take care of the sack with a partner for a duration of time. Yes, you heard it right, taking care of a baby is not the same as ANYTHING else. It’s a serious undertaking. And I’m serious in my role. I’m so serious that I left everything familiar so I could give what I think is best for Mina. I am half-responsible (and some would argue, mostly responsible) for how she turns out. Her nature is half mine, her DNA is half-mine (the simplistic view I know, but a mother’s view nonetheless). Her nurture comes from me. I feed her all her meals save on a few occasions when her Bongga Mama does. I nurse her, I pick out her toys, I pick out her activities…

I am not undermining her Dad’s role here. After all, he’s a great Dad. But my number one priority is of Mina turning out happy, productive, and confident. If only she could tell me along the way that I’m doing a good job. An annual review. “Here’s what you did great in Mommy; here are the areas that could use some improvement but overall, you get an A.”

Hey I’d settle for a B.

Motherhood is not a job for the faint-hearted, and I’m only dealing with a near 9 month old. It only gets harder from here. But more rewarding, or so I’ve heard.

I don’t expect a card, or flowers, or breakfast in bed. But you can all do me a favor. Mothers, hug your children tight. Children, let your Mothers know they’re doing a great job won’t you?

TO ALL OF THE TYPES OF MOTHERS OUT THERE: “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!”

Up Next: Details on my EB with Jet and Jay!

So as promised, here is a post WITH pictures.

But first, here is a quick run-down of things I love in Cali:

1. The mild spring weather.
2. No armies of fire ants invading the backyard, ready to bite you.
3. No mosquitoes.
4. Never-ending supply of Filipino food.
5. My parents and brother nearby to help with Mina, and to get to know her. Same with my great-grandmother, aunt/uncle, and cousins.
6. I get to stay at home with Mina.
7. The beaches. Coronado beach is a mere 10 mins. away!
8. Eating by the beach.
9. People-watching. The hot people here are motivating me to get in shape and not eat as much.
10. The fact that everything seems really close by. Texas was so spread out, to get anywhere, it was necessary to drive a lot. I mean driving 10 hrs. each way from DFW you’d still be in TExas!

I can’t wait to explore the rest of Cali. I’m particularly excited to visit the Bay area and meet up with friends there. And this Thurs. I am going to be seeing some wonderful friends, Jet and Batjay! I have been online friends with them for so long, but I never thought we’d get to see each other with me being so far in Texas. Now, everything has aligned for us to meet. And at the swanky La Costa Spa and Hotel no less.

I can’t wait!

Here’s to exploring!

Here is a video of Mina’s first dip:

I am mad mad mad at myself. Everybody’s been asking for pics of Mina, and of all days to forget the camera, I forget it when we visited La Jolla Cove this past weekend. Mina on grass? Hilarious! My tan? Pathetic! Foods we ate? Delicious! The beach? Beautiful! We loved it we loved it we loved it. And of course, a part of me thinks it didn’t really happen because there are no pictures to prove it. Heheh. We’ve vowed to go back in a few weekends, or maybe I’ll go without the hubby. It’s only 17 miles or so from us. Back in Texas, the closest beach was 7 hours away. How can you beat that? I don’t miss Texas, but I do miss my friends.

Okay, be back with a post with pictures, I promise!

It’s been a seamless move. A few snags here and there but nothing bad. Our stuff arrives tomorrow morning though so we’ll see what that day brings.

Anyway, I thought I’d say hi to all of you wondering how we’ve been. There’s been hordes of people asking for an update (and by hordes I mean my brother, Rhy). Let’s see, everyday Mina wakes up at 5ish, because apparently she is still on Texas time and she woke up at 7ish there. I have to cajole her back to sleep and then we wake up at a more decen hour of 8:30 am.

Every single day I have been here I have over-indulged on eating.

Since I’m a bit on vacation mode (it feels like a vacation here!), I will just copy and paste what I emailed my dear friends and brother this morning:

SoCal is gorgeous everyone…just a soft breeze and mild temps…it really feels like a vacation. I think i’ve gained so many lbs. because there is just too much food available to me here.

Sun., drove through In and Out burger (yea I hear your dirty jokes coming), then my mom said we’re eating out so I left my burger half-eaten (fries finished) then we had lunch at P.F. Chang’s. Dinner was barbecue pork at my Aunt and Uncle’s. I tasted this yummy Choco-Nut Asian snack that I want to send to you guys.

Mon. we ate lunch at this nasty asian place…blech. Dinner was leftovers.

Tues. we ate lunch at Chow King! I had a yummy chicken noodle soup, with those bochi balls we get from My Canh for dessert, and then some deep-fried fingerlicking good chicken from there too. I also had gulaman, and tasted some buko pandan juice. Dinner was left overs.

Wed. We ate my dad’s store-bought fried fish with vinegar for lunch. And then had chicken tinola for dinner.

Today…we had IHOP for breakfast.

Other things I’ve eaten: hopia, papaya soaked in vinegar, green mangoes, shrimp chips, avocado in milk and sugar, chicken empanada….like I said I’ve gained a few pounds.

But yesterday I took Mina for a stroll outdoors. WE walked for 1 hr. 10 mins! Well I walked she got pushed. The gorgeous weather and scenery made it seem not that long. Today or tomorrow I’ll walk again and see if I remember to take pictures.

As for school I have an appointment next week for a school to evaluate my transcripts. I have to make appointments at two others.

Will have more soon, once I’m over this “I must be on vacation feeling”.