precious moments

The TRUTH will set Papa free.

      Exactly a day after my 27th birthday last year, I got a pm from mama telling me that Papa had been suspended. Worried and sad I called them that day with an open mind hoping that everything was just a mistake. Apparently, Papa had been suspended since November 23, 2005 but they chose to tell me after my birthday. Atleast I can celebrate it.

     To refresh your memory (since I cannot find the entry that I did last year). Papa had been working for his ex-employer for almost 13 years. He was their supervisor. He did everything for that job. The owner bought a condo in Cebu and Papa renovated it. Papa knows a lot of things. He is a plumber, electrician, foreman, carpenter, he can read and make blueprints. A perfect match for Resty. I know that they have been taking advantage of him. His day starts with 5:00 a.m. he jogs and around 6:00 a.m. he start picking up the workers and take them to their workstation. He also did payroll. He went to the bank every Friday and deposit/withdraw money. Sometimes he had $ 50,000.00 in his pocket but never was a time that it went short. From early morning, till evening we usually see him the earliest would be 8:00 p.m. Most of the time we are done eating dinner when he comes home. He loved and enjoyed what he did. He was happy until one person stabbed him in the back.

    This guy originally came from Manila. What I heard, he was so desperate because he has children and a mistress aside, so he needed to figure out how to make money  at other people's expense. He started stealing bronze metal from the company and selling them off the street. Papa didn't know that it has been going on for the past few months. Some people saw him did it. Treatened that he will lose his job, he called the main office and reported the stealing. They all thought  that Papa had been covering it up because it was never reported so they pinned the stealing to him. He was suspended because they said there will be an ongoing investigation. He was never asked or even invoved during the investigation process. He was already accused without a trial. The daughter of the owner called Papa and accused him, called him names and made him feel like a piece of junk. The last thing we know, they called Papa at home and asked  him to get all his stuff because he had been fired. Sadly, it was approaching Christmas.

    I called Papa almost everyday. I wanted him to tell me how he felt. I can feel so much sadness in his voice. He said, the job that he treasured so much is now gone. He decided to take the case to Labor. He got a lawyer from PAO (Public Attorney's Office) . The first court decision was to go for what the employer is up to give which was P16,000.00. He was having second thoughts because he said this case had made him have sleepless nights but we persuaded him to make an appeal. I paid for the P200.00 for the fee. I told him that I don't care if we don't get the money. The most important thing is we will prove to them that you did not do it.

Second Court Decision

    The letter came yesterday and as always Mama left me a pm. I called them this morning to hear the wonderful news. After almost one year,  justice was served. I talked to Papa today. I can feel how happy he was as he was reading the decisions of the court. His ex-employer where to follow the following:

a. pay back wages from November 2005 to September 2006 for the reason of illegally terminating Papa from his job. There was supposed to be someone who was willing to testify for Papa but he was sent to Davao instead and the court took note of it. 

b. pay his 13th month pay for 2005 and 13th month pay for 2006.

c. give him his job back.

     Not everything is certain yet because they can still appeal (last) because they can afford to hire a lawyer but if however they will lose this case, the back wages will keep on coming month after month after month. The job? he doesn't want it anymore.I felt he was given the justice that he deserved. God is watching over him.

My dear Papa during my ringhop

For the employer a little piece of mind for you.

1. THIS IS FOR HUMILIATING PAPA INFRONT OF HIS CO-WORKER AND ACCUSING HIM OF SOMETHING HE DID NOT DO.

2. FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIM. PAYING HIM NO OVERTIME EVEN IF HE WORKED THOSE LONG HOURS.

3. FOR CALLING HIM NAMES AND LOWER HIS SELF-ESTEEM.

4.FOR FIRING HIM WITHOUT JUSTICE EVEN IF HE TRIED TO EXPLAIN.

5. MOST OF ALL,  FOR TAKING A JOB FROM A MAN WHO HAVE WORKED ALL HIS LIFE, FED AND SENT HIS CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I went to Target today to finalized my papers and picked up a card for Ryan. I wanted him to know how much I appreciate his hardwork and for juggling two jobs, school  and taking care of a bed bound wife . He is wonderful.

inside: I can't tell you how glad I am to have you to hold.

I love you.

I also wrote( just a part of it): Thank you for always being there for me and our baby. Please know that you are my love, my life and one of the reasons that I am trying to be better. I may not get flowers and material things for Sweetest day but having you and seeing your handsome face everyday, makes it all worth it.

     I huge smile and a kiss and a thank you were  what I got from him today. I love you cutie!

More than just a good news

A slight problem

           Two weeks ago, a newly found Filipina friend invited Ryan and I for a party in her house. I  met her through friendster and we clicked right away. She's been here less than a month when I first met her. She live 4 miles away from our house. Ryan and I were so excited because now we can just take turns in visiting each other. I met her husband prior on a dinner and Mommy Hope (her mother-in-law) as I call her in the party. It was a blast. Anyways, during the party I felt really weird. I felt so much pressure in my belly and I couldn't stand it. Mommy Hope advised me to just sit down. I have been to the bathroom so many times and everytime I wipe off there were blood. I was slightly spotting again. I called Ryan in the house. He was outside cutting grass as he only dropped me off to her house. He was so worried and asked me if I wanted to stay or if I want him to pick me up. I opted to stay. I don't remember how many times I went to the bathroom. I thought this was weird. I already pass the critical period which was 12 weeks. I was 14 weeks then.

         Luckily, the next day was our scheduled appointment with Dr. G. We were supposed to hear the heartbeat that day but I told him that I was spotting the previous day. He took us to the second room for another ultrasound. Ultrasounds are always fun because you can get to see the baby but that one was different. A little outside the baby where the placenta is, there  was a blood clot forming. About the size of the baby's head. We were scared. I was looking at the screen with tears in my eyes. Dr. G said, that the blood that doesn't come out while I am spotting,  forms a clot inside. If I don't stop lifting and bending over, the hard work, we can lose the baby because the clot will keep on growing and it will push the baby away and could die.

         After the doctor's visit, the next day I went to work to let them know that I will be taking off.  I then  scheduled myself for a complete pregnancy survey in a nearby hospital per the doctor's request. I was in complete bedrest that entire week. A jug of water right next to me, phone by my side and I only get up to go to the bathroom. I never think of it as boring not for one time. I kept telling myself that I am doing this for our little angel. Watched tv, did cross stitch, read, that was how  I kept myself busy.

Test Result

         We were crossing our fingers that the result this time will be ok. I have never seen Ryan so worried in my entire life. I have to tell you, this has brought us even closer than ever. He took care of me real good. He did all the laundry, ironed his clothes to work and fix dinner for both of us. Anyways, the result was really good. The clot shrunk it's size from the last time we saw it because I was completely in bedrest but it was still there. There is still a lot of chances for it to grow back.

Ryan always teased me with the baby's nose. He said, our baby's nose will look like mine. I see a little bump in the ultrasound pictures that we have and the baby is only 14 weeks. There is a lot of chances that his/her nose will grow. It doesn't matter anyway.

Stay at home mommy to be

          Let me tell you a little story about my papa which I already mentioned to Line before. Papa was working abroad when I was 5. He used to work in Libya. He left the country 3 times until all of the sudden he decided to stay home and look for a job locally. Some of his relatives wasn't too happy about it. Some neighbors thought my Papa was stupid. We could have save a lot of money and be rich. We just then recently purchased a piece of land to build our little house in.  His reason was, he doesn't want time will come that his children will not recognize him anymore. He said, he missed a lot from us growing and he doesn't want to miss some more. To me, the was the most wonderful decision he ever did. We don't want to be a stranger to him as well.

           In my case it is a little different. When we were in the doctor's office, seeing the baby kicked, had hiccups and waved his/her hand on us, Ryan said we needed to do something and I agree. I told him I would do anything in this case. I only have 2 classes away from graduating which I can always take on-line. When that time comes I do not need to go through the graduation process. In the elevator going down, we decided I should quit. Tuesday, that same week, I went to work and was ready to hand in my resignation. Some of the team members saw me and asked why can I just take a medical leave. I told them I just want to be down with it. Even our HR asked if I can just put myself on leave with pay. After more convincing, I gave in.

            I am a person with pride when it comes to work. When I first learned that I am pregnant. My friends at work warned me about the lifting and the bending over. They said, wait till your critical period is over then you should be ok. One lady even warned me about working too much. She said, retail is the worst company to work for when you are pregnant and I certainly agree with her. Lately, I have been feeling guilty because I have not kept my area, the way it is supposed to be. Keeping it up needs a lot of strength and I don't want to keep on calling everybody to come help me, although a lot of them volunteered in case I needed help. I did it myself anyway. On my third month, the way I worked changed. I thought I was ok now that I pass the critical period. I worked even harder to keep up. I got caught up but  my body just gave up on the 14th week. With work and school (mid-term week) coming together, it was too much for me to handle.

            Originally, I was going to take a year leave after we have the baby but this came so soon than we anticipated. Currently, I still have a job waiting for me but I know I will quit anytime soon, to be home with our baby. We are so happy that I took this decision. I learned to make the table ready for dinner when Ryan comes home from work. I learned a lot of things now that I am just home. Ryan's face light up whenever he sees me rather than waiting for me till 10:00 p.m. to come home from work. Rhebs  I will let you know the moment I start getting bored ( kay I will bug you to call me jud) but for now I am enjoying being home. I am not worried about finding a job soon. I'll find my way and if not, I will give up my career and take care of my husband and baby .

          Today is my 4th month, yehey . I am feeling great and very happy. My family back home have been really supportive. As my brother said, he need to see his "pikwik" (i really don't know what that word meant but he kept calling our baby that). We are planning to spend Christmas there one of these Christmas  in the Philippines. Anyways, in the end, Papa and I are not too different after all. Papa gave up everything for the sake of us and I will give up anything for the same of my family.

         Thank you for those who continually pray for me and my family. I felt so much blessing coming my way.

Don't you just...

hate it when ...

     ... you are driving home and there is a guy infront of you from another state who is going 30 mph instead of 45 mph and was sight seeing like he was not in a big highway? He was far way behind the car infront of him because he wants to take his sweet time. Grr...

hate it when ...

      ... someone is tailgating you because they thought you are the  one slowing everybody behind. If that person only knows that it is the person infront of you.

hate it when...

      ... someone cut you off because he/she missed a turn because he/she was not paying attention and was talking on his/her cellphone.

hate it when ...

     ... some people you thought your friend only remembers you when they need or want something. That is very annoying.

hate it when ...

     ... during the interview process, some of these candidates can be very eager and sometimes would even lie about certain things but once you hire them they start goofing around. Some are very lazy. Before 90 days, we fire them.

hate it when ...

     ... some mothers leave their baby crying and unattended in the cart while they are talking on the cellphone. I just one to tell one mother, if you don't want to take care of your baby, auction her on ebay .

Jeth hates it when ...

      ... showing up for an appointment at ur doctor's office 15 minutes early....and u ended up sitting in the lobby for 3 hours ? Jeth, this is the reason why we don't care if we are late on our appointment. We will be there for the rest of the day anyway hahaha. Thanks !

  I can't think of anything anymore but will post soon if I will. Is there something more you can add?