Cheers for 2009!

From our family to yours ...

here's wishing you more blessings, happiness and continued success for 2009! Cheers!

christmas loots

And so the little bratinella was ecstatic ... giddy happy with all her Christmas loots!

Since we've been out and around the metro the enitre holiday season, it took us three sessions to open all her gifts. I guess we were just too tired to open the gifts in one seating. In fact, Sam was able to open her gifts from Mommy, Daddy, Kuya, and Santa at 2am of the 25th. And the rest of the gifts from our families and friends, were opened the day after.

This year, aside from the usual toys, clothes and promotional products she received lot of books. Books from Santa (backyardigans and strawberry shortcake) , teacher, her ninangs (ballet book and activity books), Kuya (backyardigans and strawberry shortcake), aunts (dora, barney and some activity books) and hubby's parents (bible collection 12 volumes). With all the book gifts, I am afraid her present book shelves will not be enough to accommodate her gifts. Haayy...need to sort out her old books to create more space for her new book collection.

Samantha with some of her Christmas presents opened morning of 25th.

Another doll house from Tito Willy, puppies in my pocket playset (Daddy), lots of books, kitchen playsets (tita queenie), grocery carts (tita lhotte), breakfast table and twister game (Mommy), gifts from her classmates, clothes from cousins, bags, watch (ninang heidi) etc.. Plus some gifts (and cash) not in picture. Like the V-tech toy from Mommy, books and books, pound puppies collection, board games, stuff toys etc. Really too much. Ahhh... kids these days, extremely lucky with so much toys available for them to play. Don't you think so?

Christmas Greeting

Wishing you and your family a

Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

May this season bring us much joy and happiness ...

--- mike.jacqui.ico.samantha

on sale

The balikbayan box of my aunt from NY arrived the other day, was happy that finally received sam's goodies. Just in time for Christmas. Got these items on sale from Old Navy store. Of course, courtesy of my paypal account. Hahaha!

capri pants and shorts

sexy bathing suits from Old Navy

cotton shirts

And was able to get another item on sale from Crocs. I was able to catch the 3-day sale of Crocs at Tiendesitas. All items at 40% off. I went here to grab nice pair of crocs for myself. I was hoping I colud get an Alice or Adara but sadly, old crocs style items on sale . But did not leave the place empty-handed, got Samantha rubber slippers for summer. From P1495 to P850 only. Very timely for summer outings.

Lastly, I saw fab items on from buy.com. I am thinking of getting the digital frame as post-Christmas gift to my brother. I bet he will love this. Buy.com offers sale items for Paypal account holders. Their weekly friday specials really great offers. Great avings especially for thrift shopper like me.

Blog Love Award

Grabbed this Blog Love Award from Tet. Great friend, blogger, and a super cool Mom.

Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.

3. Pass this award to your blog lover friends.

4. Add your link to the list of participants below.

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their Blog.

Blog Lovers: Soul Anchor; Cookies Corner; Life is good and beautiful; my life story; Memoirs of Pinay in America; My so called Life; Aprilheart; Happy Trails ; mehnuscripts ; Living A' La Mode ; Bits and Pieces ; Life's Simple Pleasures ; YOU

Passing the Blog Love Award to my super cool MBAP friends: Abie, Apols, Apple, Aggie, Joy, Jody, Jane, Kelly, Mich, Peachy, and Thea ---- Merry Christmas ladies! Truly heart your blogs! Thank you for introducing me to the blogging world! :)

too much partying

This week, had too much partying. Too much that I am now sick and with a really, really bad cough. I guess from late night partying and alcohol-drinking (tequila and vodka sprite) lol.

If you will see me now, I am not at my usual self. I look like a walking zombie coughing wildly with those tired, puffy eyes. As much as I want to leave from work, I can't. Need to finalize end of the year numbers. Plus it is our OPEX budget season. Haaayyyy...so much to do with so little time! I can't even check online for some diet products I plan to give for the husband. You see, like me, he needs to trim down his weight too. With his excessive partying for the past weeks, I am sure he gained few pounds from all those carbo-loaded party food and beer-drinking sessions. Anyway, to share some of our party pictures.

December 15, Bayan's Company Party at The Arena, San Juan

December 16, Bayan Business Christmas Party at Bedroom Bar at Eastwood Libis -- wild,wild party with the Bedroom secrets as party theme sans with the our sleepwear outifts!



December 17 (Wed), Shopping time with hubby. We bought suit from Onesimus.

December 18 (Thu), Department's Christmas Party (BSPS) in Makati --- pictures to follow.

December 19 (Friday), Baby shower and Thanksgiving party from our boss.

early Christmas treat ...

Visited the Podium Mall-wide Sale last weekend to check out hubby's Christmas present for me. I was hoping that the Philip Stein shop will throw in additional discount that day. But sadly, no sale or discount from this store. Hmmph! Instead, we bought the little girl an early Christmas treat. Got her puppies in my pocket (dalmatians set) with the hospital facility. Samantha was ecstatic. As a matter of fact, she never bothered to check out other toys. Just the puppies in my pocket. Her new fave. Though I am not sure if I can collect all 170+ puppies. Too many and too expensive noh!?! Hahaha! Let's see ...

Samantha all smile here with her new puppy collection

travel plans

Hubby's preparing for his January 2009 travel. His travel plans includes attending the annual Pacific Telecoms Council (PTC) at Hawaii and with few days stop-over at their Japan office. Since last year, I've been contemplating (and wishing) of joining hubby on this annual business trip. I am just worried with the travel expenses. With a kid and me in tow, ticket fare and accommodations will surely double. You see, I've been dreaming of setting my foot in Japan. And as s I've blogged over and over again, I so want to experience walking in the streets of Tokyo, eat authentic Japanese food and visit Sanrio-land. Then of course, enjoy sight-seeing and shopping in Hawaii. Thus, given this kind of travel opportunity for hubby, we can save with the travel cost since he'll get his accommodations and airfare free.

Earlier today while hubby was busy watching the Pacquiao fight, I brought up the topic of possibility of joining him on his upcoming trip. I told him I was able to get quotes from PAL and Northwest. I've managed to get quote also from Hawaiian airlines. Airfare price ranging from $1300-1500 for RT. Really pricey, especially the forex rate today $50=P1. And this is for one person only. Of course if we will bring the little girl along, airfare will double. Making it more impossible for us to go.

Hubby brought up the idea that I can join his trip. But we have to leave the little girl along. It'll be hard for him to attend business meetings with me and Sam to think of. Besides as hubby pointed out, the little girl will not enjoy it so much since she's just four years old.

Anyway as we are talking about Japan trip, hubby mentioned that his Japanese boss recommended visiting Tokyo Disneysea over Disneyland. Much better and ideal for adults. Hmmmm...Tokyo Disneysea? Of course, never heard that before. Now it made me more curious. As I've surfed the net, I saw the attraction of Disneysea. Something different than the usual Disneyland fare. Made me more eager to visit Japan. Do check it out ...

As of today, No definite travel plans yet. I am still having second thoughts of joining hubby. If I go, will have to say goodbye to my supposedly new bag from hubby. Then of course the guilty feeling of leaving the girl behind. Haaayyy...if we only have bottomless funds, travelling will not be a problem.

boxing match and sale

Off to Podium Mall later. Nope, not to check out their Christmas sale but to watch the super boxing fight of the season. Our company sponsored special screening of Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight as an advance Christmas treat for our valued-clients. With the free screening, popcorn and meal ... I am sure our clients will have a blast.

The husband is excited to join me later. I think this is the only one of the few times he will attend our company affair. Of course the main reason, the boxing match of Pacquiao and de la Hoya. As for me, will just check the event but will not watch the fight. Too much violence, too bloody for my taste. Not my cup of tea! Thus, while the game is on, I'll do what I love most ... shopping! Need to get Christmas gifts for my kris-kringle baby, grocery supply like milk and disposable diaper for my grandmother.

Anyway, I am hopeful that Pacquiao will win the game. Pride and glory of the Filipino people at stake here. Despite non-title match, I am sure both of the boxers can feel the pressure to win. For the whooping prize of $100-M for 12 rounds at the MGM Grande Arena. Really hoping...

A-Z Tag

Almost snagged this from Jesse for fillers but, she actually tagged me with this one. Funny because I just saw my name when I am about to fill the "T" question. Anyway, thanks Jesse! Enjoyed doing this.

A. Attached or single ? — Attached (happily)
B. Best friend? — Lots of girl bestfriends : Kaye, Ricelle, Lani
C. Cake or pie? — cake (Estrel's)
D. Day of choice? — Friday
E. Essential item? — mobile phone
F. Favorite color? — as of today, RED
G. Gummy bears or worms - gummy worms
H. Hometown? — Manila
I. Favorite indulgence (s)? — chocolates and spa!
J. January or July? — January
K. Kids? — Two: Ico and Sam
L. Life isn’t complete without? — God and my family (same with Jesse)
M. Marriage date ? — February 21
N. Number of magazine subscriptions? - One. Yummy.
O. Orange or apple? — Orange
P. Phobias? — snakes, worms and the likes.
Q. Quotes? — Life is too short ... enjoy and make the most out of it!
R. Reasons to smile? — my family and all my other blessings (same with Jesse)
S. Season of choice? — Christmas too!
T. Tag 5 people - Yvette, Vina, Em, Nol and Faye
U. Unknown fact about me? - I worry a lot ... even for small things.
V. Vegetable? — Brocolli
W. Worst habit? — removing nail cuticle. it irritates me when i see a protruding dead skin.
X. X-ray or ultrasound? - Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food(s)? - shrimp
Z. Zodiac sign — Gemini

insurance quote

when I saw my term life insurance quote, i got the shock of my life! I never imagined that the it would be that cheap. By cheap, i mean the terms is very favorable, the returns is quite high and, most importantly, I feel secured. The full suite of services inclusive of the package just makes life very simple. Now I can go about my life without worrying too much. And al i have to do now is pay for it and everything will be set.

healthy take out meal?

Don’t you just love holidays? It gives you a perfect excuse to forget all your diet and just enjoy all the meals you want to eat.

For weeks now, I’ve been craving for Dampa seafood. Remember my previous post how I love to eat shrimps, crabs and squids … crave no more! Last Monday, hubby and I decided to pig-out (which we normally do!) by ordering to go meals from Dampa Libis. Since our helpers decided to have a holiday-off, hubby and I drove to Dampa Libis to get our ever favorite, buttered garlic shrimps and crabs. Imagine, just the three of us for dinner … we ordered a kilo of each just to satisfy our seafood cravings. Oh so yummy and oh so bad! Not your healthy way of cooking food. And with so much fat from all the buttery food, we neutralized our palate by ordering grilled squid. An attempt to healthy cooking with so much guilty eating cholesterol and fats that day. Hahaha!

Regretfully, I forgot to take pictures of the said seafood feast. With so much excitement and hunger from our take-out order, we immediately attacked and enjoyed the food. Hahaha!

Feliz Navidad ...

Your Christmas Song Is

Feliz Navidad Prospero año y Felicidad I want to wish you a Merry Christmas From the bottom of my heart At your place, Christmas is different every year You like to throw out tradition, and have your own wacky holiday

What Christmas Carol Are You?

Snagged this blog quiz from Jody, was curious what type of Christmas carol am I. lol. Go ahead, take the quiz. Really fun.