Have a book-filled weekend!

Because I'm back on bed rest, I'll be missing the 33rd Manila International Book Fair. Sigh. I'll be dreaming about the thrill of walking down the aisles, checking out the booths, admiring beautiful book covers, smelling new books, and squealing at good finds. I was hoping to snag this devotional book for children, and complete our collection of "Oh, Mateo!" storybooks. We sure could use some new Kumon workbooks, and I know I won't be able to resist a new cookbook! Oh dear. I want to go so badly.  Perhaps the grandparents might want to take the little girl? I'll make sure to pack my list in her tiny backpack. Maybe we can even skype while they're there so I could virtually tour the booths...  

Are you going to the book fair? What books are you planning to buy?

Have you been to Museo Marino?

My daughter's class has been learning about all sorts of vehicles this school year.  When the letter about her first field trip came, we were excited and intrigued.  We've never heard of Museo Marino before.  After a few clicks on google, we learned that it was a new museum in Manila dedicated to the work of seafarers. I wasn't able to go with my daughter, so I asked her to fill me in on the sights.

Here's what the museum has to offer, from a 5 year old's perspective:

• a secret movie house for watching movies
• emergency accessories of the boat
• a canoe
• a propeller
• artwork in frames
• lots and lots of maps in secret drawers
• flags with different patterns

If the above doesn't give you enough reason to go and check it out, here are some pictures of the museum's features that my sister took during the field trip:

Walls of seafarer stories

Video kiosks about the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines and the All Japan Seamen's Union

Model Ships - the boys are going to love this

Portholes into the past

the camera couldn't capture enough of what can be seen inside the portholes

Maps and Timelines

Ship parts and accessories on display

the emergency accessories

(why won't this image rotate to portrait here? hmph!)

A life-sized lifeboat where you can have snacks under...

while admiring the colorful artwork about seafarers and their families

Bonus:  the flags!

According to this article, many other sections are still being developed.  All in all, its a good place to learn about seafarers and the hard work that they are doing for our country.  When are you going?

Museum Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday    Saturday 9:00 a.m. to noon 
Address: 814 J. Nakpil corner Pilar Hidalgo Lim Sts., Malate Manila      Tel No:  ( 02) 353-81-80 Email: museomarino@yahoo.com                                                    Free admission.

P.S. Homeschool Extras

This trip would be a perfect complement to a unit on water transportation.  Some suggestions to enhance this experience:

• a side-trip to the pier to see the passenger / cargo ships or to Manila Bay to see the docked yachts.  Have snacks along the area and wait for the sunset, too.
• a cruise on Manila Bay
• Do you know a seafarer? Why not invite him into your home and have your child interview him about life on a ship.  

Do you have other suggestions? I'd love to hear about them in the comments.

Photos by my sister Tiffanie

Small Beginnings

I thought I was crazy for googling up the words water nausea. The concept was absurd. But I couldn't ignore how I felt after drinking water that day, and how I was the only one in the family (who had access to the same water) with the symptoms. So I pressed search, and was completely relieved to find out that I was --  normal.  Pregnant women from different parts of the world experienced it too.  For some, water nausea lasted their entire pregnancy, while others had it just for their first trimester.  I was surprised to find out how gatorade was a very popular pregnancy anti-dehydration, anti-nausea drink. I learned also that taking your water really cold would not make you nauseated, and that got me through my water nausea days.

I begin this blogging adventure with that story, also keeping in mind the million other google searches I've conducted in this information age.  The a-ha moments, the immense relief, the great ideas, the wonderful encouragements, the I- could-do-thats, the "I'm just being paranoid" realizations, the laughter, the tears, the numerous "thank-You-Lord-for-leading-me-to-this," the awesome times that God met me where I was... All these were possible because of those who took the time to record their thoughts, share their experience / expertise, and (just simply, faithfully,) write and write and write.  Thank you. You've inspired me.

Here goes...