Words Machine.

The province of Compostella Valley hides a lot of hot and cold springs, as well as waterfalls, that you will surely love to visit. Hot springs are known to provide a lot of benefits. It improves blood circulation, helps reduce stress and pain, and heals skin problems, among others. Make it a part of your bucket list when you visit Davao City to complete your adventure! I'll be sharing below the list of the top destinations you should visit in ComVal. If you're unsure of the location, you can use Waze and it works even if the internet connection is not good. 1. Kanlawig Hot Spring, Maragusan This is the first and most accessible man-made hot spring that will welcome you upon entering Maragusan. It's better to travel here early in the morning (like 6 AM) and visit this first in the morning as it is not yet too crowded. The warm temperature of the hot spring is very relaxing that my hubby and I even wanted to sleep there. The place also has a lot of tall tr...

The month of August has just ended and so as our first IVF. Yes, our first round of the in-vitro fertilization procedure failed. What a nice introduction, right? I just hate putting many flowery words for now so let's go straight to the point. Prior to starting this drama, let me share with you the series of activities we did during our first IVF cycle. August 1 I had my first day of menstruation and I was so happy because it was easier to monitor my cycle as it started right on the first day of the month. I informed my Ob-Gyne about this. August 2 As advised by my Ob-Gyne, I had a TVS appointment on the second day for follicle monitoring. We only saw five to six dominant follicles as my FSH level was quite high than the normal (11). Higher FSH means having a low ovarian reserve. In other words, I'm producing low amount of eggs despite having an age of 27 years old. We monitored my follicles every other two days. I also started my injections for ovary stimulat...

DH and I have finally decided to have our in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure this coming August! 😍 I just have to wait for a few more days before my menstruation for next month would start. But of course, prior to having this procedure, we have prepared ourselves for a higher chance of success. Here are some of the things we are doing now: 1. Vitamins 🥛 For me - I take prenatal vitamins, folic acid 5 mg, vitamin C 500 mg, and fish oil with DHA and EPA For DH - Multivitamins with a higher dosage of Zinc 2. Various laboratory tests 💉 For me - I took a pap smear and gram stain tests to check for abnormalities and the possible presence of cancer cells. Thank God everything was normal. For DH - Hubby underwent tests for hepatitis, HIV, and VDRL. All were negative. 3. Eat right and maintain weight 🍎 We have to avoid unhealthy food such as processed and fast food. So, no more french fries, cheeseburger, and pizzas for now. I also tried lessening...

While we are saving money to fund our IVF procedure, few people also suggested us to try applying for a loan. I'm too hesitant to the idea since we are also paying for our bills. I'm afraid that we won't be able to save due to lots of expenses. Yet, we want to have the procedure done this year and so we tried to grab the opportunity for the loan application.  As a government employee, my husband can loan at state-run banks like Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and government-owned and controlled corporations like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). He was told by their Human Resource personnel that DBP offers a credit salary loan (salary deduction) which can be approved as fast as five days (as what DBP promised on its website). The bank can also provide the whole amount needed which is a good thing especially when you need the money asap. Here's the process of how my husband applied for the loan at DBP...

A month has already passed after my laparoscopy and my incisions are getting better. There are just times that the incision in my navel area hurts when I move too hard or fast. Nevertheless, I am glad and happy that I am getting well. A week or two after my surgery last January 17, I experienced an EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN. My husband went back to work after taking care of me for a week so I was left alone in my bedroom. Though I'm living with my parents, having no husband with me every day felt like I have more "me" time. And when I have more me time, I also have more time to be depressed, thinking about what happened—my current situation of having no fallopian tubes anymore, the financial burden of the IVF procedure, the work I left since December, and my thoughts of resigning from work or not for the IVF procedure. These were like butterflies in my mind, flying here and there. I've been crying days and nights, lying on the bed for the whole day. I've been so un...

Photo grabbed from:  https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/ 874170/IVF-news-300-000-children-born-UK-last-25-years I'm not too confident with the idea of asking help (especially if it's about financial) from other people but if there's no pain, then there's no gain. I created a campaign on the Go Get Funding website to humbly ask for financial support in pursuing our plan for in-vitro fertilization or IVF. IVF is our last option for me to get pregnant. It's just so unfortunate that my pregnancy became ectopic and our medicine and hospital bills almost consumed our savings. I haven't shared this much to all my circle of friends but I've been posting the link of our campaign page on my social media accounts. This is just in case anyone with a good heart can read our plea. I would also like to post it here and ask everyone if you could help us fund our IVF procedure which would cost around Php 500,000 or $ 10,000. It's too huge but with every cent of ...

I mentioned from my last blog  how we need to wait again before the OB-Gyne concludes if my pregnancy is ectopic or not. And now's the final judgement—I have an ECTOPIC PREGNANCY. 💔 Last January 15, I started to feel a very sharp pain in my abdomen and rectal area. I was 9 weeks and 4 days pregnant that time. I thought I was just having a typical constipation. At night, an on and off pain was felt in the left side of my tummy. Since my mind was already killing me thinking about what was really happening inside, we decided to have my checkup scheduled on the next day. My uterus was still empty. We then found the gestational sac which already had a fetal pole, located in my left fallopian tube. I was happy because finally, I saw our little bunny but I was also sad because he/she didn't get a chance to pass through my tube. I tried not to cry. I was looking at DH and I also felt his sadness. The doctor finally confirmed that I was having an ectopic pregnancy. I have to u...

Yesterday, DH and I went back to my OB for our follow-up checkup. He was trying to make me laugh by asking what would he'll wear for the day just so our little bunny would show up. That joke hit me hard. I can sense how he really anticipates seeing our baby. Going to the town where the clinic is located is about a 30 to 40-minute drive away from DH's home. It's a bit far but as if I have a choice. At least, someone can drive for me. We arrived around 11 but we got catered by past 1PM. But of course, we had our lunch during the waiting time (which I had my favorite viand—sweet and sour fish! 😍). Upon our return to the clinic, five minutes passed and the secretary called my name. It was another moment of truth! I lay down and my OB started inserting her TVS magic wand. Aaaaaaaaaaaand! No sac was still visible except for my thick endometrium in my 8th week and 5th day. 😪 While she was searching for possible locations, we found something in my left tube. She wasn...

Happy new year, everyone! It's another year to fill with new stories! DH and I celebrated our New Year at his hometown. My family spent theirs at the hospital after my Dad was admitted due to a headache and constant vomiting. Our New Year celebration was not that special because prior to that, I experienced light vaginal bleeding which I thought it was Aunt Flo. I felt scared and worried as it happened all of a sudden. I just talked to our little bunny to stay calm and strong inside. DH was even thinking of a baby name that would mean a fighter. If it's a boy, he'll be called Andrus, and if girl, she'll be Aloisia. 👶 The next day, another bleeding happened again. All I did that time was walking, sleeping, and eating. I was so careful in doing anything so I wasn't really sure why I was bleeding again. I decided to visit an OB the next day. DH's aunt recommended one who has a clinic in the next town. On January 2, 2019, I had my first pregnancy ultrasound...

As I mentioned in my last blog , I want to wait for two weeks before getting a pregnancy test (PT). I've read on online forums that the hCG level after a two-week delay of your menstruation is usually high enough to be detected. From my DH's hometown, we went back to Davao City on December 22 to celebrate our Christmas. The next day, I decided to take a PT. After 30 seconds of checking, I didn't see any second line. I felt so devastated. I cried in our room while DH was soundly sleeping. I'm sad not because it was negative but because I don't have enough days to wait for my menstruation to come. I want to make my leave of absence worth it! 😫 Good thing that DH and I, together with my family, took some fresh air outside the city. 😌 We traveled to Compostella Valley for an overnight adventure. It was a moment to escape from the harsh and sad reality I was dealing with. Thank God I enjoyed that adventure so much. When we arrived back at home on December 23, I rem...

It's the first week of my three-week leave from work and the feeling of holidays hasn't sunk yet. I still work sometimes, especially if there are urgent tasks. Nevertheless, finally, DH and I are living together now, temporarily. What my Pink Pad app is telling me as of today. All I thought this is the right time. I had my HSG test done last November, just wait for my Aunt Flo to come, take the fertility pills, then baby dance during my fertile week. Until, some situations didn't go as I planned. *sigh I should have my Aunt Flo since last week but until now, it's not yet showing up. I'm now at my cycle day 40. I'm 11 days delayed today and I'm not sure the reason why. I've read on digital forums that some women got delayed when they had their HSG tests, while some got pregnant easily on the same cycle they had their tests done. How I wish, I belong to that latter group of women. How I wish, this is the right time that I've been waiting f...

After DH's semen analysis last October 2018 (in case you want to know about semen analysis, here's the link about that story), now it's my turn to have my fertility check-up too. I already had my transvaginal ultrasound last May and September 2018 then I decided to have my hysterosalpingogram in November. I'm planning on taking a three-week leave from work in December so we could focus on our baby dancing. Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS) and Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) During my second TVS in September 2018, I was diagnosed with having polycystic ovaries. Our company has an HMO provider and it has been really a big help in all my check-ups. I use it whenever I have my diagnostic tests and OB consultations. I go to the Davao Doctors Hospital for my TVS since my OB has her clinic also inside the hospital. It's a bit inconvenient since I have to line up for the ultrasound and right after, I have to line up again for my OB. I am thinking of changing my OB bu...

For almost a year of not conceiving, I already firmed up my mind to ask my OB if DH and I can undergo a fertility check-up already. The fertility check-up is a very important part of the baby-making process for couples who are not able to conceive for their first year of trying. Among the tests which help detect the fertility problem for men is the semen analysis while for women are transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Semen analysis test My OB gave us a slip—recommending DH to take a semen analysis. I called the Fertility Care Center Davao first to make a schedule. It is located beside the Brokenshire Hospital at Madapo Hills. They are open from Monday to Friday (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) and Saturday (8:00 AM - 12:00 NN). I made a schedule for a Saturday appointment, at 8:00 AM. We were advised to be at the venue 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time for some preparations. The semen analysis costs Php 950. During the test day, we were given a choice if ...

November 2018. Just a year after our wedding, I finally got time to post about it. Work and daughter/wife duties are currently consuming my time since these past months. It is indeed a new stage in my life - where I am no longer single and I'm deciding on my own only.  Many of my friends are getting married almost every year. And based on my experience, the preparation stage is a looks-like-an-exciting experience at first but eventually, as your wedding date slowly comes, all problems sink in. And tenen! You now reached the level of being a certified BRIDEzilla! LOL Well, of course, cramming is normal. But, just make sure it doesn't lead to a disastrous wedding which is every couple's nightmare. So what and how to plan, really? 1. Prepare six to twelve months prior to your chosen wedding date. This is the most important part of the wedding preparation. For a conservative type of bride like me, 12 months of preparation is already good and feasible. You can a...

Ho Chi Minh City is also commonly called as Saigon. They were colonized by the French government bringing great influence especially to their Western-inspired architectural designs of buildings and villas. During the Vietnam War, Vietnam was divided into North and South. Ho Chi Minh or the South Vietnam became the  place where American forces stayed who were eventually defeated by Viet Cong guerillas. The city was then named after their revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. I divided our one week Vietnam itinerary into two parts: 3 days each for HCM and Hanoi. Based on experience, it is a must to visit these two cities since both have deep histories and remarkable places to visit. Worrying about the expenses? Always check promo fares on the websites of Cebu Pacific and Jetstar. It is better to book your tickets at least one year before the travel date to grab lesser price. *wink Hotel to stay: I recommend hotels/hostels in Pham Ngu Lao. A lot of cheaper accommodations lined up...

A banana is a good source of potassium and dietary fiber which is why it is usually included in the meal plan of those who are exercising or strict in their diet. It is also a very common fruit that is easier to buy since it is always available in wet markets, grocery stores and even in your neighborhood. We always have bananas in our house as we all love to eat these every after meal. But there are times when we cannot consumed it all before it gets over ripe and eventually ends up in the trash can. Have I known that banana pancakes taste good, I would always make them to feed my gluttonous tummy (LOL). To make banana pancakes, you need the following: 4 ripe bananas 2 tbsp. of flour 2 tbsp. of baking powder pinch of salt 2 eggs 1 tsp. of vanilla 1 tsp. of olive oil Serving size: Good for 4-5 persons Procedures: 1. Peel the bananas and slice them into tiny pieces. 2. In a bowl, mash the sliced bananas using a spoon or ladle until no large lumps remain. I...

I found Vietnam as interesting to be part of my bucket list because of its history partly filled with wars and atrocities. This made me curious how the country survived those years while maintaining the culture as an important thing they can be proud of to others. We visited its two famous cities, Ho Chi Minh (HCM) and Hanoi in a span of one week. With a budget of P15,000, I already experienced setting my foot in the Land of Blue Dragon. You just need some skills to search for promo fares, cheaper accommodations and tourist spots to visit! HCM Itinerary: Cu Chi Tunnel - Fine Arts Museum - Saigon Opera House - Saigon Post Office - Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica - War Musuem - Independence Palace - Reunification Palace - HCM Museum - HCM City Hall - Bitexco - Ben Thanh Market - Pham Ngu Lao First and second day in HCM Third day in HCM Hanoi Itinerary: Hoan Kiem Lake - Museum of Veitnamese Revolution - Hanoi Opera House - Quan Su Temple - Hoa Lo Prison - St. Joseph Cathedral...

If they say love can be the most wonderful feeling in the world, then being heartbroken can be someone's worst nightmare. It is when the whole of you is slowly breaking into pieces while vanishing into the thin streak of air. You're like a shadow lost in the dark. Then suddenly, you forgot that you existed. Your bed becomes your world and crying becomes your hobby. Suffering is such an understatement to describe your misery. Loneliness is such a cliche. Now you're wondering if how long the recovery stage is. There goes the calendar to help you mark your moving-in days. Will it take three months? One year? No, it doesn't matter. The healing of your wounded heart is not defined by time but only by you yourself. It is when you're capable of making the real world as your world. You do things that you love as your hobbies. You find solace in your crowded house with your family members. Happiness and contentment are now your best descriptions. Because...

Way back on 2009, Alamada, Cotabato was still out from my knowledge. Until I met my boyfriend then who is now my fiance. His hometown, Alamada, is the first class municipality of North Cotabato and a five hour ride from Davao City. Little by little, people get to discover its hidden beauties inside and out. The influx of the people going in to the once solitary town to visit various places is now making rounds in social media. It is now one of the tourist spots in Mindanao! The nature is indeed a very wonderful gift from Him. Alamada is accessible both via Davao-Bukidnon and Davao-Cotabato Road. The common gateway of Alamada is thru Midsayap since it has a terminal for public utility vehicles from various cities. From Davao City to Midsayap You can ride a van in SM City Ecoland Terminal or Gasisano Mall Terminal bound to Midsayap or bus in Ecoland Bus Terminal bound to Cotabato City. Fare is P240-280.00 per way. Advise the van driver to drop you at the Midasayap terminal. 1. Su...

Healthy greeny pineapple plants. With freezing temperature and almost zero visibility most of the time, Rangayen in Alamada is not far to be similar with Baguio in Luzon. This has been a good place for pineapple and strawberry plantations. It is also a nice place for hang-outs during three to five in the afternoon. Don't worry, the temperature is tolerable so no need to wear winter-like outfits. Jackets and cap will do. The road is already concreted and it's wide making the trip convenient and the place accessible. Before entering Rangayen. Zero visibility at highway. This is taken at 4 in the afternoon but looks like early in the morning.