Happy New Year!! Ü

Happy New Year, Everyone!! Ü

If you're going to look at my blog you'll see that I have updated it with some of my goals for 2009, the things that I am thankful for, and the places I'd like to visit as well. Feel free to browse through them as you may get some ideas where to go or what to do in case you'd suddenly feel more adventurous. Ü

You see, I guess for years now, I've been a believer of "The Secret" itself. Years back when was still pregnant with Yosh, I've constantly been praying to God that he will be cute, bouncing, smart, happy, healthy, passionate, great, inspiring, and loving kid (among many other great things too!) to me and the people that's surrounds him. Little did I know that time that I've constantly been asking for the Universe to conspire for my son's being --- that he'll be amazingly, wonderfully made --- just very like how "The Secret" works... That whatever I ask it does happen, that Universe will grant it. On the right side portion of my blog, you'll see there of the places I'd like to visit, the miracles that are happening and have happened in my life, and the goals that I have for and will reach by 2009. They look stunningly unbelievable for some and utterly usual for others. For me, they are the things that I have yet to have, goals I have yet to accomplish. I guess, for years that I've been believing for "small" things, 2009 should be the year that I should believe for the bigger things to . We all should, shouldn't we? Despite some people call there would be recession, thing here is, if we believe it, then it would happen. So, why not we believe that Universe will ever and always be abundant with love, wealth, joy, and laughter and it does do everything to conspire on hearts wishes may it be something good or not-so-good.

In no particular order, just by order of reckoning though, these are just some of the über-many miracles that had happened and is happening in my life:
- Yosh
- Graduating High-School (I was hard-headed then, I was not going to school, I thought I won't graduate Ü)
- College's scholarship
- Hirayamanawari (being on TV ~ Channel 2!)
- Dec 2004/2003 gift from Christmas Party at VCF - Bible (naks! haha)
- Brix
- Working for this multinational oil company
- B-day gift - Mug (from Scoozi - 25/11/08)
- Small wallet (from the Nine West bag I got from Claire)
- Xmas gift - Coin purse from Bing (Thanks, Bing!)
- Xmas gift - "Cars" watch for Yosh from Deej (Thanks, Deej!)

xxx and sooo much more! xxx (well, I'm trying to reckon other stuffs but... I could remember them when I'm already out of the office. Haha._)

These are just some of the nicest things that happened to me. Hope that as 2009 kicks in, you'll be able to find the best of the things that come your way. Remember studies show that the brain, our thoughts, find for "proof" of the things you think most of. So, if you think of health, wealth, and happiness everyday - your brain will find all the supporting "proofs" of those things in all things. They will be magnified and expounded.

In a nutshell, I'm wishing you all a very happy and wonderful and safe new year!! Let me start going home now to see my family. Hi, Yosh! I'll see you soon! Ü *muwah!*


Cheers to you all!!

Heinaku, magparamdam ka muna. (What Are Friends Are For??? - pun intended)

Yes, yes, yes... I know, I know... Baket mali ang grammar ko? Eh baket ba?! Naiintindihan nyo naman di ba???

Teka, may kwekwento ako senyo. Nung isang linggo, bago magpasko. May isa akong kakilala na matagal ko ng hindi nakikita at iyon... Bigla na lang nagparamdam sa text. Eto ang sabi:

Her: Mamay?

Aba. Iisa lang naman ang taong tumatawag sakin ng "Mamay" at sha iyon. Shempre, bilang ako na mabait at hindi kasungitan, eto ang sinagot ko:

Me: Aba. Nagparamdam ka?ü musta?

Sa pagkakagulat-gulat ko, nalaman-laman ko na lang na...:

Her: Eto malapit ng manganak... Sa 24 na siguro.ü sina Yosh, at ang mga kapatid mo? Kamusta?Ü

Nakng! Ayun na pala at manganganak na sha ni hindi man lang sinabi sakin nung una na buntis na pala sha! Sa tono o estilo ng kanyang pagte-text para bagang may hinahanap sha ng tulong sakin. Pero dahil sa may pride ako at kahit papano ay masakit para sakin na iwan nya ako sa ere. Para bang ni hindi man lang nagsabing mawawala sha o ano, hindi ako nag-alok ng tulong. Nagtanong lang ako kung lalaki o babae yung anak nya, ayun naman lalaki daw pero sa government hospital manganganak. Nagtanong ako tungkol sa Philhealth nya at sa dati nyang employer pero yun... Wala shang sagot. Ang sakin wala din naman akong pinansiyal na iaabot sa kanya (naunahan na sha ng lolo, lola, yung isa ko pang lola, anak, kaibigan, nobyo at mga kapatid ko). Naghihintay ako nun na sabihin nya sakin na kelangan nya ng tulong, pero wala naman shang sinabi so... Wala din akong inalok. Ngayon lang ako di nag-alok ng tulong. Para kasing sa kaibuturan ng puso ko, isa na lang syang estranghero. Sana man lang naisip nyang kaibigan din ako, di lang kung may kelangan sha ngunit pati na din kung may nangyayaring mabuti o di maganda sa kanya.

Kaya nga minsan, naiisip kong mas mabuting magkaron ng kaibigang lalaki. Kasi sila hindi malabong kausap, hindi malabong kasama, at madaling pakisamahan. Yung lalaking-lalaki ha, hindi yung maarte. Ikumpara ko sha dun sa isa kong kaibigang tawagin na lang natin sa pangalang Mik. Kami, kung di man kami nag-usap ng matagal na panahon, nung bumalik ako parang wala lang. Mabuti pa din sha sakin. At ako kung magpaparamdam ako sa mga kaibigan kong hindi dahil sa may kelangan lang ako, at gayon din sila (hindi ko nilalahat ah, meron din akong mga kakilala jan kapag pera ang usapan at kelangan nila hindi nawawala sa listahan nila ang pangalan ko - hahaha). Noon, hindi ako madamot. Pero ngayon, napatunayan ko na mas mabuti minsan na mag-Chinese-kuripot ako, di ba sa sobrang kuripot nila yumayaman sila? Masubukan ngang gawin yun. Haha. Ngayon, balik tayo kay Mik. Si Mik nung bumalik ako ay nagregalo pa samin ni Yosh. Sakin green na Puma na bag, kay Yosh - robot. Robot lang. Shempre, sa edad ni Yosh wala pang mag-mamagandang bumili ng PSP dun noh, pero sa edad ni Yosh na to, ay naku, atat na atat na shang magka-PSP kahit sa gantong edad nya. Tapos yung tuwa na naramdaman ko dahil naalala nya ako? Ay! Hindi mapantayan (mejo lang shempre iba pa din ang pa-The Spa ni Beau ~ haha)! Anyhoo, yun nga... Ewan ko ba, hindi ko alam kung conditional ba ang pagkakaibigan dahil sa hormonal change ng isang babae dahil may estrogen sila (haha joke lang), o dahil talagang iba lang ang pagpapalaki sa mga lalaki, o baka dahil may scrotum lang ang mga lalaki kaya sila ganon (haha ~ isa pang joke to ~ hahaha).

Isa lang ang masasabi ko, mas matagal ko pang naging kalilala at kaibigan si Her, pero di hamak na mas ok ang samahan namin ni Mik.

Hayyy...
Mga tunay na kaibigan nga naman, ang hirap hanapin.
Pagiging isang tunay na kaibigan nga naman, mahirap maging.


Tignan nyo na lang si Beau, 26 years bago ako nahanap. Har har.

;-P


(at shempre Beau, 23 years bago kita natagpuan. Naks! wuv u)

Happy Sunday

Usually, halos buong linggo kami lang 2 ni Brix ang magkasama simula ng lumipat si Yosh sa bahay ng nanay ko, ako na lang mag-isa sa apartment at minsan naman ay natutulog ako sa bahay nila Brix. At simula din non, mga 3 beses ko na lang nakakasama ang anak ko at weekends na lang kami palaging naglalaro at nagkakasama.

Nagkaron ng panahon sa buhay namin mag-ina na parang malayo na ang loob ni Yosh sakin at lagi na shang sumasama sa kanyang tita. Sa totoo lang, hindi ako mag-de-deny na hindi ako nasasaktan sa tuwing hahabol sha sa tita nya at hindi sa akin, pero sa isang banda naiisip ko din na wala naman ni isa samin ang may gusto na lumipat ang loob nya sa tiyahin nya at mapalayo kami sa isa't isa. Simula ng unang araw na napansin ko ang pagkakalapit ng loob ni Yosh sa tita nya, at ang madalas na paghabol nito sa kanya, ay!!! -parang kandilang nauupos ang puso ko dahil nakikita ko na nalalayo na ang loob nya sa akin. Shempre, wala akong pwede sisihin kundi ang sarili ko.

Anong ginawa ko?

Masaya kaming mag-ina lumuwas mula Laguna papuntang Festival Mall. Idagdag pa ang presensya ng Babi nya (Beau ko) na sumama samin para magligalig. Talagang tinodo ko nun (21/12/08) ang bonding namin. Nag-arts and crafts kami, yung artwork na nilalagyan ng coloured liquid tapos kapag pinainitan nagiging plastic na may disenyong parang cartoons. Bumili ako ng token worth P100 at naglaro kami ng Air Hockey, nagrides sha, nagbasketball kami, at kung anu-ano pa. Tapos sumakay kami dun sa bumble bee na tumataas baba yung upuan (ay naku, di ko kayang i-describe!). Tuwang-tuwa si Yoshua habang gumagalaw yung bumble bee. Piniktyuran pa nga kami ni Beau habang nakasakay kami dun. Pagkatapos nun sumakay naman sha ng parang small version ng Jungle Log Jam sa Enchanted Kingdom, tawag naman sa Festi - "Elfin Waves". Maliit lang yung ride na yon, sobrang liit. Pero dahil siguro malulula ang isang bata pag nahulog na yung "log" galing sa isang elevated na lugar, natakot si Yosh at nagpumilit umalis sa "log" habang umaandar pa ito. Nataranta nga yung mga attendants kasi kala nila nasaktan si Yosh, mejo naipit yung daliri nya pero hindi naman sobrang naipit kaya hindi naman sha umiyak.

Pagkatapos nun ay kumain kami sa Red Ribbon. Ayun, ako ang inorder ko ay Palabok Petite, P39 lang kasi yun tapos busog ka pa. At hindi naman din sha gaanong petite. Sa isang maliit na taong tulad ko, nakakabusog na din yun. Tapos, mas masarap ang palabok ng Red Ribbon kesa Jollibee. Mas kalunok-lunok sha. Haha. Tapos si Brix naman ay cake at spaghetti ang inorder, saka pineapple juice. Hindi din nakakain ng madami si Brix dahil si Yosh ay inubos yung pagkain ng Babi nya. Haha, si Yosh talaga, laging ubod ng lakas kumain, hindi naman tumataba. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit. Siguro ay dahil talagang malikot sha at mabilis ang metabolism nya. Saka ayaw nya kasi ng palabok na pagkain ko, eh kasi naman... Sa spaghetti ko sha pinaglihi kaya anong reklamo ko? Ü Nagugulat nga si Beau dahil marami na daw alam na salita si Yosh at marami na ding alam. Pati alam na ni Yosh na "mandatory" kelangan nyang sumakay sa "ho-sh" = horse daw, in short, carousel. Pagkatapos namin kumain, ayun! Naalala nya ulet ang horse at di na kami nakatakas. Sumakay kami ng carousel, sapilitan akong napasakay. Ahaha.

Pagkatapos namin kumain, ayun... Nag-ikot-ikot kami tapos kumain kami ng Ice Cream sa Frootmix. That was our second time eating from that place. Nung una, nakita ko bago kami umalis na "fat free" daw yung ice cream. Napaisip na ako kung ano ang ginagamit nilang klase ng sugar pero naglalakad na kami palayo kaya di ko na natanong, saka sabi ko sa sarili ko, masarap naman kaya baka hindi din harmful. Nung bumalik kami at nagkaron ako ng mas malaking time para magbasa-basa, to my disgust and disappointment, nanlaki yung mata ko nung nalaman kong may "aspartame" pala yung ice cream na yon at pinapakain ko pa kay Yosh. Kaya kinuha ko yung ice cream, at pagkatapos kunwari ng ilang subo nung nakalalasong ice cream na yon, tinapon ko na yon sa basurahan. Sabi ko nga kay Beau, hindi na ako babalik sa Frootmix. Mag de-Dairy Queen na lang ako kung sakali, choose the lesser evil ika nga.

Baket? Ang aspartame kasi ay isang klase ng artificial sugar na aksidenteng nadiskure ni James M. Schlatter habang gumagawa sha ng isang anti-ulcer drug nung 1965. Ang kaso ang aspartame, kapag nakain at na-ingest, ang outcome nyon ay aspartic acid, phenylalanine, methanol (isang klase ng alcohol - shempre, alcohol nga kaya yun pa lang masama na sa katawan), at ang mga iyon ay formalin, formic acid, at diketopiperazine. Hindi ko na iisa-isahin ang mga nakalalasong kemikal na nakukuha ng isang taong kumain o umiinom ng mga pagkain o inming may aspartame. Pero kung iisipin nyo na kumakain kayo ng alkohol (methanol) at formalin, malamang alam na ng kahit na sinong tao na masama ito.

So, hindi naman nagtampo si Yosh sa pagkuha ko ng ice cream dahil hindi ko naman inagaw yun sa kanya. Dahan-dahan ko lang kinuha tapos itunuon ko ang atensyon nya sa ibang bagay. Kaya yon... Ok na sha. Alam ni Beau na ang saya-saya ko nung gabi na yon. Not to mention na talagang hindi na mabilis uminit ang ulo ko o di kaya'y hindi agad ako nagagalit o sumisigaw di tulad ng dati. Nagpunta muna kami sa Sai Bachi para bumili ng "takoyaki" - ang paborito kong Japanese pancake at pang-ulam din galing sa SaveMore. Pagkatapos nun umuwi na kami.

Tamang-tama, wala akong pasok kinabukasana kaya umuwi kami sa bahay (sa apartment namin sa Muntinlupa) at doon natulog buong gabi. Napakasaya naming tatlo. Lalo na ako. Kasi nga parang natutuwa akong nagawa ko ang subuking makuha ulit ang loob ng anak ko. Dahil kahit kasi nung bata pa sha, talagang napaka-importante na maging matatag ang samahan at relationship naming mag-ina.

Shempre, sino pa bang magmamahalan kundi kami-kami ding mag-ina? Ü


(Thank you, Beau... For making that Sunday happy for us =*)

Casio - Please Stop Breaking Our Hearts!

SIRA ANG CAMERA KOOOO!!!





Mga walang-hiya kayong manufacturer ng camera! Bakit nyo ginawa samen to?!?!


Oo! Oo! Sila ang may kasalanan! Baket? Dahil nalaman ko na talagang pagkatapos ng 1-2 taon, kahit na anong camera yung bigla na lang nagkakaron ng linya linya yung screen tapos parang laging over-exposed yung kinuha kong picture. Ang camera kong tinutukoy ay Casio Exilim EX-Z700. Marami pa yung problema. Tulad na lang na yung unang ganung camera ng nanay ko, ang problema naman ay ang umuusli nyang zoom, ayun, kapag nagalaw mo sha, hindi na gagana. Hayyy. Para tuloy akong nawalan ng cellphone. Di ko tuloy ma-capture ang mga fleeting moments ng buhay ko.


NO. Hindi. Hindi yun dahil sa nabagsak ko sha. Dahil ingat na ingat ako sa camera ko, hindi ko iyon sisirain dahil mahal ang pagkakabili namin (este ni Beau) pala ng camera na yon! Nung una nga yata ay parang naghihinala pa shang may masama akong ginawa sa camera nya pero nalaman din nya na talagang yun ang sira at problema ng lahat ng Casio cameras na binebenta sa mercado. Iinglishin ko lang para sa mga hindi nakakaintindi ng tagalog ha.


What happened was that three or four weeks ago, Beau and I were at TGIFriday's eating our early dinner together. I couldn't remember what the occassion was but as I was taking some pictures of the food that we're eating, I noticed some very light horizontal streaks that is being included everytime I was taking pics. I have never noticed those streaks before nor I have seen, had, or reckon such before.

And then, on Nov 20, about a week after Beau and I dined at TGIF. When I was trying to use my camera to take pics for the b-day bash my teammates prepared for me, the pics that were taken were all over-exposed, had a bright white light on 80% of the picture and the streaks became more prominent!

Then the weekend right after that incident, I tried borrowing my mom's cam (the same model as I had) thinking that the problem my cam encountered was isolated. But lo and behold, little did I knew that my mom had the same problem a week before I did!

And guess what? To fix the problem, we would have to shell out about P10,000! Excuse me?!?! That amount of money is the same price as the cam itself! No way!!!

To sum it all up, Beau found out that majority, if not all, of Casio exilim cameras are doing the same problem. Either the zoom thing on it that expands and the cam stops working, or just like with my mom's cam and mine, the camera all of a sudden gets gaga and starts taking pictures with those bright white light and super streaks. Gosh. If you know anyone who works for Casio, please let me know him/her so that I could strangle him/her to gimme back my gawddamnmoney!!

Casio, oh, Casio. Stop producing cameras, stop breaking our hearts, and just revert back producing those un-sellable watches.

Hayyy...

Thank You sa Cake =)

Kahapon, nag team meeting/huddle kami. Unang huddle namin ito na si TL Chito lang ang kasama namin (wala na si Claire, huhuhu!). Anyhow, masaya naman ang huddle kasi light lang ang usapan. Ambilis nga ng huddle namin eh. Nag-discuss lang si Hanz tungkol sa stats and usual updates sa team. Tapos, yung huling page ng Powerpoint nya, binati nya ako ng "Happy Birthday!" Ü hehe. Natuwa naman ako kasi birthday ko kasi next week. Hindi ko na naman na naisip na may gagawin pa silang pakulo para sakin, yung akala kong greeting lang sa powerpoint na ginawa ni Hanz, yun pala may cake pa! Ü Sabi ni Patty (yung isa kong ka office-mate na malusog, yung maliit na cake lang ang kaya nilang ibigay dahil wala na silang money, deh shempre, kahit parang 'nagtampo' ang loob ko kasi maliit na cake lang. Hehe. Masaya pa din ako kasi matagal ko ng wini-wish na magkakain ako ng cake galing sa Tsokonut Batirol.

Tapos shempre debut huddle ni Chito samen, kaya yon, nagpakain pa sha (tamang-tama naman sa birthday ko!). Nag-share-share sa pambili ng Amber's pancit malabon at pichi-pichi yung mga ka-team-mates ko at si Chito, tapos yun, na-ignorante pa si Chito sa pichi-pichi. Para daw yung kunchinta, sumang-ayon naman ako.

Masarap naman ang merienda namin. Para ngang hindi sila kumain ng tanghalian eh. Haha. Naubos ang isang buong bilao.

Pics below:

Ang bagong TLC

(dito kumpleto kami - L-R: Patsy, Gel, DJ, MaDg, LJ Ü, Irene, Nicki, Chito; sa likod: Hanz)

ewan ko kung bakit ganyan ang ngiti ko. ahaha.

Sira ang digi-cam ko, huhu! Kaya wala mashadong piktyur. Anyhow, t'was a good day for me. Loved it Ü

Grabehhhh... Ang ganda nyaaaahhh...

'nuff said.

A Stuffed Lunch at Scoozi

Yesterday, I was feeling sick of eating the usual rice and viand for lunch. I usually eat the Salisbury Steak at Hungry Hippo (P79.00). I only had about P80.00 as a budget and I was thinking of a really decent food to eat for a much lesser price. I have been craving for veggies and potatoes. Being at the RCBC plaza in Makati, one has to have at least P150.00 budget to get a decent meal. The others that are about P80.00 worth, ah, as I usually say... They taste like crap - or I guess they ARE crap. I wouldn't get into so much details what those foodshops are, I know everyone has an eye for crap anyway.

So, I scouted for some foodshops at the 3rd floor of RCBC plaza. And on the area where all the major fastfoods were like Oliver's, Subway, Kitaro, Hen Lin, Tsokolate (batirol), Tapa King, Binalot, 7-11, and Mongolian, I had found no food that would satisfy my craving. Then I thought of Scoozi (the one just right beside Starbucks), I had been there quite a few times to buy their salads for P65.00 and, when I'm generous with myself, their set lunch which is for P140.00. They have some great half-cooked veggies available like corn on a cob, sauteed Chinese long beans (sitaw) with garlic, eggplant with tomatoes, mashed potatoes and corn and carrots all for P35.00 per order. Had quite known the people there who serve and cook for me, so we also pretty well know each other.

I got myself an order of mashed potatoes and an order of mixed veggies (at P35 @) for dine in. I was thinking of just taking my time eating and staying away from the computer that lunch, anyway, I could take some time eating a small amount of side orders I would get from this shop. But boy, oh, boy! I was surprised to see the serving was something that could fill me for the day! Ü The mashed potatoes had gravy on top, and the mixed veggies were various and a lot to the point that I had to convince myself to stuff the last two strings of Chinese long beans in my mouth. I was actually afraid that if they would see me leave any food on my plate, they would lessen the amount of serving they would give me next time. Haha. Silly me.

Jeff (the Chef in charge for the day) even asked me how the food was and all I answered was a generous smile and "great!". With the last few chews I did with the Chinese long bean, I had felt so stuffed and I was thankful for the healthy choice of veggies they served me, and the good ol' REAL potatoes they mashed, something like home-made. Although, I might later on suggest they saltied the mashed potatoes quite a bit a it tastes a bit sweet, over-all the Scoozi experience I had yesterday was surely a great pause for a hectic day.

*burp*

Alright. So I've been having nightmares for quite some time now 'cause I was using this Korean facial wash and it seems that my face couldn't really match it no matter how much I try to convince myself.

Then two nights ago, I was at my mom's place visiting Yosh :) Being out for the whole day (beau and I went to the cemetery and visited his close kins, then we went to Festival Supermall for some malling and going around), I was led by my feet to the washroom to wash my face. And of course, being me who "tries" the facial washes available in my mom's house (Belo, Pond's, Clean & Clear, and just the usual Safeguard), I saw this L'Oreal Revitalift Facial Wash and really got curious into trying it out.



Soooo...



Voila! Here's how I look now.

OMG!! L'Oreal is L'Oreal. Ah. I knew it. I should have not wandered anywhere else. I have finally found the One for me. From lipsticks, to faint blushes, and now --- facial washes.

Who cares if I spend a little more dime than usual? It's my face anyway. I've got to invest on it.

Nice noh? :P

Touring Around Liliw, Laguna

Beau has been thinking of going day tour on this quiant little town in Laguna. One could reach the province/suburb of Laguna in just about an hour away from Makati/Manila, provided that there is no traffic at all. But upon entering the province of Laguna, one could reach the little town of Liliw in about 2 hours (if traveling by public bus) and of course, could be lesser if one is traveling by a private vehicle.

Laguna is a very big province, there is also what was called Viaje Del Sol (travel under the sun) which a lot of townsfolks are raving about but we were only able to go around the town of Liliw, but t'was a great day tour I've had there.

Liliw is called Laguna's Shoe Capital. Well, I would agree. When I got off the jeepney at Liliw, there was a whole stretch that spots about 30-40 shoe shops left and right. There were also vinegars for sale along the road, some people offering you longganisa (marinated ground pork with fat, something that looks like a bolognia), and the usual street food.

However, of course, the highlight of this trip was the retail therapy I had when we went there.

• bags
  
• shoes
  
• bags
  
• shoes
  
• and moooore shoes!!
  

You wouldn't see any clothes shop nearby (not that I know of).

*****

It was a bright Sunday morning when Beau and I were able to get up from the bed and decided to leave for Liliw. Well, out of anticipation to reach the town the earliest possible time, we decided not to eat breakfast, as I was also trying to make a lot of room for Ara Bela, so we left with empty stomachs and hopeful hearts.

Being travelers who do not have a vehicle of our own, from our place in Muntinlupa, we rode a jeep going to Alabang. By 8AM, the sun was unusually striking-hot already, I wished I was able to wear sunscreen for protection. Too bad I didn't have one at that time (Hey! It's -ber months! Who would think that sun's heat would be as piercing as summer?). When we got to Alabang, as we were walking towards Hen Lin, there was a bus going to Sta. Cruz, and so we quickly jump aboard and looked for a spot where we could avoid the sun (well, for the meantime).

I could have sung "killing me softly" while riding on the bus from Alabang to Sta. Cruz. If you're not the type who could sit and stay for a long, bumpy, dusty, and muggy ride, I would suggest you take an aircon bus instead as starting the day riding an ordinary bus going to Sta. Cruz. Not sure though if there's an aircon bus going there (but I think there is). On the other hand, if you are the kind of person who's like me - harangan man ng sibat, aalis pa din - (anything goes kind of person), then the bumpy, muggy ride is just a part of the trip and like me who would think that there's nothing to compare with the sense of accomplishment that would go with reaching a certain destination alongside the exceptional experience - then the ordinary bus could be for you.

So, yes, we took an ordinary bus and got swept away with the Sunday morning wind that kissed our faces when the bus was traveling about 120kph on the highway. The ride just got pretty slow when we reached the narrow streets of Los Baños, Laguna (well, compared to SLEX - South Luzon Expressway, Los Baños's streets are quite narrow). Ah yeah, alright, if you're also thinking of going to Los Baños, riding a bus going to Sta. Cruz could be an option too. We passed by some public pools in Los Baños with some people waving those little boards offering for private pools (I do not recommend them - highly NOT), the Korean 88 Spa (this is HIGHLY recommended in terms of privacy and quality), and of course, another hour traversing unpopular towns in Laguna.

Okay, so one little (but huge!) mistake which we did was to alight the bus right after this Metro-something Mall. I'm telling you now! Sta. Cruz is still farther than that! I guess we were just soooo giddy reaching the town of Liliw that we got so excited going out of the bus when there were a few people started to alight the bus. Haha. We had to take the jeepney tour around the town of Nagcarlan, then to Liliw. Oh, it was grueling. Be a little more patient in reaching Sta. Cruz, and when everyone is alighting the bus, that is the only time you should leave the bus too, ok? ;)

So, after the long version which we took going to Liliw, we reached the area. The jeepney we rode dropped us off the lowest point of the road, I guess it's for the shops to be able to display their products to the travelers/wanderers/visitors of the area who could be possible shoppers too. We found out that Ara Bela was located on the other side of the road, And of course, me being famished, I was sort of having a nausea when we were walking up the steep road. Oh yes, the roads in the town of Liliw were sort of steep (well, where the one the jeep dropped us off was steep), like where the shoes and sandals shops are located? They're steep. And, I may had wanted to strangle anyone who would stop me from going to Ara Bela. Yes, my heart was focused on going to Ara Bela. Nowhere else.

Finally, we had reached Ara Bela.

Ara Bela (Arabela) is in the basement of a 2 storey house. Everybody in this town knows where this is.

Beau was already hungry, if not famished, this time.

Beau is wishing that his order would taste awesome.

An antique electric fan and a lampshade to add ambiance in a small and sort-of-crowded place.

The P50.00 almost good-for-two pudding that's not so sweet and is drizzled with caramel on top. This is just to pacify my nausea.

top-view. The pudding was soft, it doesn't taste like the usual bread, the texture is neutral. Not dry nor moist. It's yummy :D
It's ARA BELA, there's a space in between. Not Arabela.
The ceiling is unusually low as this place is just a part of the house's basement.
Make sure you'll be here before 12PM. We got there at 11:30AM and, gawd! The place was already crowded! We thought we wouldn't be able to get our fill but we got lucky there was a small table for two. We rushed onto it so fast!

This is seafood spaghettini. (I think it's 140)

Take two.

Take three. (Yummy spaghettini!)

Beau's generous serving of chicken marinara. (I think this is for 160.00)

Busog na. Hehe :D *burp!*

Next... The other places you could find at Liliw, Laguna (^_^)v

I've Been Thinking About...

I've been thining about Fish and Chips... OMG! Just the thought of it makes my mouth water. :-)~

Awww...

And I'm also thinking of going to Bohol Bee Farm...

Woot! Woot!

Hah. Thanks to Cebu Pacific's limited online offer (until Oct 27 only!). I will be able to go out of town with my Peanut (along with Claire, Gel, and Joey). We're thinking of going to Malapascua and then we go side tripping to Bohol (Bee Farm!). Huuwoooow... Geez. I also only wish Beau would be with us too. I'm gonna miss him fo sho.

Anyhow, logon at www.cebupacificair.com to check the promo fares they offer.

*Hint* There are many places muchhhh better than Boracay :P

We Choose Our Fate...

In ym signature, I've always had a "motto" there that says:

"We choose our fate by the choices we make."

I got that quote from someone before.
But now, I have rather proved him wrong.
I now have realized that we do not choose our fate by the choices we make.
Rather, we choose our fate by the thoughts we make.

As Tyron Edwards said, "Thoughts lead on purposes; purpose go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny."



*Hayun. Share ko lang naman :P

Single-moms That Needs to have Someone to Take Care of Her Kid/s... Let's Volt In!!!

Okay. So, for almost 3 Sundays now I have been looking for (or rather sorting through) a yaya for my kiddo. Maybe I haven't mentioned yet, but his yaya left for another job and left us hanging and cold and dumbfounded. She only gave us 3 days notice and - damn! I would really wanna strangle her for abandoning us. Although I know that everybody else would say it's not her obligation. I'd still want to strangle her for being her.

Now my kid is with my mom and everyday I am going nuts on how and what he's doing there. To be quite honest, with all due respect to that person who bore me, I wouldn't want my kiddo be staying there for so long. It's like, gosh, the kind of environment that he's staying in right now is not the kind of environment I've been praying, hoping, and dreaming for him. He's just too precious to be staying at her place - for Pete's sake. (Yes, I may sound very OA, but hey, I'm the mother, what can I do if I'm reacting excessively? Tell me a parent who would care less for her kid. Ah. Don't start with me, eh? :P)

Anyhoo, I was browsing through www.pinoyexchange.com/forums - in it's call centre forum and it so happened that I stumbled upon a thread there that's entitled "demand for childcare among agents ". I got pretty curious on what she had to say, so I clicked the link and here's what I have found:

demand for childcare among agents

Hi there.I am a filipina small childcare owner here in California, and I am
curious about putting up a day/night care in areas near to call centers in
makati and surrounding areas. How many of you would like this kind of service???
I used to be an agent for etelecare before moving here, and I had co workers who
had to stay home cause yaya quit, baby is sick, etc...I think this kind of
service will increase productivity among working parents. It will be affordable
for agents too, similar to hiring an uneducated yaya who will just sit babies
infront of TV, but with us, staff will be interacting with kids. What do you
think???

So? I got soooo elated, felt magnificent, and felt that I was on top of the world with her offer that I left her a private message, I also posted the same message on her thread:

let me give you objective reasons why you need to put up this kind of
centre here in the heart of makati.
1) there are a lot of single MOMS out there who do not have anybody else
but her next of kin or neighbour to take care of her kid
2) she leaves the kid to her neighbour/next of kin/yaya without fully
knowing what will happen to her kid after she leaves him to be supervised by a
stranger
3) she does not know what kind of food her child is being provided, what
kind of shows her kid is watching, what kind of environment her child is growing
up with because everyday - for at least 50 hours a week - she's at work
(including the travel time to and fro the house)
4) her kid will spend at least 10 hours with that person. it is important
on the kid's growing up years that he is being well supervised and that he is
being taught the right manners at a very early age - but too bad, during the
growing up years of a child when he is being supervised/taken care of by someone
else, the child is being brought up on a way any parent would otherwise
approve
5) because yayas could also be an all-around woman in the house, what
happens is that sometimes, the kid gets to be the last priority of the yaya
because of household chores
6) parents/single moms choose to suffer the time she's supposed to have
with her kid because she needs to render OT or because she has a lot of bills to
pay or that she now is confident (kampante) that her child has someone to be
with, she also tries to get time for herself
7) people nowadays choose to leave their kids to the yayas because of a lot
of reasons. outcome? -- kids lose their amor on their parents
8) time to adapt a Japanese lifestyle. there are also some day care centres
in japan that is situated near the train station, before parents leave for work,
they drop their child at the day care, then after work, they pick up their kids
and hop on the train going home. i also think this happens in korea and taiwan.
time to start now in the philippines
9) yayas are more or less, just the people who will keep the kids clean and
make them sleep and such. day care centers will be able to provide "education"
and will encourage social-skills in children. in these cases, let's say, if a
day care center would encourage an english policy environment, the kid who
speaks the vernacular will be able to practice speaking in english too. as
encouraged by his teachers and peers. in comparison with a yaya that was from
the provinces, she would only be able to speak tagalog and would/may not exert
any effort teaching the child anything at all
10) if the payment for a day care and a yaya would be similar. Ü why
not?

PLEASE PUT UP THIS BUSINESS ASAP.
There are a lot of people/call center agents/regular employees who need
this kind of lifestyle set up.
Should you need my help or assistance, please PM me :)
Thank you.

I've had about 30 more reasons to elaborate to her but, hey, I guess for now 10 would be enough. I hope this pushes through. I wonder you single-moms out there - or maybe both parents working - or even single peeps - how do you see this kind of set up?

To add to those objective reasons, in a day care, there are a lot of toys, kids could play all day, they will be well educated, there are teachers to guide them, there are a lot of activities each day, and --- I could go on and on and the list would be endless.

I myself think that I would feel and be physically close to my kiddo. Things are definitely different if there's a yaya. Household work will be easier, and I can go out whenever I want to. But, hey, that's why I'm a mommy now. This is not about me anymore. For me, traditional parent-bringing-up-her-own-child is still the most effective way to go.

*just like in the movies...*

;)

Sooo friggin' true!! (What Does Your Birth Date Mean)

Got this one from Maya = http://maya-licious.blogspot.com/ (naku pano ba gumawa nung "Click Here"???)

Ay grabe, kanina, nung nilagay ko yung birthdate ko sa drop-down boxes. I was sort of doubtful about this. Sabi ko, nyeh, meron akong hindi aayunan sa mga sinasabi nitong b-day thingy na 'to.

To my surpriiiiise...

Your Birthdate: November 27

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything. You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life. Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal. You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return. Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge Your power color: Cobalt blue Your power symbol: Dove Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

They are all sooo trulalu.

I am not a fan of Reyes Barbecue

Why?

I "sort-of" used to, but ain't no more. I don't know if you would agree with me but really, they increased their prices alongside them decreasing the quality of the food.

- at West Ave, we were served with a rice that was almost "panis" (spoiled). I have a very sensitive palate and I quickly know if the food were served is fresh or not
- their barbecue is usually burned outside (coz that is not my concept of grilled)
- the waiting time... arrrgh
- now you have to pay for that extra order of peanut sauce
- there was a time I ordered bangus belly at RB in Alabang Town Center, I was horrified when I smelled and tasted the bangus. The smell had a bit of cockroach-ish smell, not to mention the taste too. I was not able to eat my food nor did come back.

Sayang ang Reyes Barbecue. The concept was very catchy, coz it's a family business that has been passed on to many generations. The food, sans all the ewww stuff, would have actually been good too. I hope, to those people who are "running" the business now, they would rather choose to have an outstanding standard in serving great food (with great value) to their customers everytime and not just, as I usually call it, crap.

Napansin ko naman, minsan (o kadalasan - can't make up my mind), kapag franchised na ang isang business, 'di na maganda yung quality nung food at, minsan din, nung service.

Hayyy, 'wag naman ganyan.

When Someone Has Told You Something Very Deep and You Won't Know How to Respond

Beau and I have been having some frequent small talks regarding his leaving for abroad. I guess one of the things he has in mind was that I might go "astray" from what we have and what we have been planning ever since. Although that has sort of cut my heart as it seemed to me that it it seemed to him (in one way or the other) that would be easy for me to let go just because of temporary pleasures, I just put whatever assumptions I have in mind somewhere out there. I just think that he's just having some going-abroad-jitters, as I myself is not really certain on what's going to happen once he's away (who is anyway, right?). I mean, no one among us is certain what's going to happen tomorrow or the week or year after next, so... yeah... get my drift?

This morning, we had our usual chat online. And of course, as it is always "usual", I wasn't expecting something different is going to happen then.

Although one of the things I like about my beau is everytime he calls me "mahal". It's just music to my ears. And as much as I hate to admit it, I still get kilig and very anticipating of whatever he's going to say right after that.

And so again... out of nowhere... he called me "mahal". Then he spoke out these words...

beau: mahal

thank you

me: san?

beau: for being my partner

me: :)

bakit ka naman biglang napasabi nyan, baby? :)

beau: wla naman

naisip ko lang

it won't be possible for me to go abroad

if i haven't found a partner

that i can trust

not only with my money but with my heart :)

(sorry for the pasted ym convo... I don't know how to paste it some other way Ü) BTW, don't mind my answer right after that. ;)

What matters most here is that I have known right from him that he trusts me enough to leave me here. I hope he also knows that I trust him, not just enough, but maybe too much of a too much to let him go and be wherever he should be. Tulad nga ng sabi ko sa isa mga dati kong posts (just like I said on one of my previous posts), "I let him go... let him leave... as I know it's also me letting him live." So, maybe no one may be able to comprehend how deeply I feel regarding his leaving for abroad, but all I can say now is... I'll miss him so.

So many songs to sing, songs just to keep myself sane
Trying to keep our memories together aflame
When one like me who easily unconsciously forgets
Holds on dearly to many heartfelt remembrances unregret

Yosh is in My Office

Natutulog na ngayon ang baby ko dito sa office. Nagsiesiesta. Andun nakahiga sa gym mat may hawak na unan.



*insert piktyur here*



Masaya ako sa araw na to. Parang di rin ako napapagod. He keeps me happy and my spirits are up now that he's around.



I've taken some pics.. will post tomorrow (ahahah... eto na naman ako :P)

Today is first time I brought my baby to the office :)

Yes. You read that right. My baby's here with me today at the office. I'm just happy that inspite he's littering while he's eating, he's not crying nor wrecking havoc here in the office. This makes me feel confident that one way or the other, if this need to bring him in the office arises, I could still bring him again.

He's eating Pik-Nik and apples right now.

And another thing that made me write this blog was that there are times that he just looks at me then flashes me his "Yosh-smile". How's that? He smiles showing all his upper and lower teeth while his eyes turn to look like two horizontal lines, with his cheekbones up.

His smiles are so cute.
He's just sooo cute. Ü

Lastly, I would like to thank by "Baby" for just waking up very early in the morning just to bring us to the office and carried our bags for us.

I l♥ve ya. xoxo

Today was the day I was awarded as the CSP of the Month

Yes, that's right :) I was sooo damn happy that in about 9 months since I got here in She Sells Sea Shells, I have now been awarded as the CSP ofthe Month!!

So what? (Hahahahaha)

Oh well, aside form bragging rights, I must say that being one is also a good "way" of augmenting my income. Haha. Yep. Got about Php1.5k additional as a "reward" for being the CSP of the month. Hehe. No wonder Patty (my colleague) is happy being the CSP of the month.

I'm just so thankful that God answered my prayer. You see, I've been wondering how in the world will I be able to buy milk for Yosh tonight (well, aside from asking Beau to take care of it for the meantime, which I fully feel suckish in doing). Now, surprisingly (or almost surprisingly ~ coz I've got that gut feeling that I would win this time as Patty wasn't around ~ hahaha), I won and got an SM gift check for Php1.5k. Whew. I'm happy. Haha. That's all.

And I'm wishing mo' money money money (and giftcheques) to come. Ahaha.

Santorini, Thessaloniki, Folegandros, Mykonos, and Athens

Had it not been because of Athens, I would not have an idea those places would be from Greece. Okay, so I had seen the trailer of For The First Time (with Richard and KC) and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of Santorini and the Aegean Sea that surrounds it. So, I googled Santorini (and not KC and Chard anymore, haha, had enuff of them on TV already), and I found an amazing lines of pictures that even by just viewing a small part of that island, I couldn't help but feel awe in wonder and amazement.

thank you, Google, for providing me these wonderful pics!Ü

While browsing through some websites that talk about Santorini, the lifestyle, the gastronomic quests one could find, the humongous number of history that the place has, the clear blue waters, and the wineries one could visit, there was this little advertisement on top part of one of the pages I was browsing that had a quote "To make a dream come true, you have to start with the dream"... I was stunned by that quote. As there was quite some time that I had been wondering myself what are the dreams I have for myself. I looked at that quote/advertisement that was continously playing and pondered, read again, and pondered again until I have realised that that quote was actually pertaining to their "Weddings in Greece" by heliotopos offer. I clicked on that ad and saw the best places on earth. And all could be found in Greece, and the people/subjects posed on that site were a man and a woman who just got married. OMG!!!Ü I was totally stunned, breathless, and my eyes were smiling as I browse from one picture to another... One memory to another... One couple to another. The background was magnificent, the places in Greece which they got married were simple but the simplicity makes the whole "marital production" elegant. I've never seen a place best to get married but here! Hahaha. Miladies, I absolutely recommend you to check that website out and see for yourself. Gosh, I am currently working right now but heck about the work as long as my eyes were feasting with the thoughts and new "dreams" I now have. Yes, indeed, Hotel Heliotopos definitely have great place to offer. I wasn't even able to realise that while browsing through that website myself, oh gosh... There was a dream inside me that suddenly bloomed by itself. Yes. As a matter of fact, Santorini, Athens, or Thessaloniki... They are the places I'll be starting to look into from now :D

Yay!


For more info regarding Hotel Heliotopos' offers, visit: http://weddings.heliotopos.net/ or their primary hotel website at http://www.heliotopos.net/.

Nice View From the Plane (^_^)

Here's the view from above :) Awww...








Beau and I were aboard Cebu Pacific. I've been a frequent flyer of Cebu Pac's airbuses and for me, even when there is turbulence, I really don't feel a huge nausea while on flight. Althroughout the flight, it went on smoothly except for some "airsickness" that I've been feeling from time to time. On the two flights going to and fro Dumaguete, there were even some "games" that were hosted by the flight attendants. They asked some questions like, "What is this big whale that swims in the Islands of Bohol (or this is not verbatim, ok?)" and "What is the inactive volcano that is perfectly cone-shaped that could be found in the Philippines". And guess what? Being the "hyper-active" that I am (as Beau usually puts it), I was able to answer one of those 3 questions when we were on our way to Dumaguete!!! Ü hahaha. Well, such was an experience for me. Well, what can I do? I think I always would want to win contests! (talk about being competitive, eh? Ü).

Next will be my post when we landed at the Airport going to our very first food stop... Sans Rival!!! Ü

Let's Start at the Airport - NAIA Terminal 3

So, of course, I shall not take a boat ride going to Dumaguete (Dgte). I'm a person who easily gets bored. I could already sing "Killing Me Softly" for an hour of flight for me (which is approx the time of flight from Manila to Dgte). I was surprised to know that Cebu Pac had sent us to T3. And sheesh, as I don't travel a lot. I felt really good that I'll be able to take a peek at this Airport the government so much prides.

So, check out the pictures and maybe you can pass the verdict yourself. Ü

BTW, Terminal Fee going to Dumaguete (or in any domestic flight I assume) is Php200.00.

Upon entering the Terminal. (Singing ~ I've come back this morning to where I first... Came alive...~~~). Look at the flash, somewhere there you will see my silhouette. ;p

For me, this is already humongous. Ü

I think they're for international flights S:)

Spacious, I should say Ü

I don't know what these booths are called, I call them booths - hehe (okay, educate me). But I know for sure this is where we got our plane tickets ♪♪♪ And this is where some people leave their baggages too.

Mr. Manong Guard and behind him is a spacious lot. (It's good to have ample space. I'm claustrophobic by choice. Hehehe).

Wow! Looks like I'm on my way for an International flight. (naks)

Yes. They also do have Cinnabon inside. It's about Php100.00 (approx 2 bucks) for 1 bon. At the malls, it's about 85 (I reckon).

Couple's pic before the flight. Ü

ÜÜÜ Here are some of the weird stuffs I saw inside the terminal ÜÜÜ

To be totally and reaaally honest, I don't have an idea where she'll be going. Ü

Sila Kuya ano kaya ang tinitignan sa banda roon??? (What are these guys looking at?)

And Finally...

Gate 116

I was there...

It was dark and raining before we went aboard.

Before boarding the plane. Lemme show you mah sweet smile! Ü

... And off we went! Ü♪Ü♪Ü

So there you have it. The first few hours of my trip :) I'll try, as much as I could, to post one trip per day as not to keep you hanging guys, fans, and gals!!! Ü

Tomorrow, then. ;p