Baby’s Day Out!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

It’s Rafa’s 1st official day out of our house — apart from going to the hospital and our morning/evening strolls.  Thanks to Belli Blossom (Hi Kerry!), I have a VALID reason to go to the MALL!  Yes!

But maaaan!!!  Twas difficult with that huge stroller that we have!  Thank goodness for our nanny, Bay!

So anyhoo, I brought my eldest (wow! I’m using that term now), Sam to the Kid’s Zone (I think!) and left him there with Bay while Rafa and I headed to Belli Blossom.

It was still early and I met the moderator of the Breastfeeding Meet, Karine (I hope I got the name and spelling right), a social worker, Lina — an expecting mom, and of course, Kerry.  Other moms came in the shop soon after and we all sat down for the session.

It was an informal session so we all felt relaxed to just share our experiences in breastfeeding (and beyond) and ask questions.

It was wonderful to talk to people about babies and breastfeeding without worrying that you’re talking TOO MUCH about babies and breastfeeding!

It’s the only meeting you can sit and breastfeed in front of other people and not be shy about it!

Marge’s son, Mo entertained us all.  He is soooo adorable and I could bite a chunk off his thigh!  I can’t wait when Rafa is able to move freely like Mo.  It would be so much easier!

While in the meeting, you can actually start window shopping! ;)

It was an interesting afternoon and I highly recommend expectant and breastfeeding moms (and even dads!) to join. :)

Until the next breastfeeding meet!

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Breastfeeding Meetings at Belli Blossom!

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

Back in Manila, there’s a huge support group for breastfeeding moms.  It has gotten so big that it has evolved into a sorta “attachment parenting” group that advocates babywearing as well.  I’ve gotten so envious of friends who go to babywearing meets and breastfeeding seminars and wished and hoped there is the same support group here in Vietnam.  Kerry from Belli Blossom and I talked about this a couple of months back and am so glad that Belli Blossom is sponsoring the a breastfeeding in HCMC FREE of charge! ;)

If you’re expecting or already nursing your little one, join the breastfeeding meeting on Friday, May 25, 1:30 PM at Belli Blossom 4th Floor Crescent Mall in PMH.  If you can’t go, you can email contactus@belliblossom.com.vn for more information on schedules.  And if you’re in District 1 or nearer District 1, you can join the meeting at Belli Blossom at 12 Mac Din Chi St.

;)

 

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Wanted: New Apartment

Posted on May 20, 2012 by

Supposedly, we have one more month to go before we finally move out of our current apartment.  But due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to go.  Oh and we can’t seem to find our apartment owner anywhere.  So there goes our deposit…

A couple of weeks before I gave birth, we went apartment hunting.  Now, the apartment that I want has been occupied already.  Now, I’m left to find another apartment within the week ASAP!

I’m seeing more apartments I don’t like.  Like this:

The kitchen is the first thing you see when you get in. :(  The sadder part is that this apartment is really nice except for this feature!  All the other rooms are terrific!  I wanted to weep.

To top it off, I received a hate SMS from my agent who thought I was an agent:

“Hi Lyra. If I found you r an agent and try to trick me u are in deep trouble with me. You cant never do bussiness in Phu My Hung.”

That’s the exact message. :( (

For the love of God, I’m looking for an apartment and not looking to steal your products woman!

I wanted to report her but to whom?

Sigh.

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 13, 2012 by

Wish we can celebrate Mother’s Day outside the house but we haven’t reached the one month (after operation) mark just yet.  Better to err on the side of caution so we’re staying indoors today on this special mother’s day.

Hubby has been keeping this Marital Bliss Bar for almost a week before giving it to me.  I love chocolates!  The darker the better! ;)

And good thing we didn’t go out too because it’s been raining (although not in torrents) all afternoon.  We had a sun shower — which was quite weird because the sun was really shining.

And not because we can’t go out doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate.  So we ordered in good food from Elbow Room as Dani suggested.  If I can’t go to Elbow Room, I sure can bring Elbow Room to our home!

And of course I just gotta have my Clam Chowder!  Sarap!

We ordered around a little past 4 PM and our food arrived at 5 PM!  How’s that for service?  I mean we live outside D1 so that was pretty quick.  But since we live far, we had to pay an additional 40kVND delivery fee.

Now off to dine on our sumptuous meal!

Happy Mother’s Day! :)

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Shifu Dimsum Delivers

Posted on May 10, 2012 by

I love food!  No wonder I’m so fat.  But anyway, finally, Shifu Dimsum in Phu My Hung delivers!

Minimum delivery is 300,000 VND.

Call 54124228.

Enjoy!

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Siesta Time

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Okay so for 5 days, I couldn’t access Hello Saigon.  I thought all is lost!  I have been mentally kicking myself for not religiously doing back-up. :(

The weird thing was, WordPress was on siesta mode here at our place only but I’ve been getting notification that people are posting messages on the blog.  How odd is that?

Anyhoo, yesterday while I was so down because I couldn’t access this site, I looked out from our window and saw this 2 work men having their own siesta.

Our nanny was saying that this is normal for the Vietnamese.

But we Filipinos also rest during the afternoon but not just on the ground ground.  Wouldn’t you get sick because the ground is hot or something?  Well at least put some cardboard boxes.

As our nanny used to say, “In Vietnam, this is okay.  In the Philippines, if you do this, you die.”  Hehehe!  ”Die” actually meant “get sick”.

With that, I’m glad to be back from that 5-day siesta!

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Word HCMC this May

Posted on May 4, 2012 by

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking about finding a new apartment— and now the May edition of Word HCMC features the different apartments locals and expats choose to live in — from the cheapest to the priciest!

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the right apartment these days.  And honestly, the apartments available now aren’t as good as the ones a couple of years  ago. :(  I really don’t want to move to another area as I’ve grown accustomed to our way of living where we are now.

I have a couple of months more before we finally move so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get to find THE ONE! :D

If you’re looking to move too, you might want to check out this feature and see the price range of apartments in the metro.

Last month, I was given the assignment to interview the co-founder of Helping Orphans Worldwide, Hillary Brown.  Even though it was a Skype interview, I could feel how passionate she is with her work through her voice.  Do read on how you can help HOW in Vietnam.

Also in this same issue, I was able to write about Malaysian painter, Shyevin S’ng of Vin-Space.  Wish Vin-Space was nearer our place.

Le Hoang Bich Phuong, the first Vietnamese artist I’ve ever met and interviewed has a traveling exhibit till May 25! So happy for her.  And on this same page, the Pinoy Ako! exhibit is announced for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day in HCMC organized by Filipino artist, Jensen Moreno.

Oooh and our very own, Puerto Princesa, Palawan is featured in Word HCMC and Hanoi’s Destination Zero column —

Though I’ve been to Palawan, I’ve never been to the Southern portion.  I have yet to visit Puerto Princesa.

And remember Thien Son Plaza in PMH?  I thought this building is about to close down especially since Crescent Mall and Parkson Paragon has established its clientele — but I guess not yet!  Thien Son Plaza now has the German fitness and yoga centre.

Best of all, the membership for a year is only at 990,000 VND which is way cheaper compared to the other big gyms like California Fitness and Crescent Gym.  Best of all, no registration fee for the first 500 customers! :D

Download this month’s edition of Word HCMC here.

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