beside the point(s)

When I found out that we were booked for a trip to HK, I have to say I was hesitant for a couple of reasons:

• J, Khandi, and Baby Jule don’t have their passports yet.
• The trip falls on the month that is a little crucial work–wise.
• Khandi will miss her culminating activity.
• (I thought) Baby Jule was just too young to travel.
• My bad back (slipped disc) may act up again.

In regards to the passport, truly, we had a concern on that. Although we paid a little more to expedite the processing, the DFA had this supposed machine trouble that delayed the release of passports nationwide. Our experience was probably the most thrilling of all. Why, the passports were released approximately 3 hours before our scheduled departure time. Hihi.

In regards to the second point about the date being crucial work–wise, well, it’s a whole month. If I would be willing, I just have to work twice as hard on some days. Anyhow, I should be willing. So I believe it’s a work in progress. :hide:

On that third point, Khandi will miss her Pretend Day in school. Honestly, with the high probability that the passport won’t be released in time, I was looking forward more to her Pretend Day. We had a Nurse costume (because she wants to be like Nurse Joy of Pokemon. That’s actually her last choice. She would have wanted to either be a Pokemon Trainer or a Princess) and had her memorize her line: When I grow up, I want to be a Nurse because I want to help sick people get well. Hehe. But yeah, she missed it. =(

In regards to the fourth point about Baby Jule being too young to travel, it’s really more about me feeling guilty because she was teething which makes her stressed that may weaken her immunity to just about anything that would freak us mothers. But it’s never an option to leave her behind. I go, she goes. She stays, I stay. And you know it’s more than that that brings us to the last point.

I have a terrible back. =( Ever since I slipped a disc, I had to keep watch of my activities. I shouldn’t be standing, running, carrying objects, and walking for a long time. So when a trip is all about sightseeing, running after a pre–schooler, and carrying a baby, you get my point. But fortunately, my family was very supportive. We take turns in carrying Baby Jule and watching over Khandi when she could get quite a handful (hello, four–midable! Lol!). J was calm and patient with the kids, too.

J with kids
Then came night time just when you thought the day has ended. It really hasn’t for you unless the kids have already gone to sleep. The first couple of nights, Baby Jule just kept on crying. Maybe she got too tired, too bored at facing the four walls of the bedroom, or just simply being too young after all. She falls asleep at midnight only to wake up every 2 hours and cry and I had to put her back to sleep again. So the next night I was terribly dead–beaten tired. It was wee hours in the morning when Baby Jule started to cry again. I felt like crying myself, half–asleep. You see, it has always been just me and her Ate L who could soothe her. Like a robot, I automatically sat up with no life at all. Then suddenly, J took Baby Jule from me, carried her in his arms, and Baby Jule became quiet. All I could remember was I was just going to close my eyes for a few minutes because I was so sure there's no way her father could put her to sleep. But the next thing I knew it was already morning and Baby Jule was right there sleeping beside me. For the first time (really), I was wrong with being so sure about the exclusivity of baby matters to me. =)

I guess it in these moments when you couldn’t help but smile, look out the window, and let out a sigh of how thankful and grateful you are just because.

that morning after