hi mickey!

One of the highlights in our HK Disneyland adventure. It was the most memorable too I should say. We went there to Disney with my sister in law and her then-boyfriend-now-hubby. I was without a nanny so babysitting Lizzie was a task we had to divide amongst ourselves. I just found out today while looking that this was a very funny family photo. It was already late in the afternoon when we caught sight of Mickey Mouse, Lizzie was tired and sleepy plus the fact that she pooped in her nappies. Just check out our faces. I guess, only Arthuz was prepared for this shot hahaha! I will show this to him later when comes home from work. So glad also that he was able to buy the CAT5e that we need to send to my brother in the province.

the man

I am one daddy's girl and I am proud of it. This photo was taken when my dad came over for a month long vacation. Check out the old man (who is so young at heart) with his little grandkids. And yes, Lizzie is the fattest of them all =)

Random Questions # 1

1. WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST CLASSMATE IN COLLEGE? It was Karren during the first 2 years and Janet (who is my bestfriend) in the latter part of my college life.
2. WHAT WERE YOU DOING 10 MINUTES AGO? Purchasing a flash memory online .
3. IF YOU WERE A COLOR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Red
4. MTV, Channel V or MYX? MTV and MYX
5. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT? A house and lot somewhere near Assumption Antipolo and plane tickets to the US for 3!
6. WHAT DISNEY MOVIE CAN YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER? I am a Disney fan so I can watch all their movies over and over again.
7. FOOD YOU'RE CRAVING FOR RIGHT THIS MINUTE? Crispy Hito with buro
8. CAFFEINATED DRINK YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? Coffee!
10. WHERE'S THE BEST PLACE TO EAT ICE CREAM? In an ice cream parlor
11 . WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU PUT IN YOUR GROCERY CART? Toiletries
12. RADIO STATION YOU FREQUENTLY LISTEN TO? Jam
13. WHERE DO YOU USUALLY HANG OUT? At home. Hahaha!
14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? Used to be English and Math
15. IF YOU WERE TO CHANGE CAREERS, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT IT TO BE? I have always wanted to be a lawyer. Sigh.

Thanks Chikai!

friday fill ins

1. My favorite food seasoning is fish sauce.
2. My daughter's voice is music to my ears.
3. Lucky is the son of Vilma Santos hehehe.
4. My family is something I take very seriously.
5. Many people take the blessings that come their way for granted.
6. A pair of sandals was the last thing I bought at the store.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to another family get together at the cemetery, tomorrow my plans include visiting an uncle and attending a Halloween party in Makati and Sunday, I want to rest!

What am I still doing here?

I have to start moving! It's almost 3pm and I am still at my sister in law's house. Hahaha! We're scheduled to go to the cemetery at 4pm and I have to drive to my in laws' shop so we can all go together. Good thing that Lizzie fell asleep so that gives me a valid reason to stay and blog some more. My pretty niece is busy playing at her musical rocker. She's such an angel. I am so engrossed with what I am doing now (from surfing to blogging to watching my lil niece play) that I totally forgot to look for HDMI cables online.

Ciao for now! Be back later!

Thursday Threesome

:: Daylight Savings Time::

Onesome: Daylight-- Savings Time has started down under so I need to wake up an hour earlier for work. Booohooo!!

Twosome: Savings-- account. I keep one for myself, one for Lizzie and one for Arthuz. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Threesome: Time-- to go to the cemetery. The traffic might get heavier later. Ciao!

Join the fun here.

3 X Thursday

3 x Thursday: 10/30/y2k+8: Boo!

1. Do you like Halloween? Why/why not?
Halloween is really not the "in thing" in the Philippines so I am not so fond of it but I have a 3 year old daughter and as much as possible, I want to expose her to different kinds of celebration all year round so I have no choice...

2. What's your favorite part of the Halloween season? Why?
Trick or Treatin'

3. Do you have plans for Halloween this year? If so, what are they? If not, why not?
We just brought her to some villages for trick or treat.

litratong pinoy # 31 - then there was darkness

Ito ay kuha sa La Luz, Batangas halos isang buwan na ang nakakalipas. Hindi kayo maniniwala na ito ay kunuhahan na tirik na tirik ang araw ngunit sa wari mo'y takipsilim na ito. Sadyang nakakagulat ang siyensya at potograpiya. Akalain mo ba namang gawing halos gabi na ang tanghaling tapat?

This was taken in La Luz, Batangas almost a month ago. You are not going to believe but this was taken at noon when the sun was scorching hot and was at its peak. You would think this was taken at dusk. Photography and Science continues to amaze me.

Please check out my other entry here.

The A-Z tag

Snagged from Rocks.

A. Attached or single? Attached
B. Best friend? Janet
C. Cake or pie? Cake
D. Day of choice? Sunday
E. Essential item? Cards
F. Favorite color? Purple
G. Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears
H. Hometown? Naga City
I. Favorite indulgence? Mango Torte
J. January or July? January. Start of a new year, new hope, new dreams. And my birth month.
K. Kids? One. The second is a WIP *wink*
L. Life isn’t complete without? a personal relationship with GOD.
M. Marriage date? 031105
N. Number of magazine subscriptions: oh no! a lot! about 5? (excluding the ones my mom subscribed in the US for me)
O. Oranges or apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Rats, Heights, Crowds and Enclosed places.
Q. Quotes? What goes up must come down
R. Reasons to smile? Lizzie's antics
S. Season of choice? Summer
T. Tag 5 people. Babs, Yen, Aggie, Maver and Abie
U. Unknown fact about me? I don't forget dates
V. Vegetable? ampalaya
W. Worst habit? Procrastination
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite foods? pork chops, shrimps and hito
Z. Zodiac sign? Aquarius

Yen's QOTW # 12

1. What does whispering make you think of?
Bad Manners.

2 What kinds of current women’s clothing styles do you dislike the most?
loud colors, super knee boots, loud prints, leather skirts, emo

3. What is your greatest extravagance?
food, magazines and books

4. Do you have a good luck charm? What is it?
Yes. My rosary.

5. Fill in the blank: “Without ___ I am nothing.”
God.

6. How do you react when you find out that your closest friend dated your ex?
Kebs =)

7. Do your heart and your mind ever disagree?
Most of the time!

8. In what areas of your life are you uncompromisable?
Safety of my family. Milestones of my daughter.

9. Have you ever gossiped about other people in order to add excitement to your
own life only for it to back-fire on you ?
Yes. It happened to me once.

10. I am___________________.
I am the keeper of my soul.

wordless wednesday - dreamhouse

One of the many pretty houses we have visited in our search for the one...

the other side of him

Arthuz at play.

this is me today.

I am home alone as I write this. Arthuz is busy working. Lizzie is enjoying her 8-day sem break at her Mama Shine's (my sister in law) house. The yaya's with her of course. I asked the other househelp to pay the bills. So, here I am by my lonesome trying to update all my blogs.

What have I been doing so far? Aside from work, which actually eats up 60% of my time, I have been caught up with Lizzie being officially in school as a Junior Nursery. After work, I have to rush home for our homework time. I devote an hour for that. If I go over it, there will be war. Although Lizzie is excited about the concept of school and what they do there (and here at home), she still lacks focus. Well, that's understable as she is only 3! So I let her be. Her eyes is my queue. When I see that she starts to wander around, then that would mean that I have to stop and let her do her thing. Usually, she only wants to color on her own. So I let her do it, then I check her work. If I can't really help it, I help her crayon the more difficult pictures in the book. Adelantada, yes.

I plan to start doing my Christmas shopping next week. My list is ready. I just need to ask Arthuz if my list is enough.

I am tired and almost exhausted but I am very happy. There's no reason to it. I just am.

Ray of Light

until one morning, i'll wake up and find i'm

thinking about something else

and then i'll know the worst is over..

my heart might be bruised, but it will recover

and become capable of seeing the beauty of

life once more.

it happened before, it will happen again,

i'm sure.

when someone leaves, it's because

someone is about to arrive -- i'll find love again.

The Zahir, Paolo Coelho

halloween!

Your Halloween Costume Should Be

A Pimp

What Should You Be For Halloween?

manic monday

What is the greatest value that guides your life?
It has always been Faith, Hope and Love.

Fill in the blank: If I could be anybody besides myself, I would be Audrey Hepburn and no one else.

What is one item in your house that you should really throw out but probably never will?
I have said this time again. I am finding it a hard time parting with all my magazines. From cosmo when I was young and single, to all those pregnancy magazines and now my women inspired mags like Marie Claire, InStyle, GH, SP, WM. Hay! The list could go on and on...

Sunday Stealing: The AnyHow Meme

1. Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain?
Yup! As the song goes "I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows..." Up until I was 9 or 10, I believed that there was indeed a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be?
To win the lottery (I guess that's everyone's dream) but how can I win if I don't bet at all? Heee!

3. Do you believe in eternity love?
Who doesn't?

4. What feeling do you love most?
Inner peace and happiness, stability and contentment. And the giddy feeling of a puppy love!

5. What feeling do you hate the most?
physical pain, hunger and sleep deprivation.

6. Do you cherish every single friendship of yours?
Most definitely!

7. Do you believe in God?
I sure do!

8. Who cares for you most?
My family (in laws included) and some very close friends.

9. What do you think is the most important thing in your life?
My family -- how I am respected and loved in my household (and how my opinion and decisions always matter LOL)

10. What emotion do you like to show?
Emotions of unconditional love and understanding.

11. If you have something troubling you, what do you do?
I can't concentrate. I have to have something to do otherwise I'll go crazy.

12. Who do you admire most?
My mom, my mother in law and Audrey Hepburn.

13. Who did you last chat with in a chat room?
My Plurk buddies and my super girlfriend, Jayms.

14. What kind of person do you think the one we stole this meme from is?
a certified blogger!

15. What color did you use to dye your hair?
I have never dyed my hair since birth.

16. Why are you doing this meme?
More UPP hehehe...

17. What do you do when you're moody?
I am the worst when I am not in the mood and people doesn't want to come near me. Ask the husband.

18. At which age do you wish to or did you, get married?
I have always to tie the knot at 27. 27 at 27 I would always say (My birthday is 1-27). I got married at 27!

19. If today is the last day of your life, what will you do?
Talk to a priest, spend my last hours with my family in the beach perhaps, to watch the setting of the sun...

20. Who is the person you trust the most?
Mommy, MIL, hubby, my bestfriend Janet and a few close friends.

21. Last time you smiled?
Before I slept this afternoon.

22. What are you listening to right now?
The sound from our TV. The little girl is watching cartoon network.

23. Who was the last person you saw in your dream?
An officemate. Weird!

24. Are you talking to someone while doing this?
Lizzie

25. Do you walk with your eyes open or closed?
Huh?

26. Is there a quote you live by?
What goes around, comes around.

27. Do you want someone you cannot have?
I learned the hard and painful way. I don't wish for the farthest stars anymore.

28. Who always makes you laugh?
My daughter. She's the wittiest!

29. What was the worst idea you've had this week?
It's a secret I'm gonna keep with hubby =)

30. Do you speak another language other than English?
A bit of Spanish but it's really funny. I only remember a few words from my Span 1, 2 and 3 classes in college.

weekend snapshot - little princesses

This is my daughter Lizzie and her friend, Patrice. They were both dressed up to the nines last Saturday as their school celebrated UN Day slash Halloween. We dressed her up as a Fairy Princess and Patrice on the other hand showed up in a Princess Jasmine costume. It was a fun, grand celebration of little children. We definitely had a great weekend!

Lizzie's Books and Children of the World

Photos from last Saturday's activity. Lizzie was dressed up as a Fairy Princess. It was scorching hot in the gym but we all had a a grand time. Certified stage parents that we are -- we both can't help but feel a little choked up as soon as the little girl went up the stage to say her 30-second, 4-liner speech. The dad was her coach, the mom - her cameraman/videographer. And the lola? Oh, she was the number 1 critic slash fan!

to do list.

Things to do this Sunday:

(I swear I need to run a lot of errands this weekend and this saturday being Lizzie's UN day leaves me no other choice but to finish all the errands by tomorrow as today is blocked!)

1. Buy her no skid socks. Teacher Patty wrote me a letter about this. She needs to bring the socks when classes resume on November 1.
2. Go to the wet market for next week's provision.
3. Supervise in the general cleaning. The storage room has been untouched since June. I wonder if there are snakes there already.
4. Check out Arthuz's gym membership. Renew if needed.
5. Buy my dad's air tools. He has been asking for this since two weeks ago but I haven't had the time to go to the mall for this. Tomorrow, promise.

It really takes a lot of patience, hardwork, talent (and grace) to be a working mom!

Saturday 9: The Best of What's Around

1. What's the best new website you've found?
I have quite a few number of favorite websites but I frequent food blogs lately. I am so inspired with how these "foodists" write about food, how they capture food and how they keep their blogs attractive to the readers..

2. What's the best movie you've seen?
I have always loved Gone with the Wind.

3. What's the best quote you know?
What goes around, comes around.

4. What's the best book you've read?
Emotional vampire =)

5. What's the best thing someone's done for you?
Married me.

6. What's the best thing about your job?
The pay!!!

7. What’s the best CD you own?
Il Postino

8. What’s the best new TV show you watch?
KIS hahaha!

9. What’s the best car you’ve owned?
I have yet to own the best *wink*wink*

si bob ong.. bow!

bob ong's original and very enlightening quotes. one or another, naramdaman natin lahat eto hehe :)

1. "Kung hindi mo mahal ang isang tao, wag ka nang magpakita ng motibo para mahalin ka nya.."

2. "Huwag mong bitawan ang bagay na hindi mo kayang makitang hawak ng iba."

3. "Huwag mong hawakan kung alam mong bibitawan mo lang."

4. "Huwag na huwag ka hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na."

5. "Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo pagsisiksikan ung sarili mo kung walang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron naman hagdan, ayaw mo lang pansinin."- Hahaha Sabi naman ni Juan tamad, "Babalik at babalik parin ang elevator, kaya mas maganda na maghintay ka nalang" :)

6. "Kung maghihintay ka nang lalandi sayo, walang mangyayari sa buhay mo.. Dapat lumandi ka din."-

7. "Pag may mahal ka at ayaw sayo, hayaan mo. Malay mo sa mga susunod na araw ayaw mo na din sa kanya, naunahan ka lang."-

8. "Hiwalayan na kung di ka na masaya. Walang gamot sa tanga kundi pagkukusa."

9. "Pag hindi ka mahal ng mahal mo wag ka magreklamo. Kasi may mga tao rin na di mo mahal pero mahal ka.. Kaya quits lang."

10. "Kung dalawa ang mahal mo, piliin mo yung pangalawa. Kasi hindi ka naman magmamahal ng iba kung mahal mo talaga yung una." - wahahaha wala lang, natawa lang ako :D

11. "Hindi porke't madalas mong ka-chat, kausap sa telepono, kasama sa mga lakad o ka-text ng wantusawa eh may gusto sayo at magkakatuluyan kayo. Meron lang talagang mga taong sadyang friendly, sweet, flirt, malandi, pa-fall o paasa."

12. "Huwag magmadali sa babae o lalaki. Tatlo, lima, sampung taon, mag-iiba ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mong hindi pala tamang pumili ng kapareha dahil lang maganda o nakakalibog ito. Totong mas mahalaga ang kalooban ng tao higit sa anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan nagmumukha ding pandesal, maniwala ka."

13. "Minsan kahit ikaw ang nakaschedule, kailangan mo pa rin maghintay, kasi hindi ikaw ang priority." - LOL!

14. "Mahirap pumapel sa buhay ng tao. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw yung bida sa script na pinili nya."

15. "Alam mo ba kung gaano kalayo ang pagitan ng dalawang tao pag nagtalikuran na sila? Kailangan mong libutin ang buong mundo para lang makaharap ulit ang taong tinalikuran mo." - :(

16. “Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa ng isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala.”

17. “Hindi lahat ng kaya mong intindihin ay katotohan, at hindi lahat ng hindi mo kayang intindihin ay kasinungalingan” - asteeg!

18. "Kung nagmahal ka ng taong di dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lng yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon, kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organs mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay! Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!"

19. "Ang pag-ibig parang imburnal...nakakatakot mahulog...at kapag nahulog ka, it's either by accident or talagang tanga ka.." - rofwl

Our Fairy Princess

At 3pm today, Lizzie will transform into what you see above and she will bring us to Fairyland as her school sponsors this years "Books and Children of the World". The parents were asked to practice their kids with a 3-second, 1 liner speech and the dad, being a stage father and all, wanted her to have the most unique speech of all.The speech will go like this:

'Hi! I'm Lizzie and I'm your Fairy Princess. I will turn all of you into frogs!'

The Lola has already bribed her with an EK weekend if she perfects her speech so we were kinda "puyat" practicing her with this super simple line. I know it's as easy as ABC but if you know my kid and if you have had an interaction with her already, you will understand what I am talking about. Hahaha!

5 on Friday

1. Where’s your favorite beach? Boracay, still.
2. Where’s your favorite place to spend money? Bookstore, grocery and shoe salons.
3. Where’s a good place to watch people? There's no place better than people watching in the park.
4. Where’s a good place to be totally alone? In the confines of your room, where else?
5. Where’s a place outside of work (or school) where you’re likely to run into people from work (or school)? Eastwood! Hahaha!

Join us here.

friday fill ins

1. Right now, I'm feeling all bloated from that early Delifrance breakfast with my in laws.
2. Under the covers is where I want to be.
3. How does one stay thin yet eat too much?
4. My timeline keeps me on track.
5. Please don't make a fool out of me.
6. My daughter fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping late, tomorrow my plans include attending Lizzie's UN celebration in school and Sunday, I want to finish all my pending tasks in the office!

Join us here.

super delayed photos

I am bedbound. Leaving you with some snapshots during Enzo's F1-themed 1st birthday party. The girls in the photo are my childhood bestfriends. :)

Goodbyes

"Leaving a love you've suddenly outgrown can be heartbreaking, but it also shows you're strong enough to walk away from a relationship that no longer makes you happy...

Moving out of your comfort zone can be downright scary, but it also proves just how brave you are to take on the unknown.. stronger, braver, wiser..

You always do a little growing up every time you do a little letting go..."


you know i love you but i'm playing for keeps... Phil Collins, In Too Deep

Point of View

"you'll base your whole life on who you got stuck in a room with?

i'm gonna base this moment on who i'm stuck in this room with..

that's what life is. it's a series of rooms...

and who we get stuck in those rooms with, adds up to what our lives are."


Adapted from my bestfriend, J.

3 x thursday

1. What motivates you? Why?
My family. Seeing my daughter strive to excel in her preschool. Watching her play with kids her age. My daugher going home with both her hands filled with "good job" stamps. That's what motivates me to work hard and at the same time, be a better person to the world.

2. What happens when you can't be motivated to do something you need to do? How do you get the motivation back?
I step back, reassess my goals in life then move on. Just by looking at my family and the dreams we build together brings back my motivation.

3. Are there any changes in the state of your world that need some motivation to do? What they are is optional, but how will you motivate yourself to do it?
Each day, my husband and I need to reassure each other that it's going to be a better day for us, for our daughter and this will be a better place to live in because we are striving hard. I guess, it all goes back to your support system. If you know that people support you, there's no reason for you to feel demotivated.

Join us here.

To: Juliana Mikaela

"The waiter was cleaning up the plates of salad on our table and replacing them with dishes of the main course when she walked in. I looked twice, just to make sure it was her; after all, it's been twelve years. It was.

There she was, my ex. Just like that, she walks back in to my life,and now,suddenly, my brain is flushed by memories of her, and us, and how much I loved her.

Of course, ten years could do so much, and she looked a little different now. She had grown her hair long. Back then, she often talked about how she wanted to grow her hair long, and how beautiful she'll be then. She was right. She looked like a goddess as her long black hair further accentuated her flawless mestiza complexion.

Her face hasn't changed much, her lips were still as red as I remember them,although that's probably helped by the lipstick she now wore. She had very light make-up on, which would give you the impression that she put it on just for the sake of putting it on. She definitely did not need it.

She was wearing a blue dress. A smile appeared on my lips when I remembered how much I enjoyed shopping with her. It might seem odd to guys out there, who find shopping with their girlfriends boring, but I really enjoyed shopping with her. My favorite part was seeing her in all those dresses, and looking at how great she looked, and then telling myself how lucky I am because she'd be wearing those dresses when we go out on a date.

But she was the only girl I really enjoyed shopping with, I became like all the other guys with the other girls. I was bored to death, and I no longer did that with any other girl.

She was in the company of another girl and a guy, who had permed hair and wore make-up. I guess it's safe to assume that the guy was gay, I mean, the David Bowie look isn't exactly hot right now.

I really didn't care much for either of the two, because my attention was pretty much focused on her. I couldn't help but notice her smile,which was still beautiful but definitely different. It was the smile of a confident woman, only flashes of which I saw back when we were still together, when the smile of a self-conscious but sweet, giggly girl was the smile she wore on her face.

Her eyes were still the same, though. They were big and brown and they'd grow bigger when she gets excited. Her eyes were beautiful, the prettiest I'd seen, and there's just that tinge of melancholy in them, which seemed to tell you that she could burst into tears any moment. She could look at me with those eyes, and I would just melt.

I was the one who walked away. I could barely remember the reason now, but it was probably something that seemed so big and important then during that time, but would seem so silly and trivial now looking back.

The only thing I could remember about that night was that there were no stars in the skies. I don't recall the look on her face then, probably because I never looked, probably because I was too scared to look.

Oh, and it was cold that night. It was very cold. It probably rained,and I probably got wet, but I'm not quite sure.

To tell you the truth, I never really got over her. Up until now, I still keep that locket she gave me then, one that had a picture of her when she was only thirteen years old. She told me she put that particular picture in the locket because she looked so sweet and beautiful when she was younger.

Of course, I thought this was ridiculous, because I thought she was the most beautiful girl to me at that time. And the sweetest, too.

I remember, during my OJT the summer before my senior year in college, I'd make sure that I was alone during coffee breaks. I'd make sure that absolutely no one is around me. Then, when I was sure enough, I'd take out the locket and stare at it dumbly. I'd see that sweet young girl, and I'd get excited because I know I'd see her soon, and then everything else in the world wouldn't matter.

I still keep that locket in a locked drawer in my house. And yes, during rare moments, when I am absolutely sure no one is around me, I'd take out the locket and stare at it dumbly.

I guess that was the reason why I never came back to school after graduation, not even for a visit. There were just too many memories, too many places we went to, too many people we know, too many times when I sat there and held her hand, too many moments when I looked into her eyes and talked about forever.

There was a time soon after when I hated myself for loving her so much. I had a hard time sleeping every night, but pride of course prevented me from asking her back. The thing about it was, nobody knew. Everyone thought I was strong, and each time I went out, I was out there with a smile.

There were too many things to do, too many parties, too much schoolwork, too many girls to keep me busy, and I kept myself busy. I was determined not to think about her anymore, but it was very difficult.

But I did it. After a long time, I just became numb. Sure I wasn't thinking about her every second, but the moment I stopped that, I was sure a part of me died.

Finally, dinner was over and dessert was being served. I gather all my courage to walk over to her table and say 'Hi.'

'Hi. Oh my God, Paulo, Paulo Coronado. I haven't seen you since...'

'Yeah.' We haven't really seen each other since that night I walked away.

'So how have you been? It's been so long...'

We exchanged some more pleasantries. It felt great seeing her , again looking into her eyes after all these years. I would have held her hand, I would have stayed there forever, but I knew I had to go back to my table where my wife and two children were waiting."

This was written by my bestfriend J to her OGL, JM. Some good things never really last but the many beautiful memories will stay...

Love...

Love is passion.. obsession.. someone you can’t live without.

If you don’t start with that, what are you going to end up with?

I say fall head over heels. Find someone you love like crazy and who’ll love you the same way back.

And how do you find him?

Forget your head and listen to your heart… Run the risk, if you get hurt, you’ll come back.
Because the truth is, there is no sense living your life without this.
To make the journey and not fall deeply in love – well, you haven’t lived a life at all.
You have to try.. Because if you haven’t tried, you haven’t lived…

Stay open. Who knows? Lightning could strike.

Meet Joe Black...

litratong pinoy # 30 - and let there be light

Ang binyag ay ang unang sakramentong tinatanggap at ito ay simula ng paglalakbay tungo sa pagiging isang ganap na miyembro ng Kristyanismo. Ang mga Katoliko, sa madaming pagkakataon ay binibigyan habang sila ay mga sanggol pa lamang. Ang kanilang mga magulang ay ang kanilang gabay sa paglaki na dala dala ang mga utro ng Diyos. Ang mga ninong at ninang naman ay tumutulong para maisaayos ng mga magulang ang kanilang pagpapalaki sa kanilang nabinyagang mga anak.

Ang ilaw ng Diyos ay ang ilaw ng kanyang mga tagasunod.

Baptism is the first of the sacraments to be received and is the start of a journey to full membership of the Church. Catholics are usually baptised as infants. Their parents make a decision to bring them up as part of the Church community of believers. The godparents represent the community and represent the help that the Church provides the parents in bringing up their child.

The light of Christ is understood by the light of his followers.

I have another entry here.

Yen's QOTW # 11

1. Fill in the blank. “I used to be a brat but I’m not anymore.”
2. What makes you cry? Treachery and Deception make me cry. Stories about success, too.
3. Are you more creative or adventurous? I was never in touch with my creative side so I resolved to just be adventurous and try out the things that normal people won't dare trying like parasailing and skydiving...
4. What is your favorite line from a movie? Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.
5. What do you do when you have nothing better to do? Sleep!
6. Would you rather win an argument knowing you are wrong, or lose an argument knowing you are right? I'd rather be the latter. There's no sense winning if your intergrity is at stake.
7. Are you more organized or disorganized? Proud to be organized!
8. What do you collect? Magazines, perfumes and shoes
9. Which gives you the most satisfaction, recognition or private success? Although recognition boosts my ego, private success is always sweeter.
10. Any plans for the upcoming Halloween? Attend Lizzie's party in school on Saturday!

Join the fun here.

wednesday weirdness

1. Is there a particular birthday that you are dreading (ex: 40th) why? I love celebrating birthdays. I am excited all the time =)

2. What is your favorite birthday memory? I would say, my 30th. It was a surprise party organized by my husband...

3. What was the best birthday present you ever received? The worst? All the birthday presents that I have received have very special meaning in my life, I wouldn't consider anything worse at all.

4. Frosting roses: Love them or hate them? Love them!

5. Do you like when people make a big deal out of your birthday, or do you prefer a quiet or no celebration? I used to love grand celebrations but as I get older, I am leaning towards the intimate, quiet celebration with the people closest to my heart

6. Surprise parties; Good or Evil? Good.

wordless wednesday - soulsisters forever!

(photo courtesy of B)

Join us here.

to be young, bold and free...

Oh! To be young, bold and free!!! I am preparing to sleep when I chanced upon these old photos. Hahaha! I was so many pounds lighter then... =)

Tag Train # 3

PLAYERS: BUZZY ME | CHANGING LANES

1. What is the closest green object? My contact lens chamber
2. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your parents name you? Raoul Mariano Antonio
3. Do you want to have kids? I have one already =).
4. What is the brightest color you're wearing? Hot Pink!
5. Who is the friend you have that you would never have expected to have? Hmmn... my blog friends!
6. Who do you hate the most right now? I don't hate anyone right now... ;)
7. What kind of car do you want? Hummer.
8. What is your favorite video game? GTA
9. Do you like your dad? I love him right up to the moon and back :D
10. Do you have any TV shows on DVD? a lot! Raymond, GG, House, The Office, Smallville etc...
11. Are you wearing make-up? No
12. Do you have a tattoo? None.
13. Have you ever broken a pinata? Yeah. During Lizzie's first birthday. My mom brought Dora piñatas from the US
14. What time is it right now? 8:09pm
15. Do you know how to draw? Yeah but I'm not good.
16. Who loves orange soda? I don't.
17. Who did you last IM? Jayme
18. Do you work a lot of hours? Unfortunately yes.
19. Where were you in the last 24 hours? Eastwood, Medical City, Sta Lu and house.
20. Who was the last person that called you? My mother in law.
21. Is there anything you regret? A few.
22. Do you know where your family name originated from? Yeah but I am too lazy to blog about it now.
23. Is there an animal that creeps you out? rats!
24. What is your favorite color ON A CAR? black
25. Do you use digital or film cameras? Digi
26. Do you own an iPod? Yes
27. Have you ever been on a charter bus? Yup
28. Do you like going to water parks? Definitely!

kiss and tell

1. Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed after a sexual experience?
When I was younger, yeah...

2. Did you ever own a fake ID?
No, I don't. Simply because I don't see the reason why I need to keep one.

3. How often do you tell white lies? Is it with or without thinking?
With my daughter, a lot of times. Sometimes, you need to do it to make this world a more peaceful place to live in heeee!

4. On a scale of 1-10, how well do you receive constructive criticism?
I'm good with that so I'd say 9.5

5. Have you ever shaved your pubic hair?
The doctors did it for me.

Bonus: What percentage of women do you think are capable of handling being in a "friends with benefits" relationship? How about men?
I have to pass on this one... Can't think anymore. Zzzzzz...

Join the fun here.

Tag Train # 4

PLAYERS: FAB FINDS,ETC. DOLL ME UP CHANGING LANES YOUR BLOG

1. What's the age difference between you and your eldest sibling?
>>>I only have 1 big brother and he is 4 years older than me.

2. Do you believe that there's always room in your heart for your first true love?
>>>Yes. But the space is too tiny even a dwarf couldn't fit heee! Seriously, there were really fond memories shared with him so that's what makes him special. And he was extra nice to me and my family. He was not just the one for me =)

3. What is your zodiac sign?
>>>Aquarius.

4. Why did you hug the last person you hugged?
>>>Because she is my friend and I love her to bits!

5. Who is the last person of the opposite sex that made you smile?
>>>one of my staff because he surprised me with coffee from SBC

6. Do you have trust issues?
>>>Yeah. I guess, all of us have.

7. Where will you be tonight?
>>>HOME.

8. Who are you texting?
>>>None. I am working.

9. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
>>Super duper yes I do.

10. If the person who hurt you the most in your life apologized and told you they loved you what would you do? Love me? Does that person know what he/she is talking about?
>>>I might be able to forgive but I will definitely have a hard time forgetting. It's easier said than done...

11. Last time you had a yummy chocolate ice cream?
>>>October 13

12. Are you mean?
>>>Most of the time!

13. Who do you trust the most in your life?
>>>Arthuz, my parents, my in laws and my bestfriends

14. What do you miss most about your past?
>>>Spending as if there's no tomorrow!

15. If given a chance, would you change your name?
>>>I am happy with my name. This is just the best combination and I adore mommy for that!

Tag Train # 2

PLAYERS: DIGISCRAPZ: CAPTURED MEMORIES | CHANGING LANES | YOUR BLOG

1. Last phone call you received? From my brother, asking if I already sent money for new blinds in our Naga house.
2. Last text message? From my hubby.
3. Do you hate your life? There's nothing to hate about.
4. Do you get mad easily? Yeah. Short tempered.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve? dumbass
6. Are you cold? No
7. Do any of your friends have kids? Almost everyone
8. Do you know anyone that is pregnant right now? Oh yeah :)
9. Who should pay on the first date? dutch treat!
10. How many years older than you are you willing to date? not more than 10 years please!
11. Do you have any friends? Lots!
12. Do you have any mean friends? Lots too!
13. What is the ugliest color to wear in your opinion? mint green.
14. Have you ever liked someone who all your friends hate? Yeah. Once.
15. Have you ever felt like driving off a cliff, seriously? I have no suicidal tendencies so no.
16. Have you ever contemplated suicide? see answer to #15
17. Do you scratch your ears? In front of my mirror, yes.
18. Who was the last person to hug you? My friend, Patty.
19. What brand are the pant/jeans you're wearing right now? I'm in my nightgown (at 4pm!).
20. How tall are you? 5'4

jan's coffeebreak discussion

I guess I have to apologize to Jan, for being so delinquent with my coffeebreak entries. So so sorry, sis. Promise, when I am no longer that busy (kelan kaya yun?!), I will join every week. :)

Anyways, this week's version caught my attention as it depicts conversations with a kid. I have a hundred candid talks with Lizzie. Check out here, here and here. But the best one I have to copy paste so you can read it right away. Enjoy!

massaging her eyes

While I was putting her to sleep last weekend, I caught her rubbing her left eye. Calmly, I told her to "please stop scratching her eyes".. Check out our conversation on her eyes and the alibi she got:

Me: Lizzie, please stop scratching your eyes.
Lizzie continues scratching as if not hearing me
Me: Stop scratching your eyes! Do you want your eyes to be like dad? Red and swollen?
Lizzie stops then after a few seconds, starts scratching again..
Me: Lizzie! Are you going to stop or not?
Lizzie: I not scratch my eyes mom. I am massaging them. Look o.

Howmay! 2 years old palang yan marunong na magpalusot? Pano pa kaya pag high school o college na?

weekend snapshot - sugary sweet

This will catch your attention when you go to the dessert area of 7 corners. The flowers are made of sugar and are edible. I never believed the chefs until they asked me to try it. It was true! A beautiful flower arrangement that's edible for a sweet tooth like you!!!

Happy Weekend!

Tag Train # 1

PLAYERS: CHERRY'S COMFORT ZONE CHANGING LANES

1. What is your middle name? Alvarez
2. What color is your mailbox? Purple
3. Are you single? Happily married
4. Have you ever hit a deer? Nope
5. Do you have to drive over a bridge to get home? No
6. What color is your room? Pale Yellow
7. Do you have a small driveway? We do. It can only fit 1 car.
8. Do you know anyone with the same ringtone as you? None.
9. What do you do first in the morning? Pray.
10. What brand is your printer? We don't have a printer at home.
11. Do you enjoy fighting with people? No
12. Is your hair naturally straight or curly? Super straight. Thank God.
13. Who was your kindergarten teacher? I forgot na grabe!
14. What is your ringtone? Theme Song from Dora
15. Are you taller than your mom? Yeah
16. What curse word do you say the most when your pissed? The F word!
17. Do you like someone? Yup.
18. Do you enjoy writing in colored pens? I do! I love colored pens and highlighters!
19. Does anything hurt on your body right now? My back...
20. Do you often cry during a movie? Only if I'm watching a tear-jerker movie.

if..

if love is blind
i'll find my way with you...
'coz i can't see myself not in love with you
if love is blind
i'll find my way with you...

haay, LSS...

Saturday 9: You Wear It Well

1. What are your favorite shoes? My Crocs Prima only because I wear it when I am not at work. It's very comfortable and I can run after Lizzie all I want with it.

2. What does your favorite shirt or blouse look like? I have a few favorite blouses which I wear to work but I would say that my most favorite is a shirt I got from UP back in college that I wear to sleep. It is 13 years old and counting.

3. What does your favorite tee shirt say on it? See above. The backprint says: Mag Ingat sa mga Insekto sa Lipunan. Pesteng Kaherapan. UP FAIR 2000.

4. Do you think you look better in casual or business attire? Although I am very comfortable wearing casual clothes, my husband always tells me that I look more dignified in business attire so I try to wear that most of the time.

5. What do you sleep in? My sleepwear depends on my mood. It could be a tank top paired with knickers, jammies or lingerie...

6. Do you wear expensive sneakers? Nope. Mine are just the old school tretorn, bass, vans and nikes.

7. What is your favorite hat? I don't wear hats.

8. Your preference for men: Boxers are undoubtedly sexier for me. I have made a deal with him that if I see an improvement in his body after a few months of taking his orovo detox pills, I am gonna treat him with anything he wants, packs of boxers included.

9. Your preference for women: Suits or dresses? Dresses of course!

The Saturday Special # 1

~Words Ending in GHT ~ I Say You Answer~

1. Cry In The Night...is something I have not done in years. I dont even remember when was the last time I cried. Probably, I am just oo busy with life that crying is not an option this time. Thank God.

2. Tasty Delight...is binging on seafood!!!

3. Bright Light...for my car. It needs new HID lights but I still am saving for that as it's wuite costly.

4. Air Tight...my hug can be airtight. Did I just make sense?! Hehehe...

Join the fun here.

wanders on a friday night...

As mentioned here and here, we went to watch WANDERS at the PAGCOR Grand Theater, Airport Casino, in Parañaque City last night.Thanks to Tita Winnie, we got to watch it for free! And the super best thing here is we got VVIP tickets worth Php5000 each. Woohoo!!!

Going to the show itself, to say that it was G-R-E-A-T is an understatement! It is indeed the the greatest show in the Philippines. It showcased talents from China, Russia, and the Philippines. The little Chinese girls were so elastic I still can't figure out up to now how they could bend their bodies like that?!

My little girl was left in awe even until the show was finished. She would gasp and clap and shout "look mama, look mama!" then gasp again. She had the time of her life.

Below are some of the photos of the little girl. Cameras were asked to be deposited so no scene was ever capture at all. Sayang.

friday fill ins

1. Follow the leader.
2. My ipod and point and click camera is something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must strive hard.
4. My exciting childhood is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have a two hand - the left and the right.
6. Hope floats.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching The Wanders, tomorrow my plans include coffee with some old friends and check out a Sony Vaio for my father in law who celebrated his 57th birthday a few days ago and Sunday, I want to buy Lizzie's halloween costume already so I can cross it out from my list of things to do!