Monday, July 31, 2006

Not so Fit Me ...

Since my baby has turned one 2 weeks ago, I no longer have a reason to not exercise or lose the 60lbs (yes, 60 lbs) I gained during pregnancy. I can no longer say that I need to wait a year or else I might suffer from relapse. I can no longer say that I'll work out when baby turns one.

He is already ONE. To be exact, one year and two weeks old.

So I don my Nike workout clothes and realize, ooopss! It won't fit. Dang! So I put on my hubby's shirt and jogging pants and decide to do Tae Bo. See, I love Tae Bo. It's one of the easiest work out program I've ever had and it was effective since I was able to maintain a 26 inch waistline before.

Now there's the keyword. BEFORE. Now, after 3 minutes of boxing and jumping around, I find myself wheezing and huffing and puffing. Not a pretty sight to look at. A big blob in a scrunchie huffing and puffing like there's no tomorrow.

I wanted to die. As my friend said, it's my body's way of punishing me for not taking care of it the past 2 years. Argh!

But I must forge ahead and work out. I know I can do this. I just need to set my mind to it. Till I am able to do so, excuse me while pant and wheeze.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

A Toast to Our Jobs!

The lovely thing about being me is that I am so damn good at it!

I swear, when I read that line, it just hit me. And so I browsed Michelle's site and lo and behold, it's fantastic. I wish I could write like that but then if I do, I'd be pretending to be witty and someone not so me. So I guess you guys are stuck to my way of writing.

It's rainy outside and all I wanna do is curl up and sleep but I got to work; work that is no longer fun and seems pointless mind you. But just like the line in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" here's a toast to jobs that pay the rent ... and the credit card bills .. and the phone bills ... and so on ... and so forth ...

What about you guys? How do you toast to your jobs?

Christmas Gift Ideas ...

It's nearing August which means September is just right around the corner; hence, the need to start preparing your Christmas list. If you're not Filipino, you won't understand my rambling. See, in my country, we celebrate Christmas starting September and end it after the Chinese New Year which is normally around February.

So for you out there who happen to have the creative bug, here are some gift ideas that I got from here.

Personalised Recipe BookIf one of your recipients is a vegetarian or has a penchant for curry, loves anything with tomatoes in or is a sucker for chocolate, make use of the fact by making a personalised recipe book. Start collecting appropriate recipes from books or magazines and purchase a small, inexpensive book to write them in. Copy them out in your neatest handwriting or use calligraphy if you are talented. If you have artistic flair, you can also include illustrations! What a delight this would be to the avid cook or foodlover.
Homemade Stationary
You need ordinary envelopes and cheap cartridge paper or newsprint. Now go through all your magazines and cut out decorative pictures or illustrations. Stick them to the fronts of the envelopes down the left or across the top. If possible stick matching borders or motifs on to the paper too. If you cannot get them to match, not to worry, just try to get illustrations with a matching colourway.
Chocolate Spoons
Buy a pack of plastic picnic spoons. These are very cheap and you can get literally dozens in a pack (enough to make all your presents!) Melt some chocolate with a knob of butter in a dish stood in a pan of boiling water. When the chocolate is runny dip the spoons up to where the handle starts into the chocolate. Place on greaseproof paper to dry then wrap with cellophane wrap and finish with a pretty bow. To add flavour you can add liqueurs, mint, or coffee, orange or vanilla flavouring to the melted chocolate mix.
Dress Up Box For Kids
You have to start this present halfway through the year as you can add to it as you go along. Obtain a large cardboard box from your local supermarket and cover it with pretty wrapping paper. If desired stick a large label on the front with the name of the recipient on it. Every time you go into town, browse round the charity shops and pick up cheap hats, scarves, veils, tutus, jewellery, gloves and small size dresses or jackets. Kids will go mad for something like this and you can tailor the clothing to a girl or a boy.
Santa's Sweeties
Instead of buying the kiddies selection boxes which are just a collection of chocolate bars packed together and grossly overpriced, why not build up a store of regular chocolate bars or packets of sweets throughout the year. Every time you visit the supermarket add a couple to your basket. Come Christmas time, divide the sweets between how many children you are catering for, into pretty bags made out of wrapping paper. Decorate with ribbons & bows. You will save a fortune!
Calligraphy
Get a book on calligraphy from the library and make personalized gifts by writing a poem, or if you are not that confident, the recipient's name on delicately coloured paper or card. Add a pressed flower or two and mount in a bargain frame.
Personalised Towels
A set of cheap white hand towels can be made unique by the addition of coloured ribbon or braid sewn approx. 3 inches from each end. Make them extra special by attaching the initials of the recipients with some scrap fabric and Bondaweb. Practical and customised!
Decorated Coffee Jar
Don't throw out your coffee, jam or pickle jars, especially if they are those really beautifully shaped ones that you get nowadays. All you need are some sequins or diamantes, which cost literally pennies from haberdashers. Stick them on at random and glue a label to the front with "coffee", "spice", "pasta" or anything else which the jar might be utilised for storing. Tie a silver or gold bow round the neck of the jar.
Hand Decorated Ceramics
If you are artistic, why not purchase a set of plain white ceramic egg cups, tea cups or plain glasses which are extremely inexpensive. Using a bottle of ceramic paint decorate by hand or stencil or stamp on each one to make them unique. If possible find out before hand the colour scheme preferred.
A Set Of Fridge Magnets
Decide who you are going to give fridge magnets to earlier on in the year and take some photos of either the person or their children. Make small squares or circles out of cardboard and stick the photos onto the card. Finish by attaching small magnets to the backs.

Personalised Photo Album
Photograph albums can be picked up very cheaply, especially when sold together in bulk; i.e. three or five sets cellophaned together. Cover the albums with pretty fabric or lace and stencil the recipient's initials on the front to personalise it.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

B with Ninang Flare's Gift

Here's B with his Goodnight Moon set. The book is right in front of him and the bunny that comes with the boxset is peeking on the side. Thanks Ninang Flare for finally getting Goodnight Moon. Mwah!

Baby with an Attitude

My lil boy who turned one last 14th of this month is now vying for a Best Actor award. He knows how to turn on the charms and tears when he wants Mommy to carry him around. Even at 11 in the evening. He's got this thing going where he would sleep at around 8pm and wake up a few hours later to "bond" with the poor souls tasked to sleep beside him. Depending on the day, it would either be me and his Daddy, or his Lolo and Lola.

See, I report for work at 6am. I live 2 hours away from work so I gotta get up real early. 11pm for me is not a good time to be bonding with baby. But what's a Mom gotta do? Bond. While at the back of my mind, I'm thinking "why can't someone create a really safe sleeping pill for babies?"

The joy and bane of motherhood. Gotta love it! =p

Monday, July 24, 2006

Rainy Reunion

Yesterday saw me wading my way to Timog to meet up with childhood friends, some of which I have not seen for more than 10 years. Yes, there was a storm raging but that did not deter us at all. As what Julie said, "tuloy tayo kahit umuulan." (we're pushing through eventhough its raining.)
It was fun and full of laughter. It felt like old times. We were just talking and talking and it seemed like there was no gap at all. It felt like old times, only with more mature faces and now with a degree to our names. After all, some of us were doctors now and budding lawyers.

Not bad for a bunch of girls who was tagged to most likely get pregnant at 18.

What's your childhood story?

Rainy Reunion


Yesterday saw me wading my way to Timog to meet up with childhood friends, some of which I have not seen for more than 10 years. Yes, there was a storm raging but that did not deter us at all. As what Julie said, "tuloy tayo kahit umuulan." (we're pushing through eventhough its raining.)

It was fun and full of laughter. It felt like old times. We were just talking and talking and it seemed like there was no gap at all. It felt like old times, only with more mature faces and now with a degree to our names. After all, some of us are doctors now and budding lawyers.

Not bad for a bunch of girls who was tagged to most likely get pregnant at 18.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

The Romantic Fool

"Don't you know that you're just a toy that I like to play with to amuse me when I'm bored?"


Those words were uttered by me and I know that it's damn bitchy. I do feel sorry now but at that time, I was just a demon on the loose out to play on the field and hit as many as I can.

But he won. This guy, this romantic fool. He made me believe in love again. He taught me that though my heart got trampled by some guy, life is still good, time heals all wounds, and everything will soon be okay.

He was the perfect guy. Not handsome but cute in his own dorky way; he was the type movies were made of. He would bring me flowers almost every week for no reason at all. He would surprise me with things that I mentioned in passing that I was hoping to buy someday. He drove all the way from Antipolo to Binondo just so he could give me a flower to make me smile since I was depressed after getting into a fight with my Mom. He got 2 bags of different stuff in purple simply because I loved purple. He set up romantic dinners in their gazebo and would cook dinner for me and dance with me under the stars. It was straight out of a movie.

And just like the movies, we broke up. Unfortunately for that story, it ended there. But just like every love gone wrong that I had, I learned a lot of things from him. I learned how to love and give it my all without holding anything back. I learned that love and pride can never match and so I chose love.

So to you my romantic fool ... stay that way. And as I have posted in my testimonial for you, I'm sure that one day you will meet someone who will love you the way you deserved to be love and not hurt you the way that I did.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

I Wonder ...



when I will feel the passion to stitch again? This is the last thing that I made and it was before I gave birth to my baby and he's one year old now. I just can't make myself do it; maybe because I have so many pending craft stuff to do.

moments of love

My hubby surprised me yesterday by letting me believe that he wasn't picking me up then coming here all the way from South to do so. We live in the South and I work in the North area so imagine how out of the way he went just to pick me up. Then he proceeded to surprise me again by bringing me to Rockwell where we had a really early dinner and watched Pirates of the Carribean.

Now I don't know about you guys but I have this thing wherein a date is not complete without eating out, watching a film, and getting coffee. It's just a thing of mine if the place we go to is a mall. So we ate at Banana Leaf, watched Pirates, and I got my Hot White Chocolate Mocha with Mint Syrup! It felt like we were back to our going out days. It felt good.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

B's 1st Birthday

B's birthday cake ...

party hats, gift, balloon bouquet

There were no bash or party that was held in honor of his birthday but we did have fun and we did spend it with our son. We decided against a party since he's too small to enjoy it anyway and would just get pinched like a doll by visitors so it was just family. Here are pictures from the two day celebration.

B with his birthday cake

B playing with our gift ... 100 colored balls for him to throw around.

and so it ends ....

My 5 day vacation came to an end today ... sigh ... but what a vacation leave ... though I did not go out of town, I was able to rest and do things I love like watch DVDs, finish series after series, and scrap. I still have a lot left to do but I know that I will be able to get it done because I have been bitten by the scrap bug once again. I feel inspired to create and create.

My son's birthday is now over and though there was no party, it was still a lot of fun. Here's some pictures of his cake. Yes, cake. I was not able to make the cupcakes coz I'm lazy. Hehe.

can you spot the difference?

I also wanna thank everyone who gave something to my baby .. .the clothes were uber cool and hip and the books and toys ... he's enjoying it like he'd never had a toy before. So once again, thank you! Mwah mwah mwah!

Friday, July 14, 2006

Movie Fest and a Birthday

Last Wednesday saw me taking an early leave from the office since I was not feeling too good. I was exhausted and thus needed to rest. I took this opportunity given to me to catch up on my piling stack of DVD’s. I watched and watched the whole afternoon. And even the next day. I’ll give you a list of what I’ve seen so that you can also make a list of your own.

Just My Luck – brainless funny romantic film
Take the Lead – really good dancing though kind of impossible to happen in real life
The Lake House – love it! Love it!
United 93 – there were moments that I just cried feeling the loss of these people
Desperate Housewives Season 2 – can’t wait for Season 3
Superman Returns – eeekkkk!!! He is so handsome … story seems a bit shallow but real eye candy.

I’ve also update my baby’s Baby Book since it’s his 1st birthday today and I don’t want it to be forgotten … though I have neglected it for some time now. I also added some simple scrappy pages which I’ll post in my craft blog real soon.

Today is gonna be busy for me so I’m just gonna steal a few moments to Pex and blog and then I’ll see you all on Tuesday most probably. To my greatest blessing, B, Happy 1st birthday and thank you for touching our lives. We love you so much baby!!!!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Watch Me Grow

This is a frame I brought for my son which I decorated to give it a personal touch. This is for my son who will be turning one on Friday. Happy birthday baby! =)

The Guitar Man

I met him when I was getting out of a relationship that was struggling to stay afloat. My then boyfriend and I had agreed to see other people and so when he sent me a text message after I went to his gig, I was giggling like a schoolgirl. I liked him at first sight. He liked me too. So we went out for about a month and slowly fell in love. But there was a hitch. He was going to the States for a month or two.

I loved the way he would sing songs to me as if it were just meant for me. I remember how he would always sing "Iris" at the end of his gig whenever I'd go and watch them. What made it special was that he hated mainstream songs such as Iris.

He taught me to love "Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews and until now, everytime I would hear it, I'd remember him. He taught me how to have more confidence in my singing talent. He taught me that even if someone were filthy rich, they can still be down to eath and have fun without spending.

He also taught me that it is never a good thing to break someone's heart. I broke his and I felt really bad about it. I didn't mean to but I guess fate intervened. I don't know if he ever forgave me for it. I hope he did.

So to you my guitar man, keep playing your sad soulful music and continue hoping that one day, someone will sit beside you and sing with you.

Monday, July 10, 2006

B wearing Ralph Lauren

This is my son. He looks like such a big boy now. turning one (1) on the 14th ... sniff ... no longer a baby. B, i hope you'd still let me hug you and kiss you everyday. I love you baby!

framed memories


This was a plain picture frame that I made for Inay on her 80th birthday. It has the invitation to her surprise party as well as old pictures of her with her grandkids and great grandchildren. Then I added some stickers and borders to further enhance it then used a foam stamp to get her name written on top. Hope she liked it.

Happy 80th birthday Inay!

Top 10 Songs that Moves Me ...

This is an answer to Toni's challenge ...

1) I Won't Last a Day Without You
This is a song for my Mom because it is true that I don't know if I can make it without her. She's infuriating at times but heck, she's my Mom. She will always be there for me.

2) Through the Years
This is one song that I hope to one day be able to dedicate to my hubby. I envy old married couples who stay in love with each other through the years.

3) From This Moment
This is the song I want to be playing when I actually walk down the aisle.

4) Umagang Kayganda
This song goes to all my friends who ar eno longer within arms reach since they've flown their nest. I will always cherish you and remain in touch whether you like it or not. Haha!

5) Lord I Offer My Life
This song lifts me up when everything seems to go wrong.

6) Ugoy ng Duyan
There's just something haunting about this song. It moves me to tears.

7) The Reason
Its our themesong.

8) Sanay Wala ng Wakas
My Mom's favorite song.

9) Do You Want to Know a Secret?
First and only song my Dad and I sang together. He played the guitar and we sang together.

10) The Prayer
This song released all the pain I felt when my cousin died.

There you go.

Friday, July 7, 2006

Feast 101 - Ed 5

Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?

Last May when I got into an accident; I fell off a moving bus and got bruised. Booh!

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?

At my present state, I would say 7. I used to be a 10 but I'm content now with my life. I could ask for more material stuff and a bigger house and an X-Trail but life has been good. I'm cool.

Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)

Everyone, yes, everyone, scream! (EYES!)

Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?

Scrapworms and Coffeholics ... a combination of scrappers, bookworms, and caffeine freaks! Ang saya diba? (lots of fun!)

Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?

Maroon since we're aiming for the warm cozy atmosphere!

Looking for ...

musical carousel
Or even something like this? Anyone selling something like this? A musical carousel? Please lemme know!

value of friendship

I got an email today from a friend whom I've never met in real life, and who has been a friend since 1999. That's 7 years of cyberfriendship mind you. This email he sent made me realize the value of friendship and how, without friends, I probably would not have survived the tumultuous times in my life.

I've had my share of secrets and people whom I've shared my secrets too. Some of them have betrayed me and blabbed to others about it while some of them keep it in their hearts to this very day. I thank all of them. See, my take on this is that at times, you just really need to share a secret with someone. Like you feel that you would just burst if you can't have someone to talk to about it. It kills you. Or maybe I'm a special breed and all of you just keep it to yourselves.

I don't betray secrets shared with me, but my own secret, there are so few that I have not shared. Most of it, my friends know. So yes, I am beholden to them. Harharhar!


This is another picture I can relate to. I don't know why most
guys can't understand that we just need to cry at times. I'm a woman, I know how to solve my own problems, but dammit, I need to cry at times.

There, I've said it. I'm okay now.

Thursday, July 6, 2006

Erratum: I spoke too soon ...

Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

I hate this day. I went to PhilAm Clinic in Salcedo and y'know what happened??? I got poked by a needle more than 20x. This is not an exaggeration. I have 3 holes in the other side of my elbow, you know, that spot where they prick you to get blood. 3 holes, pricked 9x, 8x, and 6x respectively.

To say the lab med reps were incompetent would be an understatement. Sheesh.

And they blame it on my vein. It's collapsing, it's so thin ... yakity yak yak. Hello? I grew up going in and out of hospitals. It's never been a problem to get blood from me.

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Insomniac no more ...

For the first time in a long time, I was able to fall asleep even before the clock hands chimed 10pm. Normally, I'm the last one up in our house and the first one up since I need to be at work by 6am in Makati and I live in the South area.

I feel so good ... it makes me just wanna up and dance. =)

And it's only 6:31am but I've got some good news to share with already ...

1) a coworker told me that he's starting his own blog coz he got inspired by my blog ... whooppeeee!!!

2) a friend of mine thinks she may be falling in love with the right guy

3) I might be able to maintain my schedule as is even with the circus happening in our workplace

4) my tooth is no longer throbbing

5) I've lost a bit of weight.

How about you? Any good news lately?

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Urges Smurges

Ever felt the urge to kiss someone you know you shouldn't? I have ... and I did ... it's a weird feeling mind you ... one moment you're just talking to the person and the next, you just wanna give him a smack in the lips. I'm not talking about torrid or even passionate kissing but a smack.

To see how the person would react? To see how it would feel? I don't know ... I've done it before when I was in college and ended up with a guy stalking me. I don't even know why I'm writing about this.

I guess I just wanna know if this is a normal thing or its something only I have experienced. Anyone?

Sigh. Urges smurges.

Tuesday, July 4, 2006

random stuff about me

1. Have you ever traveled outside of your own country?
- unfortunately, not yet ... but I have plans ... lots of it ...

2. If you could be any animal, which animal would you be, and why?
- I'd be a cheetah .. its fromt he cat fmaily but I'd be able to run away real fast and get away from anyone trying to tame me

3. Do you read manga?
- nope ... no plans to as well

4. Are you doing anything special to celebrate Independence Day? (For those of you who don't live in the U.S., did you do anything special this past weekend?)

- lots of special stuff this weekend ...


5. How many memes do you participate in regularly?

- right now, only 3 ...

6. How much is a gallon of gasoline where you live? Have you cut down on your driving since the prices have gone up?

- it's about Php40 now I think ... I commute ... driving a car is too expensive nowadays ...

Monday, July 3, 2006

Midyear Assessments ...

Half of 2006 ends today. A new half begins tomorrow.

What were the highlights of your first half of the year?

Hmm ... I kinda love/hate this kind of question ... makes me think back to the past ...
Highlights?

1) taken way too many pics to capture all the precious moments of my life ... a first for me since before I felt a bit awkward but now, not anymore ... who's to say when all of this will end?

2) paid off lots of debts and is now on the road to saving up big time!

3) B got sick which taught me a lot about taking care of babies and what Mommyhood really is about ...

4) lil tornado nearing 1 year old mark! Wheee!!!

5) got an iPod Nano last Friday which is so funny since I talked about saving up for that in a post I made that day ... and mind you, this was a gift! Cool huh?
not too many highlights nor even big ones but I like it this way ... simple life but happy ...

Crazy Weekend

The entire weekend was pretty hectic for me ... met up with some balikbayan friends for merienda and coffee ... got the PostSecret book I've been eyeing for so long as well as as Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught. Also got a Missouri magnet which I've added to my growing collection.

Also attended the wedding of my cousin in law and it was really great! I mean, they were on time, no one was late, the food was wonderful, and music was great. Though it finished a bit early, no one was complaining! Cheers to you Allan and Donna! May you have a blessed relationship.

Yesterday split hubby and I. I went to my Dad's place with our son and he went to Batangas to get our pasalubong. Got some Victoria's Secret colognes and skincare as well as apparel and stuff toys and a Care Bear wobblehead. Love them all!



All in all, very tiring but feeling good. Just need to catch some more zzzz's .... unfortunately, I'm still at work and have a dinner with an uncle later.