So many things happened last weekend that it's so hard to wrap them up in one entry. I racked my brains on how best to write and capture the fun, I decided to jot down how they unfolded from day to day. And it started:

...Thursday afternoon, when I picked up Gilda at the airport. I parked the car at the nearest train station and rode the train with my son to the airport. We were running 10 minutes late because, as what has been happening the past couple of weeks, I was neck deep with work and was beating a deadline.

Filipina friendships forged through the power of the internet. In Michigan last weekend. (From left to right) Trish (Lanie's daughter), Lanie, Gilda, Donna (Vanessa'ss friend from Canada), Kim, Judy, Vanessa and Geri.

When we were planning this Michigan trip many months back little did I know that I will be delegated with numerous new projects and the many times I was stressed out because of the looming deadline I wished I had backed out from the trip so I could've bought more time workwise. But somehow I was still able to make it albeit already sprinting out of the office to be on time for Gilda's arrival from Ohio.

When we reached the end of the train stop, I was engrossed in figuring out from the lighted map on the wall which terminal Gilda's airline was when I was interuppted by Gilda herself. I was distressed at having kept her waiting but she assured me that they arrived 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. She said she saw Evan first because she didn't recognize the slimmer me. Yep, I just had to insert that flattering comment here.

So the talking began, and together we took the train back to the station where I left the car and drove the rest back home. But first we had to stop at Steak and Shake for dinner since we were all famished (they have a very decent salad) and dropped by Pet Smart to buy our cat's food. Of course Evan enjoyed looking at the fish, bird, dogs and cats there. When we got home we headed straight to our downstairs neighbour's house where we were invited to a party. My husband was already there.

photos coutesy of Judy, Gilda and Kim

Pretty soon Gilda was already engaged in a conversation with several guests whom I've also met for the first time, I excused myself to put my son to bed and pack and left her there. I called up Lanie and Judy to finalize our plans and when they asked me where Gilda was I told them that she was already downstairs socializing with strangers haha

We called it a night around at 11pm because we had to get up early the next morning to catch 2 trains. One to downtown Chicago and the other to Michigan. The latter a close to seven hour trip.

...Friday morning, Gilda, Evan and I left the house at 6:30 to walk to downtown Evanston. With ample time to spare we had a nice morning stroll to the Metra Station. It would be Gilda and Evan's first ride in this bigger and faster train. We were even on time for the 6:48 train but we waited for the 7:10 trip because Judy was going to be there from another suburb around 30 miles from Evanston. Our plan was when we got off the Metra train we would just call each other on the phone. But wouldn't you know it, as soon as we embarked the car, who would you have peeking from the side of her chair was Judy! She excitedly scooped Evan on to her lap, while I sat beside her and Gilda across the aisle.

Around half an hour later, we finally got to see that familiar/famous waiting area of the Union Station for the first time (My Best Friend's Wedding anyone?). I also got to see what the inside of the Amtrak look like. I was told that it was like an airplane but roomier. Indeed, it was like an airplane and roomier. Evan was so excited that for a few minutes he just stood by the window to watch the scenery passing by. At some point he would look over the back of our chair to ask the 2 ladies who were busy talking and laughing, "what's so funny?" which would elicit more laughter from the filipinas.

The long trip wasn't as hard as I thought it would be Evanwise. He napped for 3 hours, watched DVD for 1 1/2 hours and my friends took turns in amusing him. Before we knew it we have arrived. At the Pontiac station we didn't have to wait long for our host Lanie and her husband John to pick us up. I was so happy to see Lanie after 3 years. I met 2 1/2 year old Garin for the first time. Lanie and I exchanged praises of each other's sons. Of course, that's what moms are for.

We were having our "merienda" of humba, binagoongan, inun-unon, pritong isda, leche flan, suman, pakbet, lumpia shanghai, brownies, chicken with cream (all made by our host) when the last of Lanie's out-of-town visitor arrived, sexy Vanessa from Texas. With her were her college friends from Ontario, Canada. More talks and food followed.

To be updated tomorrow....

Currently listening to: Evan's Dumbo
Currently reading: Organize Your Life
Currently watching: Munich (Eric Bana)

An officemate sent me these cute pictures of Evan during our trip to Chinatown the other week. Here are the photos and her message:

"Morning Ladies,

Here are the photos of Evan. I think he's flirting with me (smile). I have to find Geraldine to email them to her.

Enjoy,
Sandi

Photos of Evan (what a cutey)."

Sandi took these photos while I was in the restroom. The lollipop was Evan's first.

Shopping For Pre-School

Below is an email from another daycare mom who hosted the barbeque a couple of weeks ago and her advice about pre-school shopping:

"Hi Geri,
Thank you so much for sending the pictures!!!  We loved looking at them.  I am so glad you guys were able to come.  It is always nice to have more time to talk then the 2 minutes when everybody is trying to get their child out the door!
Lizzie goes to ****** Preschool.  The director is a friend of mine.  Her name is ******.  Her workphone number is ******.  We really love it there!  You should call and ask for a tour!  I would recommend that you view a few places so that you can pick the place you feel would be best for Evan.  All of the centers have pros and cons.  You just have to see what feels right for you.  When I walked into *****, I knew it was right for us!!
Please call ***** ASAP as the spots fill up quickly.  Let her know that you got her name from me and I am sure she will help with all your questions and/or concerns.  I have to tell you...there will never be another Marje!!!
Talk to you soon,
Brenda"

Marge is our daycare provider. I can't believe that Evan will be going to pre-school next year already!

Currently listening to: filipinas talking in the background
Currently reading: Organize Your Life
Currently watching: Munich (Eric Bana)

I can't let 2 months pass by without another Evan update. It just plain doesn't sit well on me. I have always thanked the stars I started blogging before I gave birth to my son, giving me the opportunity to keep a detailed record of his growing up which I no doubt he will appreciate when he is older.

Evan wearing mommy's hat on a morning trip to the farmer's market in Madison last Saturday. It actually has better coverage than the ones he owns. Evan at 2 years and 3 months.

Work has been crazy lately, we will be having friends over, the house needs further cleaning and will be preparing for our trip to Michigan this weekend as well, so I will try to make this short and sweet.

My two year and soon to be 4 month old son has taken to clucking his tongue and/or blowing bubbleless musical sounds (does that make sense?). Our private game is: Evan says "mommy", mommy says "Evan", Evan says "Evan" and mommy says "mommy". Repeat 10 times and alternate with "yes" and "no" on some days.

He likes to do the toning exercise with mommy or just be content in watching the scantily clad sexy instructor with a smile on his face.

When he thinks he almost got hurt or feeling vulnerable he will turn to us and ask "y'kay?" Which I later realized that we were supposed to ask him "are you okay?" and he would reply with an enthusiastic "yes!" Other times he would ask for a "hug" which is really endearing but sometimes too often than convenient.

He loves to sing "ashes to ashes", "ipsy bipsy spider", "row, row", "abcd", "eieio..." (which includes a donkey), "twinkle, twinkle", "lalala seeeennng nga sooonnng" and from out of the blue "one lil macky jumping on the beeeedddd" complete with shaking of finger and head for the no-no jumping part.

He is into names, he knows the names of people from daycare Margieeeee, Lester, Tarek, Bayden (Braden), Jude, Essey, our neighbour's dog Tuman (Truman) even adding a twist to names like Rosie for Rose or Johnny for John.

He can name different kinds of trucks: fire truck, dirt truck, tipper truck, mixer truck, dump truck - some of which I forgot. Yep, I have to keep up with this little guy. He has great memory, in many of his bedtime books he can supply me with the last word of the sentences. Even his daddy couldn't help but be impressed. He is still into reading letters and numbers aloud from anywhere e.g. signages of "stroller parking", "DELL" while my computer screen was booting, "Shorecrest" from our apartment building etc.

When you ask him "what's your name?". He will answer "Eh-van". If you ask him, "how are you?" he will reply "great!". If you ask him "how OLD are you?" he will still reply "great!". Some of his often said sentences are " I need that" (while taking away what you are holding), "c'mon, let's go!", "mommy, go home now?"

He loves being tickled. I love his laugh when he is being tickled - it is so contagious.

Currently listening to: All Over You (Spill Canvas)
Currently reading: Organizing Your Life (Lockwood)
Currently watching: Munich (Eric Bana)

I reached the second bridge on John Nolen drive this morning in 20 minutes. I was very pleased. It meant I was running faster. It's amazing how a body can catch up in 8 months after almost being sedentary for 3 years during pregnancy and after child birth.

I have always loved to run. If I have to choose a single image to remind me of a happy childhood, it would be the fast moving grass on my small flip-flopped feet. This carabao grass would either be from our farm or the public school yard beside the house where my maternal grandparents used to live. As kids we spent most of our weekends there. My favorite game then was playing tag with siblings and neighbors.

In junior high I managed to place 3rd in the 100 meter dash, accomplished with bare feet. Yes, I had my weird moments. I was afraid I would slip on the pebbled tracks if I wore my Grosby rubber (gym) shoes.

I also came in 6th place in a something (probably 500) meter dash while in college. I would've placed 5th and brought some points for the Fine Arts team hadn't another girl overtook me in the last 10 meters. Had I known I was fighting for fifth then I would have made it fifth.

When I was working in Manila in the periods when I wanted to lose weight I would get up at 4:30 in the morning and run around Virra Mall or SM Centerpoint. It was hard running in the Philippines with the heat and the humidity. Even in the early hours, after a couple of minutes of warm up I would be soaking in sweat already. And wearing an oversized cotton t-shirt to cover the bulges didn't help. Many times I would wish that the Philippines would be as liberated as the americans who can jog in their bras without fear of being heckled or getting catcalls. 5 years in the U.S. and I still have yet to find the guts to do that.

I have toyed with the idea of joining the Chicago Marathon. I don't think it would be impossible since Tom's friend Sheryl finished the same marathon at the age 50 and she's not athletic at all. Just very fit. She ran with her son. She joined at her son's urging which I find very sweet. I hope to have a relationship like that with Evan.

However there are 3 reasons why I am holding back on the possibility of doing it October of next year. #1 I am not sure where I can get the extra time to train. #2 I am afraid of wrecking my knees. I have suffered several different ailments (which later were cured in time) post-partum that it made me more aware how important it is to have a healthy body. #3 is pure vanity. At 38 I am afraid of sagging my facial muscles earlier than it's supposed to. That is why I just content myself with the elliptical machine for most of my cardio workouts.

We'll see. I have been scouring the cosmetic counters for moisturisers with collagen boosters or whatever, then who knows I might give this one dream some serious consideration. It just might be 26 kilometers and a beauty jar away.

Currently listening to: I Am Sam soundtrack
Currently reading: Organizing Your Life (Lockwood)
Currently watching: Munich (Eric Bana)

This one cracked me up:

Evan and parts of his Mr. Potato Head toy. Mind you, my son wasn't trying to be funny.

Funny Friend

At the office, another lady who works beside me at the comp station has the penchant for talking to herself aloud and she knows it. One morning after an extra loud and lengthy monologue, she informed me and another officemate, "Okay, I had a discussion with myself and we're good."

Over Rated

According to my husband Sarah Jessica Parker and Cindy Crawford are.  According to me Jude Law, Colin Farrel and Justin Timberlake are. Who's in your list?

Currently listening to: Free Falling (John Mayer)
Currently reading: Organizing Your Life (Lockwood)
Currently watching: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Pitt, Jolie)