happy 2nd birthday baby!

Today is our Joaqui's 2nd birthday and we had a simple family celebration at home because he will be having his birthday party on the 30th. We started the day by hearing mass and then buying the food that we would serve later that day, nothing really fancy - just pancit, roasted chicken, Arny-Dading's peachy-peachy, cake and my mother-in-law's pork barbecue.

Of course Joaqui had his candle blowing and he knows how to blow the candles from his cake, but mommy has to help him a little bit. It was also his practice for his birthday party on Tuesday.

Joaqui was the life of the party. He played and danced and did his antics and tricks for everyone to see - and he was just happy to be rewarded with clapping of our hands. He ate chicken, barbecue and the yummy chocolate cake.

We are so blessed for having Joaqui and as parents we only pray that he grow up to be a healthy, God-fearing and good-natured person. Happy Birthday Baby! We love you so much!

tagged on the spot

This is one fun tag that I got and it's a good thing hubby was here to take a picture, and this was taken while I was playing with Joaqui. I'm lucky that it's a decent photo and I'm not in my usual "pambahay" clothes. Thanks to Quinnie for giving me such a fun tag ; )

Here are the rules:
1. Take a picture of yourself right Now! (the moment you read this tag)
2. Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair, just take a picture.
3. Post that picture without editing.
4. Post these instructions with your picture.
5. Tag 10 people to do this. And don't forget to leave them a message about the tag.

Because this is such a cool and fun tag, I am tagging all my fellow pinaybloggers who haven't done this yet and I hope you'll enjoy doing this as much as I did.

Premio Dardos

It's just two days before Christmas and I am still working, plus gifts to wrap are waiting for me and I still have to cook for tomorrow's Noche Buena. This year we will be spending Christmas with hubby's family and then New Year here with my mom and brother. We went to the bank earlier and there are long lines on ATMs and bank counters. Heavy traffic is already experienced throughout, especially on roads going to the markets and supermarkets. And we already saw about three vendors selling lots and lots of coconuts (for those who will make buko salad) by the streets.

No matter how busy I am, I would still find the time to pass on awards, such as the Premio Dardos award given to me by Leah. This is an award that is given to acknowledge blogs that have cultural, ethical, literary and personal values.

Those who receive this Premio Dardos Award or Prize Darts should agree to follow certain rules:
1. Accept the award and post it on your blog along with a link to the person who has awarded you.
2. Pass the award on to at least 5 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment.

I'm passing this to Jacque, Con, Janis, Emz and Meng.

a strong defense

Today I just found out that a former classmate of mine in college who is now residing in Los Angeles has been charged with DUI or driving under the influence. I cannot believe this news because way back in college, he was a good student and had no vices at all, but then I really don't know what has happened in all these years. One thing is for sure - He has to find legal counsel from a defense attorney with extensive experience in drunk driving cases.

Drunk driving conviction carries serious and long lasting consequences: jail or prison time, a heavy fine, and suspension or revocation of a driver's license. And this is where Los Angeles Criminal and DUI Defense Attorneys could help in aggressively defending his case. They are L.A. criminal defense lawyers with over 50 years of legal experience with reputation recognized throughout Southern California. The team of Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin LLP is rated top 5% U.S. law firm specializing in DUI defense matters.

I often hear DUI only in celebrity news because of the numerous celebrities that have been charged DUI, but I think not only celebrities deserve to have a successful defense. It may come with a price, but if these lawyers can take his case quickly and confidently and get the best possible results in or out of court, then I do hope that he comes out clear through all of these.

Amazing Blogger Award

This award from Quinnie and it really brightened up my day. I haven't really been blogging that much lately and all the things I want to blog about are sometimes all in my head, but either I'm just too lazy or too tired to do them ; ( I hope this award will inspire me to blog better, so thanks Quinnie!

I'm passing this on to Mec, Leah, Joey, Sujee and Marites. Enjoy this award!

a bright vision

Lately I have been working really hard infront of the computer, transcribing, editing, blogging, finalizing the details for Joaqui's 2nd birthday party and making our Christmas dinner menu, and so my eyes have been straining from all the reading I have been doing. I thought it is just a simple headache or my eyes are just tired, but it seems that I have to change my reading eyeglasses. I wear eyeglasses when working because I really feel awkward with eyeglasses on and I have this thought that eyeglasses make me look older.


Since it's the holiday season, I am in the mood to shop for stylish Holiday Glass Frames from Zenni Optical and this one is my favorite. It's a stainless steel full-rim frame with acetate temples. I like its shape and of course the color and design, which is very fashionable and young looking.

There are so many holiday frames to choose from the popular online eyeglasses shop Zenni Optical which comes in various designs, colors and shapes. Ordering prescription eyeglasses here is a breeze and did I mention that it's affordable too? You can get an $8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses! Makes you just want to say, Ho!Ho!Ho!

at a time of Christmas Bonuses

Since I have started working, this is the first time that I have not received a 13th month pay or Christmas Bonus. As I am now an independent subcontractor, I am not entitled to the usual benefits of a regular employee and thus no 13th month pay for me. Sigh. I'm not that sad but sometimes I'm thinking of how nice it is to have an extra month's salary that you have really not worked for, so to speak.

But I have planned ahead. Before I started working at home, I joined the "paluwagan" from my previous company so that come December time, I will have my own "13th month pay." I think it's just a matter of perspective. I still consider it a bonus for my hard work. That's a tip for those working at home or for those who plan to work at home. Give yourself a 13th month pay by saving up every month and not touching that money until December. If there is anything I have learned by becoming a WAHM, it is saving up for major expenses or for the times that I will not be able to work. So at this time of Christmas Bonuses, I still have my own Christmas Bonus to spend on Christmas shopping. ; )

three weeks to go

And our Joaqui will turn 2 years old! He is having a Jollibee Birthday Party on the 30th and mommy is finished with all the details for the party. Last week we ordered the cake at Layers and Layers in Fun Ranch at Tiendesitas. My friend Arlyne ordered her twin's baptismal cake and birthday cake from them so I've decided to get Joaqui's cake from them also. I just texted my friend Jacque of partyboosters to let her know of my budget for the balloon set up and also booked the face painter from her. Our loot bags are complete - we ended up buying them from Divisoria. At first I was really hesitant to go to Divisoria because I know at this time of the year it is already packed with people, but then nothing beats the cheap prices of items here, especially toys and stuff for loot bags. I was so happy that we went to Divisoria and was able to buy Sponge Bob items for the loot bags. Yipeeee!

We are sending out the invitations, starting with the neighborhood kids. Every morning Joaqui and I take a walk around the subdivision, and Joaqui personally gave the invitations to his neighborhood friends. It's very timely that Joaqui now watches Blues Clues DVD about three times a day and it is always that Blue's Birthday Party episode. He just couldn't get enough of that and now sings "happy bortday to you." He also knows how to blow the candles from his birthday cake from watching Blues Clues. ; )

Christmas love

When I started working at Outsource Transcription Philippines, Inc., our group of friends started out a Christmas Give-Away Project wherein we solicited soaps and other personal hygiene products and gave these to the residents of Hospicio De San Jose. The following year and the years after that, we have made this a yearly Christmas Project and from Hospicio De San Jose, other institutions that we have visited included Anawim, National Bilibid Prison, Nayon ng Kabataan, Kanlungan ni Maria in Antipolo, Queen of Peace Convent in Bulacan, selected UP-PGH pediatric ward patients and families and children in Payatas, and street children in Manila and Quezon City. Every year we try to solicit from co-workers, friends and family - cash, old clothes, toys, blankets, soaps, and other things that can be given to the poor - and every year is a touching experience for all of us.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and the elderly, the delight on a scavenger's face upon receiving a bag of goodies and the tears of joy from the elderly who have not been visited by friends or family for a long time - these are the unforgettable experiences for us that no amount of money could ever buy.

the elderly of Anawim

Christmas bags given to Queen of Peace Convent


Another Christmas Give-Away at Anawim

Christmas Party for the Payatas Outreach Community

at the National Bilibid Prison

Today we are on our ninth year of our yearly project and although we are all aware of how much harder it is to earn a living these days, we are still hoping that many of you will open their hearts and give a little love this Christmas, especially to the needy. They need our help and through this post, I humbly ask for your help. We accept cash, rice, canned goods, old clothes, toys, soaps and anything that may be of use to the needy. If you are currently reading this post, you can leave a comment if you would like to help, and from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you Merry Christmas and may He give you abundant blessings this coming year.

a new subdomain for me

I am so happy to announce that I have won the recently concluded 1st Pinay Bloggers' Forum Raffle and I have won a subdomain from pinaybloggers.com. I contemplated on what that other blog would be all about and I thought of making it my medical transcription blog with articles on medical transcription resources, health industry, online opportunities, and a lot more.

It is still very new, but I hope that it will be useful to the readers and of course, I hope to monetize it further down the road ; )

Please take time to visit Jeng's MT Head - Medical Transcription Blog

Oh, by the way. You can still join the Pinay Bloggers' Forum and get a chance to win in the raffle.

Engage with Grace

In Alexandra Drane's words, we need to "start talking. Engage With Grace: The One Slide Project was designed with one simple goal: to help get the conversation about end of life experience started. The idea is simple: Create a tool to help get people talking. One Slide, with just five questions on it. Five questions designed to help get us talking with each other, with our loved ones, about our preferences."




Death is universal and inevitable. It is celebrated, embraced and feared all at the same time. In our culture, death is something that is most often feared and talking of dying is considered by some people as morbid. But more than death itself, we should also think about how we want to be treated at the end of our lives. Do I prefer to die at home or in a hospital? Do I want to be rescusitated or not?

As for me, death is something that we should prepare for emotionally, spiritually and financially not only for ourselves, but most especially for our loved ones. Having a life insurance does not pave the way for readiness of an untimely death. Starting a conversation with our loved ones about end of live experience help ensure that we can end our lives in the same purposeful way we live them.

into Twilight

Hubby and I had the chance to watch the much talked about movie based on the #1 New York Times Best-Selling series by Stephenie Meyer. I heard of the book before, but I never had the chance to get a copy and I wasn't really that interested since I am not into vampire stories. The movie did not disappoint me and it brought to life a story of an unforbidden love affair between a vampire and a mortal. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson looked good together on the big screen. The movie was wonderfully entertaining and I can't keep my eyes off Robert Pattinson...hahaha. He is totally gorgeous. The story was unexpected for me, but the ending is very indicative that a sequel is coming.

Now I'm more eager to read the book. For others who have read the book, they said the movie disappointed them. I can't say much about that as I have to read the book first.

Have you seen the movie Twilight?

the pink sisterhood

It’s a meme highlighting the threat of breast cancer and how important it isto practice early detection procedures like self breast examination.

* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.
* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.
* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.
* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.
* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.
* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.
Facts taken from Women’s Health

And now here is the tag and the rules:
1. Put the logo in your blog. 2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you. 3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs 4. Add your link to the list of participants below 5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
PINK Sisterhood1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19- littlemsfirefly 20 - My Happy Thoughts 21- Underneath It All 22- Cellulitic Bliss 23 - A Matter of Perspective 24. Jengspeaks

I'm tagging Emz, Jigi, Con, Rocks, Jacque, Faye and Rhea.

friendship tag

Tagged again! Thanks for this friendship tag Thea. This week has really been a week of tags for me and I don't mind since I have not done it for a while. I have met a lot of bloggers through tags, and it helps too in keeping up with posts for my blog. I also found my way to really very good bloggers and also made new friends through answering tags. So here it goes....

Here are the rules for this tag:
1.Copy the badge and put it on your blog,
2.Link back who pass you this tag,
3.Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friends with.

And lovely are the blossoms

That are tended with great care,

By those who work unselfishly

To make the place more fair.

And, like the garden blossoms,

Friendship’s flower grows more sweet

When watched and tended carefully

By those we know and meet.

And, if the seed of friendship

Is planted deep and true

And watched with understanding,

Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.

I'm now tagging Vina, Kaye, Joey, Renz, Pat, Nol and Michelle.

wearing the right tactics

Whenever me and hubby are in the car and driving, I often comment about the uniforms of our local police. Sometimes the colors really disgust me and I wonder if they are comfortable in those pants and shirt. Law enforcers should have the proper gear that are heavy duty and has high performance features, so that they will be able to move more freely especially when catching criminals or when they are performing critical police operations.


As far as I know, law enforcement agencies in the Philippines import pieces of equipment from the U.S. and it would really improve the image of our law enforcers if they also import 5.11 tactical pants which are ideal for every type of law enforcement job.

The 5.11 tactical series creates products that support the safety, accuracy, speed and performance of law enforcement, and what better way to start to uplift the image of our police than by having them to wear tactical pants from Tactical Pants USA, which is the sister web site to La Police Gear, Inc. They also carry the 5.11 tactical series of footwear, eyewear, polos and gear bag. Originally developed for rock climbing, our local law enforcers would greatly benefit from the patented tactical strap and slash pocket design of the 5.11 tactical pants. Our brave men and women of the law enforcement deserve to wear a functionally innovative gear built with durability, quality and value.

It is not only in movies where we can see a police or a soldier looking very confident and smart in their uniforms. Our policemen can also have the confidence they need if they have the experience and the gear to employ their tactics in combat or mission. Entrusting their protection in a brand that fosters outstanding service and low prices, not only the police men and women are safe, but as citizens we also feel secured in the knowledge that our law enforcers wears the confidence to protect us and maintain peace and order.

A-Z Tag

I got this fun A-Z Tag from Shiela : )

A. Attached or single ? — Attached
B. Best friend? — Jeff
C. Cake or pie? — Cake
D. Day of choice? — Sunday
E. Essential item? — my cell phone
F. Favorite color? — Pink
G. Gummy bears or worms? — Gummy bears
H. Hometown? — Cainta, Rizal
I. Favorite indulgence? — Shopping
J. January or July? — July, my birthday
K. Kids? — Joachim Stefan
L. Life isn’t complete without? — God
M. Marriage date ? — February 12, 2006
N. Number of magazine subscriptions? - None. But I always buy Reader's Digest, National Geographic Magazine and Smart Parenting Magazine
O. Orange or apple? — Apple
P. Phobias? — Deep water
Q. Quotes? — We are never left without a choice.
R. Reasons to smile? — Playing with Jeff and Joaqui
S. Season of choice? — Christmas
T. Tag 5 people - Yvelle, Tina, Jacque, Ayn and Happy
U. Unknown fact about me? - I'm a registered physical therapist by profession.
V. Vegetable? — Squash
W. Worst habit? — I do my best when cramming
X. X-ray or ultrasound? - Both
Y. Your favorite food(s)? - Chicken, Pasta
Z. Zodiac sign — Cancer

my PBF exchange gift wish list

The Pinay Bloggers' Forum is having an exchange gift in time for Christmas and each of the participants should make a wish list. It is not so easy to think of gifts that my "mommy" would give me, but here is what I came up with:






1. Moleskin Large Ruled Notebook - I just love the look and feel of a Moleskin Notebook. And it is on sale at Avalon.ph!








2. Sandwich Maker. Any brand will do. I like making sandwiches, especially now that Joaqui also loves to eat them. I make fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches, and it would be more convenient to use a sandwich maker than a stove top grill.







3. Mom's Plan-It ListMaker - This comes with one large memo pad for grocery lists, a To-Do notepad, and a Don’t Forget adhesive notepad. The set is enclosed in a convenient portfolio that can be left at home or toted in a purse, backpack, or briefcase. This is superb for a WAHM like me.






While I was making this list, my 11-year-old nephew came and saw me surfing the internet. He asked me if I was playing mac games and he would like to play spider solitaire for mac. I was really surprised that he knows all of this stuff. He even showed me the website where he gets free mac games. His mom told me that he spends a lot of time on the computer, surfing the internet and playing games and guess what - he even has his own friendster and facebook account! Children these days are already tech savvy. I hope he doesn't ask for his own laptop as a computer gift : )

What Happened The Year You Were Born?

In 1976 (the year you were born)

Gerald Ford is president of the US The US celebrates its bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversary of its independence The Viking II sets down on Mars' Utopia Plains Promising, "I will never lie to you," Jimmy Carter is elected president of the United States Israeli commandos rescue hostages from Entebbe, Uganda The Concorde begins flights from New York to Europe George W. Bush is arrested and fined for driving under the influence of alcohol Cray-1, the first commercially developed supercomputer, is invented by Seymour Cray Freddie Prinze Jr., Reese Witherspoon, Colin Farrell, 50 Cent, Fred Savage, and Shannon Elizabeth are born Cincinnati Reds win the World Series Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl X Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Rocky is the top grossing film Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins is published The Eagles Their Greatest Hits compilation becomes the first album in history to be certified platinum "Tonight's The Night" by Rod Stewart spends the most time at the top of the US chart Charlie's Angels and The Muppet Show premiere

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

1. What happened in the year you were born? Take the quiz by clicking the link above.
2. Post the result of the quiz in your blog.
3. Tag 5 people who you think are born on a different year than yours.
3. It would be interesting to know the age of your blogging buddies plus of course get to know a little about history few years back.
4. Add your name on the list below. Indicating also the year you were born.

Leah (1976), Quinnie (1977), Jeng (1976) You! I'm tagging Arpi, Dea, Farah, Peachy and Mari.

Thanksgiving Day

Tomorrow, November 27, will be Thanksgiving Day. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, it is an annual American Federal holiday to express thanks for one's material and spiritual possessions, and most people celebrate it by gathering at home with family or friends for a Thanksgiving Dinner.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, there was a poll about which celebrity guests fans would most like to spend the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with and Jennifer Aniston is #1 with more than 3,000 votes. Here are the ten most popular Thanksgiving guests:

1. Jennifer Aniston
2. Tina Fey
3. Ellen DeGeneres & Portia De Rossi
4. Patrick Dempsey
5. Suri Cruise
6. Tyra Banks
7. Jonas Brothers
8. Keira Knightley
9. Beyonce Knowles
10. Robert Pattinson (the Twilight star)

If we will have our poll here in the Philippines of who would we want to be a guest for Noche Buena, my #1 would be no other than...Piolo Pascual. Hahahaha...I love you Papa Piolo!

Who would you want to be a guest for the Noche Buena?

rAnDoM FACTS

I was tagged by Leah and here it goes....

The rules:
1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and also to read your blog.

10 Random facts/habits about me.
1. I don't drink coffee.
2. I am a chocoholic.
3. I like the smell of floor wax, xeroxed paper and paint.
4. I can live just by eating any type of cooked chicken.
5. I am a registered physical therapist but never got to work as a physical therapist.
6. I really look so much like my Dad.
7. Joaqui and I love to play silly games and have so much fun.
8. I love to write poems and I have a collection of all my written poems since high school.
9. When I am angry, I vent out by cleaning the whole house.
10. I like notebooks and pens. Hubby gave me a Palm Pilot before, but I seldom use it because I rememeber things better when I write them using a notebook and a pen.

Time to pass the tag to 10 other people, so I'm tagging Bless, Carla, Eds, Mec, Sujee, Emz, Jacque, Con, Toni and Rhea.

games galore

Yesterday hubby and I watched a segment on The Probe Team regarding children's games nowadays. It seems like only a few children play the usual "street games" that the past generations have enjoyed because of computer and other high-technology games available. I remember the street games I play with the other children in the neighborhood when I was a kid and we had so much fun. We would usually play hide and seek, chase statue, hopscotch and capture the base. Our street was full of children playing and laughing, but now I seldom see kids playing these kinds of games.

We thought of Joaqui and how we would like him to also grow up playing with other children in the neighborhood. We want him to have childhood friends whom he can grow up with and be friends with for the rest of his life. I am not against technology and computer games and in fact, even at my age I do enjoy a lot of downloadable mac games like Ladybugs, Fish Tycoon and mac solitaire, but I think as parents we should not let computer become a substitute of a real interaction with other people, especially among children. There is no harm in allowing our kids to play educational games, RPG games and hidden object games for mac as long as it would not interfere with their school work and not letting them spend too much time infront of the computer.

I believe it really all depends on balancing our children's exposure to technology and letting them experience reality outside of the computer. I think no mom or dad would want their children to have 300 virtual "friendsters" and only one or two childhood friends.

Are You A Pinay Blogger?

I am and a proud one too. If you are a Filipina and a blogger, then be a part of Pinay Bloggers' Forum (PBF) where you can participate in discussions about family life, monetizing blogs and a whole lot more. You might even win an exclusive subdomain from Pinaybloggers.com in an ongoing raffle until November 30. Be connected with other Filipina bloggers worldwide and join the Pinay Bloggers' Forum.

All About Christmas

It's really in the air and for most of us in the Philippines, it already started the first day of September. It's Christmas and Dneero even has a survey for it. In times of crisis and hardship, I guess we really need to instill the spirit of Christmas in our lives.

setting things straight for new year

Since I have been a work-at-home mom (WAHM) early this year, everything in my life has been topsy turvy - trying to manage my still full-time work as a medical transcriptionist and running a household and taking care of a toddler. I must admit that sometimes it is harder to be a work-at-home mom than just a full-time stay at home because even if I am working at home, I still have turnaround times to meet, a quality of work to maintain and a quota to reach since we are on a production basis. And there are times that the workaholic in me still thrives to be up and working even in the wee hours of the morning.

Before I became a WAHM, I had laid out all the domestic goddess stuff that I would be able to do - cook healthy foods for my family, learn to bake, finish my scrapbook projects, re-decorate our house, etc. and now eight months into being a WAHM, I have never learned to bake, all my scrapbook projects are undone and I only had one time to re-decorate our house....where was all the free time I thought I have?

Now that 2009 is approaching fast, I have realized that I cannot always function the way I am right now - it is much too stressful sometimes. I think it is time to organize my so-called life and set my priorities, my goals and aspirations for the coming year. When I was in school, I used to make a list of everything I would do - homework, projects and goals and it worked really well for me because I always manage to do the tasks that I should do. I think more than ever, now is the time to make a list again of all the things I want to accomplish for the coming year.

-Take care of myself: Follow a healthy diet and exercise and get back to my pre-wedding weight. I want to be healthy to be able to do the things I love to do and be able take care of my family more.
-Do a makeover of my look especially my wardrobe when I see the effect of the above.
-Organize my financial records - budget, savings, accountancy of the money I spend and the money I earn.
-Save more. Since we are in the process of our application to Canada, we really need to save more than what we are doing now.
-Declutter our house. Things just keeps on piling up - from toys, baby gear, baby clothes, old appliances, old clothes and many more. Maybe we can do a garage sale or an ukay-ukay of the things we have. I am starting to dispose of Joaqui's pre-loved stuff by selling them online.
-Go for our doctor's regular checkups. I think that regular checkups are a valuable tool in maintaining good health. Hubby and I should do this at least twice a year.
-Keep a travel fund and go out of the country. I plan on saving for a travel fund so that when there are promos for low airline fares, we can have that opportunity to travel out of the country as a family.
-Print photos and organize them into albums. We have photos saved since Joaqui was born and only a quarter of them are printed. Sigh.
-Go out with my girlfriends more often. Because almost all us now have a family of our own, we seldom go out and have fun as we used to.

This is a list that I think is realistic enough for me to accomplish. I still have a million of things I want to do in my life but that can wait - I'm taking things slowly but surely now, just one step at a time.

This blog post is my official entry to the Moleskine Philippines Giveaway. I have never won in a raffle but hopefully I will get lucky this time. I fell in love with the Moleskine Notebook the first time I saw it and how I would love to write and write in those wonderful pages.

The Moleskine Notebook is courtesy of Avalon.PH
http://www.viloria.com/go/go.php/avalonph

For the Viloria.net contest rules, please see
Viloria.net

looking wow and feeling wow

I have read a quote from Gianni Versace that goes "Perfume puts the finishing touch to elegance - a detail that subtly underscores the look, an invisible extra that completes a woman's personality. Without it there is something missing." I really believe that a perfume can complete a woman's look and can add confidence, knowing that you not only look beautiful but smells good too. I particularly like perfumes that have a vanilla fragrance or a green tea smell because it blends well with my body chemistry. Since it is a time for holiday shopping, I plan to give my mom and my mother-in-law their favorite fragrances. My mom particularly likes Estee Lauder Beautiful and my mother-in-law always wears Givenchy Organza. As what I always do before shopping, I browse the internet for price comparison and special offers and discounts. A woman's perfume is considered expensive, but by finding a site where I can compare prices, I can find perfumes and fragrances at lower cost. Another option that I found is a perfume gift set that includes other perfume beauty products. This would be a great Christmas treat for my mom and my mother-in-law, as they are both beauty conscious even at their age. I even found something for myself - a Lacoste Essential Gift Set - and I would definitely ask hubby to consider giving me this for Christmas. : )

Now as the holiday season is full of festivities, family dinners and reunions, I know that I should still watch my weight and avoid eating too much. It is just so hard to stick on a diet and exercise plan during the holidays and I do not want to spend so much on gym memberships that most of the time I end up not using at all. Hubby said that we should try Wii Fit, a product that is more than just a game but can actually help you lose weight and improve posture. Wii Fit has four training modes and more than 40 exercises and activities - it even includes a hula hoop game and a yoga training. I like the game Basic Run where I can jog around a virtual island. This is so cool and for the price of one, our whole family can have tons of fun doing these games and stay fit at the same time.

Christmas is a time for celebration, and even after all the parties, you would still want to look good and stay healthy. Perfume gift sets and Wii Fit are gifts that I would surely give my loved ones and would love to have them for myself as well.

Joaqui Meets Diego

Joaqui always watches Go Diego Go! at the Nickelodeon channel and so when I found out that Diego will be here for his first live performance in Asia, I gathered all the information on where it is going to be and how we can score tickets. We decided to watch it in Trinoma because Mamu (my mother-in-law) can get the tickets for us, so that we do not have to go on too many trips to Trinoma. When we arrived, the 3:30 p.m. show was about to finish and when Joaqui saw a glimpse of Diego on stage, he got scared and shouted "No! No!" and "Go home! Car!" We were dumbfounded because he was never scared of mascots and this was Diego, one of his favorites. Everytime we would go near the activity center, he would shout and plead that we go. Since our tickets were for the 6 p.m. show, we decided to go around so that Joaqui would be distracted with other things. I was having second thoughts already because I do not want him to be traumatized by this and I was afraid that he would get scared of mascots. Fortunately, we were able to go inside the activity center and while waiting for the show to start, me and his yaya Jane told him stories about Diego. Thank goodness it worked and Joaqui watched the entire show and even clapped and danced. The show was fun and I think the kids really liked it. It was only 30 or 40 minutes long, but it was full of lively songs that kids can dance to. When I think of it, it's like buying one ticket for P500 each (1 single receipt worth P500 is one ticket) for a show that short, but when I saw how happy Joaqui was during the show, I think it was worth it. Ticket - P500, the smile on Joaqui's face - priceless.