off to go camping

I love outdoor camping. In fact this is one of my favorite activity during my girl scout days so many years ago. I always look forward of exploring nature, be on your own out there ... cooking meal from scratch, sleeping under the stars, bonfire story-telling and all those bonding activities like song and dance number which made my camping days really a memorable one. And now that I am already a parent, I would love to do camping again. But this time with my kids! I want them to experience nature, learn how to survive in the wild and not just by being stuck home the entire summer watching tv and playing video games. And if budget permits, I would even want to get those trailer hitches for our SUV, bring along bikes or trailer trucks as our home camp, away from the busy city and just enjoy relaxing weekend or setting out on a great camping adventure with the family. If only I could ...

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!

plain lazy and etcetera ...

Nope...not bitten (yet) by the preggo bug.

Just plain LAZY to blog. Eversince my other blog got PR0 rating, was so tamad. Very few "rakets" received lately. As in. Huhuhu! Nahinto ang aking pagyaman!! Syeeet! So, no kwentos and updates lately. Di kailangan ng fillers eh.. Hahaha!

But, I've been very busy with work, with online shopping (HAH! inabot ko spring sale Old Navy and Gap) ... and mostly, downloading music for my ipod. Hahaha! Now I have Rhiana, Akon, Neyo and other hiphop songs! Bwahahaha...feeling hip and young! (nakikisabay lang po kay Kuya Ico!)

Also, I enjoyed bloghopping more these past few days... nakiki-tsismis and nakikibalita ng buhay-buhay. Oh, in case you've noticed dear MBAPs, sipag ko mag comment ngayon! Hahaha! Then... I sooooooo envy twitters nila Aggie, Apols, Thea and Kelly. Hmmm... ito ba uso ngayon? I wonder if this is possible with blogspot.

So yun... little etcetera updates lang. babaw noh!

Promise, one of these days I'll enrol my detour blog to "rakets" ... kaya, babangon uli ako at yayaman!!! bwahahaha!

Lent Celebration

Lenten Celebration is over... as well as the long vacation.

After spending great quality time with the family, I am very much excited and eager to be back to work! I feel refreshed and rejuvenated after the long vacation. Can't wait to meet my friends and colleagues! I am sure they've got Lenten Season stories to share too!

Anyway, allow me to share how we spent our Holy Week here.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Moved on ...

I've moved on ... and joined getting own domain bandwagon too! Never thought I'll jump into it...but decided to get my own space in the web! :)

Though got my own domain (and finally paid for it! lol.), I am still apprehensive changing my blogging platform hence still stayed on blogspot. I was tempted to move to wordpress, but chickened out to learn new styles and designs.

Thus, I am hoping to see all of you at my new baby ... Coffee Table Conversations . New blogsite that tackles all the facets of the celebration of mommyhood everywhere, and not to mention all the "in-betweens" of life... coffee talks, shopping, travels, work and much much more!

See you all at my detour blog ...

Sad News and Good News

Sad News 1:
Little bit sad for the past two days … NO OPPS received from blog ad sites. Grabe, hina ng raket ha!! Just when I am eager to do paid opps…wala na sya! Hahaha! Now I am thinking if I should get my own domain to improve my opps and page ranking. Anyway, Hopefully it will be better next week.
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Sad News 2:
Little worried with our sales performance this year. Not good especially with the low forex conversion. Might hit our target this month but not enough to sustain or give our team a comfortable lead for the next three months. Disconnections kept pouring in...Thus, might not be a happy, happy moolah year for the team. Haayyy... praying for miracles now! Hahaha!

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Good News 1:
Sam will have her first-ever field trip tomorrow, Valentine's Day! I am one super-excited mommy! They will be going to Lucky Me plant at Sta Rosa, Laguna and Mall of Asia... I think! Forgot the trip itinerary but I am sure with the noodle plant. Hahaha!

Good news, Instead of yaya joining her tomorrow... Mommy will go! I asked from my boss leave approval early this evening and told him about Sam's trip, and he allowed me to go agad! Bait noh! So, I’ll be joining her class field trip. Can’t wait! Really excited for this out of town trip with her classmates. Bought lots of foodie for her as baon, syempre nagpka-stage mom!

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Good News 2:
We finally received our December 2007 sales incentive. Weee!! It was credited to our ATM payroll yesterday. So, I have extra moolah for our trip to HongKong next week. Shopping, shopping!! Woohooohoo! As if madami noh! Hoping this blessing will continue to shower our team for 2008.

Back from Cebu

Just arrived early this evening from Cebu. Been away for three days for an official business which is why NO new blogging updates from me. Sad to say, got limited internet access.. eerrrr actually, there's an internet access at Waterfront, Lahug but mahal wifi at P300/hr! Grabe not worth it! lol.

Anyway, I miss blogging and blog-hopping. I've got lots of paid opps about to expire soon ... so please bear with me if I bombard my site with blog ads this weekend. Oh, I've got lots of upates and Cebu kwentos too!

'til my next post ... :)

Blogging 101_ update 2

Blogging 101 update ...

1. Page Layout
For some unknown reason, my blog page seemed ok now. I was panicky last Wednesday when I lost my original page lay out. Imagine, finding my widgets/page elements at the bottom of my page..huh, really unexplainable! Yes I admit I did some tweaking on lay outs, and should have known better...not to play around with my templates since I am no-pro at this area. Hehehe! Lesson learned.

2. Changed my page look
If you noticed, I've changed my Christmas-y colors from red and green to pink and purple fonts. Though I wanted a different variation of pink but with no luck, I can't find the right shade of pink...that is, bubble gum pink! Oh well, for the meantime will settle on these colors.

3. On paid blogging
Yes, I officially started putting paid ads/entries last Thursday. I think I've already posted 4 blog ads since then. All pending for approvals and with 3 projects awaiting for my completion. Not that big moolah ... but it did provide me a lot of practice.

I can't believe I'll enjoy doing paid blogging. Should have started months ago pala. Hahaha! Paid blogging reminds me of my highschool days doing book reviews. You just need to read a little and summarize the novel for your book report. Oh to be honest, since I am lazy to read novels back then ... I just read my classmate's book report and submit summarized report of her work! Really bad. And I was able to get away with it! Hahaha!

Experimenting with my blog again...

Yes, I did some experimenting with my blog again ... this time I played with my blog colors.

The holiday season is over thus, red and green colors are out! :)

So, I've decided to change my fonts to pink and purple .. and I don't think I like it. Hahaha! I can't seem to find nice shade of pink..so frustrating!

Still playing with colors... so you might see some changes on the next few days. So, please bear with my indecisiveness and creativty (or lack of)! lol.

By the way, surprsingly my page layout seemed to be back to its normal look. The page elements can be found on the right portion of my blog page again. But, there's a missing element and I can't figure how to add it back. I want the "recent blog comments" page to show. Tried checking the edit page element..but can't find it. So, again...any tips please :)

Weekend without Hubby ...

How we spent our day without hubby?

Well, Friday evening was DVD night. Watched Game Plan by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and had Mc Do delivery for snacks. Sammie enjoyed her chicken nuggets with sundae while Kuya had a blast with his double cheeseburger and fries. Since hubby not here, I asked Kuya to bring his mattress and join us in our bedroom. Really lonely without hubby…but, the presence of Kuya gave us additional company and playmate for the night.

Then Saturday morning spent as bonding time with Sam and Kuya Ico. Initially, our plan was to go to the mall and treat Sammie for some kiddie time, as instructed by hubby. Since it’s been raining the entire day, we opted to watch video instead and enjoy the cold weather. Tucked in our bedroom, we watched with Sam her Barney series and Stardust (Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert de Niro) DVD while munching on Lay’s chips, Cadbury chocolate and gulping A&W rootbeer in cans. Hah...talk about pigging out! lol.

After our afternoon nap, I’ve decided to bring the kids to the mall. Since Kuya misses his weekend gym routine (his Dad enrolled him on Slimmer’s World! not my idea!) and Sammie’s kinda bored inside the house, we all went to Megamall.

At the mall, I let Sammie had her usual playtime fix at Kidz Republic (new indoor activity at 5th floor Mega A) with yaya while I had my mall therapy! :) As always, while doing my usual mall rounds, did the unexpected again … and with no one to control me, bought another birthday gift for Kuya. Since he’s into getting physically fit lately, I’ve decided to purchase a magnetic treadmill with digital calorie counter so he can have his usual exercise routine when he’s at home. Got it on sale and with an additional 10% off from Toby’s…and the best thing, can be delivered by Monday just in time for Ico’s birthday. Hahaha! I know, I know… I promised to do sensible buying this year - - - but, hubby and I need this fitness equipment more! It's just hitting two birds with one stone. :)

To recap our mall trip, we had dinner at Mann Hann restaurant with Kuya and Sam eating heartily their favorite yang-chow fried rice, chicken and sweet and sour spareribs. They got so hungry after few hours of gym/activity exercise while I ... I got hungry after spending a lot with that gym equipment! Hahaha!

Haay… I really miss hubby today. He’s in transit now between Tokyo and Hawaii thus it will take an additional 16 hours more before he goes on-line again. It’s been four days and three nights without Mike… really missing him so much! :(

2008 Projects

Holiday is over. It officially ended today with the Feast of Three Kings.

It heralded the end of the season’s frenzy and back to work (and reality) tomorrow. And for me, it officially starts 2008 sales budget for the team. Hopefully it would be a better year for us this year…more sales to cover the fluctuating forex conversion from our sales quota. Sadly, with the start of the year, we already need to do a lot of catching up with our numbers. Oh well, I really hope and pray it will be a better year for us. More sales thus, more sales incentive (commissions)! More incentives equals to more shopping money for me! Hahaha!

Seriously, I’ve decided to cut-down on my shopping spree this year. My mantra for 2008…BE PRACTICAL and DO SENSIBLE SHOPPING ONLY! Hubby and I talked last week regarding our goals and “projects” for 2008. And these projects would really mean cutting down on unnecessary expenses (read: NO expensive toys, clothes, jewelry, watch, appliance, bags and parties - - ngek, parang ako lang affected dito?!lol.)

I shall be listing our “projects” for 2008 to remind me of all the shopping moments I have to forego to achieve these goals. lol! ( so please, help me God :p)

1.Purchase the lot beside our house...with a bit of luck find the present owner by 1st quarter.
2.Purchase additional family car for us. (Target by EO March 2008)
3.Travel for the entire family this coming summer.
4.If still financially possible, purchase additional property (lot) as investment.

The “projects” shared above would mean working our asses off very hard this year though possibly be financially draining on us. Hopefully, with God’s blessings will be able to pull these off by December 2008. Wish us luck!

*btw, my Christmas present LV bag NOT counted yet for the cost-cutting measures for 2008. That is still part of 2007 budget noh! Hahaha! (may escape clause agad! lol.)

Ho! Ho! Ho! No more!

Today is the last day of the holiday season.

Thus, it is the time to bring down the Christmas tree and keep all the season’s decors. Luckily, my helpers were proactive enough that they kept all the Christmas decors and trimmings this morning. By the time I woke up, I barely recognized the house! Something is amiss in our living room! And only after few minutes that I realize that our Christmas tree was already gone. For a moment, I felt sadness … the happiest time of the year is indeed over. Well, something to look forward to this year’s Yuletide season again! And I can’t wait to get started. :)

Before and After ... the post holiday look!

Thank you, 20007!

The year 2007 has been a very good year to me and my family. We are so thankful that God blessed us with loving and supportive family, caring friends, good health and a comfortable life. I don't think I can ask for more. He has been so good that he continuously bless us with His grace and we will be forever thankful for His kindness...

Happy 2008 everyone !!!

May your 2008 be a beautiful year... filled with lots of love and blessings!

Hope it's a dream come-true year for you! :)

Christmas loots for street carolers

Ever since I was given a car, I promise myself that every holiday season I will be sharing Christmas loots to street children instead of giving them money.

The loots are very simple. It simply consists of tetra-pack juice, biscuits, candies, lollipops and chocolates. This year, since I’ve been very blessed, I added few items which they can share with their families, a can of sardines and instant noodles.

After packing each item, the loots were then placed inside our cars, and given to street children or carolers. Usually we give these bags to carolers (kids and older handicapped people) while I am stuck in traffic, parking area or anywhere I can see them.

I’ve been doing this for over ten years now and I am happy to say, I am quite satisfied in giving these loots. I know it’s not much, but I prefer to give these food items rather than give them money to spend for vices like gambling, smoking or buying “rugby”.

Hoping with this small gesture of giving, I can share my blessings and allow them to forget their pains and sadness even for very, very short time. Seeing their happy faces and hearing their sincere holiday greetings and thank you brings joy and smile to my heart. :)

Good bye November... see you next year!

NOVEMBER is my favorite month of the year...

Well, it used to be December but ever since I met Mike, November became my happiest (or blessed) month ever!

Here are some of our events/milestones summary:

November 29, 2003: The night Mike proposed on top of The Peak Tower, Makati.

November 4, 2004: I gave birth to a very cutie, pretty baby girl, Samantha Gabrielle.

November 4, 2005: Sam's first birthday party! con-celebrated her birthday with the success of her Hirschsprung Disease operation.

November 19, 2005: Got my early Christmas gift from Mike. My first-ever brand new car! He paid 50% downpayment for my car..and the balance, ako na daw taya for monthly amortization! abuso na daw...hahaha!

November 30, 2006: Our dream house was finally completed and was ceremonially turned-over to us. We have our own house na! Woohoohoo!

November 12-15, 2007: Got lots and lots of moolah!! (as if ang dami noh! lol.) Well aside from bonuses, commissions and incentives from our company, got other source of "blessings" pa. Really beyond my expectations! :)

The husband would always say if November is my "happiest" month of the year, this is his "saddest" month of the year.

Why?!?

Well...every November he's financially depleted daw. Hahaha! Ever since he met me, he never tasted his payday bonuses and incentives. t's with me na daw. Like his first November month with me, instead of buying new car, naibili nya ng engagement ring! Hahaha! Kawawa naman...

But, I would always say..."well, at least I got one month lang each year, and you still got 11 months to enjoy and save for me again!" Hahaha!

So, thank you and goodbye November 2007... looking forward seeing you again next year! :)

Barney...Live in Manila!

Here we come, Barney!

Since I have had toxic and uber busy week, I was able to get the Barney show tickets last Friday only. Hehehe!

Boy, I tried getting the tickets weeks before but I was preoccupied with too much work (and activities) that it eventually slipped my mind. My bad.

Finally, I was able to buy the tickets for Dec 22, 3pm show! We will be seated PT103 Row H Seat No. 19-21 . Few rows back from Mommy bloggers, Peachy and Kelly. Yeheey, I’ll get to see you guys again! :)

So Barney, BJ and Baby Bop... see you!

Barney: Let's Imagine Tour in Manila

I saw this post from Peachy and got so excited about it.

Finally… Barney will be here in Manila (again!)

Sam will definitely enjoy the show especially after watching Sesame Street Live last July. Bet she’ll enjoy this so much more! This is her first love...her first play character, her first DVD collection (besides Baby Einstein), and until now, she just won’t stop watching their show!

I am sure all the Mommy bloggers out there are excited as much as I am. Hahaha! I might be getting December 22nd or 23rd 3pm show. But before getting the tickets, need to check out hubby's sked as always! :)

So c’mon, everybody let’s go...let’s enjoy the show! - - line ni Barney talaga ah!lol.

still sleeping...

I just can’t resist taking picture of Sam and Daddy while sleeping…




This is how my two babies sleep on a weekend…. So peaceful and funny! Look at Sam’s favorite sleeping position… nakatuwad pa! Hahaha!

Both of them still sleeping while Mommy busy preparing yummy lunch! (Sam's fave: shrimp sinigang, Daddy 's favorite: Inihaw na Liempo)

Still sleeping....and to think I took this picture at 11:20am!!

Had a change of heart … and being on waitlist

Remember my previous wish list post about wanting to get LV monogram canvass petite bucket for Christmas?

I’ve decided to visit Louis Vuitton shop at Greenbelt last weekend to check out the bucket bag I’ve wanted. The petite monogram canvas bucket was regally sitting on one of the shelves, when suddenly I had the itch to try it on. Just curious and see how it would look on me.

I’ve tried it on and inspected the bag up-close and suddenly... I got quite disappointed. The bag I’ve wanted seemed quite small for my body frame. Well, quite unusually small from the last time I checked out. ( and that was two years ago!)Hmmm...I wonder if the bag size was altered … or I got bigger lang! (think it was the latter! lol.)

Anyway, I tried putting my wallet inside and was surprised that it consumed most of the bag space. No room for my other must have essentials like my kikay kit and hair brush. Very bad! Not a wise choice after all. Pretty, but too small for me! So… I had sudden change of heart.

After looking at Speedy 30 and other LV bags … I asked for the Neverfull style. The sales assistant was kind enough to show me the display product of Neverfull MM and I fell inlove the moment I saw it. The bag is a real winner! It bears the classic monogram logo, in-shoulder bag, very stylish, spacious with expanding capacity and price wise… real good steal! I tried it on…and fits just perfect! Got so excited but was disappointed again because of stock unavailability. I was told that this style has been out of stock for months now. I am on waitlist...and on page 16!

Desperate, I emailed my friends from SNG and HK. I asked them to get the NEVERFULLL MM bag for me. Sadly, even these LV stores don't have available stock. Delivery still uncertain and with no assurance if they'll have new shipment coming this month. Haayy.. ang hirap hanapin ha!




Well, I guess this bag really not meant to be :( or perhaps, not now... Haayy! (**very furstrated**)

Weekly Recap

It’s been a busy week and I’ve passed the days with no post to my blog. I’ll just provide quick run through kwentos, shall we?

*Sam will start classes again by October 1 at Fairchild Learning Center located inside our village. Lately, I noticed she’s been quite shy during family gatherings and it takes her quite some time to warm up and interact. That is why I am thinking of sending her to back school to improve her social skills.

*In addition to item 1, I just got approval from hubby to enroll her. Won my case this time… especially when he noticed Sam’s been quite bratty and rowdy lately. She needs a new environment and not only under yaya’s everyday care. Another winning argument … :)

* Went home late last week and was surprised to see that Sam got a slight burn on her right arm. Was totally furious because yaya and our helper can’t explain where she got the accident! (or one of them was lying!!) By probing, I’ve deducted that Sam got burned while our maid was ironing our clothes. Though it’s quite a small scrape, but the fact that we found out on our own without the helpers telling us about the accident … this totally freaked us out! Their claim, they don’t know what happened. The nerve…. they thought we wouldn’t find out! Because of this incident, we gave ultimatum to our helper … and she’s bound to go by October after paying all her cash advances. (Well, we know Sam’s super likot stage now, and we do understand and acknowledge that. But unexplainable accidents and deliberately hiding this to us….that’s something we won’t tolerate!)

Anyway, Mike decided to put Sam to school for her to spend the days learning instead of having unexplainable accident from helpers. Besides, it’s safe and more importantly … Sam won’t sing & dance to Papaya song! :)

*On a lighter note, Mike and I went to Divisoria last Saturday to buy loot items, toys and prizes for Sam’s party. Surprisingly, hubby didn’t complain for waking him up early on a Saturday morning. Despite having a drinking-spree the night before, he didn’t complain on traffic and for walking far while bringing my super heavy shopping bag. Never heard any word! Wow! And these sacrifices all for Sam! :)

( Side kwento: he enjoyed the Divi trip so much that he bought kilos and kilos of fruits…dragon fruit, mangosteen, lanzones, rambutan, oranges and plums! Lahat ng fruits in sight binili! Grabe! He even accompanied me buying onions, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, calamansi, eggplants, sayote and other veggies! Note: minimum of 2 kilos each yun! Hahaha! Syempre ilan trip kami balik sa car to deload our purchase then puro side car kami! Hahaha! )