THE ART OF LISTENING

“We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking.”

True no? For the past days, I am getting sick with people who don’t know how to listen. All they want is to be heard but they don’t want to listen. Minsan tuloy feeling ko my time is wasted conversing (or plainly listening) to people na sobrang daming kwento sa buhay. Ok lang naman sana yun pero a healthy conversation should be two way right? How will you be able to understand each other if two parties don’t know how to listen? Imagine ang gulo kaya nun kung pareho kayong nagsasalita?

I know most of us are exposed in this kind of situation. Worst is, we even encounter people like this na magtatanong sayo sabay sya din naman sasagot. That’s simply because, that person doesn’t want to listen, but only wants to talk. Effective communication exists between two people when the receiver interprets and understands the sender’s message in the same way the sender intended it.

Thanks Google for these very helpful thoughts:

The Three Basic Listening Modes

1. Competitive or Combative Listening happens when we are more interested in promoting our own point of view than in understanding or exploring someone else’s view. We either listen for openings to take the floor, or for flaws or weak points we can attack. As we pretend to pay attention we are impatiently waiting for an opening, or internally formulating our rebuttal and planning our devastating comeback that will destroy their argument and make us the victor.
2. In Passive or Attentive Listening we are genuinely interested in hearing and understanding the other person’s point of view. We are attentive and passively listen. We assume that we heard and understand correctly, but stay passive and do not verify it.
3. Active or Reflective Listening is the single most useful and important listening skill. In active listening we are also genuinely interested in understanding what the other person is thinking, feeling, wanting or what the message means, and we are active in checking out our understanding before we respond with our own new message. We restate or paraphrase our understanding of their message and reflect it back to the sender for verification. This verification or feedback process is what distinguishes active listening and makes it effective.

So for those guilty of Competitive or In Passive listening modes, let us try to practice the Active listening mode and make it as one of our communication skills.

ME SO TATS!

I just want to share what made this Mamee Blogger very happy. Just this afternoon, I received a message in FB from my kumareng Jhen’s sister, Janette. I don’t mean to offend her or anything, but honestly we are not really friends na dikit. We’re just casual friends because of her Ate Jhen whom I truly love. We didn’t have the opportunity to know each other more back in college. And it’s so sweet of her to send me this message:

I am deeply touch getting message like this =) All my blogs are worth the read pala because in a simple way, I am making other’s smile, laugh and learn. Imagine may napupulot palang lesson sa blogs ko! I am so overwhelmed too thinking that through this new hobby, I am gaining more and more friends =)

Thanks so much Janette, from the bottom of my chubby heart! You really inspired me to be more masipag in updating my blogs. You can make your own blog too, it’s a good and healthy way to express yourself =)

And to Pyra Labs, the person behind the Blogger Service in Google, thank you! If without her fabulous idea, this blogging wouldn’t be possible. Thank you thank you Ms. Labs! Labs labs yah!

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE THIS

Look at what I discovered in the office this morning. Unbelievable but true!

Hmmm… so totoo pala, may JIJIMON talaga! What a small world, imagine ka-office mate ko pa pala sya! Bonggang bongga na talaga to! =)

MIMAY AND HER NEW CHUCKS

For those who are following my blogs, I once mentioned here how much I wanted to get a pair of chucks for our Mimay dearest. The first time I saw it from Converse, na-inlove talaga ako. It looks so cute and astig! But since Mimay was not with us pa when we saw it here, we temporarily postponed from buying it because it might not fit her well. But since Mimay is on the peak of her running stage, she badly needs to have a decent rubber shoes immediately. So I asked my Ate to get Mimay a pink Nike rubber shoes para same like mine ;)

This is Mimay’s first ever Nike shoes. Ang cute cute! Price is worth it because she’s wearing it all the time. Super favorite nya actually. Everytime before heading out of the house, we usually ask her this:

Nani or Naynay: Neng anong susuot mong shoes?

Mimay: Ayaw kyoks (this is how Mimay pronounce Crocs hehe), suot shoes shoes! (while pointing on her Nike)

Below naman is the photo of husband and mine’s rubber shoes. Oh db Nike family kami =)

Eh inggiterang frog ang mommy ko, nagpabili din. At ang request pink Nike din para hindi daw sya OP haha!! It’s a good timing Nike is on sale the other week. Look at my kiriray mother while posing on her new shoes. Now you know kanino kami nagmana ni ineng ;)

Back to the chucks, last January 4, as our 21^st birthday monthsary gift to our baby, we finally got a Chuck Taylor for her. Look at how punk she looks! Bagay na bagay with her thunder legs hehe! It’s just too sad because yellow or blue high cut is not available on Mimay’s size (size 7 US for anyone there planning to get a gift for ineng haha!).

We made Mimay wear it on our church service last Friday and everyone was commenting how cute our daughter is. We are so proud of her. She’s the most adorable creature on earth!

I NEED A REVAMP

I’ve been contemplating for days on what to do with my B.O.R.I.N.G look. At ka-cocontemplate ko eh eto inabot na ako ng new year.  I want to revamp my hair style, my wardrobe and my fashion style. Eversince naman, I’m too classic talaga. I’m afraid of experimenting things. My office attires would only be in white, black, brown and gray hues. I’m always in my black flats, in my pearl earrings, silver bangles and bracelets. Araw araw ganun. In short, boring talaga! I’m not the type of person kasi that would want to draw attention. But I’m definitely not a shy type, I’m just too classic (sige na allow me with my, again, boring reason).

This is me in my usual daily office attire: spell B.O.R.I.N.G! I know!

I look so losyang na no? Waaaah nakakaiyak naman! I really have to be serious in my first ever goal this 2011. I have to have a fresh, extra ordinary and fabulous look this year! I have to be more experimental.Mataba na nga losyang pa, ano ba yan!

As I was thinking about this, I emailed husband asking him to rate my losyangness. Biglang humaba hair ko sa reply ng lolo nyo!

“Hindi ka bi losyang ah! Para ka nga po wala pang asawa eh. Hot na hot ka pa din.”

Oh ha! Oh ha! Kakakilig yeah!! Therefore I’m not BORING but (as per hubby) HOT! Hahaha!!!

Thank you so much bibi! I love you love you! I know you’re not a liar and I believe you hehe. But still, I want to look HOTTER in your eyes. Please support me… financially =) Let’s go shopping!

MY FIRST BUYS FOR 2011

For the first time in many months, I was able to sleep for 9 hours straight. What a great way to start the 2011! I love our Mimay more because nakisama talaga sya. Me so happy! Here are some of our wacky photos on the first morning of 2011.

 

Late afternoon, we went to Dubai Creek Park to unwind, relax and enjoy the cold weather. We played in the park slides, swing and rented family bike to roam around the park. Super enjoy ang Mimay as well as Dadee. I’m just very sorry for the blurry photos. We came there late that’s why quality of photos is not that good anymore. We don’t have DSLR yet and that gives enough explanation =) We promise to come back on this park because it’s really a nice place for kids and even adults to chill and play.

You have to give credit to Mamee Nani for Mimay’s hairdo. Cute isn’t it? Super effort ako jan!

On our way home, we pass Max shop which is located very near our building. I personally love this shop because they almost have everything from new born all the way to adult clothes at affordable prices. They have ladies blouses for as low as AED 30 (approx Php 360)! Bongga db? So we went inside to shop for Mimay. I want to start the year getting things for our baby dearest. Nanay na talaga ko, I am selfish no more!

Anak, I just pray when you’re big enough to understand things and you come across this blog, you will come to thank Mamee for always putting you in her priority. Sobra ka namin love ni Dadee mo.

And jaaraaann!! These are the super cutey clothes we got for Mimay! I bet you, she looks a tiny fashionista.

For all new parents out there, be prepared to buy things for your child that is twice the price of adult clothes. It’s a reality we parents have to face. But it’s all worth it! Their cuteness is more than enough for us to pay huge amounts in the cashier =)

MIMAY AND NAYNAY’S 4th WEEK IN DUBAI: PASKO PAKSIW WEEK!

Sorry, this post is coming late because I’ve got little time to blog now. I miss sharing stories but as much as I want to post and finish all the entries in my drafts, I really have no time. Anyway, Merry Christmas again to everyone! Allow me use this post also to extend my message greetings to the special people in my life.

To my loving hubby-bi Poy, to my darling Jemimay, Mommy Venus, Daddy Boy, Kuya De-e, Te Jona, Ate Selo, Kuya Dongets, Nini, Mama Chona, Tita Cute, Lola Abe, Tita Dolor, Llamas Family, Pagbilao Family, Inay Espie, Ate Dory and family, Tupen and family, Kuya Andoy and family, All Nations Full Gospel family, to my college peeps, foc fox, Eonot, Arman, Cha, Jay, Abby, Vno, Jhayz, Ton, sis Jonah and family, Sumiden family, Nissan family, to my blogmates, my Dubai friends, CMS friends and to my 101 kapatids… Maligayang Pasko sa ating lahat! Hope everyone had a good one!

Honestly, I don’t know what to feel for this year’s Christmas. It’s my first time to celebrate the Holidays away from my family. I miss them all so much! But husband told me not to feel bad atleast for Mimay. What’s good about this Christmas is that we wil be celebrating it together with our dearest daughter plus my mommy’s here with us as well, so no reason for me to be sad, right?

For the Noche Buena, we decided to stay at home and have a simple celebration with our 101 family. Initially, we thought of spending the Christmas Eve sana somewhere but since our flat is aalog alog na (most are in Pinas for vacation), we decided to stay na lang because for sure it will be more fun to celebrate with friends.

These are what we had on our dining table during the Noche Buena. Sorry wasn’t able to take individual photos of our food, I’m too aligaga na. We didn’t even find time to dress up.

MEATY SPAGHETTI – this was prepared by my dearest bibi. He’s such a superb cook! I’m so lucky!

ROASTED CHICKEN – tasty, juicy chicken ordered from Deira =)

PIZZA SUPREME – 3 medium boxes of mixed thin and thick crust from Pizza Hut.

VEGETABLE SALAD – in Thousand Island dressing, also from Pizza Hut.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUE ROULADE CAKE – my personal fave from Marks and Spencer. Delish cake!

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM – this is a treat from Dong, thanks Tito Bay! Iba talaga ang inlab! ;)

We had a quick photo shoot before our Noche Buena. Mimay received a cute kikay bag from Tita Jo and Tito Dong and an inflatable pool from Tita Carl that made our dalaga super happy. Thanks thanks mga tita and tito! We watched Petrang Kabayo the movie and that is where Mimay’s sleepless nights started. Thank God she’s ok after 4 nights, whew!

On the Christmas day itself, I booked us in Royal Ascot Hotel and had a dip on their super cold roof top swimming pool. I personally chose this activity since Mimay super loves “miming!” So even if the water is freezing cold, keberlums lang kami basta happy si baby. We also tried their sauna and it was truly very relaxing. Let me share some of our pool and roof top photos from the hotel:

We had our lunch in the hotel’s Thai and Chinese restau named Twin Spice. We ordered their Yang Chow Rice that's very yummy. It has prawns, chicken and crab meat. Kanin pa lang ulam na! It’s heaven with Thailand’s hot ‘n sour Tom Yum Goong soup.

We also had Steamed Prawns in Garlic Sauce. The garlic flavor made the taste more delectable. Ay ang sarap talaga!

We also tried their Chicken in Black Pepper Sauce na super bagay sa Yang Chow. I was hesitant to try when I saw it, but hubby told me that it’s good nga daw. And he’s right.

We also had their Pad Thai or the stir fried noodles. I didn’t like this dish much. I tried this because this is Thailand’s national dish but I was disappointed of the taste. Di ko sya type.

In the middle of our late lunch, our dearest Mimay was super active and even pretending to choose from the menu.

So we just let her do her thing while we shared the scrumptious meal in our table. Then when I was about to spoonfeed her, I saw her like this:

So C.U.T.E. and innocent! She looks very innocent when sleeping pero pag gising ay suskopo!

So anyway, for the drinks, we tried their fresh orange juice and pineapple juice. Verdict to Twin Spice: We will definitely come back! I super love everything except for the Pad Thai ;)

We went home full and very happy, merry’ng merry ang Pasko!