Taxi Accident

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We got into an accident in Buendia Avenue this morning on our way to my parents house. I was with my son, my sister and niece. No cuts or bruises; no cursing, shouting or scared gasps either... but still it was an accident.

The taxi that we were riding on was not even fast. The driver saw the red light ahead, he stepped on the break...but it didn't stop until we hit the car in front of us. The driver doesn't want to admit it but I am pretty sure there was a problem with his break.

I still payed for our fare but the taxi driver didn't even help us look for another taxi. He even made us wait for 20 minutes inside the taxi. We can't get out since we were parked in the middle of the street. Me and my sister doesn't want to risk being hit by a bus while crossing the street.

I can't count the number of times that I almost got into an accident at the hands of reckless taxi drivers here in our country. Everytime I step inside a taxi, my heart always stops beating. They drive very fast and they are not even scared to overtake big buses (that are equally driving like crazy).

"Manong, dahan dahan lang po, hindi kami nagmamadali" (Please don't drive so fast, we are not in a hurry). "Hindi naman mabilis a!" (It's not that fast!) And he drives even faster. If my son is not with me, I would have gotten out of that taxi. But I can't just get out anywhere, anytime...my son is asthmatic and I don't want him to inhale all the pollution.

These taxis doesn't even have seatbelts. I don't understand why they have to take out the seatbelts. I don't think they bought a car that doesn't have seatbelts. Car manufacturers strictly follow certain standards, right.

I hope problems with taxis (as well as with buses) here in our country be resolved already. The senate and congress should prioritize these things instead of the Katrina-Hayden video scandal, right?!

Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

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I love this book. This is a very inspiring book written by mothers, for mothers. I recommend it to all mothers, aunts, grandma's, soon-to-be-moms.

This book helps me, especially at times, when I'm on the verge of losing my patience (if I haven't already) with my son. It reminds me of my role in his life. Out of billions of moms in the world, he was given to me because God knows that I am the person that can discipline, nurture and guide him to reach his full potential.

photo credit: Jennifer Hawthorne

bedtime story no more??

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Eversince my son was a baby, I always read a bedtime story for him. He likes reading, he loves books so much. He himself say that he is a bookworm.

He was given a slot in his schools swimming team 2 years ago, when he was still in prep level. At that time, he was still in the morning class. 11am until 330pm was our time to read a book, play word games, puzzles, he play with his toys, he also draw and paint. We go back to his school for training at 4pm and we stay there until 7 pm.

Last year, bedtime story sessions doesn't happen everyday. Classes end at 220 pm, only 1.5 hours to do all his homework, study for a scheduled quiz for the next day (if there's any)... then we had to rush to his swim training.

I do allow him to go to the library everyday. I am very proud that he can read and understand books without a single picture illustration anymore at 6 years old. Before bedtime, he reads a book by himself while waiting for me to finish household chores. Sometimes, he requests that I read a bedtime story for him. Most of the time though we don't finish the whole book because he has to sleep already.

Today though was different. I was able to read a book to him without cutting off the rest of the story. He went to sleep happy.

I hope I can read another bedtime story for him tomorrow...and the next day...and the day after that...

golf party

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My son was one of the lucky 150 kids, ages 7-13 years old, who was able to get a slot for a golf party this hot saturday afternoon. I was glad it was held at Urban Golf, an indoor venue .

The event was sponsored by Golf Distributors Association of the Philippines. Their main goal was to promote golf to potential junior golfers.

The kids were divided into 5 groups. Every hour, from 2 - 7pm, one group learned about the fundamentals of golf. 15 minutes was alotted on lectures about the parts of a golf club, rules to follow on the golf course using the 3-screen SimSurround simulator on the second floor of the venue. For the remaining 45 minutes, the kids were given a chance to try out the premium simulators on the ground floor.

The event was not boring --including the lectures--because it was incorporated in a children’s party with golf as the theme. McDonalds took care of the games, prizes and lootbags. Urban Golf and Mc Donalds took care of the meals. A beginner’s golf book was also given to the participants.
Everything was for FREE!!!

My son had a fun activity for a day and I did not shell out any cash at all (well, except for the gasoline of course).

Hope there'll be more free parties like this!

A(H1N1) visits the Philippines

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Yup, it's definitely here! The first case of swine flu is in the country. It's the breaking news on local news networks last night and headline in most of our leading newspapers.

• ABS-CBN News
• GMA News
• Inquirer
• Philippine Star

Should we mom-who-doesn't-want-to-admit-that-i-am-a-worrywart panic? Nope, I don't think we should. That won't help us anyway. What we need to do is learn more about the virus and research on preventive ways to combat it.Here are some helpful links that you can start browsing:

• Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Center for Disease Prevention and Control
• World Health Organization

Have a happy day and stop worrying mommies!

Choosing the right swim class

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I enrolled my son in a swimming class, near Harrison Plaza, when he was 2 months shy of his 3rd birthday. My sister enrolled her 6 month old baby at the same time. The two kids just cried the whole 10 (2-hour) sessions, my son didn't even learn how to dog paddle. I think they just made their lungs stronger because every session the crying becomes louder and louder.

Before he turned 4, he attended a swim school located at a hotel near Harrizon Plaza also. He cried for a few minutes but after that it was smooth sailing for him and the swim coach. He doesn't want other coaches to teach him though, he always looks for the head coach everytime he comes to class. Good thing this swim school caters to kids (babies even), they were very understanding and patient. Before that summer class ended, my son was able to swim by himself without any arm rings.

Summer before his 6th birthday, he joined a class offered by a former coach of the Philippine team.

Choosing the right swimming class for your child is very important. Just because someone knows how to swim doesn't mean that they can also teach swimming already.

So, how do you choose the right swim school for your child/ren? Here is a checklist how to do it.

Research: Go online and look for a swim class offered near your area. You can also ask friends and family members if they know of a good one.

Forums: Visit online forums and get feedbacks about the swim classes that you've researched so far.

Top Three: By now you can narrow down the best classes based on the feedbacks that you've gotten.

Visit: Visit the pool site and talk with the head coach. Observe how the coaches communicate and teach the students. Check the coach:student ratio. The more students a coach handles, the lesser time he can give to each student. Check the condition of the pool, is it clean? First time swimmers doesn't know how to breath properly under the water yet so they tend to swallow some water from the pool.

Fee: Check if the swimming fee is reasonable. Some provide for the goggles, floaters and graduation giveaways. Does your child have these things already? If you don't have it yet, is it cheaper to buy somewhere else?

Free Trial: Ask if they can give your child a swim trial, some allow it for a few minutes. Can the coach communicate well with your child, does your child like the coach? If ever you decide to enroll in that class, make sure that your childs swim instructor is the same one that gave him the swim trial.

Happy swim school hunting!

My Little Man

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Author: Patsy Gaut

My little man
You are growing
up so fast and I don't 
want to 
miss anything

Share with me these
moments and let me
be a part of your
wee life

I will try not to 
crowd you and let you
be the person you
choose to be.

Let me come along
for the ride and I will
watch you spread your 
wings and fly.

credit: scrapbook.com

Geronimo Stilton

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My son loves Geronimo Stilton books. When he was in 1st grade, last year, his week is not complete without borrowing a Geronimo Stilton book from the school library.

This book series is about a talking mouse, Geronimo Stilton, who lives in New Mouse City located on Mouse Island. He is a best selling author and the editor in chief of the most famous newspaper on Mouse Island, The Rodents Gazette. The books are mostly adventure stories.

The other main characters of the series are: Thea Stilton, Trap Stilton, Benjamin Stilton.

Thea is the youngest sister of Geronimo. She loves exciting adventures, unlike her scholarly brother. She is also a certified heart-breaker.

Trap is Geronimo's annoying cousin. Trap always does obnoxious pranks on Geronimo. Trap also likes signing Geronimo up for things Geronimo doesn't want to do, like travelling because Geronimo gets airsick, seasick and carsick.

Benjamin is Geronimo's favorite nephew. He is a very curios 9 year old mouse who is always jotting down notes during their adventures.

Do check out the book series in your local stores. You will surely have fun reading the stories with your kid/s or by yourself.

photo credit: agenda.filastrocche.it/?p=3057