This year definitely went by so fast! My eldest turned older this year about the same month we moved in to our new home. My kids were so excited as we painted their room with their favorite colors course! They had a hand in decorating their room (Mommy hesitantly obliged) so it’s filled with bears and books and pillows and toys and etc etc etc. It took us about 6 months to empty our boxes and finally have at least 1 car in the garage. By that time though, we’ve eliminated most of all our trinkets and excess baggage (with Mommy – me making sure that we did not add or bring in garbage into our new abode).
The year didn’t really go by so fast without our family enjoying every bit of it. You would think that since we just moved into our new home, we would spend most of our days “inside” the house? Well, 2006 turned out to be our most traveled year. Summer was fun for the kids as they had their “triple-whammy”. Not only did they get a trip to San Diego to visit Legoland, we also went to California Adventure in Los Angeles. Something I look forward to in these road trips is the chance for our family to bond (yes, despite the stress of being in the car with our 2 toddlers) and the chance for our family to visit relatives. The kids got to play with their cousins. My cousin and his wife graciously hosted us (again!) and of course, we love tasting their new recipes. They provide us a good feeling of ‘relief’ as we see them raising their 3 toddlers. It’s nice to know there’s a couple out there going through the same things we do!
Did I say “triple”? Yes, just before summer’s end, we headed to the East Coast --- off to the Sunshine state, Florida! We stayed at a very nice resort with full amenities and 2 swimming pools at our disposal. Did I say it was very close to Disneyworld? We went one day to Universal Studios where the kids had such a blast! One day we spent at Epcot, it was kinda rainy so we really didn’t get to enjoy all the sites but had a spectacular time though at the fireworks display! Another day we spent at my favorite ---- Magic Kingdom! Oh, the kids enjoyed Mickey & Minnie’s Toontown – this is where they enjoyed every bit! Seeing, hugging and taking pictures with the Disney characters made such good memories for them. They can’t stop talking about everything they saw. Mickey and Minnie Mouse became their favorites! Of course, all of us adults loved “Wishes”! Watching that fireworks show rekindles sweet childhood memories, aspirations, and dreams. It just makes you live for another lifetime --- full of hope and love! Tiring (and expensive), but all worth it. Of course, nothing can cap our trip than a day at the beach. Not a Florida beach --- too bad, but nothing beats Blizzard Beach. The kids enjoyed every bit of it!
This year, my hubby also had the chance to go to North Carolina and Oregon on business. While I got to go to the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) for training and to attend a friend’s wedding in the Big Apple (yes, NY NY!). Oh well…. It was indeed a travel filled year!
We couldn’t be more excited though for my parent’s coming to America! Our kids have been desperately waiting for them to come to the US. After such a long wait, we finally welcomed them to our home on December 1st. It was such a heartwarming experience. Seeing them finally coming out of the arrival area at the airport, my kids stared at them for a couple of minutes, my older one overcame the “feeling a little shy” stage then went on to hug grandma and grandpa. My little one continued to stare on, until we said, “close your eyes for little bit and listen to grandpa” as they talk on the phone almost everyday! Yes, it worked! My little one kissed and hugged grandpa so tight! Now at home, they work magic with the kids, they’re all inseparable now. It feels so good when we go to sleep at night and you hear them thanking our Lord Jesus Christ for their lolos and lolas, and knowing too that they will be able to experience their grandparent’s love first hand.
We’re excited for Christmas too --- we as a family have a lot to thank God for; Papa's (my hubby's dad) successful heart surgery, my parent’s being here with us, new “baby-cousin” arrivals, our birthdays, keeping our jobs, having a new home, my husband’s aunt and cousin (who tirelessly help us in raising our kids), my little one’s recognizing her A-B-Cs and learning to write each of it, my eldest’s growing love for reading, and of course, the New Year --- yes, our youngest will be starting preschool and we will have a kindergartener next year! Life really goes by so fast! (Sigh!)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Nais Ko
Parang ibong wala ring hangarin kundi ang lumipad nang lumipad
Nais kong lumipad
Nais ko ring maagos ng alon saan man mapadpad
Kahit na isdang mumuntiin, hangari'y lumangoy nang lumangoy
Nais kong lumangoy
Nais kong malibot ang mundo sa kanyang kasuluk-sulukan
Nais kong makita ang paligid kong puno ng kagandahan
Nais kong makadama ng kakaibang damdamin kahit minsan man lang
Habang ako ay may buhay, wala nang hangarin pang tunay
Nais ko...nais ko...nais ko...
Nais kong maulit muli ang buhay
Kung may pagkakataon upang mamalas
Ang mga bagay-bagay na 'di ko natanto sa aking buhay
Nais kong lumipad(5x)
Jumbled Emotions
I'm disoriented. Totally excited. Getting sentimental. Nearing nervousness. Happy as can be. All my emotions are jumbled as you can see. Well, maybe you really can't see. It's all been inside me. Inside me that's why others might find me disoriented at times. Yes, I've been excited, sentimental, nervous and happy all at the same time! My parents are coming, that's probably why. Come to think of it, a new phase in our lives will be starting. I've been waiting for this moment. My parent's have been waiting for this moment too. Even my kids and my dear husband have been waiting for this moment too. So I guess, you really can't help but have a mix of emotions.
You see, we've been living apart for almost 7 years now. I've been back home (to my hometown) only 2 times, the longest of which was for 4 weeks. Vacation mode is different from "living together". Before, they ran the house. They had their rules. This time, it's my home. Our home, of course. But I wonder though how it will be since this time, I make the house rules. They've been accustomed to their way of living while I have been used to my way of running the house too. The anticipation is killing me.
But I love and am excited about the idea. It's time that they be near and accessible to me. The only way though is for them to stay and live with "my" family. I'm excited for my kids. They will have the opportunity to grow up with my parents. My parents to whom I attribute maybe what I am today. At the same time, my parents (both in their senior years) will have the opportunity to spend their golden years in the company of their grandchildren. They say that the grandchild's love is so much different from the "love" given by your own child. I know for sure that the grandparent's love for their "apo" (grandchild) is definitely much more different itself.
Additionally, because of the fact that I attribute a whole lot of what I am to them, this will be the perfect opportunity for me to give back to my parents. To care for them and look after their welfare first hand is of a much grander scale than just sending them gifts and money when they need it (and when I have it).
Most of all, it will be my husband's & my chance to reconnect with my parents. Yes, they'll see right before their very eyes how my husband has transformed me into a much more responsible (let's see about this) person. Maybe not as much as he is, but at least more responsible now than I was when I was in my parent's turf. They'll see me as a Mom, a privilege should I say and a blessing being one. I will be doubly blessed now that I will have my parents be there right by me as I guide my children towards maturity!
Yup, I'm very excited!!!!
You see, we've been living apart for almost 7 years now. I've been back home (to my hometown) only 2 times, the longest of which was for 4 weeks. Vacation mode is different from "living together". Before, they ran the house. They had their rules. This time, it's my home. Our home, of course. But I wonder though how it will be since this time, I make the house rules. They've been accustomed to their way of living while I have been used to my way of running the house too. The anticipation is killing me.
But I love and am excited about the idea. It's time that they be near and accessible to me. The only way though is for them to stay and live with "my" family. I'm excited for my kids. They will have the opportunity to grow up with my parents. My parents to whom I attribute maybe what I am today. At the same time, my parents (both in their senior years) will have the opportunity to spend their golden years in the company of their grandchildren. They say that the grandchild's love is so much different from the "love" given by your own child. I know for sure that the grandparent's love for their "apo" (grandchild) is definitely much more different itself.
Additionally, because of the fact that I attribute a whole lot of what I am to them, this will be the perfect opportunity for me to give back to my parents. To care for them and look after their welfare first hand is of a much grander scale than just sending them gifts and money when they need it (and when I have it).
Most of all, it will be my husband's & my chance to reconnect with my parents. Yes, they'll see right before their very eyes how my husband has transformed me into a much more responsible (let's see about this) person. Maybe not as much as he is, but at least more responsible now than I was when I was in my parent's turf. They'll see me as a Mom, a privilege should I say and a blessing being one. I will be doubly blessed now that I will have my parents be there right by me as I guide my children towards maturity!
Yup, I'm very excited!!!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Of Birkins and Kellys
The legendary French luxury goods house began as a saddle maker in Paris in 1880 under the name of Hermes–Freres. By the 1920s Hermes had the patent for the zipper in France, and introduced the first ladies bags with zip closures. The company expanded into riding gloves, belts, and men and women's sportswear, and designed the now famous travel trunks to meet needs of the new automobile drivers.
The infamous Kelly bag debuted in 1956 after Grace Kelly used a large crocodile handbag to hide her pregnancy. In the 1970s the first women's shoe collection and the first complete men's ready-to-wear collection were introduced. Actress Jane Birkin replaced her old straw purse with a leather Hermès number in 1984, and started the rage that is the Birkin bag. Today the Birkin remains to have the longest waiting list of any luxury accessory—about six years. Price - definitely over $5000/10,0000.
So, since I really can't have the Hermes Birkin or the Hermes Kelly, can I just please have my Kate Spade???????
My bag, my bag, oh my bag!!!!
I still think it's little bit of practicality lurking behind the love of fancy handbags, but even when I know how many really fantastic handbags there are for this season - and in general - it's nice to have at least one classic, everyday shoulderbag. Kate Spade's Siena Medium Serena fits the bill nicely, with classic lines, comfortable shoulder strap and a structured, reinforced bottom that will hold up well to everyday use without banging the contents of the bag around (didn't I say "practicality"?). Aside from these, this bag has several interior pockets that will help keep you organized and provide room for things you need on a daily basis, like cell phones, pdas, pens and your reading/sun glasses. The bag is made of waxed, natural cowhide and features a colorful nylon web detail, with a cotton twill lining and gold hardware. Most of all, it's a Kate Spade!!!!
Price: $485.
Guess what, it's on sale now for $199 at www.katespade.com
Oh my! It's Christmas, can it be mine please??????????
Friday, November 10, 2006
NY NY
I recently went to New York City --- the purpose, my good friend from college and law school was getting married! Finally! Finally goes for my friend who is "finally" settling down. And, "finally" for me, as this was my first ever trip to the Big Apple! I really was going to go with my hubby, but our plans were overcome by events so I went on this trip by myself. So, my adventure went...
Denver - I was to fly out at 745 am onto Denver by 10, leave by 12 and get into La Guardia by 5 something. Well, the heavens decided to pour out snow into the Rockies that day so we were actually caught in a snow storm. Our dear pilot (who was literally in charge of our dear lives at that time), was so good at updating us... probably more to limit inquiries from his passengers, he gave us a blow-by-blow account of what was happening in the Denver airport. He kind of tried to distract us from being impatient as we were hovering in the friendly skies for practically 2 hours! We couldn't land as Denver only had 1 runway open, so we were all in a cue. We ended up landing about 1230 pm. And since I was really hungry and thought that I deserved a good lunch, I went straight to Wolfgang Puck Express and chowed down a Chinois salad (it really was just Asian Chicken Salad with a french twist, I guess). Oh, and I have to check my connecting flight! I felt safe doing this after my lunch since our pilot already forewarned us that all the connecting flights out of Denver were delayed anyways)!. True enough, my flight was not until after 2. Good thing I've been to this airport in October, I knew exactly where to find the restroom, good stores, good coffee....There! I left Denver at 230, flight was around 5 hours, so I got to La Guardia almost 8 pm.
New York New York
Day 1 ----- Luggages were delayed too, plus I had to wait for my car service. My first day in NY, really started at 9 pm when I got to my friend's apartment. Yes, I stayed with another very good friend of mine from college. She's single in NY, so it was perfect! She lives in Manhattan (btwn 1st & 2nd Sts), near the brownstones and mind you, in the same street where Martin Scorcese lives! I really thought I'd see Leo (Leonardo di Caprio), but no luck! I was lucky Grey's Anatomy had a re-run that night (she's an avid fan), so after a little rest and a tour of her apartment, we dashed out for some Cuban dinner! Good food and sangria! After dinner, she brought me straight to Times Square -- Broadway! Oh, the lights were fantastic! The billboards created such a party atmosphere for me! We rode the subway to another area onto where we were having dessert. It was quite a walk, but it ended in a quaint street and a cafe with this big lighted tree in front of it. She goes, "do you remember this?" I go, "o-k".... "Let's go inside...." It turns out to be the same cafe used in the movie "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan sat to do her emails.... The name of the cafe is Cafe Lalo. I guess it was an artist who owns it as it had all the artwork "by Lalo" all over the place. They had good coffee and of course, very good dessert! We rode the subway back to my friend's place and yes, I got my own Metro card!
Day 2 ----- Since of course, we had a veeeeeeeeeery long night which ended in the wee hours of the morning, we started our day late. Around 11 am our old friends from college showed up for our pre-lunch get together. It was nice to see folks you haven't seen in such a loooooooooong time. These 2 friends of ours migrated to Canada a few years back and they had brought their 2 little ones with them. We went to lunch and oh, amidst all the chit-chat, almost forgot that we had a wedding to go to at 3. We hurried up since we had to primp up for the wedding.
Wedding ----- We rode the cab to the West side (we came from the East), went through Central Park and on to the Church. At the church I found my other good friend from post-college days (yes we went through 4 years of higher education) whom I actually haven't seen in 7 years! With that, you realize that its nice that we've been emailing and touching base on the phone, thank goodness! We saw our other friends from college (whom I haven't seen in 10-15 years) and we tried to contain all our excitement (including our excitement over seeing two actor- celebrities (they're a couple) from our hometown). Then of course, we were happy to see our couple-friend who were getting married! After the ceremony and picture taking, we headed to the reception --- guess how, yes, through the subway once again.
Reception ----- Oh my, nice nice nice! The reception was at The Grill at Bryant Park. After giving our coats (and getting our little claim stub), we headed to the cocktails area. Wine flowing and hors d'oeuvours unending! Food was great, I had a grilled halibut with veggies and something like rice but the texture was like hashbrowns. Nyummmmm. My other friends had the filet mignon of course, which looked really good too. Oh, dessert, absolutely delectable! A light chocolate cake with warm chocolate syrup and strawberries on the top and the sides. The bride and groom's parents (mostly the dads did the talking) had a lot of good and inspiring things to say. We were all touched by the show of friends and family, of course. They are indeed a very happy and deserving couple! I'm truly happy I went and was part of their special day. Our mini-reunion continued in a neighboring bar where we all were happy to spend (or drink?) the rest of the night away!
Day 3 ---- We headed for brunch (apparently, in NY, brunch is from 10 am to 4 pm, o-kay!) at like 12:30 pm in a french cafe on the southside, I believe. I had crab cakes eggs benedict, coffee and mimosa. Was really yummy. This brunch was with the mini-reunion group less the bride and groom of course. It was fun chatting and updating each other with developments in each of our lives. We all realized though that we still talk and communicate as if we just saw each other yesterday (figuratively speaking of course)! That was good as now you realize the kind of friends you've had all these years. The experience was sweet and worth a thousand memories. After brunch (and after the rain in NY stopped), we headed to South of Hudson, more popularly known as SOHO. We walked 20 (!freaking!) blocks (and more), but I actually hardly noticed this as we were chit-chatting the whole way. Also, I was busy looking at the environment, parks, houses, buildings, cars, people, clothes, shoes, everything! We went to the meat-packing district (which turns into a party zone at night), got to see places featured in Sex In the City, took pictures everywhere, walked towards TRIBECA, then into SOHO. We saw most of the shops from the outside, only went to the Apple store to use the restroom, checked out L'Occitane, went to a Scholastic store to get my kid's halloween costumes and some gifts, then, we all ended up in another cafe to finally sit down and chat once more (after 3 hours walk that is). You can't blame us though, didn't I say we haven't seen each other in like ------- 15 years?
After our goodbyes in the subway as we headed either home or to other parties, we exchanged cellphones and email addresses and promised to all keep-in-touch!
That night, my friend and I went to dinner at another friend's house (whew, she has a really nice apartment by the river (overlooking NJ)). Her apartment is a Trump one (yes, owned by "the" Donald Trump) so it has one of those concierge type of set ups. NICE! (Wait, did I tell you her 2/Bdr unit cost about $900,000$@!) We met some of their friends, with little kids, had a hearty dinner of our hometown dishes, and more chit-chatting. We headed home after but not without going around town. I got to see Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Plaza, went into a MET store, saw NBC studios (where they have the Today show), Radio City, St Patrick's Cathedral, Park Ave, Madison Ave, 5th Ave, Lincoln Arts Center (where they hold events for the NY Opera, NY Ballet & NY Philharmonic), a glimpse of Fordham U, Time Warner (first ever mall in NY City), the Trump Hotel, the entrance to Central Park, and all the big name stores! We tried to have dessert at Serendipity but it was packed!
My last night in NY was a blast, went around, and I just had fun with my good ol' friend. Our conversations filled up all the missing parts of my trip --- with missing, I mean: not seeing Liberty, Ground Zero, the Empire State Building and other well-known tourist spots. But, it was all worth it, besides, missing those spots, give me all the more reason to go back to the Big Apple. And this time, with my hubby! With my kids? Ahhhh, maybe in 3 more years.
Day 4 ---- was travel day again, bye New York, hello California (oh gosh, you can't imagine how I missed my 2 little princesses, my king and ------------ steamed RICE!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Food Meme
Thanks to another blogger Wifely Steps (http://toni.marikit.net/), I would be able to share part of myself through this...try it, I'm sure you'll enjoy too.
How do you like your eggs? "Ginulo" you achieve this by dropping the egg (yolk and white) into a heated pan then instead of making a sunny side up, beat the yolk and the white until both are cooked. Sarap with banana ketchup
(Mafran to be exact).
How do you take your coffee/tea:
Coffee: Freshly brewed with soymilk. @Starbucks - Soy latte
Tea: Plain. Sometimes with soymilk or cream.
Dean & Deluca's green tea is the best and the Organic Chamomile Tea from Trader Joes.
Favorite breakfast foods: Fried garlic rice, my "ginulo" egg, daing (smoked fish) dipped in mayonnaise.
Peanut butter: smooth or crunchy? Definitely smooth!
What kind of dressing on your salad? I love Macaroni Grill's italian. Asian Chicken would be good. But my all time fave, thousand island (only my Mom's or my own version).
Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke.
You’re feeling lazy. What do you make? Pandesal with Jack and Jill potato chips. (This reminds me of my trips to Batangas long time ago when I was involved in a youth group with so much energy and optism for life.)
You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? Cheese pizza
You feel like cooking. What do you make? Pasta, this rejuvenates me!
Do any foods bring back good memories? Yes, my dad's pork in soysauce, but I guess we can replace it with chicken breast now that I'm not a pork eater anymore. The taste brings a lot of memorable breakfasts and happy days back home.
Do any foods bring back bad memories? Japanese cup-o-noodles, I had this for the first time and I had a bad tummy ache, couldn't stop throwing up! I wouldn't eat that to this day.
Do any foods remind you of someone? Bacon eaten with rice swimming in sweet Batangas coffee reminds me of no other than my only brother! Ice cream reminds me of my Dad and kaldereta reminds me of my mom (even if she doesn't eat that, but she cooks the best kaldereta!)
Is there a food you refuse to eat? Kambing (goat)
What was your favorite food as a child? Balat ng (skin)fried chicken with ketchup.
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? Broccolli.
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? Nope.
Favorite fruit & vegetable: I like them all! But okay let’s go with grapes for fruits and sitaw (string beans) for vegetables.
Favorite junk food: Clover chips
Favorite between meal snack: Skyflakes
Do you have any weird food habits: I dip my chicken tinola in ketchup, and of course my smoked fish with mayonnaise (the best with fried rice/sinangag).
You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Fruits (melon or grapes).
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Spicy - between mild to hot!
Can I get you a drink? Sure. Vodka-Sprite, Strawberry Margarita, White Zinfandel, or anything from V Sattui.
Red wine or white? Love white but learning to love red as it's good for the heart
We only have beer: San Mig light
Favorite dessert? Mmm… old fashioned cheesecake
The perfect nightcap? Ice cream on bread.
How do you like your eggs? "Ginulo" you achieve this by dropping the egg (yolk and white) into a heated pan then instead of making a sunny side up, beat the yolk and the white until both are cooked. Sarap with banana ketchup
(Mafran to be exact).
How do you take your coffee/tea:
Coffee: Freshly brewed with soymilk. @Starbucks - Soy latte
Tea: Plain. Sometimes with soymilk or cream.
Dean & Deluca's green tea is the best and the Organic Chamomile Tea from Trader Joes.
Favorite breakfast foods: Fried garlic rice, my "ginulo" egg, daing (smoked fish) dipped in mayonnaise.
Peanut butter: smooth or crunchy? Definitely smooth!
What kind of dressing on your salad? I love Macaroni Grill's italian. Asian Chicken would be good. But my all time fave, thousand island (only my Mom's or my own version).
Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke.
You’re feeling lazy. What do you make? Pandesal with Jack and Jill potato chips. (This reminds me of my trips to Batangas long time ago when I was involved in a youth group with so much energy and optism for life.)
You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? Cheese pizza
You feel like cooking. What do you make? Pasta, this rejuvenates me!
Do any foods bring back good memories? Yes, my dad's pork in soysauce, but I guess we can replace it with chicken breast now that I'm not a pork eater anymore. The taste brings a lot of memorable breakfasts and happy days back home.
Do any foods bring back bad memories? Japanese cup-o-noodles, I had this for the first time and I had a bad tummy ache, couldn't stop throwing up! I wouldn't eat that to this day.
Do any foods remind you of someone? Bacon eaten with rice swimming in sweet Batangas coffee reminds me of no other than my only brother! Ice cream reminds me of my Dad and kaldereta reminds me of my mom (even if she doesn't eat that, but she cooks the best kaldereta!)
Is there a food you refuse to eat? Kambing (goat)
What was your favorite food as a child? Balat ng (skin)fried chicken with ketchup.
Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? Broccolli.
Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? Nope.
Favorite fruit & vegetable: I like them all! But okay let’s go with grapes for fruits and sitaw (string beans) for vegetables.
Favorite junk food: Clover chips
Favorite between meal snack: Skyflakes
Do you have any weird food habits: I dip my chicken tinola in ketchup, and of course my smoked fish with mayonnaise (the best with fried rice/sinangag).
You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Fruits (melon or grapes).
How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Spicy - between mild to hot!
Can I get you a drink? Sure. Vodka-Sprite, Strawberry Margarita, White Zinfandel, or anything from V Sattui.
Red wine or white? Love white but learning to love red as it's good for the heart
We only have beer: San Mig light
Favorite dessert? Mmm… old fashioned cheesecake
The perfect nightcap? Ice cream on bread.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
What have I (already) done in my life?
Since I am about to celebrate my __ th birthday 34 days from now... let's recollect...
I just saw this 150-List from another blogger and I copied it here. Those that I've done are in bold characters.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a BMW for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on tequila
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shXX faced
42. Had amazing friends -- and still have
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship -- just a dinner cruise
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life
I just saw this 150-List from another blogger and I copied it here. Those that I've done are in bold characters.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a BMW for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on tequila
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shXX faced
42. Had amazing friends -- and still have
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship -- just a dinner cruise
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Busy
What is this that I've been so busy that I haven't been able to blog? Well, for one, we decided as a family to better in our schedules. We want to get up early in the morning so we can avoid the morning "rush". Rush would mean, rushing to get up, rushing to prepare baon, rushing to take a bath, rushing to eat, rushing to get out of the house... the effect, STRESS and ACID REFLUX! Yes, I have always had acid reflux, the most recent of which brought me to the emergency.. remember? I hate getting stressed because I get miserable after. I get miserable because stress only has bad effects. I end up getting upset with the kids if they don't follow me and then I get upset with myself for getting upset. Oh my!
The real thing is, we just want to make better in our schedules by preparing in advance of the things that we need in the morning. That way, if we are able to prepare at night, even having to give the kids a bath at night, we are able to have a nice morning together. We get to have fun having our eldest get ready for school while the youngest can enjoy her favorite breakfast, then my husband and I can enjoy our coffee together. End result, we are get to work early too.
The real thing is, we just want to make better in our schedules by preparing in advance of the things that we need in the morning. That way, if we are able to prepare at night, even having to give the kids a bath at night, we are able to have a nice morning together. We get to have fun having our eldest get ready for school while the youngest can enjoy her favorite breakfast, then my husband and I can enjoy our coffee together. End result, we are get to work early too.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Ideas
It's lunch time and I wanted to relax, thanks to another blog, it gave me an idea... or ideas...
1. My uncle once: told me never to stutter when I'm on the microphone (yes I used to host all our family's parties, birthdays, weddings etc etc
2. Never in my life: have i tried drugs
3. When I was five: i accompanied my teenage cousin to Makati (I told her how to get to where we were going)
4. High School is: a learning experience, funny to remember
5. My parents are: wonderful people that have taught me how to be a good person.
6. I already met: my soul mate (he's my hubby now)
7. There's this girl I know who: got so drunk she got on the ledge, danced as much as she could until yes, her halter gave way! no, wasn't me..........but i was there.
8. Once, at a bar: my pal M came up to Ruffa Gutierrez and just casually talked to her and said, "you're so pretty!", but damn, my pal was so drunk!
9. Last night: my hubby and i cuddled and kissed, and kissed, and kissed and it was soooooooooo romantic
10. Next time I go to church: i know exactly what to pray for
11. When I turn my head left, I see: my daughter's drawing evolution
12. When I turn my head right, I see: my other daughter's drawing evolution
13. How many days until my birthday?: 30, 60, 90, hay, 4 months still!
14. If I was a character written by Shakespeare I'd be: Eponine
15. By this time next year: B & I will have been married almost 8 years (WOW!)
16. A name I've always wanted to have would be: Christine. But I did not name any of my children that. Maybe you know why.
17. I have a hard time understanding: ppl living in OUR country who just depend on dole-outs. everyone needs to learn that you need to earn a buck before spending it.
18. If I ever go back to school I: will obviously be insane.
19. You know I like you if: i call you all the time
20. If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: mommy and daddy
21. Take my advice: tell the ppl you love how you feel about them. NOW!
22. My ideal breakfast is: anything cooked and served by someone else
23. If you visit my hometown: you'll love it
24. Why won't someone: tell those ppl begging on the streets to find a job
25. If you spend the night at my house: you're welcome to anything i have.
26. I'd stop getting old: for nothing!! i know that with age comes wisdom. you just need to make sure you age with grace.
27. The world could do without: war and hate
28. I'd rather stay home than go to the mall and come home empty handed.
29. Paper clips are more useful than: pencil erasers.
30. If I do anything well, it is: love my husband and our children than i could have ever imagined.
1. My uncle once: told me never to stutter when I'm on the microphone (yes I used to host all our family's parties, birthdays, weddings etc etc
2. Never in my life: have i tried drugs
3. When I was five: i accompanied my teenage cousin to Makati (I told her how to get to where we were going)
4. High School is: a learning experience, funny to remember
5. My parents are: wonderful people that have taught me how to be a good person.
6. I already met: my soul mate (he's my hubby now)
7. There's this girl I know who: got so drunk she got on the ledge, danced as much as she could until yes, her halter gave way! no, wasn't me..........but i was there.
8. Once, at a bar: my pal M came up to Ruffa Gutierrez and just casually talked to her and said, "you're so pretty!", but damn, my pal was so drunk!
9. Last night: my hubby and i cuddled and kissed, and kissed, and kissed and it was soooooooooo romantic
10. Next time I go to church: i know exactly what to pray for
11. When I turn my head left, I see: my daughter's drawing evolution
12. When I turn my head right, I see: my other daughter's drawing evolution
13. How many days until my birthday?: 30, 60, 90, hay, 4 months still!
14. If I was a character written by Shakespeare I'd be: Eponine
15. By this time next year: B & I will have been married almost 8 years (WOW!)
16. A name I've always wanted to have would be: Christine. But I did not name any of my children that. Maybe you know why.
17. I have a hard time understanding: ppl living in OUR country who just depend on dole-outs. everyone needs to learn that you need to earn a buck before spending it.
18. If I ever go back to school I: will obviously be insane.
19. You know I like you if: i call you all the time
20. If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: mommy and daddy
21. Take my advice: tell the ppl you love how you feel about them. NOW!
22. My ideal breakfast is: anything cooked and served by someone else
23. If you visit my hometown: you'll love it
24. Why won't someone: tell those ppl begging on the streets to find a job
25. If you spend the night at my house: you're welcome to anything i have.
26. I'd stop getting old: for nothing!! i know that with age comes wisdom. you just need to make sure you age with grace.
27. The world could do without: war and hate
28. I'd rather stay home than go to the mall and come home empty handed.
29. Paper clips are more useful than: pencil erasers.
30. If I do anything well, it is: love my husband and our children than i could have ever imagined.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Shower
Today, I had mixed feelings as a Mom.
My kids love taking a bath, be it morning, noon or night. They know that Mommy loves to let them play in the tub for more reasons than one. One, its really a "together-time" for the 2. This is one place where they started to play together, they learned to take turns with their bath toys, their bath pails, and recently, they've been playing Mommy to each other taking turns soaping each other's backs. Two, it is my opportunity to clean up their room, fix their clothes, or sort the laundry. Sometimes, it takes me too long, my older one would call out on me and say that their toes are all "krinkly" (wrinkly). Three, I just enjoy cleaning them up from head to toe. The "playing together" though sometimes gets too difficult to put an end to, specially when they have their enjoying their bath bubbles. So, the best way to stop them and get my little one out of the tub is to tell them that the older one will start rinsing off with the SHOWER. Oh, my little one would right away say "Mommy, take me out, take me out!" That ends the battle of ending the bath time routine. It's been like this for the past 2 years and it always works. But today, my little one, also ended that. My little one ended being our baby who hated the shower. When my older one was taking the morning bath in the shower, my little one said, " I want to take a bath too!" We all said, "in the shower?" Our baby (I guess, baby-no-more) exclaimed, "Yes, in the SHOWER!" Yes, my little one braved the shower! One, Mommy felt good that indeed, my baby is growing. Two, Mommy felt sad because baby is growing way too fast! Three, there goes my only tactic to ending their bathing together. Oh well.....
My kids love taking a bath, be it morning, noon or night. They know that Mommy loves to let them play in the tub for more reasons than one. One, its really a "together-time" for the 2. This is one place where they started to play together, they learned to take turns with their bath toys, their bath pails, and recently, they've been playing Mommy to each other taking turns soaping each other's backs. Two, it is my opportunity to clean up their room, fix their clothes, or sort the laundry. Sometimes, it takes me too long, my older one would call out on me and say that their toes are all "krinkly" (wrinkly). Three, I just enjoy cleaning them up from head to toe. The "playing together" though sometimes gets too difficult to put an end to, specially when they have their enjoying their bath bubbles. So, the best way to stop them and get my little one out of the tub is to tell them that the older one will start rinsing off with the SHOWER. Oh, my little one would right away say "Mommy, take me out, take me out!" That ends the battle of ending the bath time routine. It's been like this for the past 2 years and it always works. But today, my little one, also ended that. My little one ended being our baby who hated the shower. When my older one was taking the morning bath in the shower, my little one said, " I want to take a bath too!" We all said, "in the shower?" Our baby (I guess, baby-no-more) exclaimed, "Yes, in the SHOWER!" Yes, my little one braved the shower! One, Mommy felt good that indeed, my baby is growing. Two, Mommy felt sad because baby is growing way too fast! Three, there goes my only tactic to ending their bathing together. Oh well.....
Friday, May 05, 2006
End of the Week?
It's finally Friday and I was just asked, "Are you ready for the weekend?" My response: "Oh yeah, the minute I put on my Friday dress-down outfit, I am all-ready for my weekend!" And who wouldn't be? Fridays are so-called the "end of the week", I guess moreso for people like us who work M-F, 8 hour days (when you're exempt that really doesn't apply, right?). Days can be long when you're at work, long because I continually long to be with my 2 princesses and of course my hubby. Days can also go by so fast specially when you're swamped with work to do, research to google, meetings to attend, letters to write....before you know it, day's over and you really haven't finished anything yet. In both instances though, you still get home, super tired! Yup, there are just days that when I get home, I barely could eat dinner, change the kids to their jammies, get in bed with my kids who are hoping to hear Mommy read them their night-night stories, but you see, I end up sleeping before my kids even fall asleep. Poor Daddy ends up taking it from there! However, when you think about it, Fridays are not really the end of the week... right? Tomorrow it will be Saturday and your days never really end. Saying end of the week, just seems weird because there are actually 7 days in a week, so where does it really end? Oh my, I guess my mind is tired, my body is craving for a spa massage. Do you think I'll get one for Mother's Day? Well, I hope so. Happy Friday!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
No Windows
After 2 years of being a stay-at-home mom, we decided that I should go on with my career. At that time, I thought, "Will I be a good mom to my 2 toddlers despite the fact that I would not be at their beckon call anymore?" Well, really, it was more like, I needed to go back to work already! More than just for financial reasons of course. But you know, if you're living in the US, yes, you can enjoy the best life can offer, but well, you have to earn the dollars to spend too. So, that's the financial reason. Personally,I would love to stay home and be a mom all-day, but being a responsible wife, daughter and sister, entails more than just staying home. I wanted to jumpstart on my career so my husband and parents would be proud of my accomplishments. I wanted to continue to inspire my brother, so that he'll know that one can juggle family and career successfully. Of course, for personal satisfaction, it is good to know that I'm paying society back by being in the business that I'm in.So, I went, I am now working with a very good company. We're in the healthcare business and I do government contracts management with them. It's actually a job I've always wished for. Liaising, project management, legal research, communication and customer service rolled into one. It's with a company which provides healthcare management to the United States military and their beneficiaries. Like I always tell my Mom, God has really planned my life well. He is shaping it in such a way that I am always excited for every new day. Back to work, it is helping me quite a lot that our office is housed in a what used to be a government facility (or so it seems), get this, NO WINDOWS! Yup, no windows around me. You need to get out by the door or at least the lobby to see what the actual weather is. Sometimes we'd hear raindrops we'd all go outside by the exit to check and see. Like I said, it helps me though to concentrate on work (ok, sometimes I do blogging or googling too). It helps me focus so that while I'm inside the workplace, I would actually be doing WORK. It helps me get excited too for the end of the day, knowing that when it's time to go home, I will see the sun, shining on me. Outside, the air is fresh, the flowers are abloom, it gives me a new chapter to look out for. Knowing too, that after work, I will drive home to my toddlers who are anxiously waiting for me. When I get home, I will get their hugs and kisses and sweet whispers saying "Mom, we missed you!" So, its ok, having no windows 8 hours a day. It's ok. (Don't you just wish you see the same view in the picture here when you get out of your workplace?)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Emergency Room
Yesterday, after work, I felt a very uncomfortable pain in my stomach. I've had acid reflux in the past but this was so much different. My husband and I had to do some errands before going home so I just tried to rest in the car. However, the pain just kept growing and growing. I thought, "as soon as I get home, this will be more manageable as I can change clothes, lay in bed and sleep." Hoping that when I wake up, it will be gone. So, we get home, I told the kids that Mommy wasn't feeling good so I needed to go straight to our room to rest. My eldest wanted to help me get up the stairs and said, "Mommy, I'll take care of you." Boy, that sounded really good, having my little angel's love and concern already made me feel better. But that was emotionally. Once I got the my bedroom, and onto the bed, I thought I could sleep. Oh no, I couldn't get myself to lie down and get into a good position that will make the pain go away!It was so bad, I couldn't even lay straight, sideways, nothing worked! My dear husband decided to take me to the emergency room. The ride to the hospital was bad, so bad! But I said, "at least when I get to the ER, we'll know what's going on." Well, and so I hoped. We arrived at the hospital around 6:30ish. Not much people around. I got triaged pretty ok, around 7:30, then, wait. We waited and waited and waited. 10:30, nurse calls me. Doctor checks and asks and asks and asks. Diagnosis? They weren't sure. Could be gallbladder, gallstones, but wait, no symptoms really. They made me take Maalox, oh geez! And I thought peppermint mocha was good@$%*! Finally they run tests on my wee-wee sample and thought it could be bladder infection? Oh my gosh! Went home with antibiotic prescription and antacid medicine. Well, no wonder they kept us waiting, the emergency room's motto: don't encourage patients to come back. Keep them away from going to the ER! It's way better to call 911. At least I didn't have to wait until 12:30 am!!!!!
Un-jaded
Why did I use the term "un-jaded mom"?
"Jaded" according to Webster is defined:
To wear out, as by overuse or overindulgence. See Synonyms at tire1.v. intr.
To become weary or spiritless.n.
A broken-down or useless horse; a nag.
A woman regarded as disreputable or shrewish.
Worn out; wearied: “My father's words had left me jaded and depressed” (William Styron).
Dulled by surfeit; sated: “the sickeningly sweet life of the amoral, jaded, bored upper classes” (John Simon).
Cynically or pretentiously callous.
I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend. Never in my life would I like to be in any case --- jaded!
"Jaded" according to Webster is defined:
To wear out, as by overuse or overindulgence. See Synonyms at tire1.v. intr.
To become weary or spiritless.n.
A broken-down or useless horse; a nag.
A woman regarded as disreputable or shrewish.
Worn out; wearied: “My father's words had left me jaded and depressed” (William Styron).
Dulled by surfeit; sated: “the sickeningly sweet life of the amoral, jaded, bored upper classes” (John Simon).
Cynically or pretentiously callous.
I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend. Never in my life would I like to be in any case --- jaded!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Un-jade-ism: My first thought
I've been enjoying reading other people's blog for quite some time now, but never really mustered the courage to do it myself. I've been putting off trying, maybe because I was not ready to share my thoughts to the public, or I was thinking, geez, when do they get the time? But on second (more like twentieth) thought, maybe it's about time I tried. I've always thought anyway that I was more of a writer than a speaker. My husband would disagree though because he said I was more the talker between us. Well, since I'm here now and I have my own space, I feel really good. More like, excited! As one blog I've read said, your blog is your own space, with your own rules. No body can tell you what you can or can't write! Actually, now that I'm here, I don't even know where to start. There's just so much to write about!
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