Friday, March 27, 2015

Baby Book Library

When I was carrying yet my baby I already came across Internet articles about the value of reading to your child. Some studies have pointed out even to start while it is in the womb. 

It didn't pose a challenge to me because 1) I love to read 2) I want my baby to be a voracious reader like me so we can share in the joys and wonders of the literary world. Up until I actually had my baby when the daily grind took over and I had procrastinated and procastinated. Here we are, four months later... my baby has not heard my storytelling voice yet.

When the pedia asked if we had started with reading yet, guilt was so raw I feel like I've shortchanged my baby's future. Our pedia cited a study which concluded that 100 days of continuous reading dramatically increases the baby's IQ level. It doesn't even matter what kind of reading material, as long as you are reading aloud.

Almost panicky, we went home with the intent of introducing Baby Kate to the written word.I literally have hundreds maybe even a thousand titles both in tactile paper back and hard bound, and of course e-books. 

Out of desperation, and for the love of this classic, I read my Baby's first book -- The Little Prince. 
Kate and her first book -- The Little Prince.
What have I realized? Reading aloud is not easy. It takes practice and patience to achieve an animated storytelling voice when reading the narrative, dialogue and different voices of the characters. And of course, pronouncing the words correctly add to the drama of book-reading to a child who may not know any better yet but whose future get impacted with what you feed her mind today. Tough job. 

It's so different when you read it for your personal consumption. Surprisingly, there are a lot of new things I discovered reading aloud this book. It's one of my favorites. And I've read it a few times. But this experience is going to be different. Now, I get to share the highs and lows of human emotions, the hopes and dreams and the lessons that can be gleamed from a story, the story of the little prince, with my baby. 

As we slowly build her Baby Book Library, my good friend Zarah bought Kate these exciting books. 

If only my child gets influenced by her Tita Zarah in the reading department, I think we're set for life-- am going to have a book loving child. 

The past nights, I've been reading to a four month old whose attention span is so erratic I sometimes wonder if it's worth the effort. So, I take comfort in the advice of moms before me who says that as long as they hear the spoken words, they retain something. And it helps in the brain's development. Ok. We read a chapter or two every night. Given the pace, we'll finish our first book in a month's time. Well, well, well. It's for the wee one. 

Given the jolt we had last pedia visit, I am now on a mission to get a hold of the 25 Best Books of all time. See here

At a glance, I should have in my bookshelf at least the following: 

Pat the Bunny. 



Goodnight Moon. 

Peek-a-who?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Guess How Much I love You. 

I posted on social media, my baby and mine's first book session. Lo and behold, I received so many comments and suggestions. The beauty of social networking-- like-minded people get to share experiences and best choices. Yay!

To mommies out there, care to share some tips and book titles? 

Xx

Sheng




Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Wine Not?

I am very fortunate to work in a company that allows me to grow and gives a lot of breathing space to explore my professional interests. Last year saw me transition to a new job so many millenials could relate to-- digital.

Being new to the digital platform, we are still establishing our digital presence and voice in social media and the rest of the digital eco-system. I'm so glad to be part of the birthing process of drawing our digital blueprint. It is such an incredible opportunity. 

Years back, I've had a vision of being at the forefront of this platform. I didn't know then how I would get to it. I only had a profound fascination and fixation with the digital world. I was so entrenched to it that I follow the tech trends, new platforms. More often than not, I catch myself to be an early adapter be it in Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Vine. 

My digital journey traces its beginnings to my aching desire to find a platform that would host my ramblings and musings. I found myself in multiply, livejournal, wordpress and blogger. Since then, it has been an exciting discovery of the multi-faceted world of the world wide web. 

Yesterday, we worked on our collaborative skills. We did a creative session, off-site. Our assignment was to do the Instagram shoot for our summer campaigns. It challenged our creativity and aesthetic tastes while still mindful of our audience and the stories we want to tell. 

It was fun. It was therapeutic. It was tiring. But all's well that ends well. So, I thought of chronicling how our day went. 
Beautifully laid out table.

Obligatory photo opp... too pretty a setup not to be documented. 
And then, we actually worked. If I may say, it can be back breaking. We carried props, table tops, crouched low to level with a bonsai plant, follow the sun's movement for natural lighting, all in a day's work. 

Outtake.
Jaypee, our "official" photographer took these Caught Gramming moments. 


Four hours of work later that felt like play, we winded down with some wine and cheese. 



We did a taste test of the just-introduced-to-the-market #bestopotato. Yum!
Wine and cheese progressed to early dinner. No one remembered to take photos. But I will attest to the dinner fare's yumminess factor -- 10/10. 

Dinner turned into a hearty conversation of our digital life with a lot of laughs thrown in. Our gracious boss did not just host the venue.. we were stuffed to the brim, as well. 

All in all, it was a wonderful way of disregarding #ShoesdayTuesday replacing it with #CaughtGramming day with the Channel Enablement team. 

Until the next creative session!

Xx

Sheng

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

I, woman

March is International Women's Month. 

Did you know that one in every three women is a victim of domestic violence? And it's not just all about physical abuse, it can be emotional and financial. 

It's so prevalent that it can be a woman close to us, just afraid to speak out. In the society where we live in today, it's still almost taboo to talk about such things. 

I'm fortunate to work for a company that advocates for the welfare of women. All year round, Avon supports its partner NGO, the Women's Crisis Center as the shelter for women who need a safe place to speak out about their situation. 

March, being the International Women's Month is the designated season to raise fund and awareness. This year, Avon has partnered with popular actor Richard Yap. 

If you care enough for the women in your life -- mother, sister, relative, friend, please help us continue support the cause by buying the Unisex Empowerment Bracelet. 

You can buy the bracelet here. Or you may get in touch with me. 

Xx

Sheng





Friday, March 6, 2015

Afternoon Tea Baby Shower

This is such a late post. But I want to commit it to memory. And be able to thank my good friends who went out of their way to give me a baby shower. 

And so this was my third baby shower just a few days shy of my delivery date. 

My colleagues and lunch buddies aren't big on surprises. So, they've made it known that they're arranging a baby shower for me. On the day of the event, they still managed to surprise. Good job, guys. And thank you. We will be forever grateful. In the near future, Kate will be able to read this -- she'll know how well she's loved by mommy's friends. 




Kat, the game master. 
Some of the gifts we received.



Thank you, guys!

I know this was super effort on your part. I am really, really grateful. One day, soon Kate will be very grateful to you, as well. Although, you have yet to fulfill your promises of teaching her to paint, play the piano, play the guitar, and what have you. 

Xx

Sheng

Tickled Pink Baby Shower

To say that am floored is an understatement. Good thing I was able to contain my tear ducts, I didn't shed a tear when my Channel Enablement team mates surprised me with the most 'sosyal' Tickled Pink Baby Shower. 

I'm so tickled pink that these super busy friends took the time to prepare for my very creative and fun baby shower. Ha ha ha. It helps when you're with the visual merchandising team, campaign energy people, my own group - the digital unit and everyone else that are not from our team but are my friends. Some didn't make it because of meetings galore! We missed you, Claire, Ms Mitzie, Zarah and Mars! I ate your cake and pizza.

The invite.
I'm so amazed that everyone involved did this under my nose; was so clueless! Everyone is so busy. And today of all days is a especially toxic day. Close of the campaign and preps for the incoming campaign -- story of our life in Avon. 

The team, despite the toxic events of the day, managed to transform our former APAC Head's office into a tickled pink party venue. 




details, details. 



 The set-up was so pretty. And the food was more than abundant.
Estrel's caramel cake. 

Pizza overload... from S&R
I forgot to take a photo of the tub of ice cream and some of the chips. Needless to say, we went home stuffed. 
Picture first before the game began.
Some games. 










 Then, the gift-giving. 

Dear Baby Kate, Tita Mei's gift came with a lovely card.

   


Thanks for joining, Mirs! Wonderful surprise.



Thank you, team! So useful. 

This post is three month's late but I just want to take a moment to thank my friends and colleagues who showered with gifts, laughter and good cheer. You are all very thoughtful and sweet.


Not in the picture: CAPE, Mars, and Kaye who needed to step out for meetings. And Jaypee who took the pictures. Ching and her boys -- thanks, Ching for the really pretty set.

Thank you, guys! Kate will grow up loved and grateful. 

Xx

Sheng

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Succulent obsession

During my maternity leave, I was obsessed with two things: my newborn and plants. I was constantly in dire need to be surrounded by plants. I was wistful. I was itching to start a pocket garden. If it can't be had, at least a teacup garden. Even if I don't have a green thumb. 






Before the succulents, there were the terrariums. 


Photo Credit: Pinterest

I've set my sights on some gorgeous planters I saw in Landmark. One of these days, I will really set aside some time to put some on my balcony and on the window sill of my tiny kitchen. 

For now, these are my reality. 
I have this plant for about two years already. 

Soon, am going to have a small green space at home for that extra oomph with the added benefit of a cleaner air we breathe. And a tiny contribution to lessening my carbon footprint. 

How about you? 

Xx

Sheng