kape at pandesal

aimless...clueless

2010-02-03T16:10:00.002+08:00

Thought I found what I wanted to do in life until some fat hag stabbed me from behind and robbed me of a career that took seven years of my life. Thought I rose and recovered from that glitch and moved on with my life. I was mistaken.Seven months of lull, ten months of experimenting, three months of dreaming and I'm back to where I started. Or have I even started? When you're hitting 30 and don't

Much ado about the elections

2010-01-29T15:14:00.002+08:00

Political ads, especially those with LSS-inducing jingles, are sickening especially those of Manny V. A day doesn't go by without TV stations running his ad or radio stations playing the jingle. Guess I have to stick to cable shows until the elections are over. Anyway, the point of this entry is not about annoying jingles but the people behind them. I was contemplating lately how come president

How does one become a member of Team Pacquiao?

2009-11-25T09:03:00.003+08:00

This question has always baffled me. Many claim to be a member of Team Pacquiao...but how does one actually become a member of this uhmm fraternity? Like, do you audition or something? Do you have to be a good singer (at least by Manny's standards)? A sports fan? An ex-politician? A kiss-ass, perhaps? Well you'd be surprised by some people who would do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, just to be

The Happy Hobo

2009-07-23T08:17:00.005+08:00

Here's someone whom we could all learn a lesson from in the face of debt and destitution. Maybe it's time we sift through our priorities, leave out the superficial and unnecessary, and move on with only the essentials that we need to make it through this journey. After all, who needs all that extra baggage that will weigh us down in the end? Okay, okay. I sound more like a preacher now. But

Post-mortem post on the King of Pop

2009-07-17T12:51:00.002+08:00

I don't know if I should have posted this in the first place. Anyhow, this is an anecdote about the immense popularity of the King (and not Da King). I mean, yes I know he's up there in the fame meter, but I didn't realize that he was that popular until my six-year-old asked me about him.River: Mommy, patay na ba si Michael Jackson?Me: Oo. Pano mo nalaman?River: Sabi sa TV. Mommy, san siya

When it rains, it floods

2009-07-17T08:31:00.003+08:00

Woke up this morning to the eerie howling of the winds outside. My cellphone read 5:20 a.m. Shit. The rain hasn't stopped since yesterday afternoon. I bet the gutters and drainages must have swollen into a massive pool of filth and human excesses by this time. I shuddered at the mere thought. I planned on going back to slumber, but then the aircon went dead. Crap! Walang kuryente. I scrambled for

BEWAARREEE!

2009-07-06T12:04:00.002+08:00

I know this is old news; so much has been written about the same incident in the web. But at the risk of sounding redundant, I will share this experience with you (actually, it's more of my husband's experience) to serve as a reminder to everyone especially businessmen to be vigilant and cautious when talking to entities who pose as NGOs or who claim to have ties with the government to extort

Define S-E-X-Y

2009-04-17T08:46:00.002+08:00

This came as a surprise to many, including myself who's not even a big fan of Robert Pattinson or Twilight. I haven't seen the movie (maybe in DVD if I have time) but judging from the publicity photos and paparazzi shots, I think Robert Pattinson could pass for a hunk by any woman's standards. Guess we don't use the same stick as The Phoenix editors who demoted the Twilight hottie as one of the

An almost perfect getaway

2009-04-14T08:32:00.002+08:00

Lesson learned over the long holiday: never go out of town at the spur of the moment lest you end up ruining the last stretch of the holiday and risk a word war with husband.Holy Wednesday was too late to make any reservations to any hotel, counting little unknown resorts from faraway land (Pundaquit, Zambales) which I only stumbled upon on the Internet. Everything was fully booked. Yes I hear

Sa prisinto ka na magpaliwanag...!

2009-03-19T08:18:00.003+08:00

I hate explaining myself to anyone especially if I know that my actions are void of any malice. It's an ordeal for me therefore to ride the public train every morning. As you already know, I am in my second trimester of pregnancy and as such I have earned the privilege to ride the "off limits" section of the train reserved for senior citizens, handicapped, employees, officers of LRTA, women with

Thank you...

2009-03-12T08:13:00.005+08:00

This goes out to all my friends who read my previous post and prayed for the fast recovery of my husband and wished me well on my pregnancy. Thank you!Well I have a good news to share (altho I don't know if this is any better than the last post). My husband does not have German measles after all! It was a false alarm, thank goodness. I'm just a bit annoyed because we had to wait for eight days (

Will I survive?

2009-03-03T12:37:00.002+08:00

I feel like crying this very moment. I just learned that my husband has German measles. Yes, it's no big deal if I was NOT on my first trimester of my pregnancy. All moms out there know that pregnant women are NOT ALLOWED to get sick during this stage, much less with German measles. In the United States, expecting moms who contract this viral disease undergo "therapeutic abortion" without any

My first blessing this 2009

2009-01-28T09:11:00.002+08:00

I'm talking about a very BIG blessing coming our way this year. I tested positive last night. No, no, not coke or meth. I'm having a baby again meaning I'll be a mother for the third time. The thought excites and scares me at the same time. We haven't planned on this one, but we need to be ready for him/her. Scary thought but a most welcome gift. Now we have to cut back on our spending and save

Eheads Final Set...to go or not to go?

2009-01-15T08:14:00.004+08:00

Ok. Now I am getting excited. I've read in some blogs and forums that (yes, finally) there will be another E-heads concert aptly titled "Eraserheads: The Final Set Concert." Tentative sched is March 7 (which, upon checking my phone's calendar, falls on a Saturday). No venue yet but some are predicting that it will be at the MOA concert grounds (God forbid) or The Fort (same as last year's).My

Wolverine is back..and other kick-ass characters from our childhood

2009-01-08T11:50:00.003+08:00

I know nobody can really predict the future but I think it's safe to say that 2009 is gonna be a blockbuster year for movies (and yes, another reason to stash away some cash for those prime theater seats.)Got this list from Yahoo Movies. I confess that I'm no movie fan. I am too lazy to make the trip to the mall, line up at the movie tills, wait for my turn at the hotdog stand, and sit still for

Still on the hairy issue...

2009-01-08T08:07:00.009+08:00

This is a follow-up to my entry yesterday since my friend Lilith brought it up anyway. She ponders, "Is goatee considered a mustache?"Very tricky question, ain't it? It's like saying, "Ang balbas ba ay para ding bigote?" (sorry for the lousy translation, I really suck in Filipino). What do you think? Are they the same or are they totally different? I made a survey over Facebook and am still

'stache or no 'stache?

2009-01-07T08:42:00.004+08:00

So what is a mustacheologist? At first, I thought it was a new entry in the dictionary concocted by a Joe the Six Pack. But no, a mustacheologist is a person who studies (hold your breath) men's mustache. What exactly do they study? I honestly have no friggin' idea. Apparently according to the Yahoo video that I watched, there are a handful types of mustache like the horseshoe, manchu, handlebar

Ang aking listahan ng mga gagawin ngayong bagong taon...

2009-01-05T13:54:00.003+08:00

Wala naman talaga akong listahan ng mga resolusyon dahil unang-una ay tamad akong magsulat; pangalawa, alam ko namang hindi ko matutupad ang mga bagay na gusto kong baguhin ngayong 2009. Sinubukan ko na dati yan. Ang sabi ko titigil na akong manigarilyo pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang sarili ko na magsindi ng isang stik lalo na pag matagal-tagal akong hindi nagbabanyo. Madalas ay un ang lagi

Something to look forward to in 2009

2008-12-30T09:46:00.003+08:00

I can't say that 2008 was a good year for us (although those bunch of foretellers predicted otherwise). This year proved to be tough and rough not only for me but for my whole family as well. Perhaps the only memorable thing that happened to me in 2008 was my trip in Paris and our vacation in Cebu at the start of the year. It was downhill from there.I lost my job (uhmm well I resigned from my job

The storm is over

2008-12-19T09:52:00.002+08:00

I've spent the last couple of days in the hospital. Last Wednesday, we rushed my eldest to the hospital because he was complaining of dizziness, nausea and stomach pains the previous night. He was pale and weak, dark circles under his eyes, his lips dry. I was so nervous.My pedia told us to confine him the moment he saw my son. A series of lab tests ensued. Our doctor advised us not to feed my

Dull December

2008-12-16T07:50:00.003+08:00

While I love the cold weather now, I hate all the illnesses that come with December. My son has been down with cough for two weeks now, and the last time we checked with our pedia we were told that he has bronchitis which could mutate into pneumonia if we don't act fast. He has since been drinking this very expensive antibiotic and three sessions of nebulizer a day which I really hope and pray

Intermittent absence

2008-12-05T08:10:00.003+08:00

I have almost forgotten about this blog because I've been so preoccupied with take home work, house chores, and catching up on sleep that I barely open my laptop. In the office, I don't browse the net except for instances when we have to download some files from the FTP server. We are THAT busy. I know my life sounds so boring lately but oi, chronic boredom has its rewards. Yesterday, I and two

There's hope!

2008-11-26T10:38:00.003+08:00

I was browsing the Internet earlier and thought of deviating from my routine for a while to check the airfare rates of Cebu Pacific. Ever since I made a ticker for my planned Boracay trip, I have been obsessing about it every night.I already have a date in mind: either we go there from Feb. 27 to March 1 or between March 13 to 15. Guess what, I was blown away by the rates of CEB. I must say Cebu

Comic relief

2008-11-26T08:09:00.002+08:00

Allow me to post this compilation of idiocy courtesy of my officemate Ross. These are tongue-in-cheek jokes allegedly quoted from faceless and famous personalities. I hope it will make your day, just like it did with the rest of us in the office when this was forwarded to us. Cheers!1. An Eat Bulaga contestant was asked by Joey and Vic: Ano sa Tagalog ang grasshopper? Contestant: Ahmm. . .Huling

Much ado about vampires..take 2!

2008-11-24T10:18:00.002+08:00

People in the the U.S. especially teen girls had a lot to be grateful for on Thanksgiving, the first being the opening of "Twilight" over the weekend. Read on yahoo movies that the drama flick hauled in about USD70 million, USD20 million more than the expected digits it would make in the box office. However, we Filipinos should pray harder and hope that the movie will be screened sooner rather

The color of grass...

2008-11-24T09:11:00.005+08:00

Here are two interpretations of the grass skirt ala haute couture. The one worn by Madonna is from Louis Vuitton's latest collection for spring. Mischa Barton, on the other hand, opted to wear Monique Lhuillier. Can you see the striking similarities? I don't know about you but I prefer Monique Lhuillier's interpretation although bakit parang nagkopyahan sila? However, this is not to say that I

Dreaming of Bora

2008-11-21T13:10:00.003+08:00

I can't exactly remember how many times I've been in this island probably because they were forgettable except for one thing: how the talcum-like sand first felt under my bare feet. It's nothing I've seen or experienced prior to my first trip to Boracay. And it's the only thing I can vividly remember until now.If you noticed, I've added a ticker on my page that reveals a countdown until our

The devil is in the dessert!

2008-11-20T13:03:00.005+08:00

If there's one thing that pulls me and Argel together, it's food. Eating is our favorite pastime and our way of coping when we are so harassed in our respective offices. Whenever we can, we see to it that we have dinner dates at least once a month. It doesn't have to be something fancy. So long as it's new, it's good, it's reasonable, it pleases our palates, or it is referred by a friend, then

Text spammers

2008-11-18T16:33:00.002+08:00

I hate it when I receive spam text messages in my cellphone. How do these scheming spammers manage to hack our numbers anyway? Yesterday, I got an SMS telling me that I can claim my FREE insurance policy in Makati from this company called CARITAS. They even went as far as giving a person to contact, a landline number, the address where I can claim my insurance policy and a BFAD license. The end

Pissed!

2008-11-18T08:17:00.004+08:00

Could somebody please share with me some witty snide remarks to put off this person who is irritatingly tactless, who thinks she knows everything, and who acts as if she is the most intelligent person in the world?I have been putting up with her for quite some time now but she's really getting into my nerves. Sure I have some bad bones in my body and I could be confrontational if I want to but I

Gift ideas, anyone?

2008-11-13T12:43:00.002+08:00

My husband and I are still toying with the idea on what to give our eldest for Christmas. He's six, already in preschool, a smart boy, and has a mind of his own. He also happens to be a huge fan of video games which I am strongly opposed to. Aside from the fact that these games are mostly filled with gore and violence, video games take so much of his attention and time (sometimes even during

Jen-Brad-Angelina saga continues

2008-11-12T14:41:00.004+08:00

A new twist to the Jen-Brad-Angelina saga (note that Brad is at the center of the title for obvious reasons) surfaces after Jennifer Aniston commented about Angelina's blatant remarks on her and Brad's romance that blossomed at the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. (Read the full article here)Angelina has no delicadeza and class. She used to deny the rumors and now here she is telling the whole world

Wooden wonders and more

2008-11-11T15:26:00.007+08:00

The bleak economy and ridiculous prices have somehow changed our priorities in the past few months. As a result, we have become smarter, and even cynical if you may, when it comes to spending our money. This Christmas, though, it won't hurt to add a thing or two more to your "to-buy" list so long as you know that you are getting your money's worth.For homeowners like me, a good piece of furniture

Musings on marriage

2008-11-11T08:53:00.003+08:00

I was once asked how marriage has changed my relationship with my then boyfriend and now husband. And my answer then was: not so much. Pondering about it now, I realized that A LOT has changed in our relationship since we got hitched two years ago. For one, we are less tolerant of each other that we have become critical to a fault. I admit that I focus too much on my husband's temper rather than

Gwyneth goes gaga...literally

2008-11-10T09:51:00.010+08:00

I still can't get over this infamous photo of Gwyneth Paltrow (courtesy of http://www.omg.yahoo.com/) which instantly demoted her to "worst dressed celebrity" overnight!Everything in this outfit is just grossly wrong -- from the hair, choice of jewelry, a kitschy black and white dress with lace details, the granny lingerie (if you can even call it that), and those atrocious ankle boots that

Much ado about vampires

2008-11-06T13:02:00.005+08:00

I've always been fascinated with vampires, but not as much as my friend Riya who's obsessed with them. So it's not surprising that she's been persuading me to grab a copy of the Twilight series and eventually get hooked (like her)on the central character named Edward. I haven't read a book since I finished The Da Vinci Code but I would love to get a copy of Twilight based solely on Riya's

Fashion victory or fashion victim?

2008-11-06T08:13:00.003+08:00

Just when we thought that all eyes where on Obama on election night, there were a few pairs gazing not at the dandy president-elect, but at his wife Michelle and what she was wearing for this momentous occasion. Since the campaign started, much has been written and said about Michelle's fashion sense. There were a couple of hits and misses. I also had my personal favorites, including a black and

Black or White?

2008-11-05T13:09:00.003+08:00

Black has always been a recurring trend. Today, Americans have reaffirmed this by voting the first black president to the White House. Aaahh..I just hope the GQ material Obama is not just another trend. I like the guy. He brims with so much promise...and fashion sense. If it's worth anything, McCain was man enough to concede. That's unheard of here in the Philippines. No Filipino politician

sore and sullen

2008-11-04T14:27:00.002+08:00

Woke up this morning with a stiff neck which I probably got from sleeping on my side the entire night. I was careful not to move too much, or stretch out my arms as I normally do. But last night, we allowed our youngest to sleep on our bed. He's been sick since yesterday. The last time I checked, the thermometer read 39.5. But he's getting better, thank God. Unfortunately, my stiff neck is not. I

Ode to mama

2008-10-29T13:14:00.003+08:00

There are still instances when I refuse to accept that my mother died not so long ago. Was it three or four years ago? I can barely remember. I never keep tabs of such dates. I can't even recall how she died. All I know is I was not by her bedside when it happened. I was sleeping, exhausted of the trip back home from Hong Kong, when my brother called me early in the morning to tell me the

I'm "moved"

2008-10-28T09:05:00.007+08:00

Since we got married, I and my husband have intermittently pondered about moving to a new house. The kids are growing fast and the room where we are staying is getting smaller to fit in all four of us. We live with our in-laws and although the house is big enough (five rooms and three floors)to accommodate five families, I have always secretly wished that we could someday afford to get our own

Aching for beauty

2008-10-24T11:39:00.003+08:00

I just realized that I am getting old. I no longer fancy wearing colorful plastic earrings and bangles. They look so "cheap" and so "trying hard" on me. I hoarded a handful five years ago during a trip in Bangkok. It used to be hip that time, to wear those plastic stuffs I mean. But not anymore, at least not on me. Then there are my red Chucks that have been gathering dust in the shoe rack. I

overrun? run over? what the heck!

2008-10-22T13:15:00.001+08:00

Am feeling a bit pissed this morning. Let me rephrase that. I SHOULD be feeling annoyed about what happened on my way to work. But being the nice me, I let the incident slide off without giving a (cat) fight.I usually take the LRT 5th Avenue station on the way to my office in Roxas Boulevard. I was not born rich (although I always wish I was)so I have no choice but to take the public transport.

Down with Mondays!

2008-10-20T11:33:00.003+08:00

There's so much to hate about Mondays and today is particularly loathsome. I was unusually late for work (my definition of "late" is when I arrive on the dot. I'd rather arrive 15 minutes earlier so I still have time for my rituals like yosi, banyo, etc.) I was late because I was stressing on what to wear today. Not that it was a big deal or something. It was just one of my indecisive moments, I

I heart my job!

2008-10-17T15:37:00.005+08:00

It's been a fortnight since I last updated my blog, the reason being I now HAVE a job. I mean a regular job that pays well than what I was getting from freelance writing but not as much as my previous PR stint. So far, I am loveeeing it here. Of course, having to stress over the level tests is another thing. But this is what I hand in mind and have been obsessing over the last couple of months.

Vertigo..and I dont even listen to U2!

2008-10-03T14:48:00.002+08:00

Have you ever heard of Vertigo? Learned about it the hard way one afternoon while I was rushing an article. All of a sudden, my vision started to swirl with my head swaying like pendulum from one side to the other. I initially dismissed it as a severe case of migraine but then the swirling continued until I had to call (or was it shout) for help.Since it was a holiday, I and my husband were the

A passion for pearls

2008-09-29T17:37:00.008+08:00

This is the best time to make your wish list, or if you plan to play Santa on Dec. 25, a checklist for presents to be given away come Christmas. After all, who wants to get caught in the horrendous traffic and dizzying Christmas rush which starts to build up as soon as Halloween is over? But then if you

Despedida de Soltera

2008-09-23T15:56:00.003+08:00

My kumare and officemate in MB has finally found her better half in Fil-American soldier Rodel (or Lieutenant as we refer to him). They met through Friendster and after one year of exchanging emails and overseas calls, the two finally met last year. They were inseparable since (except of course when Lieutenant has to fly back to the US).The two are getting married in the US this year, in December

kitchen solutions

2008-09-10T09:13:00.005+08:00

Im a sucker for Food Network shows. Name it, I probably know it. Aside from the recipes I so try hard to copy in vain, these shows provide nuggets of wisdom which I find very useful in the kitchen. While I'm at it, I will try to post at least one kitchen tip that I learned from the experts. It's really for my own benefit as I have this bad habit of jotting down bits of interesting information in

Vanity is my favorite sin

2008-09-04T15:12:00.003+08:00

What was the weirdest thing you did for vanity's sake? I've tried a few ones in my puberty and adult years -- some worked while the rest are too gross to print here.Here are a few things I've tried:Put toothpaste or lipstick (whichever is available) on a zit. Apparently, the fluoride in the toothpaste dries out the pimple and eventually heals faster. This is, of course, my own scientific musings.

Eheads reunion concert was a success BUT...

2008-09-01T13:47:00.005+08:00

Yes there's a big BUT and I know that everyone who went to the concert last Saturday share the same sentiment. It was bitin not only because the show was cut short due to unfortunate circumstances but in many other ways as well. But first, the details.Went to The Fort around 3:00 p.m. for the off-chance of sneaking in at the VIP section. Security was kinda tight, they even asked us to leave our

Maling akala...NOT!

2008-08-28T17:11:00.007+08:00

Months after careless whispers started circulating, the much-anticipated reunion concert of Eheads is finally pushing through on Saturday at The Fort! Thank you Lord.Heard the good news over Magic while on the way to palengke this morning. My husband wanted to go to SM Manila ora mismo to get tickets.We can't miss the concert. No. Not in this lifetime. We grew up with Eheads as with the rest of

Secrets Men Keep

2008-08-27T15:28:00.003+08:00

I learned something today about relationships courtesy of redbookmag.com. Guys just can't seem to resist the urge to look at a (hot) girl even while you're waiting in line together. It's an annoying habit, one that I can't really get over with even if I've been married for more than two years now. But the blog says" this doesn't mean that he will leave you for her or that he wants to make a

Tom yummy

2008-08-22T15:49:00.004+08:00

Modesty aside, I consider myself a fairly good cook, a skill I probably inherited from my "mame" who prepares a mean sinigang and adobong pusit which I still can't duplicate until now. Variety wise, Im limited to the usual fare of nilaga, prito, steamed vegetables and anything that has sauteed onion and garlic in it. Im growing tired of it (so does my family but were afraid to say so hehe) so

Retraction

2008-08-15T10:50:00.002+08:00

I'm taking back what I've said in my last post. I don't want to be a teacher...well at least not while we are still struggling to stabilize our finances, while the education system continues to be corrupt, and hopelessness continues to thrive in the streets. I know being a teacher is a vocation, and as such you should not expect to live comfortably with a meager salary. Kaya nga vocation eh..

Experience vs Expertise

2008-08-05T10:00:00.003+08:00

I am devastated. I just came back from a job interview somewhere in Q.C., optimistic that I would be hired as a preschool teacher. It's always been my frustration to be a teacher, a desire that stemmed from my early exposure as a volunteer for our church. Summers during my teenage years were mostly spent with out-of-school youths in depressed areas, reading Bible stories, singing Christian songs

Of birthdays, job interviews and gadgets

2008-08-04T15:48:00.003+08:00

I have a new laptop, thanks to my benefactor who insisted that he bought me one since I am into the writing business (yes business, not craft) and often used HIS laptop to write my articles. After much convincing and wading through computer shops in Greenhills, I finally found the perfect gizmo for me -- a white Acer Aspire. I am not very particular with specs so long as it had wifi/internet

Maling akala

2008-07-31T16:19:00.001+08:00

I hope this buzz about the forthcoming reunion of the Eraserheads is not just a "maling akala" as their song goes. My husband and I already registered online to get tickets (apparently this was the only way to get tickets to the "free concert) but we have yet to receive a reply from this site. var curDiv = document.getElementById('ln0'); curDiv.innerHTML =

Yaya to the rescue

2008-07-09T09:54:00.003+08:00

Im back though I was never really away (excluding perhaps the three-day "vacation" I took with my sister in Hong Kong last June 26).For the past two weeks, wala ako yaya which is why I didnt have time to update this blog. Thankfully I have my new yaya, sinundo namin sia yesterday dun sa agency kung san kami parati kumukuha ng yaya.I've lost count of my yayas who have come and gone. The last one,

Wanna sleep for 1 million years

2008-06-25T17:28:00.000+08:00

Im soo tired, very very tired. I just want to sleep but I cant. Got to finish some things, transcribe my intreview, email articles, pack my things, help my son do his homework, atbp... ika nga ni Madam Ethel.

Ulan...

2008-06-19T14:04:00.004+08:00

The rain is pounding furiously outside. My immediate thought was: Buti na lang im jobless, I dont have to worry about getting home, getting stuck in traffic, being stranded in the LRT with unfortunate people like me who cant afford to buy a car. (No, not with the ridiculous oil price surge). I dont need to buy an umbrella from the vendors at the Manila City Hall (they should be selling umbrellas

mood swings

2008-06-17T18:08:00.002+08:00

I've been in a nauseating mood swing lately. One day am just contented being a good wife and a mother, the next day I am swallowed by my insecurities that always end up having something to do with being friggin' jobless. This is already wearing and tearing me down. I hate the feeling. I dont want to be depressed anymore or see myself stucked in a muddy rut that I cant get out of.Sometimes I

Belated Father's Day

2008-06-16T13:24:00.006+08:00

I may not be blessed with a flourishing career but God is fair and wise because he blessed me instead with two healthy boys and a husband who works day and night to give us a comfortable life. I wanted to re-publish an article I wrote last year, sort of a tribute to my husband for our Father's Day special when I still worked for that office.That article was perhaps the most taxing and challenging

It's Friday 13th...so be very afraid!

2008-06-13T15:49:00.003+08:00

Friday the 13th pala ngayon...I am supposed to be in Batanes now with my partners in our consultancy firm to do some research and legwork. Fortunately, it was moved to June 21 to 24 (kung hindi kami ma-stranded dun.)Heard that when going to Batanes, you always have to arm yourself with extra clothes since the weather in this isolated island is very erratic pede ka ma-stranded for days. Hopping

First day of school..mom is not cool na cool

2008-06-11T13:23:00.002+08:00

It's Riv's first day of school today. Woke up at 5:15 am to prepare breakfast, gave him a bath and a quick pep talk on what to expect now that he's attending big school.I was still kinda feeling sleepy this morning since we conked out quite late last night: my husband was reading this self-help book on business administration while I was doing a marathon of reruns and cooking shows.Saw my son off

Paradise Lost...and found

2008-06-06T16:43:00.005+08:00

I've been to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, recently to take part in their Viray Festival, an annual cultural celebration that brings to mind how the first settlers of this fishing village from neighboring Ilocos arrived in the early '50s via a boat called "Viray."I tell you, the sheer beauty and mystical allure of the town is beyond words. I guess this was how the first residents of Sta. Ana also felt when

Fake imitation?

2008-06-06T13:43:00.005+08:00

While I have yet to get over my "school jitters" yesterday, here comes another grammatical blooper which I chanced upon while I was preparing my husband's favorite lychee and almond gulaman. Muntik ko ng sabihing, "Shet what a coaccident."I found this carton of unflavored jelly mix inside the kitchen cabinet. I don't usually read labels especially if I use the product regularly, but I've never

School blues

2008-06-05T13:55:00.003+08:00

Im feeling a bit cynic this morning. Woke up early than usual so I and Argel would not miss the Parents Orientation in our son's new school in QC at 8:30 am. If it's worth anything, the orientation started on the dot pero naman, the moment I sat inside the auditorium and listened to my son's would-be teachers, my first impulse was to get a refund.Natakot ako! Goodness, these teachers who are

Say cheese!

2008-06-04T13:28:00.003+08:00

Am back from Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Spent some four days there with my son Riv and a couple of friends from the media. More about it in my next entry.For now, let me share with you my experience at the Belgian Delicacies Night at the residence of Ambassador Vardakis.Cheese parties are something new to the palate of food-loving Filipinos so just imagine how giddy I was on my way to Forbes Park armed

The Verdict

2008-05-22T13:52:00.006+08:00

The verdict is out and David Cook won by 12 million votes (if I heard Ryan right). While it doesn't really matter who won the American Idol because I like them both anyway, I was kinda disappointed with the performance of Cookie last night. Ano ba yan, walang dating ang mga kinanta nia! I was waiting for goosebumps to come but sadly, the only chills I got was from the cold air coming from our

The two Davids

2008-05-21T12:43:00.005+08:00

Now that American Idol is about to wrap up in a final showdown, we are torn between the two Davids. For some strange reasons, my husband has a knack for spotting great talent and if his hunch is right (again) then David Archuleta will be named American Idol tonight. But then David Cook always blows me away whenever he sings. I guess it's his sheepish grin that makes me blush inside and secretly

Trinkets and more

2008-05-20T14:36:00.004+08:00

I was in Quiapo last Sunday to replenish my bead collection. I found some stuff that I really liked including these red stones which looked so luscious I had to keep them away from my kids who thought they were cherries. I also bought some chains with varying textures and sizes which I used to create layered necklaces. Here are a couple of the designs I made. For those who are interested, don't

Gameboy addict

2008-05-16T14:07:00.005+08:00

It's hard to talk to a five-year-old especially when his Gameboy is clamoring for the same attention. That's always my problem with my son River who's glued to his gizmo most of the day. One time, Riv asked me to help him score some "coins" using a slot machine so he could buy a virtual Pokemon. And that's when I got hooked.Although I'm no big fan of computer games (except perhaps for solitaire),

Parisian girls

2008-05-13T15:23:00.002+08:00

Here are some of the photos from my last trip in January before I left Bulletin. It was one of the most memorable, if not the most memorable junket I had. We spent four days in the beautiful city of Paris, and while everything was ridiculously expensive, we managed to find something within our budget at H&M.I also met with my brother and his wife who have been living and working in Paris for

Summer Shebang

2008-05-12T16:05:00.002+08:00

After much debate with my husband, we finally decided to push through with our plans to spend a day in the beach, albeit rainshowers in the afternoons which I find weird in the summer month of May.Off we went to White Rock in Subic with much anticipation especially after seeing the enticing photos posted on their website.We spent the next three hours on the road, navigating our way to SBMA via

An attempt at blogging

2008-05-09T15:33:00.001+08:00

So I'm officially part of the growing statistics of the unemployed here in the Philippines which explains why I created this blog in the first place (sigh). After more than seven years of writing for a newspaper, I finally called it quits last March due to a number of reasons (burnout being on top of the list).I initially planned on just staying home, crafting my own fashion accessories, and