Happy Birthday Kuya Ico!

This is my son, Francisco Sebastian Co a.k.a Kuya Ico.

Unknown to many, I have a son born out of wedlock during my wild and folly college days 12 years ago. He is now Grade 6 at Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. He loves anime, playing computer games, loves to read and seriously into dieting now. He's very loving, sweet, caring , quiet, shy but funny older brother to Sam.

I have all praises for my son Ico, he's very open-minded and responsible person. At a very young age, he was able to accept and understand that his situation is quite different from the traditional family set-up he sees around him. He was able to accept that despite his parents no longer together, both can live happy and harmoniously with a family of their own. In spite of having a "weird" set up (he transfers every other month from his dad to my place), he still maintains very good grade and a happy disposition in life. He respects, adapts and adjusts everythime he transfers from one parent to another...be it lifestyle, ways or behavior with no complaints and qualms heard from him.

Tomorrow, January 14th marks his 12th birthday. His dad will pick him up from school for an early birthday dinner treat. And unknown to him, I prepared a surprise late-dinner here at our home inviting my immediate family and Mike's family only. As a surprise gift, I bought him the magnetic treadmill (hopefully it will arrive on time tomorrow!) and a new Nikon digital camera for his new hobby. I just hope he would like these gifts since he never asked for any particular gift or gadgets from me (as always, bait noh!).

So, to my son Ico : Happy, Happy Birthday Kuya! You've grown such a good and sweet boy and I am truly proud and happy what you've become. I may not be the greatest Mom ever, but I am trying to be one for you (and Sam)! I am really sorry that there are things beyond my control, but your happiness is always a priority in every decision I make. Thank you for being a good son and older brother to Sam!

Tito Mike, Sam and I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Finally ... he got my LV bags!

Finally..my LV Speedy 30 Damier Canvas quest is over.

True to his word, hubby went to LV store in Hawaii right after checking-in at the hotel. He just placed his bags and took a quick shower, then went straight to LV Hilton Village store to get my bilins.

I am so very happy. He got not only one ... but two LV bags! Wooohoooho! He got my LV Neverfull MM too! Hahaha! Sarap magpa-bili kay hubby!! I gave him the list options, just in case he can't find the Speedy 30. But instead, he got the two bags na. He knows I've been looking endlessly for the other style too. Thus, rather than have a hard time looking for the Neverfull MM style daw, he bought it na din. Bwahahaha!

The good news, sales tax in Hawaii is cheaper compared to other US State. He just paid 4% tax each for the bag! Wohohohoo! Savings na! Then yun forex conversion now $1 = P41. Hahaha! Saya-saya talaga!

So I got my Christmas gift... and Anniversary gift na! ( este...under negotiation pa namin ito extra LV bag..nilalambing ko pa as Anniversary gift! konti na lang , ok na ito!Hehehe!)

Really worth the wait... and I think bumawi kasi naiwan ako ngayon! lol.

Thank you Honey, you are so so sweet! You really made me so so happy! Mwaaahh! :)

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! :(

Hawaii Five-Ohhh days!

Hubby is leaving tommorow for a Pacific Telecoms Council (PTC) meet in Hawaii on January 13. But before he proceed to Hawaii, he will be staying at Tokyo, Japan for a few days to attend some business meetings.

Aaaww shocks... I really, really envy him! This is his 3rd visit to Japan! And I sooo love to visit this country too! I am dying to go here and experience Japanese way of life. I want to walk and explore the busy streets of Tokyo. I want to experience shopping and dining at their authentic Japanese restaurants; taste the real deal udon noodles, wag-yu steak and tempura!! I want to pick my maki and sushi via conveyor belts from their bar. I want to ride their multi-level express trains and get lost in translation here! lol. And lastly ... my ultimate dream, I want to visit Hello Kitty Land to meet My Melody, Hello Kitty, Little Twin Star (Kiki and Lala) and other Sanrio friends! (I don't care kahit nasa province pa nila ito! hahaha!) Basta, I want to go to Japan..kahit once lang in my entire lifetime! Though, hubby promised to bring me here next time... that is, if his meeting schedules not tight daw and if mayaman na mayaman na kami since very expensive city daw dito?! Waahhh.. kelan kaya yun?! Hmmm... wish,wish talaga!

Then after his visit here, he will be flying to Hawaii to attend some meetings. He will be staying at Hilton Village Beach and Resort in Honolulu for five days! Waahh..inggit na naman ako! But seriously, di naman ako ganoon ka-inggit with his trip now at Hawaii. I know it's mostly work, work, work (sabi nya..lol!) and we both decided not for us to go... for practical reasons. It's a waste of money (airfare) because he won't have time with us to enjoy sightseeing, shopping or the beaches. It will be mostly work and meetings (22 meeting skeds ha! Gawd!) the whole time. And his stay in Hawaii will be for a few days only as he is needed badly here in Manila. Thus, he cannot extend his vacation. So, sayang din yun almost $3K airfare namin Sam. At....naniwala at nagpaka-barat naman ako! Hahaha!

BUT, he really promised to look for my LV bags...that is his number one agenda! Instead of spending for airfare, he will get my bags na lang daw! Hahaha..babaw noh, sa bag lang pumayag na paiwan! lol. And I made sure of it..I printed all the LV store locations near his hotel para he can find my bag! I just hope may available stock this time.

Seriously, I really felt not wise or practical for us to join him on this trip. We have other priorites (and projects) this year. For the meantime, tiis muna! :) Anyway, there will be lots of travel opportunities for us naman. And we got what we wanted... reason to get the multiple US visa entry! Woohoooho! Siguro naman within the 10 years window, hubby can bring us to Hawaii na! hahaha!

So... it will be lonely and cold nights for the next days to come ... aaww... I will surely miss my hubby! Sam will definitely miss Daddy too!! Haaayyyy..........

Friends Award

Aaawww.... this is such a cutie!

Thank you to my blog friends: Abie, Peachy, Chat and MM for this award. Really, really appreciate it :)

Passing this adorable award to Jody and Mich (miss your blog visits!) and to my new blogmates Sasha and Tet.

2007 Qs Tag

Thanks Jane for this tag. Had fun doing this.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Hmmm… can’t think of any now. Probably my travel with my son, Ico last June 2007. It was our out of the country bonding moment.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I am not a great follower of New Year resolutions. Hence, I don’t do any.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a friend and a colleague of mine.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
For 2007, Singapore and Hongkong (as always! hihihi!)
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Purchase additional property as investment.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Paying some of our debts from our house construction 2006. Konti na lang!! Hahaha!
8. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm… can’t think of any now.
9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Usual coughs and colds … and my sinusitis still.
10. What was the best thing you bought?
Like Jane, bags …
11. Where did most of your money go?
Hmmm… bills and paying our debts!
12. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Property sold last November.
13. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? No comment! Bwahahaha!
c) richer or poorer? Just right …
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
More travel…locally ie: Bohol, Ilocos, Vigan, Palawan and Baguio.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Less worrying.
16. What was the best book you read?
I am a very shallow person. I prefer light book reading only. Perhaps I’ll include my Shopaholic series here. Last book I read, Shopaholic with a Baby! Really, really hilarious!
17. What did you want and get?
My work-promotion and my monthly incentives. Wohoohooo!
18. What did you want and not get?
My Christmas gift…out of stock LV bag.
19. What kept you sane?
Family and work.
20. Who did you miss?
My close friends (Jeannette and Lay), both based in the US.

Now I’m tagging my new blogmates: Tet and Chat.

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.)