November 29, Tuesday.
Last Saturday, while I was cooking at the outdoor kitchen, my 5-year-old went to me and told me if she could get a hug. I asked her why. She said she was afraid. I asked her afraid of what. She won't tell me. She said she saw something on youtube.
The following morning, she told me. She said she was surfing the net. Yes, my 5-year-old surfs the net. I tried to hold it off but then she really is a smarty pants.
She said she was watching The Sims. She has been playing The Sims on my phone and sometimes also on Facebook. Nyx always asks a lot of questions. Since I lost my baby, she has even more questions everyday as to why it happened. So maybe, I'm just guessing, she searched for The Sims and dead babies.
She can read. She can spell. So she was able to get what she was looking for but not exactly what happened to Mom. But she saw dead Sim babies being barbecued and Sim babies being killed by their parents. That was why she was so frightened.
Since then she can only have supervised net surfing. I think it frightened me more than it frightened her.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
. . . MY CRABBY PATTIES
November 26, 2011
It has been two weeks since I lost Baby Zoe. I still cry every now and then because of her. But these days I cry more because of circumstances in my house.
Last Saturday, Manang's (mayordoma) brother came over right after my husband and I got home from the spa. She said she had to go home right away because something happened to her mother. (Something happened to me when she said that. I was having a mini heart attack! What? No yaya, no maid?!) She has not come back since. Her brother did an overnighter but Manang went on vacation galore! Never mind that I, too, just got out of the hospital for Dilation & Curettage. (I'll be doing a blog about D & C when it's not as painful anymore. The procedure was the shits!)
I have not worked since November 13 and yet I feel like I am more stressed than when I am at the office working.
Upside? I've been cooking. Or learning how to cook. Actually, if it's not hellishly hot in the outdoor cooking area, I would have loved exploring the idea of myself cooking.
Too long an introduction for what I really just wanted to do. I made Crabby Patties for dinner since my children love Spongebob Squarepants. This is my first attempt and as my previous menus, I asked Google how to. I just tweaked it so I can make use of the stuff in my refrigerator. So here goes:
*CRABBY PATTIES*
Ingredients:
1/2 K Crab meat
2 pcs. medium sized onions, minced
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp tartar sauce
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt and another 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
a pinch of magic sarap
3 slices white bread (torn to small pieces with crust removed)
salted butter
pepper
Japanese style bread crumbs
Procedure:
1. Heat 1/2 tbsp butter in a warm pan over medium heat.
2. Saute garlic, onions and 1 tsp salt til garlic is brown and onions are clear.
3. Set aside.
4. In a bowl, whisk eggs, tartar sauce, a little pepper, magic sarap, worcestershire sauce and the sauteed onions and garlic.
5. Add the tiny pieces of torn bread. Mix thoroughly till the bread blends with the mixture.
6. Fold in crab meat. Mix again.
7. Make small patties with your hand and place it in a tray. (The mixture is watery so make sure to squeeze the water out of the formed patties.
8. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of the patties.
9. Let it set for about an hour. (Should be refrigerated.)
10. Deep fry and serve hot.
Woo-hoo! I made that and I actually liked it. Kids liked it, too. Nyx said it tasted like Krusty Krab's Krabby Patty! (As if she has actually tasted the stuff!) But I am happy they are happy. Will take photos tomorrow when I cook the second batch.
It has been two weeks since I lost Baby Zoe. I still cry every now and then because of her. But these days I cry more because of circumstances in my house.
Last Saturday, Manang's (mayordoma) brother came over right after my husband and I got home from the spa. She said she had to go home right away because something happened to her mother. (Something happened to me when she said that. I was having a mini heart attack! What? No yaya, no maid?!) She has not come back since. Her brother did an overnighter but Manang went on vacation galore! Never mind that I, too, just got out of the hospital for Dilation & Curettage. (I'll be doing a blog about D & C when it's not as painful anymore. The procedure was the shits!)
I have not worked since November 13 and yet I feel like I am more stressed than when I am at the office working.
Upside? I've been cooking. Or learning how to cook. Actually, if it's not hellishly hot in the outdoor cooking area, I would have loved exploring the idea of myself cooking.
Too long an introduction for what I really just wanted to do. I made Crabby Patties for dinner since my children love Spongebob Squarepants. This is my first attempt and as my previous menus, I asked Google how to. I just tweaked it so I can make use of the stuff in my refrigerator. So here goes:
*CRABBY PATTIES*
Ingredients:
1/2 K Crab meat
2 pcs. medium sized onions, minced
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp tartar sauce
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt and another 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
a pinch of magic sarap
3 slices white bread (torn to small pieces with crust removed)
salted butter
pepper
Japanese style bread crumbs
Procedure:
1. Heat 1/2 tbsp butter in a warm pan over medium heat.
2. Saute garlic, onions and 1 tsp salt til garlic is brown and onions are clear.
3. Set aside.
4. In a bowl, whisk eggs, tartar sauce, a little pepper, magic sarap, worcestershire sauce and the sauteed onions and garlic.
5. Add the tiny pieces of torn bread. Mix thoroughly till the bread blends with the mixture.
6. Fold in crab meat. Mix again.
7. Make small patties with your hand and place it in a tray. (The mixture is watery so make sure to squeeze the water out of the formed patties.
8. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of the patties.
9. Let it set for about an hour. (Should be refrigerated.)
10. Deep fry and serve hot.
Woo-hoo! I made that and I actually liked it. Kids liked it, too. Nyx said it tasted like Krusty Krab's Krabby Patty! (As if she has actually tasted the stuff!) But I am happy they are happy. Will take photos tomorrow when I cook the second batch.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
... Maternity Benefits for Government Employees
I found this very useful site that answered all my questions in one page.
http://www.babycenter.com.ph/pregnancy/work/maternityrights/maternity-benefits-government/
I work in the public sector. Am I entitled to maternity leave?
Every pregnant employee is entitled to maternity leave but the conditions change depending on several factors.
If you are a government employee, you are allowed to take a maternity leave of 60 calendar days with pay, whether you deliver via normal or cesarean delivery.
You are also entitled to maternity benefits in full if you have been working for your government office or agency for at least two years. If you have rendered service for more than a year but less than two years, you will receive maternity benefits in proportion to your length of service, and half-pay if you have been working there for less than one year.
Maternity leave covers both childbirth and miscarriage. The law provides minimum requirements that you can expect from your employer. Talk to your human resources manager or administrative officer to find out if your employer provides greater maternity benefits than the required minimum. Read your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement carefully and see what it says about your employer’s policy on maternity leaves and benefits.
Am I entitled to maternity benefits and pay?
Whether you are eligible for maternity benefits and pay will depend on a variety of factors, such as your employer, length of employment and number of pregnancies or deliveries.
As a government employee, you must comply with the following conditions to qualify for maternity leave and pay:
You must have worked in the government office or agency for at least two years to receive full pay.
If you have been employed for more than a year but less than two years, your maternity benefits shall be reduced in proportion to your length of service. If you have worked for less than a year, you shall receive half-pay.
To qualify for maternity benefits under Philhealth, the following are required:
You must have paid at least three monthly contributions within the six-month period prior to your delivery (including miscarriage).
This was your first, second, third or fourth pregnancy (including miscarriage).
You claim your Philhealth benefits within the 45-day allowance for room and board.
Aside from these requirements, your employer may also require the submission of receipts, test results, medical certificates and other documents. Consult with your human resources manager or administrative officer to know what other documents should be submitted to qualify for maternity benefits.
You may find that your company has its own maternity policy, which is better than the legal minimum. If this is the case, your entitlements could differ from those of your colleagues or friends who work for other companies.
Find out exactly what you might be entitled to by contacting:
• your human resources or personnel manager
• your labor union representative
• the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office in your place of work
Make sure that you carefully look in your contract of employment and see what it says about the company maternity policy.
When should I file for maternity leave?
It is always best to file your maternity leave application a few weeks before the start of your leave. This will give your employer enough time to make arrangements and ensure that the company is not affected by your absence. The common practice is to go on leave two weeks before your due date so you can have enough time to prepare for the birth of your child.
Check your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement to see your company’s policy on when you should take your leave. If there is none, you may choose when you want to start. Have a talk with your human resources manager or administrative officer if you have concerns.
What happens during my maternity leave?
Your employer may make contact with you, and vice-versa, while you're on maternity leave. The kind of contact you have with your employer should be reasonable, for example, to discuss your plans for returning to work or to keep you informed of important developments at your workplace. You should also be kept informed of any relevant promotion opportunities or job vacancies that arise during your maternity leave.
When should I return to work?
Unless agreed on otherwise, you return to work as soon as your maternity leave ends.
If you want to change the date of your return, you will need to inform your employer in advance. If you decide not to return to work at the end of your maternity leave because you are not yet ready and may need more time to recuperate, you need to file an application for extension of maternity leave together with a medical certificate from your doctor. The extension is without pay unless you have earned enough sick or vacation leaves to cover for your absence.
If you have had surgery due to a gynecological disorder, you may avail of a special leave benefit of two months with full pay under the Magna Carta of Women. This right is available to women employees who have worked for at least six months for the last 12 months.
All women have a right to return to work after maternity leave, regardless of the size of their employer's company.
How do I claim my benefits?
You may claim your maternity pay directly from your employer, usually in the same manner as how you claim your salary.
For your Philhealth maternity benefits, you can claim them in two ways:
(1) automatic deduction of benefits by submitting a duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 1 and Member Data Form at the billing section prior to discharge from the hospital or health care facility, or
(2) direct filing and reimbursement by submitting to PhilHealth a duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 2, official receipts, hospital or doctor’s waiver and other documents or record of medical procedure undertaken, within 60 calendar days from discharge from the hospital or health care facility.
For more information on availing Philhealth maternity benefits, visit www.philhealth.gov.ph.
Is paternity leave and pay available?
Paid paternity leave is available for married male employees. If your husband is working for an employer he may be entitled to seven calendar days of paternity leave and pay. Unlike new moms, a new dad may only avail of paternity leave with pay if he is both married to the mother of his child and living together with her under the same roof.
Read more in our article on Paternity Leave.
What other rights do I have at work?
Our laws require every employer to address the needs of pregnant and lactating employees by:
• Providing adequate medical and dental services to their employees.
• Provide facilities such as rest areas with proper seats, separate comfort rooms, a nursery and a lactation station
• Subsidizing their employees’ insurance coverage. In the case of employees in the private sector, they are required to be covered by the SSS.
• Keeping in mind the welfare and safety of his employees.
If your work requires you to perform tasks that might pose a risk to your pregnancy, speak to your immediate supervisor or direct superior about temporarily relieving you from the task while you are pregnant. If you are scheduled to work at night or for long periods of time, you may also ask to temporarily change your work schedule or work on flexi-time.
Check your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement to see if your employer grants additional benefits. Or, you can talk with your human resource manager and administrative officer to find out what other benefits you are entitled to.
Written by Donna Cher dela Cruz, a litigation lawyer and a full-time mother to Diego, 5, and Damian, 1.
-- Thank you Atty. dela Cruz.
http://www.babycenter.com.ph/pregnancy/work/maternityrights/maternity-benefits-government/
I work in the public sector. Am I entitled to maternity leave?
Every pregnant employee is entitled to maternity leave but the conditions change depending on several factors.
If you are a government employee, you are allowed to take a maternity leave of 60 calendar days with pay, whether you deliver via normal or cesarean delivery.
You are also entitled to maternity benefits in full if you have been working for your government office or agency for at least two years. If you have rendered service for more than a year but less than two years, you will receive maternity benefits in proportion to your length of service, and half-pay if you have been working there for less than one year.
Maternity leave covers both childbirth and miscarriage. The law provides minimum requirements that you can expect from your employer. Talk to your human resources manager or administrative officer to find out if your employer provides greater maternity benefits than the required minimum. Read your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement carefully and see what it says about your employer’s policy on maternity leaves and benefits.
Am I entitled to maternity benefits and pay?
Whether you are eligible for maternity benefits and pay will depend on a variety of factors, such as your employer, length of employment and number of pregnancies or deliveries.
As a government employee, you must comply with the following conditions to qualify for maternity leave and pay:
You must have worked in the government office or agency for at least two years to receive full pay.
If you have been employed for more than a year but less than two years, your maternity benefits shall be reduced in proportion to your length of service. If you have worked for less than a year, you shall receive half-pay.
To qualify for maternity benefits under Philhealth, the following are required:
You must have paid at least three monthly contributions within the six-month period prior to your delivery (including miscarriage).
This was your first, second, third or fourth pregnancy (including miscarriage).
You claim your Philhealth benefits within the 45-day allowance for room and board.
Aside from these requirements, your employer may also require the submission of receipts, test results, medical certificates and other documents. Consult with your human resources manager or administrative officer to know what other documents should be submitted to qualify for maternity benefits.
You may find that your company has its own maternity policy, which is better than the legal minimum. If this is the case, your entitlements could differ from those of your colleagues or friends who work for other companies.
Find out exactly what you might be entitled to by contacting:
• your human resources or personnel manager
• your labor union representative
• the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office in your place of work
Make sure that you carefully look in your contract of employment and see what it says about the company maternity policy.
When should I file for maternity leave?
It is always best to file your maternity leave application a few weeks before the start of your leave. This will give your employer enough time to make arrangements and ensure that the company is not affected by your absence. The common practice is to go on leave two weeks before your due date so you can have enough time to prepare for the birth of your child.
Check your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement to see your company’s policy on when you should take your leave. If there is none, you may choose when you want to start. Have a talk with your human resources manager or administrative officer if you have concerns.
What happens during my maternity leave?
Your employer may make contact with you, and vice-versa, while you're on maternity leave. The kind of contact you have with your employer should be reasonable, for example, to discuss your plans for returning to work or to keep you informed of important developments at your workplace. You should also be kept informed of any relevant promotion opportunities or job vacancies that arise during your maternity leave.
When should I return to work?
Unless agreed on otherwise, you return to work as soon as your maternity leave ends.
If you want to change the date of your return, you will need to inform your employer in advance. If you decide not to return to work at the end of your maternity leave because you are not yet ready and may need more time to recuperate, you need to file an application for extension of maternity leave together with a medical certificate from your doctor. The extension is without pay unless you have earned enough sick or vacation leaves to cover for your absence.
If you have had surgery due to a gynecological disorder, you may avail of a special leave benefit of two months with full pay under the Magna Carta of Women. This right is available to women employees who have worked for at least six months for the last 12 months.
All women have a right to return to work after maternity leave, regardless of the size of their employer's company.
How do I claim my benefits?
You may claim your maternity pay directly from your employer, usually in the same manner as how you claim your salary.
For your Philhealth maternity benefits, you can claim them in two ways:
(1) automatic deduction of benefits by submitting a duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 1 and Member Data Form at the billing section prior to discharge from the hospital or health care facility, or
(2) direct filing and reimbursement by submitting to PhilHealth a duly accomplished PhilHealth Claim Form 2, official receipts, hospital or doctor’s waiver and other documents or record of medical procedure undertaken, within 60 calendar days from discharge from the hospital or health care facility.
For more information on availing Philhealth maternity benefits, visit www.philhealth.gov.ph.
Is paternity leave and pay available?
Paid paternity leave is available for married male employees. If your husband is working for an employer he may be entitled to seven calendar days of paternity leave and pay. Unlike new moms, a new dad may only avail of paternity leave with pay if he is both married to the mother of his child and living together with her under the same roof.
Read more in our article on Paternity Leave.
What other rights do I have at work?
Our laws require every employer to address the needs of pregnant and lactating employees by:
• Providing adequate medical and dental services to their employees.
• Provide facilities such as rest areas with proper seats, separate comfort rooms, a nursery and a lactation station
• Subsidizing their employees’ insurance coverage. In the case of employees in the private sector, they are required to be covered by the SSS.
• Keeping in mind the welfare and safety of his employees.
If your work requires you to perform tasks that might pose a risk to your pregnancy, speak to your immediate supervisor or direct superior about temporarily relieving you from the task while you are pregnant. If you are scheduled to work at night or for long periods of time, you may also ask to temporarily change your work schedule or work on flexi-time.
Check your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement to see if your employer grants additional benefits. Or, you can talk with your human resource manager and administrative officer to find out what other benefits you are entitled to.
Written by Donna Cher dela Cruz, a litigation lawyer and a full-time mother to Diego, 5, and Damian, 1.
-- Thank you Atty. dela Cruz.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
... Losing MY Baby
A few months back, I blogged about my cousin, Julie, losing her 4-month-old baby. And now I'm back with my own loss.
Yesterday morning while I was at work, I bled. A lot. I called people. I was told to go to the hospital. I was 3 months pregnant.
My husband picked up. We went for ultra sound. And went to my doctor's other clinic. All this time the bleeding did not stop. My crying, too. It was worsening.
The ultrasound confirmed our fear since Wednesday when the OB told me my baby does not have a heartbeat. She was gone. (I wanted a girl.)
I had a hard time accepting that I was pregnant. And when I did, He took her away. I know He has a purpose. I know I would have had a hard time with all the things I am dealing with right now here.
I keep consoling myself that maybe it would have been better off this way because since I've been bleeding, maybe the baby might have some deformities and I would suffer or she will suffer.
I underwent Dilation and Curettage last night. I was told to go straight to the Operating Room. When the whole thing was done, I felt empty and so sad.
Now that I'm home, it's even more painful. Super sakit. It's hard to describe how painful it is. I dont even understand how I can feel this much pain and love for someone I was not able to hold nor even see.
My Baby Z was real for me. I know I love her and I miss her. I keep thinking what it would have been like if she was with us. How would she smell like? I could stop thinking about her for awhile and then she comes right back and the wave of sadness that comes with the memory is just so hard to bear.
I am so sorry baby. I dont know how I could have let this happen. Im so sorry. I love you so much.
Baby Z. 11.12.11
Yesterday morning while I was at work, I bled. A lot. I called people. I was told to go to the hospital. I was 3 months pregnant.
My husband picked up. We went for ultra sound. And went to my doctor's other clinic. All this time the bleeding did not stop. My crying, too. It was worsening.
The ultrasound confirmed our fear since Wednesday when the OB told me my baby does not have a heartbeat. She was gone. (I wanted a girl.)
I had a hard time accepting that I was pregnant. And when I did, He took her away. I know He has a purpose. I know I would have had a hard time with all the things I am dealing with right now here.
I keep consoling myself that maybe it would have been better off this way because since I've been bleeding, maybe the baby might have some deformities and I would suffer or she will suffer.
I underwent Dilation and Curettage last night. I was told to go straight to the Operating Room. When the whole thing was done, I felt empty and so sad.
Now that I'm home, it's even more painful. Super sakit. It's hard to describe how painful it is. I dont even understand how I can feel this much pain and love for someone I was not able to hold nor even see.
My Baby Z was real for me. I know I love her and I miss her. I keep thinking what it would have been like if she was with us. How would she smell like? I could stop thinking about her for awhile and then she comes right back and the wave of sadness that comes with the memory is just so hard to bear.
I am so sorry baby. I dont know how I could have let this happen. Im so sorry. I love you so much.
Baby Z. 11.12.11
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