{Ask Away Friday} Questions with Herchel from @Scruggbug

Happy Friday, lovelies!  You know what that means – it’s time for another Ask Away Friday!!!  This week I swapped questions with a fellow Filipina blogger.  Her name is Herchel from Scrugg Bugg Corner where she writes about her new role as a SAHM, her children “Porkchop” and “Sweet Pea,” and lots of parenting tips including caring for a child with juvenile arthritis.

AskAwayFridayHerchel

One thing that caught my eye about Herchel was that she’s a relatively new blogger, but she has already taken the blogging community by storm!  She’s active and savvy on social media and is genuine in all her interactions.  So if you don’t know her yet, get to know her ASAP!  You can see what I asked her this week here and find out her tips on building online relationships and the meaning behind nicknames “Porkchop” and “Sweet Pea”.

Here’s what Herchel wanted to know about me:

My son is older than my daughter and seems to have more of a conscience.(My daughter is not heartless but if you fall she’ll laugh first and ask if you are okay later.) Do you notice your oldest being more considerate or is it your youngest?

I had to think about this one a bit! I think my younger one, Zavier (2) is more considerate than my older one, Arielle (4). Anytime I give him something – a cookie, a vitamin, or whatever – he stops and says, “Eee Ayelle?” (and Arielle?) so that I can give him one that he can share with his sister.

SpringMudSmiles1

I learned Tagalog as a young child but forgot it through disuse. (I do understand what people are saying when they are talking about me though!)  Have you ever had a Filipino stranger speak to you in Tagalog and get mad when you didn’t respond in kind?

YES! Actually, one time a white man that started speaking to me in Tagalog when I was working at a coffee shop. He straight up insulted me and accused me of thinking I was too good to know my own language. I was so upset and I told my mom. Only then, I understood that my not learning how to speak Tagalog was intentional. My sister and I were the first generation to grow up here in the US. My parents wanted to make sure that we spoke English clearly when we started school to avoid any discrimination or having to be put in special classes.  We all know now that children are totally capable of learning multiple languages when they are young, but perhaps it wasn’t as commonly known back then.

I was much more relaxed about parenting after my daughter was born. What was the biggest difference you noticed between having one child and now having two?

The amount of work and constant attention needed from both children instead of just one child is the biggest difference, which leaves a lot less time for me.  With just Arielle, I was still able be a fabulous new mom and maintain my pre-baby identity.  I still had time to look decent, hang out with my friends, and even continued to travel for work.  Now that I’m a mommy of two, I feel like I’m more consumed in my kids and let go of a lot of things that I used to do prior to being a mom.  I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but personally that has been the difference between having one child and having two.

Polka dots or stripes?
Polka dots all the way! Here’s Arielle and me when we were rockin the polka dots as twinsies for NYE:

Screen shot 2014-01-16 at 10.12.36 PM

I have lived in Florida most of my life. I went to school in NYC for a couple of years but found out that the winters of those years were abnormally mild. My husband wants to move us out west where it snows and gets cold!! What advice would you give to a born and raised Florida girl?

Stay put!  Seriously, I’m so sick of this polar vortex, snow, freezing rain, ice storms, and wind that cuts right through your soul.  It’s miserable and not to mention a logistical nightmare when trying to get out of the house with two small children.

My kids are addicted to what does the fox say and randomly sing it. If you were a woodland creature what would you be and what would you say?

Owl.  Big eyes, nocturnal, and can fly!  Instead of “hoo hoo” I would say, “what what” just to change things up a bit.

crochet owl hat, boys owl hat, baby boy owl hat, first birthday owl hat

I love traditional filipino food. If you had to choose one food to eat every day, which would it be?

Sinigang.  Ahhh my favorite Filipino comfort food!  For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s savory, sour tamarind flavored soup with pork or whatever meat you want and veggies like bok choy, taro root, green beans, onions, and tomatoes.  It was my favorite growing up, and now it’s Arielle’s favorite.  I cook it about every other week, so if I had to eat it everyday I wouldn’t mind!

If you had the choice between a bottle of wine or a carton of your favorite ice cream, which would you choose?

This is a trick question!  Normally I would say a carton of my favorite ice cream, but given that the past couple weeks have been really rough I would definitely choose the bottle of wine!

I read your post about not wearing pants to work. I once wore a sheer shirt over a nude camisole and everyone stared all day thinking I was naked!  Which would you prefer tights or having a sheer top like I did?

I somehow managed to survive a day at work where I forgot to wear pants, but I wouldn’t want to do that again.  I would prefer the sheer shirt over a nude camisole, because I’d actually be wearing a shirt and that sounds like less of an HR violation than not wearing pants.  LOL

Thanks for swapping questions with me this week, Herchel!  Welcome to the Ask Away Friday world 🙂

xoxo // gracielle.

Comments

  1. Fantastic Ask Away Friday!! After reading this I realize I TOTALLY need to get to know Filipino food better. It sounds SO good!!
    I will never EVER get over the day you forgot to wear pants to work. Ashley and I have had several conversations based on that post and what situations we’ve gotten ourselves in to!! –Lisa

  2. So weird about the guy insulting you while you were at work! How rude! And Scarlet is peering over my shoulder and asking about your kids’ names and she said, “Oh? Like Ariel the princess?” ha! I’m over winter too. I’m going to Florida a week from today, and I really wonder if I’ll come back.
    Tamara recently posted…Cry Me a Frozen Whovian River.My Profile

  3. Maybe this is what I’ve found to be so different about me versus other moms I meet in the blog world. Some seem to want to still maintain or go after the pre-identity before kids, while I’m just fine having my identity with them without having the old person. I’m glad that’s something you pointed out. I often wonder what could be different about having 2 and I could totally understand what you mean by this. Perhaps having more than 2 will be everything I’ve dreamed it will be if I get that chance, too. 🙂 I never heard of the Filipino language you were just referencing! That’s crazy how that guy insulted you. I think I’ve heard that same mindset when it came to parents teaching their children their language back in the day. I totally understand what they were thinking especially if they were feeling discriminated against when they came to the US. So cute those pictures with you and Arielle!
    Brittnei recently posted…Feature Friday- Week 6My Profile

    • I’ve learned to embrace my post-baby identity. I wouldn’t have it any other way! So the national language of the Philippines is actually called “Tagalog,” but people refer to it as “Filipino” also. There are hundreds of other dialects within the Philippines because it’s made up of so many regions and islands….but the bridge language that they use to communicate across the country is Tagalog. Or English. But mostly Tagalog. That was probably the worst explanation ever, but hopefully you get the gist. LOL
      Gracielle recently posted…{Ask Away Friday} Questions with Herchel from @ScruggbugMy Profile

  4. I loved your #AAF post, but I must say I am so impressed with your photos! They are beautiful! I LOVE LOVE the owl knit cap! I cannot stand What did the fox say! LOL so I am glad my kids have not discovered it because they would love it!
    Jodi Flaherty recently posted…#AskAwayFriday Week 24 with the Lovely Lanaya from Raising Regan!My Profile

  5. Great questions and answers! I am so over this obscene cold! I am ready to move to the tropics! LOL! It never ceases to amaze me at how rude some people can be! Hope you have a great weekend, Gracielle!
    Stacey Gannett (This Momma’s Ramblings) recently posted…#AskAwayFriday 24 with Tamara from Tamara (Like) Camera Blog!My Profile

  6. I love polka dots too, you are adorable. 🙂
    Alison recently posted…I’m A Cat and A Queen Bee: #AskAwayFridayMy Profile

  7. Amber Boldly Fit says:

    I love polka dots too and those pictures of you and your daughter are too cute & funny!

  8. I love polka dots too and the pictures of you and your daughter are adorable! 🙂

  9. Love! I too have siblings who are so concerned about each other but on the other hand I have another set you fit a bit more of Herchel’s description…LOL I guess it all depends on their personalities…they all love each other I guess that’s what really matters!
    You and Arielle look adorbs in your polka dots! Have a great weekend!
    Tiffany recently posted…#2014BloggerChallenge : KISS – Keep it Smooth SimplyMy Profile

  10. I think that there are a lot of things other generations didn’t know about raising kids (even me) because we didn’t have the internet to tell us. And you know, if it’s on the internet it’s true.

    Interesting question about the more considerate child. I think all of my children have always been considerate of others (but not me!). It would be my oldest though if I were to measure. She’s also my only girl. Ryan (daughter) has always held to the theory if you don’t have nothing nice to say don’t say nothing at all. We don’t have anything to talk about. LOL
    Carla recently posted…#OneChange For Better HealthMy Profile

    • That’s funny about you and your daughter. Oh geez! That was a tough question! My daughter is a sweetheart, but I just thought back to that example – like, if I gave her a treat she would immediately run to Zavier and say, “Look what I got! You don’t have one!” instead of making sure he had one too and sharing. It’s something she started doing recently. That’s why I picked Zavier as the more considerate one.
      Gracielle recently posted…{Ask Away Friday} Questions with Herchel from @ScruggbugMy Profile

  11. I think that’s terrible that the man insulted you like that. It’s just plain mean spirited. Sometimes I wonder why people think they have the right to say anything they please. I am a believer in karma though!! I don’t think I have ever had Filipino food, but the dish you described sounded awesome. And the adobo you mentioned in the comments…I know I’d like that…I adore vinegar! And those pictures of you and your daughter are adorable!! It was fun reading your answers!
    Michelle recently posted…#AskAwayFriday with Beth from Structure in an Unstructured LifeMy Profile

    • I think he felt that he could say that to me because he was not even Filipino, but could speak the language. I have never gotten a response like that from any Filipino ever. I’m going to post a Filipino recipe soon so stay tuned!

  12. I live across Lake Michigan from you and can completely relate to this horrid winter!! EVERY holiday event we had to drive to this year there was a ton of snow and ice! Then my kids had a snow day the day before break started and then three snow days when they were supposed to be heading back to school! I’m all for family time, but that was way too much for all of us! Haha!
    And I absolutely loved your post about forgetting to wear pants! While I felt a lot of sympathy for you, I had to laugh, too! 🙂
    Great answers!
    Beth at Structure in an Unstructured Life recently posted…Ask Away Friday with Michelle!My Profile

    • Isn’t worse over by you due to the lake effects? I’m boycotting any event that requires me to leave the house from now on! Roads are dangerous and it was snowing again today. Waaah! Glad you had a laugh from my wardrobe mishap! I’m already laughing about it!

  13. my parents were the same way about us learning their dialect, ilokano. i understand it, but i don’t speak it. as for favorite filipino food, i can eat lumpia all day long!
    catherine gacad recently posted…Being PregnantMy Profile

  14. I love sinigang too, shrimp sinigang to be exact! Which gives me an idea what to cook in my next kitchen adventure. LOL! So help me God. Your son is so sweet! At his age, he already knows how to share..

    I myself don’t speak Tagalog that much. I’ve lived in Cebu since I got married and they say people here prefer to speak in English than in Tagalog if they’re not speaking the vernacular.
    Rea recently posted…What made you smile today?My Profile

    • Good luck on cooking sinigang! I only use pork because I’m allergic to shrimp and all seafood. I use a pressure cooker to speed up the process. My husband is finally back from the PI! He spent a few days in Cebu, too.

  15. The Filipino soup sounds so delicious. YUM. I’ve lived in the Midwest my entire life and even I’m sick of this weather. I think what’s bothered me most lately is the INCESSANT wind. Ugh. I just want to curse at it every time it starts up, it makes me SO mad. My eldest and youngest are my sweet and sensitive ones – 19 YO girl and 7 YO boy. My middle one – 8 YO girl – what’s conscience?! Seriously, she’s a deal. Magnetic and just a BIG huge personality, but nothing – absolutely nothing – gets to that girl!

    • I feel the same way about wind – it seriously pisses me off! LOL That’s interesting to see that your 8YO has a dictinct, different personality from your other 2. My kids have their own personalities and I wonder how they will be when they are tweens and teens. My daughter is pretty stubborn now, so I have a feeling that might play in to how many grey hairs I get as she gets older.

  16. My son was also very considerate with his sister when they were little. That all changed once they became teenagers! 😉 Hmmm, I think I’d go with the polka dots too. Love the twinsies pictures!! I hear you on the weather this winter… seems like ever since the cold, cold weather we have had snow every other day.
    Jeanne recently posted…All Of His Favorite ThingsMy Profile

    • You’re right about the snow, Jeanne! We just had some more some come through this morning. Yuck. I’m kind of nervous to see how my kids will turn out when they are ‘tweens and teens. They have their bratty and stubborn moments, but right now overall they are very sweet!

  17. My neighbors are Filipino, and we’ve eaten delicious Filipino food at their house. I’d love to try some recipes! 🙂
    Ginny Marie recently posted…Your Spin Cycle Prompt {week of 1/20}My Profile

  18. What a fun read! I’m Indonesian who used to live in the States and I had Filipino people came up and started talking to me too in Tagalog that was awkward but usually after I told them I’m Indonesian they are still warm and happily chatter away.
    Maureen@Scoops of Joy recently posted…Joy in Antigravity YogaMy Profile

    • I thought for a second that you were Filipino just by looking at your picture. Good thing I don’t speak Tagalog so we would have never had that kind of interaction. LOL People always try to speak Spanish to my husband because they think he’s Latino.

  19. We have the same favorite food! My kids love sinigang and when I feel under the weather I always make it or buy it. 🙂
    Herchel S recently posted…You should be thankful…My Profile

    • Woohoo! Do you do shrimp or pork? I’m allergic to shrimp so I stick to pork. I just cooked it on Saturday and my kids ate it right up! It was perfect for a cold and snowy day. There are no Filipino restaurants nearby, but that would be awesome if I could just stop somewhere any buy it!

  20. My youngest son is addicted to what does the fox say. I love your addition about the owl. 😉
    Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families recently posted…Godly Home: The Importance of Leaving a Godly LegacyMy Profile

    • My daughter was singing that song the other day and I know she has never heard that song around me. She told me they were playing it at school. I guess kids really love that song!

  21. I love sinigang too – the more sour the better!
    Roaen recently posted…When Mommy Goes on a Trip…My Profile

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