As a concerned citizen, I can’t help but be alarmed over reports of more and more people getting infected with swine flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the warning level for swine flu to a phase five on a 1-6 scale, which means that the threat of a pandemic was imminent. As a result, all nations are now being urged to activate their pandemic preparedness plans. But what really is swine flu? What symptoms accompany this disease? Are we experiencing a new strain of swine flu? How can we prevent swine flu from spreading, and what treatments are available for us?

What is swine flu?
Like humans, pigs can get influenza (flu) too, but swine flu viruses are different from human flu viruses.

Does swine flu infect people?
Swine flu doesn’t often infect people, but there have been rare cases in the past where humans who had direct contact with pigs contracted swine flu.

Are we now experiencing a new strain of swine flu?
Yes. The current swine flu outbreak is different. It is caused by a new swine flu virus that has spread from person to person, and it’s affecting people who haven’t had any contact with pigs.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Symptoms of swine flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.

How can we prevent swine flu from spreading?
We can help prevent swine flu from spreading by staying home, covering our mouth and nose with a tissue when we cough or sneeze, throwing the tissue in the trash, and washing our hands.

How is swine flu treated?
Doctors may prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza if lab tests confirmed that a person has swine flu.

Source: http://www.webmd.com

Justin is particularly clingy to mommy today after last Wednesday’s incident. Before we went to school today, he made me promise that I will be in the classroom with him and not outside the classroom by the window.

Teacher G. again reminded us parents to stay outside, so I sneaked out of the classroom to Justin’s utter dismay. He cried again, on and off, during class, but like last week, he still participated in the classroom activities despite his discontent.

What’s funny is he would ask the adults inside the classroom, Ms. C., one of the school’s aides, and a classmate’s grandmother who was allowed inside perhaps because his granddaughter only started going to class last week. (Note: This is the third week that Justin is attending his summer class.) I asked the grandmother what Justin was telling him. She said Justin was asking her, “Where’s mommy? Where’s mommy?”

Justin also did something good today, which made mommy proud. When he was finished eating, he stood up, went to the other side of the room and threw his juice carton in the waste basket.

The International Bloggers Community Award
Thanks so much, Laine, for this award.


Be a proud member of the International Bloggers Community!
Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.
3. Post this in one or all of your blogs.
4. Answer the four questions following these Rules.
5. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them.
6. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.
7. Have Fun!

Questions & Your Answers:
1. The person who tagged you: Laine
2. His/her site's title and url: http://cutietwinkies.blogspot.com/
3. Date when you were tagged: April 22, 2009
4. Persons you tagged:Melody, Genejosh, Lis, Prettymom, Beng, Katherine and Abie

The 8 Tag
And this one’s from Kaye. Thanks so much, sis.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. The end of Justin’s five-week summer class.
2. Looking for a big school for my son.
3. Having our leather sofa bed upholstered.
4. My son’s 3rd birthday (July 7).
5. Saturday strolls at the mall.
6. Our 13th wedding anniversary (August 1)
7. Christmas 2009.
8. Earning more.

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Woke up late.
2. Had breakfast with my husband and son.
3. Gave my son his morning and evening bath.
4. Received flu shot together with my son.
5. Had lunch at Pots and Noodles (Megamall).
6. Went to Tom’s World (Robinsons Galleria).
7. Did grocery-shopping.
8. Worked from 11pm until midnight and did my Entrecard rounds until 2:30am.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do
1. Have more time to blog.
2. Get enough sleep everyday.
3. Go to Boracay.
4. Travel outside the Philippines.
5. Buy a new PC.
6. Enroll in music school.
7. Be a techie.
8. Have my first body spa.

8 Shows I Watch
1. Barney
2. Thomas & Friends
3. Dora the Explorer
4. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho
5. Mel and Joey
6. Tayong Dalawa
7. May Bukas Pa
8. Eat Bulaga

8 People I Tag
1. Rachel of Heart of Rachel
2. Juliana of PinayWAHM
3. Evan’s Mom of A Little Boy’s Blog
4. Phoebe of The Baby in Between
5. Niko of Niko’s Blog
6. Shy of Simple Happy Life
7. Beth of All About Elizabeth
8. Cecile of Things That Matter Most

Since my husband is almost always the family’s official photographer, it’s not surprising that I get to have more bonding moments pictures with my son. I make sure, however, that during important occasions in my son’s life that I take a picture of my two boys. I have already posted some of their pictures together in my previous articles, and what I’ve posted here are some of the older photos.


The very first time Ed held Justin in his arms


One-month-old Justin with Daddy


Four-month-old Justin at his baptismal party


Six-month-old Justin with Daddy at Grand Boulevard Hotel


Father and son at Manila Baywalk


Eight-month-old Justin and Daddy at the mall


Justin’s first birthday
If you want to join Mommy Moments, please visit Chris' The Mommy Journey.

Justin requested his lolo (grandfather), who paid us a visit this morning, to bring him to school. Mommy was there, too. Everything was going great so far, but when it was time for parents to leave the room, Justin looked at both mommy and lolo through their classroom window, and he started crying and asking for mommy. Perhaps, he thought his lolo and I are going somewhere without him. One of the school owners, Teacher L., said it would be wise if we peep through the windows discreetly and not let Justin see us because it would be harder for him to stop crying. And that’s exactly what we did. He was sobbing most of the time, but he still participated in the classroom activities. What a tiring day this must have been for my son. I hope tomorrow’s a better day for him.

Today, Justin’s teachers for his nursery summer class, Teacher G. and Teacher M., prevented all parents from going inside the classroom. The teachers will now be solely responsible for these kids.

Justin wouldn’t let go of my hand initially as I was preparing to leave the room, but he soon forgot about mommy when Teacher M. pointed to the toys and invited him to play.

I was standing outside Justin’s classroom the whole time, peeping through the “semi-tinted” (for lack of a better term) windows to see what Justin was doing. As a mother, I was hesitant to leave my son behind for the following reasons: (1) he might grab other kids’ toys; (2) he might bruise/hurt himself or other kids might hurt him; (3) he might fall; and (4) he might get into a fight with other kids.

To my surprise, none of the things I feared happened, although there was this classmate who was deliberately bumping Justin. Good thing, my son wasn’t retaliating. Justin didn’t cry for two hours while inside the classroom, he actively participated in all the activities, and for the first time in more than one week that he’s attending school, he lay down on the mat when it was time for them to rest.

I couldn’t help noticing, though, that it takes longer for Justin to finish his food. When all of his classmates were already roaming around the room or horsing around or lying on the mat, he was still eating. Maybe it’s because at home, he usually eats in front of the TV where his attention is divided between eating and watching.

I hope Justin continues behaving well inside the classroom until he finishes his five-week summer class. By then we will know if he’s ready to go to a regular nursery class this June.

Last week, Justin’s teachers in his nursery summer class advised all parents that starting today, Monday, we should all just be waiting outside the classroom for our children. I intended to follow that instruction and had previously briefed Justin on what he needs to do while mommy is outside.

Did I do that, you might ask? Because there were still some parents inside and the teachers weren’t really driving us out of the room--well, not just yet--I decided to stay inside the classroom but kept my distance.

I decided not to follow Justin around the classroom while he played, but I was quick to remind him not to grab other kids’ toys and to say “borrow” if he really wanted to get hold of the toy that another kid is playing.

By now, Justin is already accustomed to the daily two-hour routine: play, action songs, storytelling, coloring, mealtime prayer, eating time, rest time, storytelling, action songs. Justin is most animated, however, when he plays and when he sings and dances. He actually loves dancing to the tune of “La Bamba” and even performs it at home.




He’s getting a little bit bored with the storytelling part as his teachers keep reading the same story twice every day. The good thing about it is that he has already learned all the animals in that story and is even narrating the same story (his own version) at home.

Tomorrow, I will sneak out of the classroom to see how Justin will behave.

Thanks, Jes, for this fun Stick Figure Family tag and the I Love Your Blog award.

Stick Figure Family Tag

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

Now, I’m tagging all the mommies in my blog list. Go show the world what your family stick figure looks like.

I Love Your Blog Award

In my seven months of active blogging, I have discovered quite a number of amazing blogs that really sparked my interest. The following bloggers truly deserve this award: Kaye, Ness, Beth, Juliet and Willa.

This policy is valid from 17 April 2009.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for her posts or advertisements, she always gives her honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Mommies are a sentimental lot. We can’t help getting emotional, hysterical even, when it comes to our kids.


I can’t help but feel nostalgic seeing this picture of the first time I ever laid eyes and hands on my son after my C-section. Having this adorable angel beside me made me temporarily forget the pain after my surgery.

If you want to join Mommy Moments, please visit Chris' The Mommy Journey.

How would you like to share your heart and home this summer to a child from the city to give him/her a Fresh Air experience?

What is the Fresh Air Fund?
Established in 1877 as an independent, not-for-profit agency, the Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities.

Nearly 10,000 New York City children, ages 6 to 12 years old, enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. The Fund’s year-round camping program also serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.


There are two ways you can help: (1) you can host a child, or (2) you can donate.

Host a Child
You can open up your homes for two weeks each summer, so children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods can experience the joys of Fresh Air vacations.

You can be a host family if you have room in your home--and your heart--to host a child.

Donate
You can give donations to raise the funds needed to give these children the experiences they deserve.

Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun, whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of their camps. Fresh Air Fund’s programs make for unforgettable memories and open a world of new friendships and wonderful opportunities.

Contact the Fresh Air Fund and make a difference in a child’s life today.

We learned from my husband’s officemate that the school near our place is holding summer classes for young children. Since Justin already knows how to count 1 to 30, identify all but five letters of the alphabet, distinguish between shapes, and sing some nursery rhymes, we decided to let him have his first taste of school.

Parents are allowed to observe first how their children would react to being in a classroom setting, so that’s exactly what we did yesterday, the first day of summer classes. Justin was initially placed in the classroom for nursery students because of his age (2 years and 9 months old). He was later transferred to the toddlers’ room for reasons only the teachers knew. I was guessing it’s because we haven’t paid yet.

How was Justin’s first day of school? When he was in the older kids’ room, he immediately got hold of toys that were lying on the table. He wasn’t intimidated by the presence of the other kids. In the toddlers’ room, he participated actively in the singing, dancing, coloring, eating, hand-washing, and storytelling that went on for two hours. He did not want to go home when it was dismissal time already.


Justin intently listening to Teacher K.'s story


Justin coloring a kangaroo cutout
Justin was too keen on playing and has to be reminded by the teacher often that it’s not time to play yet. His fondness for play has caused him a lot on his first day of school because when he was reaching for a toy truck, it slid and his face ended up flat on the floor. He bit his lower lip in the process, and it bled profusely.

He also has one bad habit when playing. If he likes a particular toy even if his classmate is already playing with it, he would just take it without permission. He feels he has a right to take every toy he pleases. I had to be constantly by his side to prevent him from doing this. According to Teacher D., this type of reaction is normal for kids his age. I really wish he outgrows this negative attitude soon.

We’ve been going to this school for two days now, and so far, so good. Justin is still excited to go to school every day. I hope he finishes his five-week summer class.

Perfect Blend of Friendship Award
Meeting wonderful people online is one of the benefits of blogging. Thanks so much, Jes, for this friendship award.


Now I’d like to give the same award to 7 amazing and friendly bloggers:
Shy, Lis, Dhemz, Cacai, Rose, Eden and Vhing.

The Blogger Awards
My deepest appreciation goes to Shy for giving me this blogger trophy. I am so honored.


I am now giving this award to all the passionate bloggers who regularly visit my site.

The day after our recent summer getaway at Montemar Beach Club, my son Justin developed skin rash mostly on his stomach and back, and he also had low-grade fever. When he did not improve after two days, we went to his pedia for a consult. Dr. O. said Justin suffered from hypersensitivity reaction most probably from the chlorine used in the resort’s swimming pools. He was prescribed the following medications: an antipyretic for his fever, a corticosteroid for his skin rash, and an antihistamine for itching. Curiosity got the better of me, however, so I researched on the Internet about chlorine, its uses and its negative effects on the body.

What is chlorine?
Chlorine is a naturally-occurring chemical element, which is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. It is one of the basic building blocks of matter and is scattered throughout the rocks of the Earth’s continents and concentrated in its salty oceans.

What are the uses of chlorine?
The many uses of chlorine are as follows:
1. It is used to disinfect water and is part of the sanitation process for sewage and industrial waste.
2. It is used as a bleaching agent.
3. It is used in cleaning products, including household bleach which is chlorine dissolved in water.
4. It is used in the preparation of chlorides, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, polymers, synthetic rubbers, and refrigerants.

What are the negative effects of chlorine on the body?
The harmful effects of chlorine include:
•Dry, brittle, lusterless hair
• Dry, aging skin
• Skin rashes and irritation
• Acne
• Respiratory problems
• Tissue cell damage
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease

Now I’m thinking, should I be allowing my son to dip into another swimming pool again?

Justin wore this traditional Chinese suit when he celebrated his second birthday last year. The suit was actually a gift from his dad who bought it in Singapore when he was sent there for an offshore recovery testing of their site.


If you want to join Mommy Moments, please visit Chris’ The Mommy Journey.

I got this cute tag from Laine.

I don’t really have a black-and-white photo of my son, so I asked the help of his Tita Meann. It just so happened that her computer has features that can convert colored pictures to black-and-white pictures. Of course, she chose to do a photo of her and Justin. This is the end product.

} Start Copy

" A good Snapshot stops a moment from running away."


When you photograph people in colour you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls! ~Ted Grant

} End of Copy

Rules
Copy the quotes above from start copy to end Copy. Replace the Photograph with your own or your loves ones' Black and White captured moments that you want to cherish for the rest of your life.
Now, I’m giving this tag to: Cecile, Beth and Prettymom.

On April 28 and 29, our small family trooped to Montemar Beach Club in Bagac, Bataan for a much-needed summer getaway. This was actually my husband’s annual company summer outing.

All four of us--Ed, Tetcha, Justin, and Mercy (Justin’s new yaya)--woke up early so we won’t be late for the 6:30am assembly time at my husband’s office.

We had the best of both worlds as the resort both has a beach and swimming pools. While Justin was a little hesitant to dip himself into the water during last year’s summer outing, it’s a totally different story for him this time around. He really enjoyed swimming at the beach or in the kids’ pool. He actually asked me to bring him to the adult’s pool, too.


Justin and Mommy at the beach


Justin playing with the sand with his pail and rake


At the kids' pool


At the big pool
We’re looking forward to another fun-filled summer outing next year.

Now, here’s one tag I really enjoy doing. Thanks, Niko, for this tag.

001. Name → Teresa.
002. Nickname(s)→ Tetcha.
004. Zodiac sign → Aquarius.
005. Male or female → Female.
006. Elementary → Pio del Pilar Elementary School, Makati City, Philippines.
008. High School → Jose Abad Santos High School, Pasay City, Philippines.
009. College School → University of Sto. Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
010. Hair color → Dark brown.
011. Long or short → Short.
012. Loud or Quiet → Quiet.
013. Jumpers or Jeans → Jeans.
014. Phone or Camera → Phone.
015. Health freak → Not really.
016. Drink or Smoke? → I don’t drink nor smoke.
017. Do you have a crush on someone? → None.
018. Eat or Drink → Eat.
019. Piercings → Ears.
020. Tattoos → None.

FIRSTS:
023. First piercing → When I was a baby.
024. First best friend → Paulina Tuazon, Grade 6 .
025. First award → I can’t remember.
026. First crush → Ding.
027. First pet → I’m not really a pet lover, so I didn’t have one.
028. First big vacation → We’re still planning this one.
030. First big birthday → I try to keep my birthday celebration simple.

CURRENTLY:
049. Eating → None. I just brushed my teeth.
050. Drinking → None. I usually don’t drink anything when I’m not eating.
052. I'm about to →Go to the mall.
053. Listening to → Nothing. The house is quiet. My husband and son are having their afternoon naps.
054. Plans for today → Do grocery shopping.
055. Waiting for → My husband and son to wake up so we can head to the mall.

YOUR FUTURE:
058. Want kids? → Nope.
059. Want to get married? → Yes. In church.
060. Careers in mind → Writing.

WHICH IS BETTER IN THE BOY/GIRL YOU LIKE?
068. Lips or eyes → Eyes.
070. Shorter or taller - Taller.
072. Romantic or spontaneous → Romantic.
073. Nice stomach or nice arms → Nice arms.
074. Sensitive or loud→ Sensitive.
075. Hook-up or relationship → Relationship.
076. Trouble maker or hesitant → Neither.

HAVE YOU EVER:
080. Lost glasses/contacts → No.
081. Ran away from home → Yes.
082. Held a gun/knife for self defense → Never.
083. Killed somebody → Never.
084. Broke someone's heart → Yes.
085. Been arrested → Never.
087. Cried when someone died → Yes.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
089. Yourself → Yes.
090. Miracles → Definitely.
091. Love at first sight → No.
092. Heaven → Yes.
093. Santa Claus → No.
094. Tooth Fairy → No.
095. Kiss on the first date → No.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
097. Is there one person you want to be with right now → Yes. My son Justin.
098. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life → Yes, but it can be better.
099. Do you believe in God → Yes.
100. Post as 100 truths and tag 20 people→

Now I am tagging:

Juliana, Rachel, Evan’s Mom, Wenchie, Kaye, Ibyang, Phoebe, Chats, Shy, Melanie, Renz, Jess, Laine, Melody, Ness, Gracie, Genejosh, Prettymom, Rose, Eden

It’s Friday once again, time for another Mommy Moments. This week’s theme is Special Day (Baptism, Graduation).

Justin was baptized at the Edsa Shrine (Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace) in Ortigas, Pasig on November 11, 2006, a few days after he turned four months old. We held a small party for him at Pizza Hut Bistro at Robinsons Galleria.


The ceremony has started


Holy water being poured on Justin's head


Justin with his parents and godparents


At Pizza Hut Bistro, Robinsons Galleria


Justin's cousins and grandparents


Some of Justin's guests


The gifts Justin received on his Baptism Day
If you want to join Mommy Moments, please visit Chris' The Mommy Journey.

I'd like to acknowledge my top Entrecard droppers for the month of March. Thank you all for your regular visits to my blog.

Zero
Momspective Reviews
My Review
Life in the Fat Lane
Kids Toys
Things That Are Me
The Frugal Housewife
Simple Happy Life
How to Make Money on the Internet
Laane Loves