first day of class

Woke up early today , 6AM!! I am rarely awake during this time. But today, is a different day. This will be the start of the many school days of our lives! I have a school girl now and I need to change my daily habits. No more late night dinner and blogging. I need to be up and perky everyday for the little girl.

I am very much excited since its Sam's first day of school. So eagerly excited that I prepared the night before all her school things. And this morning, prepared her baon too!

Check out how simple her snacks today: oreo cookies, hotdogs, chuckie drink and grape juice.

Tomorrow's snack menu: munchkins, chips ahoy, chukie and juice. Hah, I am prepared with two-week snack menu. Just hope she won't get tired of her baon. Hehehe!

For full details of Sam's first day school jitters ... read here.

getting ready for the bridal shower

Just received a call from my colleague requesting for party and game ideas for the bridal shower of our colleague, Anne this coming August. I am so excited to spill out all the daring and kinky ideas that I so want for a wild but fun bridal shower, and this will be the perfect time to do it since most of the guests are matured enough to have the fun!

For starters, I shared with her the site I found on the net that offers fabulous costumes for private show! From sexy lingerie, nurse costumes , fairy-tale costume and all the costumes you can ever think of are available on this site. Then the fun games for girls of kiss-and-tell. Lastly, the bridal shower will not be complete without the gorgeous guys for “sexy dancing fun”! Oh so excited! And with less than a month to go, need to source out bridal shower suppliers asap! :)

on school dilemma

Last week was a very busy week for me. Busy not because of work, but busy with the little girl's school problem. It never occured to me that I'll have a last minute school dilemma. Crazy, don't you agree? Just when all the kids all over the metro already started their schooling, I am still looking for the right school for my bratinella on the last week of June. Hahaha!

To read more about my dilemma, do check it out here.

Anyway, a very important decision was made in less than 24 hours. After seeking various inputs from other mommy bloggers, friends, parent colleagues and with my MIL we've finally decided to enrol Samantha to a new school, St. Paul Pasig for nursery. It was a very tough decision for us since we are pro-Poveda education eversince. We know once we've decided ... no more turnng back for the next years. But nevertheless, we know we've made the right decision. To know more details how we arrived enrolling Sam to St. Paul, read here.

Some poveda pictures I got during the parents orientation ...

Poveda play area and classroom

newly-built and adorable kiddie bathroom

Poveda school uniform in shade of pink, blue and yellow

help for yuki ...

To all my online friends/bloggers:

I don't know if I will be violating any blogging code of ethics, but I would like to take this chance to seek for financial assistance for my officemate who needed much help for the operation of their 5-month old daughter Yuki. His daughter is suffering from a rare congenital disease, biliary artesia -- a condition in newborn infants in which the common bile duct between the liver and the small intestine is blocked or absent.

I am appealing to your kind hearts for any possible assistance you can extend to Yuki and her family. The liver-transplant operation needs to be done in Taiwan immediately, and the hospitalization bills need to be raised within the next three months to save her life.

To know more about Yuki's condition : http://dedicated2yuki.blogspot.com/



Thank you so much. God Bless!!

Friendship Flame

Got this Friendship Flame tag from one of our dear MBAP ladies, Jody.

The Flame of Friendship.

A symbol of spirit of unity.
The burning icon of love.

Undying picture of hope.

The hot symbol of oneness.

The Flame of Friendship.

And now it's your turn to flame yourself!

Meet new friends.

Discover friendship.

Make bonds.

Copy this post starting from the PICTURE ABOVE to the end and add your blog on the list below. Let's start FLAMING!

The People Who Accepted The Flame of FriendshipTiklaton: We are the witnessJaneth's Vicy's Life JourneyMy PreciousPrincess VienPitstopThea is Blogger HappyThea is Berry Scrappy TooMind BubblesVanity KitSomething PurpleStripe&YellowEm's DetourScribbles of My LifeIn This Game of Life Life's Simple Pleasures

OOOPSS!! Don't forget to invite your friends!_________________END COPY HERE

Keep the flame alive MM, Chat and Tet!! :)



p

bling bling for the little girl

Bought nothing fancy for myself for my birthday last time. We vowed not to get anything expensive since we are up for another travel anytime soon. But, of course that was my husband speaking! Little did he know I plan to indulge myself with a little luxury this month... not for me, but for my little girl. While doing the shoot last week, my mom noticed that most of Sam's jewelry is made of white gold. She told me it would be nice if I invest on buying yellow gold too. It may not be the "in" trend these days but definitely the yellow gold's charm will be back and it will really be worth investing. Totally agree with her. As a matter of fact I still use some of my yellow gold jewelry set, my cartier bangles and lucky charms with gold chain bracelet. Yes, I do love my yellow gold bling-blings. I had them for years and years and still the beauty hasn't faded. Now I am considering getting her this yellow gold bracelet with charms too! I think this will perfectly fit her small wrist. Don't you agree?

you are so LV beautiful ...

speedy 30 multicolor by takashi murakami

you are so beautiful to me

you are so beautiful to me,

can't you see.

you're everything i hoped for

you're everything i need

you are so beautiful to me ...

Oh my you are so amazingly beautiful, so truly adore you!
Wish I can afford you ... wish I can own you ... you are so LV freakin' BEAUTIFUL!!

And I drool over you ... haayy...

online casinos reviews

With over hundreds of online casino available on the web, one must be very cautious in choosing the right casino for play. There are casinos that offer hefty bonus, fast and high pay-outs while others offer great gaming pleasure. As a matter of fact some online casinos provides different feel of entertainment with its advance and realistic casino software, as if playerthe casino is inside the Vegas floor. The kind of real live entertainment I definitely want to experience!

So before diving to an online casino website, do check out casino reviews available on the web. Read and compare online casino reputation, playing bonuses, customers gaming experience and variety of online gaming options. Armed with information, playing online casino will bring players to the next level.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!!

I've posted at my other blog our Father's Day celebration last Sunday, to know more how we did it tipid way... read here.

To my amazing husband, thank you so much for all the things you’ve given us --- the patience, generosity, unselfish love and sacrifices you’ve done for the family. Thank you for being a great provider not only financially but ensuring that we live a comfortable life. And above all, thank you for accepting my son Ico wholeheartedly. You may not be his real dad, but you shared so much of yourself and understood him more than anyone else. You’ve been a great teacher, trusting friend and big brother to him. And with that, I thank you so much. We are so blessed having someone like you in our life. Thank you Daddy, Happy Father’s Day! We love you.

online casino playing

I love watching Las Vegas series. Not because of the fancy clothes and great actors, but I love the Vegas casino setting. I can still remember how I was captivated with its beautiful blinking lights while walking at the famous Vegas strip, amazed with the dancing fountain show at Bellagio, and fascinated with the glamour and glitz of Vegas casino like Paris, MGM and Lisboa. I enjoyed my experience of playing roulettes and slots at Ceasar’s and Wynn casinos floor. It’s a totally unforgettable experience just being there.

The same playing experience when you check online gambling casinos at firecasinos.com . An online gaming site that gives players truly Vegas casino strip feel. It is simply like stepping inside literally and playing in one of Vegas casino floors! Even fascinating are the absolutely awesome bonus promotions! Do check it out since the site offers latest software complete with up-to-date graphics and remarkable sounds. Truly a great experience for online casino lovers out there.

more about me ...

And more about me ... continuation tag from Chat .

LAST ...
1) person you saw: aside from my colleagues , hubby when he left for work
2) talked to on the phone: From my cake supplier, Kitchen Kraft
3) person you hugged: Sammie
4) person you texted: colleagues, reminding them PA deadlines

TODAY...
1) date: June 17
2) plans: work & work & work
3) dislikes about tomorrow: license renewal..need it badly.

CURRENTLY ...
1) missing someone: Yes, my grandpa. Just got call from my Mom telling me how sick he is now.
2) mood: busy. PA-deadlines. Need break, you know! LOL.

TRUE OR FALSE
I am a morning person: True.
I am a perfectionist: False.
I am an only child: False.
I am currently in my pajamas: False.
I am online 24/7: False.
I am very shy around the opposite gender: False
I can be paranoid: True.
I currently regret something that I have done: True
I enjoy talking on the phone: True.
I have a lot to learn: Very true.
I have a secret: True.

TAGGING fellow bloggers in need of fillers! Bwahahaha! Melisse, Jody and Apols

about me

Got this tag from Chat . Kinda long ha... Will post it in two batches! Hehehe!

Q: NAME A FRIEND WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH 'S' : SHERYLL , my neighbor
Q: 4TH PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALLS : client from VSNL Intl
Q: WHAT DID THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED SAY? Call me asap ... from my Mom.
Q: DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS? Sometimes.
Q: DO YOU HAVE CURLY HAIR? No.
Q: WHAT IS THE NEXT CONCERT YOU'RE GOING TO? Hmmm.. no idea yet.
Q: WHO'S THE COOLEST PERSON IN YOUR LIFE? Hubby.
Q: WHAT WORDS DO YOU SAY A LOT? Ah...ok.
Q: WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Lunch: Rice, Beef Nilaga and Saging con yelo.
Q: WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID TO SOMEONE AND WHO WAS IT? To my colleague asking for contribution.
Q: DO YOU WATCH TV?+ Sometimes.
Q: HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOVIE, DONNIE DARKO? Never heard.
Q:EVER BEEN HUNTING? Shoe hunting? School hunting? Clothes hunting? Work hunting? Definitely yes!
Q: IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE? Yes.
Q: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID, ''I LOVE YOU'' AND MEANT IT? Early today ... with Sam
Q: WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW? Work!!!!! Not asnwering blog tag. Hehehe!
Q: DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME? Jacqui, Jacq
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? Nope.
Q: WHO'S THE YOUNGEST ONE IN THE FAMILY? My brother.
Q: DO YOU CLEAN UP NICE? OC clean...
Q: LAST TIME YOU USED A SKATEBOARD? Never.
Q: WHERE WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU SLEPT BESIDES YOUR HOUSE? Subic overnight with the family.
Q: EVER RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD? Nope.
Q: BEST MOVIE YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS? Sex & the City and Kung Fu Panda
Q: WHO DO YOU TRUST THE MOST? Hubby.
Q: DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO COME UP WITH BRAIN DEAD QUIZZES ARE CRYING FOR HELP IN SOME TWISTED WAY? I guess.

continuation of tag to follow on my next post ... need fillers, you know! hahahaha!

medical drug reference software

This coming Thursday, all my laboratory results will be released. I am a little bit anxious with the biopsy results I am afraid to hear the big “C” word! Hahaha…not that we have history of “C” but I am still nervous of the outcome of the test. Well, one of my bad traits … I am a big-time worrier when it comes to health concerns. Hubby’s been telling me not to worry too much since he read on the internet that my thyro-glossal cyst not that malignant or dangerous. It will be just a normal procedure that I need to undergo to remove the blockage in my throat. Hah, easy for him to say since it’s not his throat on the surgical table!

Anyway, I am sure I am in good hands under the care of one of the best E.E.N.T surgeon. Aside from his good medical reputation, I noticed he’s using latest technology for surgery. As a matter of fact, I saw him using his PDA with medical drug reference software. Really cool and up-to-date listings of prescription, medication and diagnostics available for medical practitioners like him. With this gadget, my doctor is mobile and efficient in prescribing medicines to his patients anytime and anywhere.

This announcement was paid by Epocrates

derma visit

To this date, I am still looking for effective natural acne treatment for my son Ico. I've tried several creams and ointment to minimize his blackheads and pimples, and yet the acne problem still persists. Out of desperation, brought Ico last week to a dermatologist for consultation and medication, I was told that the pimple breakout is nothing but normal due to hormonal changes he's experiencing now. He's entering puberty stage and the acne phase is just normal for teenagers. To minimize the acne, my son was advised to regularly wash his face with non-comodogenic soap, limit oily food intake, complete sleeping hours and avoid skin irritation by pricking the unwanted pimples. Hopefully with these simple steps, my son will have clearer and acne-free face by the time school starts.

My Birthday Treat

Another year passed, a little bit older and perhaps wiser ...

Just had simple birthday treat this time with no fuss and frills! Just enjoyed my day with the people I love: hubby, Ico, Sam and my family. Nothing spectacular but simply enjoyed my moment with them.

I guess as one gets older, you appreciate the simple and finer things in life. Hahaha! I can't believe I am saying these things. But seriously, I just want to spend quiet time with my family this year.

Next year, will be different. I already told my friends expect dinner-dance party on my next birthday. So, party on next year!! lol.

Posted here my birthday treat ...

In case you are wondering, I didn't get any birthday gift from hubby...yet! He promised another travel plan for me this year. He'll be leaving for Japan or Korea anytime this quarter for work. He told me I can join him. Weeee!! I was delighted, of course. As I blogged before...I love to see Japan. One of my dream travel destination. I guess I need to check visa requirements and secure my travel health insurance prior our trip. Oh, just cant wait!

My Birthday Prayer

Thank you Lord for another year that has passed.
Another year blessed with your kindness and love.

Thank you for the gift of life,
And the good health you bestowed me and people I love.

Thank you for your guidance and the countless blessings I have.
For the inner peace, happiness and contentment, I thank thee my God.

Thank you for all the sorrow and pain, that made me stronger each day.
For the sunshine and laughter, a loving reminder of your presence everyday.

With all that I am, and with all that I have ...
I offer my everything, my life to you my God.

In need of financial assistance

Just received a call from my Mom. Asking me if possible to extend financial assistance to my brother who is now in the middle of house construction. I was told that my brother's house budget went a little overboard ... did not expect price of construction materials will be greatly affected with the gas price increase. I was not surprised at all ... I know this will happen. I truly undersand my brother's predicament since I've experienced the same dilemma three years ago. Good thing I was able to convince my Mom to invest her money to a money-lending business. Her money earns at two percent interest monthly, quite big return comparing to bank's annual interest rate. I told her to be a little bullish and try investing on stocks and bonds. I saw one great site on the net that provide assistance to novice trader like her. Probably secure help of futures broker to ensure her investments will be financially secured. Well, my Mom is quite interested. Higher interest return, more investment option, much better way we can help our brother raise his much needed financial assistance.

Blog Readability Test

Got this weird tag from Jody weeks ago... almost forgot, but good thing was able to back track all my message post. Don't know how they evaluate this but got HIGHSCHOOL LEVEL requirement as reading ability of my blog readers. Bwahahaha! Really funny.

Movie Reviews

Here are the rules:

1. Check out your Blog Readability Test here then post it.

2. (OPTIONAL) Stop asking yourself regarding the results of the test (LOL!)

3. Add your blog from the list together with the results.

4. Tag as many friends you like.

1. Big Eyed Gal - High School 2. The Chronic Shopper - Elementary 3.Vital Sighs - Genius 4. In this Game of Life- Elementary 5. Life' Simple Pleasures - High School

Tagging JoyD, Farah and Shiela.

Father's Day Treat

June is one of my expensive (and splurge) month. Next to December’s holiday shopping, and May's tuition fee enrollment. It will be my birthday this Saturday and Father’s Day on June 15. Supposedly, double celebration this weekend but hubby and I agreed not to do anything grand this year. For one, I’ve decided to donate and extend financial assistance to my officemate who has a baby suffering from biliary artesia or liver disease. Secondly, I may be up for a surgical procedure anytime this month to remove my growing thyro-glossal duct cyst. Hopefully, the cyst found not malignant but just benign that need to be surgically removed immediately.

Anyway, despite of non-splurge gift or treat, I am thinking of giving hubby something special this Father’s Day. Since we recently had our family vacation in Disneyland HK, I plan to surprise him with digital frame to showcase our travel pictures. Or better yet, showcase some of Sam’s growing up pictures to capture best moments of her life. I think this would be a lovely gift idea, don't you think so?

post summer get-away at subic

Last Saturday, the family had a post-summer get away at White Rock, Subic. We were supposed to go first week of May but the weather was not cooperative for a summer outing. Luckily, after weeks of rain showers experienced in Manila, we were fortunate to get a bright, sunny weather for our beach outing last May 31.

It was our nth time visit at White rock and we so love the place due to its proximity to Manila. I was surprised that the place already completed their new attraction: the kiddie pool, little tykes play area and the dino-land, thus making it more enjoyable for kids. Moreover, travel to Subic made it even better with the new SCT Expressway (Subic-Clark-Tarlac). It took us around an hour and fifteen minutes to reach our destination. Really an ideal place for a quick get-away.

Despite the cool and clear water of the beach, the kids opted to devote their time in the kiddie pool. My Sam can't just get enough of their kiddie slides! I believe she was able to go up and down the slides over hundred times that day! Really fearless and unstoppable!

While us, adults aside from pigging out from shrimps and crabs, grilled liempo and chicken, we opted to stay at the beach to enjoy the sun and sand. We watched some of the guests rode kayaks, jet skis, inflatable boats and other water sports available for rent by the resort. Truly a vaction haven.

Sadly, I dont have my digicam with me during this great day. I am not the official photographer of the family, and need to dowload it from hubby's uncle next time! :) Anyway, Subic pictures to follow....

Diet Blues 3: problem on losing weight

With one week to go before my birthday, I don't think I can do the impossible! That is, losing 115lbs from my current weight now. I know I failed with hubby's challenge, and I hate myself for being lazy and stubborn for not completing my diet.

1. I've got no discipline with my excercise routine. I never challenged nor exerted extra effort to complete my twice a week jogging routine. I am happy with my usual jogging pace, never increasing or pushing my body to the limit.

2. No drastic change on my food intake. I still eat one cup of rice for lunch and dinner, and still skipping breakfast meals! Very bad. Late night food delivery decreased, but replaced with chips and cookies instead.

3. Soda intake remains the same. Instead of Coke light or regular, fell in love with Coke Zero!

4. Fruit intake was not religiously practiced.

Hence, I am still at my orginal weight...at ground zero.

Because of this, it made me think of drastic measures to win our bet. I am thinking of taking diet pills or liposuction treatment to shed off the 15lbs excess immediately. Quick remedy, eh? But honestly, I am too chicken to subject myself for any surgical procedures. I am hell-scared to try it!

Besides, I need to stop any diet plans for now. It seems I have a thyro-glossal problem since the doctors found a lump (or cyst) on my throat. This need to be removed immediately. I am still in the process of completing all my lab tests and CT scans so I can have my biopsy late this week. Hopefully no scary or malignant cyst can be found. And I am hoping this is just a normal procedure. Well, this is another story. Will just post about this next time.

Thus for now, the diet can wait... need to ensure I am healthy before I can go back to my diet plans! :)

late spring cleaning

Yes, I am doing some spring cleaning recently. Kinda late and out of season since summer is already here, but my files in my old laptop need to be transferred ASAP. My old IBM laptop holds all my personal and work-related files, documents, network configurations, pictures and video since 2003. Thus, I need to do major clean up of folders for transfer before I turn over my old-jurassic IBM laptop.

Surprisingly, as I was cleaning and sorting my file folders, I opened the biggest memory space eater...video files I've collected over the years! Some videos taken by my reliable DVD camcorder with family holidays clips, while others, videos downloaded over the internet. It is easy to discard videos dowloaded over the net, but sorting the family holidays and events kinda difficult to do in one day. I am thinking of doing it like a major project, editing the video and provide closed captioning for entertainment and memorablia purposes. One big project that need to be started soon!

But for now, priority sorting and spring cleaning of important file documents must be completed! Good thing tomorrow is another holiday off, got extra time in my hands to finish my spring cleaning.

arte y pico award

Thank you Vina for this lovely award. Truly flattered ...

The rules of this tag are as follows:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Make sure you visit the link above.

Passing the arte y pico tag to equally deserving bloggers : Melisse, Peachy, MM, Abie and Em. Thank you for the blog inspiration!

computer savvy or geeks?

Computer geeks? I don’t think so…


This is currently my work/blogging area at home. The area is supposedly our TV/family room but we haven’t prepared yet our home theatre entertainment system. Our entertainment system can still be found in our living room. No time to move the cables yet.

Anyway, the laptop on the left is my old IBM Think Pad. I love this to the max! Got this about 5 years ago and it served its purpose very well. Really, really reliable and durable! As a matter of fact, it withstood several accidents (ie: drastic fall) and it never bogged down. Sadly, I need to replace this unit for it requires higher RAM and memory upgrade.

The laptop in the middle is hubby’s home-use or personal notebook. He loves this Compaq Pressario so much. He initially bought it for work-related activities such as configuring routers or acts as his remote access office tool. But, I usually use his laptop for blogging. Why? Higher memory capacity, darling! Faster download. Can open several applications or websites simultaneously. Hehehe! Btw, I love watching video downloads using this notebook too! Heroes and Prison Break series also stored here. Aside from videos, this baby serves as our mini-server. Most of our pictures stored inside this baby.

The smallest laptop on the right is my newly-company issued IBM Think Pad T-61series. 2GB Hard drive memory. Finally, after five years got the upgraded version of my IBM jurassic laptop. Hehehe! My new baby! Like my old laptop, with CD-RW, DVD ready with PCMIA slot and wifi-access ready. New feature: offers finger-scanning log-in. Cool, huh?! I am still trying to navigate my way using this laptop. Too sensitive for my touch! and I simply don't like it! lol.

Hmmm...too many notebooks eh?! My next project is the wifi router installation here at home. Might get the Linksys installed by next week. This way, hubby and I can browse the web simultaneously even inside the bathroom...hahaha! Well, that is being a computer geek now!! lol.

airline promo and travel deals

Last week, I was surprised when my friend told me that Cebu Pacific offered the zero rate promo. I was told the promo was really tempting since it offered over 100,000 seats both for domestic and international travel. My friend got their tickets at almost P8K per pax for Singapore travel. Truly a good value for a budget-tourist conscious like me. The promo was open for one week booking period, with travel period until October 31, 2008. Upon hearing this, I immediately checked the web for best travel deals for Bangkok. But sadly, I missed getting the good promo seats for travel. That is, the weekend deals! You see, to enjoy Bangkok flea market at Chatuchak you need to be here during weekends. Unfortunately, open promo slots falls on weekdays. And the husband was hesitant to get the weekdays since he was still unsure of his work schedule ... as always! Anyway, I am sure there will be other promo days for Cebu Pacific, and definitely this won't be their last promo for the year. I am hoping by this time...my husband can get definite sked of his vacation leave. Oh well...'till my next travel plans.