Why I'm Nitta Sayuri

Image from the web

I’ve been asked this question so many times I’ve actually lost count. The question pertains to my alias in FB. People’s question range from who the hell is Nitta Sayuri, why Nitta Sayuri and does my real name sound so bad that I have to use someone else’s? Once and for all I will answer everything.

Your personality in a cookie

My current companion is a title from one of my favorite motivational speakers Francis J. Kong. The Early Bird Catches the Worm But the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese - Stories that Make You Think, Stories that Make You Laugh and Stories that Make You Love (whew!). In a gist, his new book is about teaching readers that life is a matter of perspective, it's not what happens to you - it's how you look at it and how you take it.

Anyway, here's a personality test based on how you eat an Oreo cookie. I just want to share it with all of you, for fun of course. There are just days when I wish knowing a person can be as easy as this (sigh)... 

Image from the web

Hey you pretty momma!

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. - Buddha

Photo from the web

There were quite a few times when people would tell me I don't look like a mom after finding out I'm raising a three-year old daughter alone. Quite honestly I don't know how to react because initially, statements like this is supposed to be a compliment but on the other hand, there lies the preconceived notion that mothers are expected to look a certain way. To elaborate, it means you have to let go of yourself because once you give birth you are to fit the motherhood mold. It is the sad truth that the moment we take ourselves for granted, we are also killing little by little our self esteem. 

A love letter to Mummy

Dear Mum,

Let me tell you again that you are one of life's greatest blessings to me - and I mean every word that I just typed. Thank you for being the prayerful mother that you are. Quite frankly, I can't imagine where I or Ton-ton will be without your prayers for our success and protection. Sorry that sometimes I fall short of sugar coating things and I say it upfront. I'm sorry because I was hard-headed and didn't listen when you told me to steer clear of the man who eventually became Leia's dad. I'm sorry for the many times I failed you because I thought I knew what I was doing only to realize the folly of my actions too late. I'm sorry that I have to make the difficult decision to work away from home and be far from you and Leia, sorry that you have to do the cooking again (NOTE: Mum and I refuse to allow the helps to cook; my brother and I got our discriminating palates from Mum).

Ina-Tay, Mummy and Leia

Why I love working with expats

Lately, I have allowed myself to go to uncharted territories. The journey so far has been exhilarating, I can't confidently say though it's rewarding because I have yet to see. But these new directions caused me to be pensive and press rewind. I have gone this far because I learned from some of the best people to work with - expats. 

Now before you raise that eyebrow and ask how much I must've been paid to write this post, allow me to qualify my statement. I know some of you have horror stories about working with foreign nationals and how they caused you sleepless nights and fleeting moments of insanity. Albeit some who made me work wounded to the point of almost second-guessing my capabilities that took so long to build, my experience is generally happy and meaningful. 

We were one big happy family! (circa 2004). 

I noticed that I actually work better with foreigners than with Filipinos. I'm not being critical of my own race here, however I personally find it relatively easier to share the four corners of an office with them. And from my years of experience with them, here are some reasons why: 

Where art thou Wisely?

I looked for Wisely yesterday on my ballot - such person did not exist. While watching the election coverage on TV Wisely was nowhere to be found. I was looking for Wisely and my search was in vain.

Image from inquirer.net

Recuerdos de Zamboanga

I have landed back to Durian-burg from our vacation in Asia's Latin City - Zamboanga. Sharing with you some of the shots I took of my birthplace using my ever-handy point and shoot. Sorry that this is the best I can do for now. No time to blog yet, I have bills to pay! :)

Hasta la vista, Zamboanga!

The iconic Muslim-inspired airport design

I loved how red they looked hence I snapped

The venue for our family reunion

The lagoon

You haven't been to Zamboanga unless you took a picture of the colorful vintas

Ina-Tay and discipline

"For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" - Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

Image from the web

I am woman, hear my vote!

Allow me to be political with this blog post.

It’s a few days more before elections and everyone seems to me are in a frenzy. Philippine elections and the drama that goes with it can easily rival the soap operas being aired now. Now I am not a political blogger and it is a topic I try to steer away from because it is not my forte. I will definitely vote on May 13^th and even though I am no politico – I will go with the frenzy and campaign for the women’s party list Gabriela.

Gabriela Women’s Party is a sectoral party dedicated to promoting the rights and welfare of marginalized and under-represented Filipino women through participation in the country’s electoral system and organs of governance. It is a sectoral party composed of women 18 years and above, having varied occupations, education, interests, ethnic origin, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation. The Gabriela Women’s Party seeks to harness the potential, initiative, skills, and leadership of marginalized women towards empowerment, justice, and equality. Gabriela has been at the forefront of legislation that protect and uphold women like the RA 9262 or Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 and the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill.

Birds and the bees 2013 version

I recently stumbled on this photo on my FB personal page. As a mommy blogger, I just found it downright funny. I shared it and immediately some friends thought so too. I think it is the tech age's version of the classic birds and the bees story when kids start getting curious how babies are made.

I tried to look back and remember what my folks' response was to me when I asked them this dreaded question. I can't remember anything! I believe I was already in elementary when I began understanding reproduction and became enlightened. Now that my daughter is three, she is becoming more and more inquisitive until one night, while I was putting her to sleep, she asked me, "Mama, saan galing ang babies"? Believe me, it beats the work of an alarm clock because after I heard her question, my brain immediately went to fifth gear. Yikes, heaven help me come up with a respectable answer - pronto!

Celebrating all supermoms - Mommapalooza Davao 2013

The month of May is already here and of course, May is synonymous to Mother's Day. Here's an event for you all hard-working mommies!

Ina-Tay is very excited to celebrate being a mom along with other mothers on Sunday, May 12 for the Mommapalooza 2013 at Fuente de Villa Abrille Clubhouse, Tulip Drive, Matina, Davao City. And before I give you the many reasons why you should be here, Mommapalooza is spearheaded by Carve in partnership with Lifecasting Philippines for the benefit of Ezra Renewal Ministries' work with teenage moms. Talk about having fun while being part of a very worthy and timely cause! It is a first and we should all be proud that they are staging it here in Davao!

The day-long Mommapalooza 2013 is filled with fun events not only for you super momma but for your kids as well. These are some of the activities lined up on that day: