Nine Days

It’s just nine more days before Christmas and I can’t feel the season yet. Just this morning on the way to school, K asked if we could decorate the house. She plans on putting a snowman and a tree (Nanay, let’s put a small tree only because a bog one can’t fit our condo…). I just didn’t have the heart to tell her that nope, I’m not in the mood to decorate anymore, so I told her to ask Tatay later. I know Christmas is for Jesus, and I am guilty for feeling this way, so I hope my mood will change before the weekend. I owe it to my kids to be happy.

Talent

In one of my FB groups, this was asked: “If you can request God for a talent, what is it?”

I replied and said, “I’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument.” It’s my frustration. I never learned to play the piano, because I’m impatient to learn the basics, LOL. Maybe I should have prayed for more patience eh? Anyway, the thread starter replied to me. She said she wants that too but will just probably convince her kids to do it. Well, that’s my plan also. I’ve been convincing K to like the violin but for now, she’s interested in the xylophone and once she told me she wants the flute and drums too. The drums, that’s not feasible at the moment so perhaps a beginner flute will do for now? Maybe she’ll want that for Christmas.

Part-timer

I’m back writing articles for clients. But only as a part-timer. Now that I’m a fulltime stay-at-home-mom, I only get to work for a few hours. I am not complaining though. The little money that I earn helps anyway. I am happy that I get to choose which topics to work on. I sometimes accept topics that are challenging, those that I need to research on first. And  I learn, which is good. Just the other day, I had to write about heroin addiction and rehab. Thankfully, I have no one close to me who is addicted to this substance or any other drugs, but writing about it made me understand individuals and families who had to go through that ordeal.

Anyway, yeah. Life is kinda busy these days; my hands are full with the girls and Ane, the house, and my work. I’ll try to drop by here as often as I could.

Virus Scare

I just had a big virus scare this afternoon.  I was in panic! Everything was automatically scrolling down. I changed my mouse battery then changed to another mouse. I turned off my machine and my little problem was still there. I was about to review my antivirus program similar to ESET security license when my brother pointed out my problem. See, I’m dependent on Ane when it comes to my gadget issues and since he wasn’t here yet, I had to call Ry to troubleshoot. My problem was just a stuck down key. Whew.

I need an eye check…

The last time I had my eye checked was before I got (or while I was still) pregnant with R. Well, for someone who’s been wearing eyeglasses for years now, I say I’m already overdue to have my eyes checked again. I probably need to change my lenses too, I’m not sure if I’ll be needing progressive lenses. I hope not because I think those lenses are a sign of old(er) age. LOL. About once or twice a week, I see floaters, during those times when I lack sleep or when I’m tired. But then again, floaters are not supposed to be ignored so I must really schedule a visit to the Optha soon.

New Business

It’s never easy to start one. I learned this after years of failed attempts (not that I’m trying really hard, huh). You can’t just enter a venture, even if you have the money to spend.  You need to do a study and cover all details. For instance, you can’t offer moving services if you don’t even know which trailer manufacturer or rental company to deal with. Again, it’s not just about the money. So what’s the point of this post? Well, I just remembered someone I know whose business is doomed from the beginning and sadly, he doesn’t even know it.

That long?!

Whoa! Talk about a hiatus! I didn’t realize I was off this blog far too long, until I got some online time today. This is what happens when real life gets in the way (I’m not complaining though) and the drive to share went kaput. I’m sure you know what I mean, when you are simply uninspired and you just want to take two steps back to see the big picture. Yeah, I think that’s what happened. I hope to get my groove back though. Soon.

Undomesticated

I went to K’s school this morning for the monthly consultation with the teachers. We were also invited to a short talk on Nutrition, July being the Nutrition Month. There was a Chef who shared some recipes to make healthy snacks. I was asked to do one of the sandwiches and I was so clumsy I think the other parents noticed how undomesticated I am. Don’t get me wrong. I know how to cook and prepare food but if you will ask me to cook everyday, I won’t be able to do anything else anymore. Being in the kitchen kinda stresses me, I just don’t know if an anti fatigue kitchen mat will change that.

Anyway, they also shared this:

Macaroons? Yes but with a twist! They’re macaroons with squash! I didn’t know it until my seatmate mentioned it. K will probably like it too! Maybe I should try making some soon to wake up the domesticated goddess in me.

Stocking Knowledge

I’ve been reading tips here and there on designing party printables and office stationary like letterhead prints. I never gave up the idea that one day I will be able to offer that kind of services to clients as a business. I need to stock on knowledge because I’ll never know when a client would request for something I haven’t done before. Like last week, I had an unexpected order to design two invitations. But since I do that all the time for my kids’ parties and for friends/relatives, it was just easy. If the client added pillow boxes and tumbler labels, I would have to research first.

Someday…

This is in my bucket list! I want to explore and see the world with Ane…after exploring the Philippines of course. I wish we’d still have the energy to travel when we finally have the resources to actually do it. :p

A Blessed Weekend to All

Our weekend started pretty slow and it will probably stay that way for the rest of this long weekend (at least for QC peeps with kids because there will be no classes on Monday). I’m almost done with work and I’ll be off to spend QT with family in a while. Let me just share with you this quote, used a thousand times over, but still a good prayer to utter.

 

Happy weekend everyone!

Santino runs slow

I haven’t been using my old laptop Santino since Whitney arrived last year. I’ve assigned Santino to my daughter K but since we limit her gadget and TV use already, we don’t turn on that laptop anymore. Even before we weaned K from the laptop, I already noticed that Santino the pc runs slow. Just starting it up takes time. Maybe because he’s old and the system needs an upgrade? But whatever. Writing this post made me remember that I have files in there I need to backup soon.

BellyBlessed Fest 2013

Mommies, New Moms and most especially Expectant Mommies and Daddies, here's an event for you soon!

From Mommy Mundo's FB page:

“Moms and dads-to-be, come to the BELLY BLESSED FEST this July 12-14 at the Podium Mall atrium and celebrate your infanticipating with us! There will be interactive activity stations, booths showcasing mom and baby products and services, Mompreneur booths, and more. On July 13, Saturday there will be an all day program of entertainment and talks.

The event is open to all but we encourage all expectant moms to pre-register to get Belly Blessed Fest goodies. Register by texting in your name and no. of weeks pregnant to 09178162524. (Limited slots available).”

Throwback Thursday

My future pianist, video screen cap from November 2011. 

I wanted to share a photo of me during my piano lessons but I couldn't find the picture in my files. This was the same piano my siblings and I used back when our house was still flood-free. Yes, we used to have a piano teacher coming to our house. Back then we shared Mommy’s dream. Alas, we’re all frustrated pianists, LOL. I really wish my girls will learn at least one instrument in the future.

Wimbledon 2013 Upset

Talk about a Tennis Grand Slam event that just lost most of the top-seeded players before round 3. Most of them were injured, others had to retire the match because of pain. This year is definitely one for the books in Wimbledon history. Nadal, Federed and Sharapova, I’m sure that they’re out. I haven’t watched any of the matches, so now I’m thinking if I should still watch until the Finals despite these upsetting developments.

Security compromised

Ane was telling me about his friend whose house got broken into last week. Quite scary if you ask me, because we once experienced that too. Since we were renting, I itched to leave and find a new place which we eventually did within a month after we were robbed. But imagine happening the same and you own your house? I think I will have a hard time getting over that. Ane said his friend immediately changed locks and all screws to square head set screws. That’s the first thing to do when an incident like this happens, after reporting to the police of course. And then pray it never happens again.

BGC Ampitheather

I want to bring the girls here for floor water fountains. The last time we were there to buy Jamba Juice, R wasn’t born yet and the fountains were still under construction. I’m sure K will be delighted to see it, she loves fountains! But I think she will hesitate to actually play with the water even if it’s allowed. She’d be content just looking.

On Car Bike Racks

We were on the road one day when we saw a car with bike racks similar to these thule ski racks. I told Ane, maybe we should install bike racks on Nicki. What for, he said? Nothing, I just find them errrr cute. LOL. That was a joke of course because Nicki is a compact car…and we don’t ride a bike to begin with. Oh, the conversations we have during boring drives. ;p

Busy for the next SY

Our school will be in it’s third year this coming June and as early as now we are preparing for the opening of classes. I’m not really hands-on when it comes to the daily operations but I try to be available as much as I can, even remotely. I also try to give inputs when necessary. For example, although we are not yet due to change classroom furniture, I would suggest virco school furniture when we replace the wooden ones, things like that. For now, we’re busy with enrollment and preparing the materials and the classrooms.

In N Out in Manila?

Yes it’s true! The famous burger is in Manila…but only for today! If I knew about this earlier, I would have dragged Ane to BHS. But then again he just ended his two-week vacation from work so he can’t possibly go on leave today. I don’t know why they’re here but I‘m guessing a local company is thinking of buying the franchise and they would like to feel first if people will bite. I heard this “feeler” was a success because supplies ran out immediately.

Maybe we can expect a store here soon?

I am on the fence about it though. I am excited that In N Out will possibly be made available here, because I already miss eating it (the last time I had one was when Mom hand-carried a box of burgers from San Francisco, in 2009 [?]). But making it that accessible to me? That kills the excitement, me thinks. Just like Krispy Kreme and Ihop.

Lesson not learned?

It happened once, with coffee. And it happened again today, with water. It seems like I never learned my lesson the first time, that hubby was so annoyed I spilled on my laptop again. Yes I promised I won’t place any liquids on my table where I work, but I broke that promise yesterday (and for weeks hence). It was an accident, but I still felt so bad about it. Good thing, my laptop was not seriously damaged, unlike that one story I heard that he had to get a replacement sanyo battery from thomasdistributing.com after spilling soda on his unit. Hubby said I should really be thankful because he won’t replace my laptop anymore if I break it due to carelessness.

There’s no excuse anymore if it happens again.

Funny

I saw this image once again and I still find it funny:

Image from one of the pages in FB. It’s in Filipino but explaining it will kill the humor. But I will explain for my English-speaking readers (as if I have any LOL). The tortoise is challenging the hare, who gets to go home first. When the hare agrees, the tortoise promptly pulled his extremities in. The hare says a bad word. :D

Speculoos

You can’t help but get curious when you see one thing over and over again. It doesn’t help that people are raving about it online. I wanted to try Speculoos Cookie Butter since the week it made the rounds in Instagram. But when I found out that a jar sells for p525 (about $13), I had second thoughts of course. Is it worth it? And then someone mentioned that in the US, if you buy it straight from Trader Joe’s, a jar is only $4! Surely, I will not buy that p525 anymore right?!

And then…Tadaaaa!

I emailed my sister about a week before their flight to Manila and now I have four jars of Cookie Butter! :) My verdict: Yes, it is yummy (and I refuse to share them LOL) but it’s not something I would crave all the time and definitely not something I’d buy for $13!

Goodbye Havs?

I used to own at least fifteen pairs of Havaianas. And I got them all in a span of one year. Yes I was buying at least one pair per month back then. I only stopped buying when we learned we were pregnant for the first time. Now, I’m down to three or four pairs, I think. The others already snapped from wear and tear. Ane told me I can only buy a new pair if I’m able to use all of my pairs again. Now that moment is looming, given that my pairs are dying, I’m having second thoughts about it. I’ve been looking at best selection orthaheel shoes for a week now. Should I stay loyal to Havs? Or should I take another route this time? We’ll see.

A little Love…

Someone shared this video in Facebook and I just had to share it here too. Apparently it's Liberty Mutual's full commercial in 2011. I think it is well made, the point coming across. Sometimes we don’t know if little acts of kindness make a difference but they do. So never stop being kind to anyone. One way or another, it will come back to you.

"If you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own."

 

Backpacking in Ireland

I finished watching the movie Leap Year the other night…Here’s a screen cap of that scene after Declan said,"I don't want not to make plans with you. I want to make plans with you.” Awwww, so sweet.

The movie made me want to pack and explore Ireland. I guess that statement shows how much I loved the movie! I thank my friends for recommending this movie. Here’s another quote from the film that I love: “May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you. Cheers!”

If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it already! :)

Happy New Year!

First post for the year! I hope you all had a blast during the holidays. We were busy the last two weeks of 2012 and we’re just getting back to our old routine. That explains the short break from blogging too. I’m actually having a hard time getting back on track but slowly picking up.

Anyway, cheers to the new year! I wish for a better year for all of us!