I'm on Sick Leave

For the first time! I always boasted that inspite of my underweight, skinny physique, nobody could really charge me as unhealthy. I was never sick... till today.

In fact, I was already feeling heavy and exhausted since last week (I was still in the Philippines then). Blame it to too much work. I was obliged to shrink all the jobs I had to accomplish in the Philippines in 5 days instead of 6 - and that included auditing our sister company's machine and process, training their engineers and auditing formulation procedures in our company. Yes, I was in two companies at the same time - all in one week. Top it with jetlag and yes, I was dead tired.

A friend of mine warned me against burnout, but no, I'm not yet at this level and I won't allow myself to fall in this trap. I'm just tired and a little stressed out, me thinks. The fact that I was asked to work with our sister company wherein big bosses (from both companies) held high expectations from me was quite a challenge. Though I worked normally without really trying to gain their wows, I nevertheless 'extremely impressed' (got that straight from the director's email to my boss) the Plant Director who openly expressed that my results and proposals, though showed a big drift in their process, would definitely help them improve their productivity. I even heard that he would again ask my boss for my assistance once they start a new process. I just had to warn them na malaki na ang talent fee ko by that time hehe.

At my last day in the company, aside from the engineers and technical managers who wanted to wish me bon voyage, the HR and Training Managers wanted to meet me in person to express how happy they were to meet me and that they've heard good reviews about me. I was tired but I was smiling up to my ears.

Arriving here in France, I went directly to Dijon because I had an important meeting the next day. I just can't be absent in that meeting because I'm the project manager and I just can't say I still have a jetlag after missing 2 or 3 meetings already.

Louna and Frenchguy were still out when I arrived. Louna was on vacation at her grandparent's place while Frenchguy was on a business trip in Boston. They just arrived last night when I was already zombie-like because of fatigue.

I had a medical check-up this morning and of all the things I should forget, I forgot to ask for a medical certificate. Darn! It just shows how newbie I am when it comes to sick leave. Kainis.

Tidbits: I was carrying some measuring instruments (one with some chemicals which produces smoke at the contact with air) when I went to the Philippines and I was so nervous that customs might stop and question me. Arriving at the airport, waiting for my only luggage, I heard my name being paged, asking me to go directly at the right side of the arrival area. I was already imagining the worst scenario, convinced that it was because of the instruments in my luggage. But in fact, it was because it was my first time in the hotel where I was supposed to stay and they thought I didn't know where hotel counters were. Naman, ninerbyos kaya ako dun!

Summer Vacation Part II

Les Pyrénées

Hautes Pyrénées, our second vacation destination is situated at the southern end of France, at the Spanish border and almost 900 km away from Dijon. But you know what? That long drive is all worth it! Just check out the pictures below:

The beauty of the place is simply captivating. No wonder, nature is the biggest architect ever.

A lot of outdoor activities were proposed in that area and our one-week stay was actually sort of bitin. Mountain hiking was number one in our list but we needed to plan our activities to allow rest time for Louna. There was a day when Frenchguy did canyoning while Louna and I just visited the small village where we stayed.

A daycare tho was available in that little town for parents who wanted to do adventure sports without worrying for their kids. Of course, Frenchguy and I promptly jumped into the idea and did our new-found adventure - via ferrata. But this time, a bonus adventure awaited us - we had our dose of tyrolienne too. That was 100% fun.

Another sport activity which is quite famous there is cycling - anybody heard about Le Tour de France? Lance Armstrong? Col du Tourmalet? Well, Frenchguy did his Lance-Armstrong-experience at the Col de Tourmalet (18 km with 7-9% slope and 1450m elevation change) with his basketball top, football shorts and running shoes while I played Sheryl Crow (Armstrong's fiancée) - that is, follow him with the car and give him water from time to time. What a professional! I have to be proud of him. For somebody who is not a cyclist at all, bravo! Well, okay, he did it twice the time as the professionals but HE DID IT! That matters.

This vacation, though we didn't really have that great summer weather, was such a blast. We had fun. We were far from worries. We were stress-free. If only we could be on vacation everyday!

PMN Fam Pics

Do I have to be happy that the editors of PMN are up to their necks with work in improving the site that I had the time to dig on Louna's site for a great entry?? Yay, that really sounds selfish. Let's just call it, blessing in disguise.

Now, take a peek on my Anything Potted entry by clicking here and let me know what you think. The picture was taken when Louna was still 5 months old and already a nomad. It was her first time at her Grandparents' place.

And here are other mom's take on Anything Potted. Go visit them too.

Julie's flowers
Raqgold's Potted Memory
Cookie's different kind of pot :razz:
KK's indoor and outdoor pots
Rach's Flowers and a Smile
Lynn's Pot Shots
Lady Cess' The Best Tea
Feng's Tagaytay Pics
Analyse's Life isn't easy being a nomad
Purple Girl's Coffee Alamid
Mitch's very edible photos
Noemi's Ceramic Fondue Pot
Vicky's Potted Fruits and Vegetables
Dine's anything potted in Bhutan and Capalonga

Summer Vacation 2007 Part I

So we are finally out on vacation.. and loving it, what else. Though summer temperature is not really at our rendez-vous, we are nevertheless having the fun of our life with what our destination reserves for us.

Since our second-week-destination is at the Midi-Pyrenees (~885 km from Dijon), we tried to organize our vacation so as to have our stopover in some place where we could do a little visit. Long drives are not really advisable to impatient toddlers, unless you’re really patient. Our first stop was at Safari de Peaugres where Louna had fun not only on imitating animal sounds, but also on mimicking them. Look at how cute she mimics pink flamingos.

We then drove up to Lac de Salagou the next day, known for its environment carpeted with its rich red soil.

Unfortunately, it was too windy that day so we ended up hiking instead. It was a fun hike because Louna walked at the start of the trail and finally discovered her shadow. She was quite blocked at first, probably wondering what that black image was so we explained (and showed) to her that Maman and Papa have their own shadows too. The trick worked when we told her that she had to follow her shadow. Toddler life is full of discoveries.

We then stopped at Carcassonne to visit this majestic fortress constructed during the Middle Ages. I’m not a history buff so let me describe the place through pictures instead.

Next stop will be at the Midi-Pyrenees.

Les Dijonnais

The Frenchies are still here - blame it on the capricious weather. Our designated destination displays cloudy weather today so since we had no reservations this week, we decided to stay put in our little chez nous and enjoy what Dijon has to offer.

First on the list was Louna's haircut. Since it's vacation time, we finally decided to say bye-bye to her baby-hair and she gamely obliged. I think that she even enjoyed her pampering time at the salon, she talked non-stop while her coiffeuse cut her hair. A promising talkative little girl.

We were also able to enjoy our little garden which is most often neglected because of our busy everyday lives. Some little pleasures like going to the restaurants, leisure-walking at the town center, walking at the nearby forest, eating out with friends, watching DVDs with Louna and simply doing siesta every afternoon are already priceless rewards for us. Who would say we aren't on vacation yet?

Tomorrow, we will probably load our car with our stuffs and finally hit vacation... did I said probably?

PMN Fam Pics

Credits: Verena Karolyi for the Papers and Suzanne C. Walker of DSP for the WordArt.

Here's my official entry to the PMN Fam Pics saga’s August theme – Glossy. Here’s my little darling with her Glossy Apple Cheeks. This picture was taken after our summer vacation last year.

Here are how PMN members interpret “glossy.”

Glossy Writing Table by Noemi
Glossy Appeal by Rachel
Attack II by Leah
Glossy by raqgold
PMN Fam Pics Series 1 : GLOSSY by Cookie de Guzman-Lugue (Kongkong622)
GlossyMonday--My World Turning Upside Down by Sexy Mom
Glossy by Mitch
Glossy by Chats (iMom)
Glossy Apple Cheeks by Analyse
PMN Fam Pics, 1st edition: A very glossy story by Connie
Mommy's girl by Lady Cess
GLOSSY Topped Cupcakes by Dexie the FeistyMomma
Glossy from the garden by KK
Glossy Plastic Covers by Feng

All My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready To Go...

Aoûtiens

Camping Advocates

After a lot of last minute changes and hesitations, we're finally leaving for vacation this weekend. It will be a 3-weeks getaway, starting off at the Ardeche area where we will most probably mount our newly-bought tent for the first time. As a growing family, Frenchguy and I both agreed that our miniature tent will not be spacious enough to hold Louna alone so we ended up buying a new one. Tho it won’t be Louna’s first camping experience, we still prepare ourselves to a roller coaster ride with a toddler in tow.

Mountain Climbers

Next in line will be the Pyrenees where we will stay in a nice vacation village situated atop the mountains. We took the option Pension Complete which means everything will be prepared for us, from breakfast to dinner. We deserve a break, okay? A lot of outdoor activities are also proposed everyday so it will be a busy week for us. An in-house day-care is available in case we want to do some sporty adventure sans Louna.

Ocean Adventurers

Next and last stopover will be at my BIL’s beach house at the Vendée area. The house is reserved only for us so it will be a cool moment to spend family time together without worrying about community activities. I particularly dig the ice cream eating session every afternoon.

Back-Packers

All these vacation itineraries had been a pain to organize and I hope everything will turn out alright, that we’ll have a great weather and Louna will go home to Dijon fully potty trained. Frenchguy and I would take separate work destinations direct from our vacation hideaway and the little Miss will spend a week more at her grandparent’s place. Yes, aside from the vacation must-haves that we packed, we’re adding two laptops and our passports on the list.


I’m Living on a Jetplane.

If you have to gauge yourself, what is your competence with process A using machine B ?

That was my boss’ welcome question when I arrived back from a 3-weeks business travel last month.

Bosing, to tell you frankly, I could work with that process using that machine with my eyes closed.

Yabang ko no? But apparently, I hit the right answer. Before I knew it, I got myself named for another assignment and with that came an air ticket and loads of emails. I tried to protest from my boss, telling him that he could surely name somebody from our Asian team with the same expertise, so we could save from air tickets, that I could always act as a support through emails, chat, call conference, video conference yada yada yada, to which he answered :

The request is from our sister company and they’re paying all of your expenses. I’m even checking on how I could charge them your travel incentives and your one week salary. With that said, they’re expecting a credible and reliable support from you…

Oh. Thanks for the added pressure. I really appreciate it.

Now here’s the catch. The sister company is based in the Philippines and I don’t think they know that I’m a Filipina. I just hope they won’t ask their money back because they’re expecting a French expert and all they could get is dark-brown Pinay.


PMN Fam Pics

But before I finally close my bags and hit the road to vacation, I’d like to share to you my un-official entry to the PMN Fam Pics saga’s August theme – Glossy. Here’s my little darling with her Glossy Apple Cheeks. This picture was taken after our summer vacation last year.

Credits: Verena Karolyi for the Papers and Suzanne C. Walker of DSP for the WordArt.

A Star in the Making

And before I end this already long post, please visit this site and listen to the group Plastiq Passion (Jessica Chaos) under the Music category. The woman behind the guitar is a cool mom who rocks between work, family and her passion - music. As she said, some moms do cross-stitching. She plays with her guitar. Ain't that cool? And would you believe that inspite of that seemingly hectic schedule, she still has time to meet blogger friends who lost their way to NY?

And oh, before I forget, please vote for the group ;).


Temporary Hiatus

This blog will officially be on temporary hiatus starting Sunday, August 5. All work and no play make John a dull boy. You wouldn’t want to see me get bored of my everyday life, would you?

See you in September.

High School Life

I was again Tagged - by Mitch. She's starting to be my Tag suki :D and I'm willingly playing along. This même suddenly reminded me of fond memories of my favourite episode during my younger years.

1. Who was your best friend? I was actually part of a group of 5 girls who promised to be Ninangs to our first-born child. Since they had their kids earlier than me, I was the Ninang to their eldest child and Louna was left without nobody to be called Ninang from my group of best friends.

2. Did you play any sports? A what? What’s that?

3. What kind of car did you drive? During HS? Nah. I only knew bicycles and tricycles then.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? At home most of the time. Or watching a film in one of my bestfriends house. What I love are Saturdays where a surprise visit of jeepneys and tricycles loaded with HS classmates embark in our place to take me away with them – destination – beach. It’s not necessarily in a resort. Most of the time, we squat in a private vacant lot where we spend the whole day chatting and eating. Ah, I miss this moment.

5. Were you a party animal? Sort of. Expect to see me in most of the parties organized by our group.

6. Were you considered a flirt? Not at all. You could actually see me hanging out with male barkadas most of the time.. but we call each other P’re (pare).

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? Nope.

8. Were you a nerd? Nah. I was an average student from 1st to 3rd year, then started to aspire for the top 10 during my 4th year. If ever this counts, I was the Math genius of the batch.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? Never.

10. Can you sing the fight song? Ngek, what’s this?

11. Who was your favorite teacher? My Math teacher for obvious reasons. She’s using class cards to ask her students to go to the board and solve a problem. It was exciting and at the same time, nerve wrecking.

12. What was your school mascot? Nada.

13. Did you go to the Prom? Syempre.

14. If you could go back, would you? I would really love to.

15. What do you remember most about graduation? I wasn’t happy with the results. In fact, they considered our grades from 1st year to 4th year, took percentages from each then added some points for extracurricular activities. From a 3rd placer (during my 4th year), I ended up without nothing during the graduation rites.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? Ano yun? Wala yata nyan sa probinsya namin.

17. Did you have a job during your senior year? Wala po.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch? Home.

19. Have you gained weight since then? Hmmm, I think so. But the last time I saw my classmates (Dec 2006), everybody agreed that I haven’t changed.

20. What did you do after graduation? I was accepted in MIT and I settled with my dream school.

21. What year did you graduate? 1993.

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date? He was not actually a date. He was my designated escort and he happened to be my bestfriend-turned-suitor-whom-I-haven’t-talked-to-since-then.

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion? There was no 10 year reunion for our batch, simply because most of us are out of the country and it’s quite impossible to organize one. Now we’re talking about the 15th year reunion and I hope it will push through. Otherwise, we have a group-email as a means to keep up with each other.

Tagged: What were you thinking?

I got tagged by KK:

What Were You Thinking when you first met your current main squeeze? (husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, significant other, sex partner, WHATEVER!)

Quite irritated. I don't know what has gotten in his mind but he decided to call me Monalisa from the first meeting.

A little background. Frenchguy and I met inside the premises of our Philippine production site end of 1999. It was during the start-up of the company. I was the 4th person hired in our department and Frenchguy was there to supervise the installation of the machines. My boss didn't formally introduce me to him so I didn't really care who he was. The very first meeting was at the stairs leading to the workshop. He introduced himself to me so I did the same. He called me Monalisa. Grrrr.

The rest is history.

And what was HE thinking when he first saw me?

He thought I was beautiful. Walang aangal. I was the only girl in the department at that time. :D

So now, I'd like to tag Haze and Francine.

The Face Behind The Blog

There's no secret. Browse a little bit more and you'll see pictures of her and her daughter posted on most of the entries. This blog started August of 2004. It talks about the author's observations, her views, her life.. no wonder, it's HER blog. Barely a year later, March 2005 to be exact, a big milestone dawned on her. Came with it is the creation of another blog - Ma Crèche Privée - literally translated to My Private Nursery, which tackles her daughter's life, from in vitro to today. It's her way to communicate her child's development to families and friends all over the globe.

The woman behind the blog is a first-time mom and a career woman rolled into one - in short, a SAHM wannabe. She's blogging from France and she's dreaming of winning the EuroMillion (lotto) to be able to stop working - but without betting a single euro. While waiting for that big jackpot, she's working her a** out as a Chemical Process Engineer in a French-owned multinational company where she's given free air tickets to solve machine and process problems in their production sites worldwide.


The woman who tagged me - Francine. She's a newbie in the French environment and she's adapting quite well. She's at the moment preparing for a big event and realizing all the more the difference between her culture and the new culture she's trying to embrace. Feel free to check her page.

And here's the instruction to this meme :

1st step - Post a short blog article that includes a photograph (or a series of photos) showing the face behind your blog. If you already showed a photo somewhere on your site (such as in your about page), then make your post more interesting and choose a photo that’s not currently online.

2nd step - Include links to other people that have displayed a photo, or include their photos in your post, adding a reference.

3rd step - Tag as many others as you like in your post to spread the meme.

4th step - If you link back to me here and send an email I’ll be sure to include links back to you. Each person tagged should create their own post and repeat the process.

I'd Love to Tag:

Auee - Same reason as Francine, i don't think I already 'saw' you.
Mitch - I always see you 'blurred'.
ScroochChronicles - I'd like to know you too.
Feng - You're tagged!

I Rock, My Mom Too

And what about that? After blogging and bloghopping at a slower pace lately due to inevitable everyday errands, Mitch still thinks I rock. Thank you, thank you. I'm not prepared for this. I'm speechless.

Still from Mitch, I was tagged on 10 Random Facts about my Mom. In fact, I could list a lot more than that, but OK, I'll limit myself to 10.

1. She's a proud Mom. And she's got all the right to be one. She's raised 6 kids (with my Dad of course) with two meager salaries of elementary school teachers. With the expensive education in the Philippines (add to that the boarding house, telephone, water, electricity fees and the monthly allowances), she's obliged to follow a strict financial scheme. They are insurance agents and rice farmers on the side. And by the way, she was obliged to sell a beach lot which she bought when she was still single - for our precious education.

2. When she starts to brag, she brags. She would start with 'Yung panganay ko... yung pangalawa naman... yung pangatlo.. yada yada yada.' She would normally talk about her kids and their achievements. No wonder, we are her pride. And of course, when we are with her and she starts to brag, nagtatago na kami. Ang yabang ni Ma-Dear e.

3. She's equally proud of her grandkids. She's got 4 from 4 of her children, and obviously, she wants more.

4. She helped for the education of her youngest sister-in-law. My Dad is the oldest child in the family and with that, the salary of my Mom became a part of the family money. Inspite of that, she still feels indebted to my Dad's family by the fact that our house is built on their ancestral land. By the way, that youngest SIL just gave them a Toyota Revo as a gift this year. Not bad. Good deeds pay off.

5. She never knew her parents. They died when she was still young. So her eldest brother raised her. But this eldest brother married a very strict wife who obliged her to work all the time except on Good Friday. And yes, she feels indebted to this SIL too.

6. She's an utang-na-loob slave and I don't know how to move her out of that.

7. Loving Mom as she is, she never wanted her children to be morally indebted to anybody. Not even to her. She doesn't want her children suffer because of utang-na-loob. She never obliged us to send her monthly remittances - she just doesn't like the idea. To those who don't understand her concept, she just shrugs her shoulders and say 'Pinaghirapan naman ng mga anak ko kung ano man ang meron sila ngayon. Dapat lang na para sa kanila na yun.'

8. She is the 'Mommy' to all her children's friends and all her co-teachers. My ex even continued calling her 'mommy' even after we parted ways.

9. She waves her hand to everybody when she's out to go to the market. She knows almost everybody in our little town. They even tease her to run for Mayor of the town to which she answers 'Naku, ngayon at retired na ako, I will dedicate my time to my children and their kids.'

10. She's 64 years old and enjoying her retirement with my Dad (who is 7 years her senior). They still do farming and work as part-time insurance agents. They consider that work as their sole social outlet.

As you noticed, it was hard for me to dissociate my Mom from my Dad. They are partners, through good and bad times.

Job Applicant - French Style

The engineer trainée in our department is currently applying for a job and is chaining interviews one after another. One day, she would be somewhere around Paris, the next, she would be somewhere in the south. She have a rendez-vous with ANPE next week, for her to have all her travel expenses be reimbursed.

Sarap buhay!

*ANPE - Agence Nationale Pour l'Emploi (National Employment Agency)

Note: New graduates have to register to Assedic (National Unemployment Insurance) as job applicants. Assedic will then study the applicant's case to evaluate the amount he is entitled to. Most of the time, almost 95% of the travel expenses related to job-hunting is being shouldered by this government office. The papers will then be transfered to ANPE. ANPE will then provide all the services available for the new graduate, from job propositions to trainings with pay.

A Day in a Life of a Working Mom

She woke up at the irritating sound of her phone which she set at 6:40 am the other night. It’s Monday. She turned carefully and gave a warm kiss to her daughter then moved out of bed slowly, wary not to wake her up. She decided to sleep with her daughter last night, longing for her daughter’s presence after few weeks of business trip.

It would be a long day today. She had to move double time. The usual 20 more minutes of sleep extension is not for today. Her husband left early this morning for a week-long business trip. She had to do everything alone… and for the next 4 days.

She hurried downstairs and had the usual toasted bread topped with Nutella and a mug of café au lait for breakfast. She tried to eat faster but the only way to do it is to eat less - she only had half of her usual dose. At 7:00 am, she was already brushing her teeth, ready to take a quick shower afterwards.

7:20 am. She poured 210 ml of fresh milk in the feeding bottle, placed it inside the microwave oven and pushed quick-start. She hurried again upstairs while saying ‘Good morning baby.’ repeatedly. She starts to hate the stairs which seems to take minutes of her precious time everyday. She peeped inside the room and checked if her daughter started to move. She smiled. She suddenly remembered her daughter when she was younger. Mornings had always been a pleasure.

After a morning ritual of hugs and kisses, she instinctively looked at her watch. 7:25 am. She carried her daughter up and zoomed downstairs to give her daughter her bottle, checked if the flow is okay, then ran again upstairs. She started preparing herself while her daughter took her breakfast.

At 7:35 am, she settled her daughter on her potty chair and she continued dressing up. Oppps, she forgot to give her daughter a toy. Potties are boring places for busy toddlers.

7:40 am. She started to change her daughter’s diapers. Her daughter just discovered playing boxing with her feet so dressing her up is all the more difficult. Add to that that her daughter wanted to put on her own shoes and didn’t want to brush her hair.

At 8:00 am, doors and gate closed, she started buckling her daughter up inside the car. She needs to be at her Nanny’s place before 8:20 am, or else, she would need to take the road to the school. In fact, the Nanny had to bring her son to the school at 8:30 am so she, together with the kids, needs to leave the house before 8:20 am. Too much constraints. At the fourth day, she was reminded that it’s summer vacation and rushing in the morning was not really necessary – Mommies forget things.

She arrived at the office before 8:30 am. Life went on as usual. At 5:30 pm, she was already preparing herself to leave the office because at 5:45 pm, the clock would start ticking overtime pay over at the Nanny’s place.

After a quick update on how her daughter was during the day, mother and daughter geared up and hit home at 6:00 pm. Their day has just started. Upon arriving at home, she placed her daughter on her potty chair while she did her potty too. Mothers and daughters do things together. Bonding and learning starts from there. They then started to play mommy-baby role-playing. Her, as the baby, her daughter, the mommy. At 7:00 pm, it was bath time. Bath time with toddlers always takes time - her daughter had this good habit of brushing the tub floor and wiping the tiles during bath time lately. And she just can’t tell her daughter ‘Stop that baby. That’s bad.’

At 7:30 pm, she was already preparing dinner while her daughter continued playing. Her husband called up and after a quick update of how the day was, she passed the telephone on to her daughter who took the phone and started talking while walking. Exactly like what her Dad does. She’s a copycat.

At 8:00 pm, it was dinner time. Her daughter is a good example of a toddler with a good mealtime manners – she eats on her own neatly. She’s a real breath of fresh air.

After mealtime, she started cleaning up the kitchen while her daughter continued playing. At 8:45 pm, it was toothbrush time for both mother and daughter. They went upstairs afterwards. After the potty, they both headed to bed. Her daughter took her favourite Dora the Explorer book and she started to flip on the pages with her. Yes, her daughter will again sleep next to her.

Her daughter started to doze off. She checked her phone. It was 9:00 pm. The alarm was still set at 6:40 am. She needs to rest too. Tomorrow is a promise of another long day.

PMN E-Zine's Up

The fast growing Pinoy Moms Network is taking another height by launching the much awaited e-zine. The sexy new look is of course a product of blood, sweat and tears as Sexy Mom describes it. Credits to the founder of PMN, Connie and Noemi, and of course the section editors, Sexy Mom, PinayExpat, FeistyMomma and AnnaManila.

PMN has become one of my favorite tambayan lately. It's there where I met interesting people with the same interest and love as me - our children. So once the e-zine project was announced, I was quite excited to be a member writer. Too excited that I have my first two articles published at the same day. Read my take on Toddler Management and what your kids could benefit from camping.

See you there.

My Daughter just turned 20 Months Old

Check out her new tricks here.

Les Vacances en France

My vacation counter has been reset last month. On the list are:

Congés Payés : 25 days. That’s 5 weeks of Paid Leave.

Pont Payé : 1 day. Day between a legal holiday and a weekend. We have 1 day a year and we could take it anytime we want.

Réduction Temps de Travail (RTT) : 11 days. The RTT is the equivalent of 35-hour workweek. With that regime, I get 11 more days of vacation a year.

Congé d’Ancienneté : 2 days. Days added related to the length of service in the company. What? Who says I’m old?

Report Jour de Repos : 2 days. The days I wasn’t able to take last accounting year which I have to consume till the 31st of August this year. Another way to keep unconsumed vacation days is to transfer them to the Compte Epargne Temps. It’s like a bank where you place your vacation days without worrying when you have to consume them. A quota of 18 days a year has to be respected tho.

Jour de Récupération : 3 days. These days are linked to the number of Saturdays I worked during my business travels which I have to recover upon arriving in France.

Add to that the official holidays which are:

January 1 – New Year’s Day
April N – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 8 – 1945 Victory
May N – Ascension Day
June N – Whit Monday (Pentecost)
July 14 – Bastille Day
August 15 – Assumption Day
November 1 – All Saint’s Day
November 11 – Armistice Day
December 25 – Christmas Day

Now, let’s do the Math. How many non-working days do I have? 55 days. Yipee!

Let’s get to the more serious topic now. Frenchguy, Louna and I need to take a 3-weeks summer vacation this August. We started to think about spending it in Italy, starting in the Vallé d’Aoste (to do mountain activities), then go down south to Pisa, Florence and Rome, then drive up to Venice and spend some time whiling away at the Italian shores, Mediterranean side. The problem was, we just started to organize everything last week, a month before our actual vacation. Since we’re running out of time, the best way to do everything quick was to ask people around us for some tips on where to park the car, which hotel to stay, what other small villages to visit, etc. But after hearing stories like August is the worst month to visit Italy because of too much tourists etc etc, we decided to think about Plan B.

Plan B is to visit something authentic or why not exotic. Egypt was long considered - cruise in the Nile River, a stop at the Hurghada/Red Sea then a day tour at Cairo. A perfect getaway. But I need a visa and we’re 3 weeks from taking our luggage off. Add to that the fact that the mercury will most probably display 40°C at daytime and Louna’s vaccines has to be reviewed. Ok, this destination - cancelled.

I again restarted to browse the net to search for Plan C while Frenchguy leaf through the pages of travel magazines. After minutes of thorough checking, I shouted ‘Know what? I won’t need a visa to go to Morocco’ to which he responded ‘Yes but you will also melt there because of too much heat.’ This destination – cancelled.

On to plan D. Plan D is … not yet finalized. We have an idea where to go and what to do, but nothing is reserved yet. And everything could still change at the last minute because of various reasons.

So expect for plan E. Hayy, ang hirap din ng maraming bakasyon!

Is Your Kid Safe Inside the Car?

Have you ever experienced being absorbed by something leading you to commit serious errors and problems? Even fatal consequences?

A 19 month old toddler was found dead inside a car after a day of non-surveillance. In fact, his father forgot to drop the kid off at the day care center so he unconsciously left his son locked inside the car at his office’s parking area. He only realized the error at 4pm, when the day care administrator called up to ask why the kid was absent. When the father arrived, the kid was already dead of too much heat and dehydration.

The accident happened in a town not far from Dijon. It happened two weeks ago, when I was in the Philippines on a business travel. Imagine my fear when I heard the news and the images that crossed my mind... remember, I was away from my daughter. My first reflex was to imagine myself on that same scenario.

Louna is of the same age and I know that she’s not yet capable to unbuckle her safety belt nor open the window, nor open the car door. Imagine how helpless the kid was, and imagine the feeling of guilt his parents are into right now.

I know that this is a horrible news but I need to share it with you and be warned that such thing could happen.

I am listing some kid-friendly measures that could save lives:

- Wear seat belts. They’re there to save your kid’s and your life. An abrupt braking could literally project your kids pass the car windows to outside of the car.

- Use a car safety seat. The built-in seat belts are designed for adults. In cases where no car seat is available, stay at the back seat with somebody holding your kid.

- Never let small kids stay on the passenger’s seat. They could disturb your driving concentration when they start to push all those buttons. In case of accident, it is safer to have them at the back seat. I once saw a kid displaying half of his body outside of the car window while his mom was driving. The kid was of course, not attached. I saw two risks. Either the kid will fall down or be hit by a car.

- Lock car windows and doors. Most of the latest car models provide automatic lock system. Don’t hesitate to use it especially during long drives when kids start to be restless and try to open windows and doors. You know, kids learn at a very young age how to buckle and un-buckle up their seat belts.

- Never stay inside a stationed car with the air-con running. You risk carbon monoxide poisoning.

- Bring some water (and water spray). Here in Europe, summers could be very hot and dry. I’ve heard a lot of stories of infant death inside a car during long drives because of too much heat and dehydration. Car air-con is not yet generalized particularly here in France. In such cases, schedule the long drive at night when the temperature is lower. Use water sprays without moderation.

- And yes, don’t leave your kid alone inside the car. During summer, the temperature inside a car could go up to 45°C or more.

Some parents could just take these details for granted, especially the first 4 points, reasoning that their kids are well-disciplined and would never try such crazy deeds. But remember, kids don’t have the same notion of danger than you do. One prevention is better than a thousand cure. Take your pick.

More on defensive driving here.

Why I Can't be a SAHM

This is a cry from a Career Mom trying to justify herself. Hear her lament.

Job is not Everywhere in France

France is far from being the El Dorado for non-French job hunters regardless of the number of diplomas you have. Firstly, language is a BIG barrier. Another is equality. Though they cry out loud that Egalité is a French emblem, racial discrimination is still a rampant social distress. A job hunter named Mohammed won't have equal opportunity as someone named Pierre, even if both were born in France. Go measure for someone named Analisa born thousands of miles away from France.

During my recent business trip in Thailand, I bumped to one of the big bosses based in Bangkok. He was surprised to know that I am based here in France. I could still remember his reaction when he said in his inquisitive tone 'A Filipina working in Dijon?', then his endless questions on how I arrived here in France till how I bagged the job. Isn't that a yelling evidence of how white collar jobs are reserved to these royal bloods? Take my situation to the US setting and nobody will be surprised. Filipinos are part of their workforce, right? In fact, if not because of my previous working experience with the same company in the Philippines, I don't think they would hire me.

That said plus the current job scarcity France is facing, I think I'll need a great motivation to quit my job.

I Love My Job (because of …)

Flexible Time : I’m not the typical 8am-5pm employee. I could go to the office past 9am. I could take my vacation in synch with my Nanny’s. I could go home as early as 4pm. I manage my time.

Multinational Exposure : and since it’s a French company, we’re the boss. Ain’t that a bonus?

Business Travels : I loved it. When I signed my contract where it was written that around 30% of my time will be spent outside of France, I was excited. I was excited to the idea of having somebody waiting for me at the airport, holding a cardboard with my name written on it, me feeling like a VIP. Now, it starts to tire me up especially when I know that there’s a little girl patiently waiting for me.

I love what I’m doing. The best part is that I’m being paid to do what for me is a dream-come-true. I think this one is the most essential part, right?

I Need Cash

Who don’t anyway. Apart from all the monthly payables, I need my own money to keep my sanity. Frenchguy is quite tight with his money. He’s got this bad habit of saying he’s got no money and he’s got this mindset that everything is expensive. Though unintentional, he made me feel I was a parasite when I was not working yet. Me who was financially independent pre-Frenchguy time. He said I was stupid to think that way. Mea culpa.

No, I’m not complaining, I just need cash.

I’m at my Best at Work

I’m only excellent when I’m being paid. And nope, I’m not proud of that. I’m a lazy bum at home. I hate cleaning the house, I hate cooking, I hate most of the household chores. I just do all of them because I’m obliged to. And of course, Frenchguy does 99% of the job. But that doesn’t make me less of a wife or a Mom. I hope we’re clear with that. Call me lazy but don’t call me Bad Mom.

Though I have all the perfect reasons why I can’t be a SAHM, the dream of being one still haunts me at times like this - arriving from a business travel and finding Louna with long nails and dirty teeth.

Did I tell you that Moms and Dads are not the same?

I'm Back

With a vengeance! Francine just tagged me. This girl wanted to know how vain I am and contrary to what I thought I am, I still have a shy of vanity on my bones. I thought I was close to negative. Well.

You Are 19% Vain

You don't have a vain bone in your body - almost as a matter of principal. You demand to be judged on who you are, not what you look like.

How Vain Are You?

Francine, summarizing that supposed-to-be 19% of vanity gave me a real hard time. Here's my list:

1. I have 4 different shades of eye shadows that I rarely use.
2. I have 3 eyeliners which I used once. They're now collecting dusts on my dresser.
3. I use mascara everyday since probably a year now. Not that I'd like to have that Betty Boop look. Wala lang.
4. I normally wear shirts and jeans. The very rare time that I wear skirts and high-heeled shoes at work, I have all the eyes focused on me, men and women alike - ready to blame me if it rains!
5. But honestly, I love to see myself dressed with a lot of taste and feminity. Ang hirap lang i-assume hehe. It's just not me.
6. I just had what it feels like a one-year-shopping-spree with my recent trips to the US and Asia. Not that I'm vain, mas mura kasi dun hehe.
7. I normally wear those clothes being displayed on shop windows. Not because they're the latest trend, it's simply because I hate shopping and the easiest way to finish shopping is to ask the saleslady if they have my size.
8. I was driving an old pawis-steering car before we changed to our car now. And honestly, who cares.
9. Ok, this is vain. I sometimes buy trendy clothes for me and Louna but I make sure I don't pay that much. There's being vain and being practical at the same time, right?
10. I hate to see my bulgy tummy so I do belly exercises, like once a month hehe. Sorry, you have business with a lazy gurl here. And me thinks being vain and lazy at the same time are simply not compatible.

Oh by the way, I'd like to know your honest opinion. Do I look/sound vain? I find that 19% vain description of me so cute hehe.

Updates coming next..

Temporary Hiatus

I have been hiding behind the scenes lately (that reads: blogging world) and I’m afraid it would continue till I get back to France. Work has been taking a lot of my energy lately that I feel drained at the end of the day. In fact, my stay here in the Philippines was extended for few more days because of a big problem in the plant and I need to squeeze my brain from day in to day out to find technical solutions. And I mean having my brains turning even inside the taxi, while taking a bath, while dining, while watching TV.. I mean, everytime. Goodness gracious, they’re back to normal now, buti na lang, I could go back to normal life too. My brain is still bleeding and malfunctioning tho. Thanks to me - boss, can I have a raise??

And since I never went out yet since I arrived here (my social life was in its all-time low – I was doing the hotel-work-hotel itinerary), I finally called up some friends this afternoon and voila, I have my calendar fully-booked till my last day here. That would mean I won’t have time to blog and bloghop too. Catch up with you guys soon. Promise.

PS: Louna starts to understand pretty well. Read how she revealed my cooking prowess to everybody here.

My Little Frenchy at 19 Months Old

She starts to dream big...a lot. I mean she's got a lof of dreams. I was just wondering what suits her most. What do you think?

She dreams to be a Dancing Queen. So, supportive parents as we are, I taught her the first step (wriggly pampery arse), Frenchguy the second one (incredible hulk style). Hehe.

See her wriggle here.