Creative Work Space

I've been yearning for a place not just for myself but for Mischka too. A place where we can let loose and create beautiful things, trivial or otherwise. Currently lobbying with the Mr. to give us an area for this purpose. While discussion is still ongoing, I have started putting together an inspiration board for our future creative work space (fingers crossed).

Retro-inspired wooden chairs lend a certain charm to modern interiors.

Buntings and tin cans for decorating and organizing are playful and cost effective.

An area rug pulls the look together and vintage suitcases no longer need to be stored in the attic. 

Inspiration board idea.

Another inspiration board idea.

Best to label trash bins accordingly.

Of course, Mischka gets a corner all to herself.

All images via Pinterest.

separation anxiety after 2

Yes, 2 years later (almost) and I still get separation anxiety when leaving Mischka for a long time. A long time for me can be 2 days.. I'll be away for 5 and that is eternity. Call me over-acting, but yes I am weeping as I write this. I just got off the phone with her and before putting it down I told her I love her. Guess what, in her sweet little voice, she said "I love you Mama." -- she is just a month shy of turning 2, but I sure hope she means it.

Is this even normal? Do any of you mums out there feel the same way when you leave your children? I am so sad beyond words that we cannot take her with us this time around, like we usually do. The last time we did, she went on hunger strike. Seriously. She did not eat solids for 4 days. Thinking about that now breaks my heart.

Here's a peek at the photo shoot we had for a parenting glossy yesterday, just right before I left. She wasn't at all difficult as I feared. Even demure Chanel was cooperative. 'Hope the photos come out nice!

I am just about to board the plane and I'm already thinking of Sunday, when I get to see and hug and kiss and tell her I love her again. Let's see if I get the same response.

Museo Pambata

Back in Singapore, Le Misch and I would always have something interesting to do or place to visit at least once a week. We didn't enroll her in fancy smancy baby classes which hubby and I felt were a little too overpriced. I just made sure that we do something stimulating and special as often as we could. We go grocery shopping, cook, bake, do the laundry, clean the house, ride buses and trains, swim, run errands-- all these and more we did together. And if these aren't stimulating enough, we go to play dates, the zoo, Universal Studios, museums, Botanic Gardens, Go Go Bambini, ION (oops- danger zone), and a whole lot of other places-- kid friendly or not, we take her. The world is her classroom. There is so much to learn and absorb. And I am fortunate enough to be her classmate.

That was in Singapore. In Manila, it's a totally different story. My 'doing something special and stimulating at least once a week' is challenged. I feel sorry for Le Misch and myself too! It's so easy to get caught up with things that come with living in Manic Manila, that we often forget to stop and smell the roses... yes there are roses to smell in Manila and one of which is Museo Pambata!

I was glad that my good friend Inah, a preschool teacher turned curriculum directress, and her lovely daughter Chloe, introduced me and Le Misch to this place. It is the closest we have to a children's discovery museum and I love the fact that it promotes Filipino culture, children advocacies, and creative educational programs.

Needless to say, the girls had a whale of fun and so did the mums!

For Php 100 (USD 2), how can you go wrong? For that measly amount, our daughters had a grand time exploring the different theme rooms. My favorites were the Old Manila and the Illustrator's Corner. Mischka's were the Market Place, Body Works, and Science Room. Well at least, that's what I think she enjoyed the most, apart from Manang Chloe's company, of course.

I don't know how long this place has been around but if you haven't already been here and you have kids, it's about time you take them for an alternative to classroom learning and ubiquitous malling.

Museo Pambata

Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive
Manila, Philippines 1000
Telephone: (632) 523.1797 to 98, 536-0595
Facsimile: (632) 522.1246
Mobile: 0918-382-2212
Email: info@museopambata.org