Confessions of a Hoarder

Hoarder

(Adj) A word that describes anyone that feels the need to find, collect, keep, pack ANY and EVERYTHING because they do not know how to throw things away.

A nicely put word than Pack Rat.

These people tend to collect soo much stuff that it gets very over bearing and the items in turn tend to run their life to where they don't know what to do with themselves.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hoarder

A Hoarder ALWAYS believes that every single item she keeps is important and useful, atleast in the future. Until that future comes, only then she will realize, why the hell she kept it anyway. :p

I'm a self confessed hoarder. Blame it on the crafty side of me. Hahaha Artist or Crafters and Hoarders are the greatest BFFs! I collect things like ribbons from gifts, even wrappers sometimes, pencils, colored ones and writing pencils, notepads and anything about crafts and art materials. I have weakness on "On Sale" items. I just can't resist them especially when I found them on regular price before then slashed 70% off the original price the months after.

But I somehow rehabilitated myself, I guess. I sometimes, yes I tried, disposing my other "collection, I either, recycle, give away, or donate,those I can't foresee some use. When, at a bookstore or craft store, I only choose the "important", meaning, what I really need for the moment or the projects I'm into at that moment. But sometimes, I still have my impulsive purchases. Yeah, Once a hoarder, always a hoarder, they always say. I'm still a work in progress. I know. My excuse, I've got tons of projects in mind. One after the other. My brain is like a sponge absorbing so much what it can contain. If only I could find some good storage for my ideas, I will definitely hoard it too! Hahaha

Organization, space and storage, these are the downsides of being a hoarder. Time will come that these collection becomes annoying, to the ones you share your space with and eventually you. Yes, it will annoy you. That is where you have to take action. Initial reaction, finding the right storage. BUT, this storage finds will soon become one of your hoarded possessions. Trust me. That is why the most effective way is just to get rid of it. There are a lot of ways, they're searchable in the internet actually. You just have to be open minded and accept this "challenge" of letting go. That part is very hard because you will always justify its use in your life. You will have tons of reasons why you should not let it go. But you have to, because the truth is, it doesnt serve you anymore like it should, that is why you found it where it is. And its been there for a looooooong time.

Keynote: Let go. Then off to the new ones. *wink*

Frugal Mom's Diary: Free Immunizations

Today is Z's final immunization from our Baranggay Health Center (HC). We availed of 3 shots each of the Pentavalent Vaccine; five individual vaccines conjugated in one, also known as 5-in-1 or the combo vaccine inclusive of DPT (Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus), Hepatitis B, HiB ( Haemophilus Influenzae Type b); and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) which is orally dropped as the name states, Measles, and MMR (German Measles, Mumps, Rubella). All these FREE of charge for every visit.

I made a survey among my friends who also have babies, because I'm not updated with the recent price ranges of these vaccines in private hospitals or clinics. With what they shared, I came up with this commputation of what we were able to saved from the Immunization charges.

3 x P3,000* = P9,000.00 5-in-1 Vaccine
1 x P2,000* = P2,000.00 Measles
1 x P1,500* = P1.500.00 MMR
_______________________
TOTAL P 12,500.00 SAVINGS

*These are all in average. Prices vary depending on the Hospital and Doctor's Fee

BCG Vaccine, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, vaccine given to babies days or weeks after birth against Tuberculosis, is also given free at the Health Centers. But we had it administered by our Family Doctor who is also a Pediadrician. Though we were charged for this vaccine its only minimal compared to the average actual amount of P500.00.

I remembered when Q was our baby in 2006, DPT, HiB, and Hepa B are given separately at Health Centers. 5-in-1 was accessible only in private hospitals, that is why we opted all his vaccines from our doctor. We don't want him to feel tortured with all the injections. We were also afraid of those stories of some parents that their babies experienced prolonged fever and keloids after being injectioned from HC. So we never took the risk even if its free.

Now, having a baby and a school-boy means B-U-D-G-E-T. We need to consider things like this to atleast minimize the family expenses, but not compromising the important needs of the kids and household. We learned from our Pedia, that 5-in-1 is now given free in HC. She gave us the option. For us, who doesn't want free services such as this, right? So we went to HC to schedule for Z's Penta vaccine. So far, Z didn't have long fever, peharps he has a strong tolerance to pain, neither had keloids over the places he was injected onto.

For the past 12 months of going to our Health Center for Immunization, these are the Tips I could share.

Be Early. Even if it means you are to open the Health Center *Wink*

1. Go Early. Just like any government offices, Health Centers start at 8:00 in the morning. Be there an hour or atleast 30 minutes before it opens. Why? Because you have to secure your slot. Regardless if its still closed, queueing is already starting. Also, know your schedule. Since this is a public place, they have assigned particular days for Immunization, Maternity Check ups, Check up for people TB, and other illnesses.

2. Be nice and approachable. Expect that there will be moms and babies who came ahead of you and will follow you as well. The only way to know your queue is to know who came latest, and be alert who came next to you, to ensure order. Because unlike in private hospitals, there will be no guards or attendants who will give you numbers. Numbers will be given by the HC Personnel, but they will ask you to fall in line according to who came first by the door. Those numbers are your sequence before the administration of vaccines.

3. Patience is a Virtue. Again this is a Government facility for public, atleast for the Baranggay residents. You'll get to interact with people from all walks. Sometimes you have to deal with grumpy HC workers. We go back to Tip #1, be early, so you will deal with personnel while in their best mood and if you want to finish early. 'Coz infact, the waiting part is longer than the injection itself.

I think thats it. Z has a couple or more vaccines needed like the Chickenpox and Flu but we can save up for those now. We're just thankful that the Government has made these improvements in our health services. It opened options to those who are tightening up their belts like us and to give access to those who are less fortunate who needs to be vaccinated.

When in Subic

Subic is found in the Northern coast of the country. Known for its beaches and leisure parks such as the Ocean Adventure the kids love to go to, IF you have a budget. How about if you just want a spontaneous side-trip? Where to go?

It was not our first time to go to Subic. We only go here usually for my husband's trainings and sporting events. Last January 16, while everyone is busy with Pope Francis' arrival in the country, my family, together with friends training for a triathlon event, headed North-bound to go for an open water swim training.

All Hands Beach Resort

This is our first stop. This beach resort has improved in many ways since my 1st visit during the last quarter of 2012. Today, it is more presentable from the entrance to the cottages and including the beach front. It is more child friendly, in my opinion. It may not be Boracay-level, but it is clean, even the sand is clean. Even safe for little children to play on. They even have Banana Boat rides, Kayaking, and that Turbo Jet (not sure about the exact term) where you'll have a chance to become Astro Boy on water. I asked how much that sporting costs, according to the attendant, P5,000.00 for 20 minutes. *jaw dropped*

Baby Z, enjoying himself with his 1st time to play on the sand (not his 1st beach experience though)

With training friends, having lunch after their swim and bike.

The P5K per 20 minutes Turbo Jet Water sport

Entrance: P350.00 (ask for discount for big groups)

Tropical Paradise Retirement Village

There are a lot of Hotels and Villages in Subic if you want to stay overnight. If you're with a big group, it is suggested to check in the Villages along the Binictican Heights. They are the typical American-style homes for rent. Complete with garage and fully furnished houses. Equipped with appliances, television, refrigerator, microwave ovens and stove as well. You can just shop for ingredients at Puregold Duty Free or at the Harbor Point Mall and cook whatever you want at "home". The bedrooms are cozy enough for a great night rest.

The one we rented this time, the Tropical Paradise Village, has more modern architectural designs both the interior and exterior of the house compared to the ones we rented before. Minimalist in general.

Our neigborhood c",)

Monkeys hunting food for breakfast

The village staff are very warm and accomodating. We are definitely going back to this place to stay when in Subic.

Rent Fee: P7,000.00 (because its Holiday) 2-storey house, with 3 airconditioned bedrooms, dining, airconditioned living room, maids quarters, garage, common bathroom with tub and toilet. Ideal for big groups, barkada, team building activities, family getaway, for sharing.

Pamulaklakin Forest Trail

I didn't know there are still places like this in Subic. I thought Subic has totally turned into a commercialized area, developing each and every nook of the province. When I heard from our friend Ton, that we're going to have lunch the next day sa batis (by the stream), I thought he was joking. He was even telling stories that the indigenous Aetas cooked Tinola in Bamboo last time for their lunch. Ton wasn't joking. We were accomodated by Mang Miguel, an Aeta who served as our chef. He cooked for us rice in bamboo. He even taught our kids how to create fire without using a match or lighter. We ran out of plastic cups, he also made us a couple or three bamboo cups.

10 Steps to Make Fire

1. Scrape bamboo skin from dried bamboo, this will serve you as the flint or "mitsa"
2. Create a mark/dent on the part of your bamboo where you will scratch
3. Make a deeper dent or "gatla" on the other side creating a small canal but should not create hole
4. Using the other half of the bamboo, put the edge of the bamboo on the dent you made
5. Slowly getting your rhythm, scratch it like a saw-cutting movement, increasing the speed
6. Seeing a smoke is a sign you did it successfully
7. Gently blow through the hole. Slowly remove the bamboo capping the flint.
8. Gather the burnt flint and continue blowing it gently
9-10. Blow until fire appears enough to start a bigger fire for stove or bonfire.

Special Thanks to Mang Miguel, our Aeta tour guide slash Chef for the day for this tutorial.

Sinaing sa Buho (Rice Cooked in Bamboo)

Bamboo Cups

We had lunch after our rice were cooked and our potluck viands were reheated, also in bamboos. The kids also enjoyed their cool and quick dip in the stream. We also had photo ops with Mang Kasoy, also a local in the place who serves as an icon, because he wore the indigenous wardrobe of the Aeta people. He carries the weapon our forefathers use for hunting.

What I love about this trip to Pamulaklakin Forest trail is, it is very timely to my son Q's Araling Panlipunan lessons about Pamayanan (Communities). I am now sure he will understand atleast one of the communities they tackled in school because he had a direct encounter even for a short time with one of them. Because kids these days are very visual and practical, they always need tangible resources for their lesssons. And it is very important that they learn beyond what books tell them.

Entrance Fee: P50.00
Priceless trip with Nature and experience of Indigenous Life.

#ProjectSpongebob

Happy New Year!

This will be my first blogpost for 2015. I have been caught up by Mommyhood and personal events and everything in between. 2014 has been a very overwhelming year for me especially with the coming of Z. I thought, because I'm at rest because of the the needed recovery, I could blog more...Oh well, I spoke too soon. Being a school-boy-Mom at the same time a New mom again and a Triathlete's wife is like working in a circus juggling E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

To start off, let me share with you my 1st DIY project.