Hallelujah, I'm Still Alive

How are you my dearies? I know, I know. I suffered from writer's block. (Wow, writer lang talaga?) I have not posted anything since that post I had about the AI 11 finale. Because I was so much disheartened by its result. Charot!

Kidding aside, I felt like nothing interesting worth sharing to you guys happened to me these past couple of days. Reading all your new posts about your summer escapades, new gadgets, new outfits, collectible items, family gatherings, etc. made me feel that my life was sooo boring. Arte lang, pero there's a teeny weeny truth to it with konting inggit factor. So with this new post, does that mean there's anything worth sharing here? You tell me. ^_^

Let me do a li'l recap. What did I do these past couple of days? Lemme think. Hmmm. The usual. Work-home routine. Then there was my two days off. I didn't go out. I didn't accomplish anything productive during those two days. I don't wanna elaborate on that. Maiinis lang na naman ako. Then there was my feeling guilty about Calli and I not having any bonding activity last week so we went out to the mall and played again in Playmates. Then there was Elmer and I doing some de-cluttering and a lot of packing in the house. We are moving to another house soon. Very soon. Then there was the payday. Then I had my hair cut. Reading those back, I guess, there were things naman that were worth sharing pero tinamad lang ako. Yes, that's the keyword. Tinamad lang talaga ako. 

American Idol Season 11 Finale

After Joshua's embarrassing stumbling on stage, RiRi's awesome performance, JLo's deceptive lip synching, this season's contestants' funny "phonebook" number, Ace's to-me-it's-staged-for-the-show's-rating marriage proposal, Steven's growling performance, Jennifer Holiday's angry mouth and her duet with Jessica Sanchez that really gave most of us goosebumps, American Idol Season 11 had been concluded. And the winner is...

The Ultimate Cam Whores In The House

Aside from singing along YouTube videos like this one that I posted, Calli and I also love cam-whoring during lazy afternoons. Like what we did one afternoon not long time ago. 

Calli enjoyed my making faces. I said "Ayoko na." but she insisted that I made some more. And she laughed at me every single time. Okay, ako na ang clown b*atch niya. 

She simply loves the camera. I wonder if she has a future in acting or modelling or photography or whatever that has something to do with cameras. I have yet to find out.

What do you and your kids love doing together? 

Ciao! ♥

Taste Buds At Work: Mr. Kimbob's Bulgogi Japchae Dubbob

It was Mother's Day. I had work in the morning and needed to run some errands in the afternoon. Elmer also had work that day. Straight from work, I went to town and did what I had to do. When I was already about to go home, and even when I had just arrived in town, I was already starving. I thought aabot pa sa bahay ang gutom ko pero andami ko na talagang gutom. Kebs sa dami ng tao sa food court. Sumide trip ako sa Mr. Kimbob. 

I have already tried Mr. Kimbob's Bibimbob, Kimbob and Shabu-Shabu many times. (I think their names are really intended to say "bob" at the end instead of the supposed "bap". Whatcha think?) So I told myself I gotta try something different that time. 

Before I continue, let me share to you a li'l lesson on Korean language. (Howkei. What am I now after a few Korean meals? An expert on their language? ^_^) I may be wrong with some of these. I only got these from all over the Internet. Feel free to correct me.

Another Fun Day

I know Calli also gets bored from staying home the entire week while Daddy and Mommy go to work and while her Ate Nikki is so much busy and having a great time in Pangasinan doing a lot of things with their Mama Shirley. So whenever Mommy and Daddy have a day off work that falls on the same day, we go out. That's what we did yesterday. We brought yaya with us but we let her go her own way. I think that was a good idea. Parang day off din niya. She doesn't want naman to go out of the house nang 'di kami kasama e. Plus,  when Daddy, Calli and I, just the three of us, had merienda, 'di namin siya kasama kaya nakatipid kami. Haha! Apparently, she went shopping for clothes and watched the Kapuso Mall Show at the events center. 

These are some photos of Calli that I took in Playmates, Quantum and Sooo Good! (KFC).

In-avail niya lahat.

Does Calli Really Want A Baby?

I have a neighbor who is a young mom to Baby Mori. Baby Mori is about ten months old. Calli is so much fond of her. Whenever she sees Baby Mori with her mom playing close by, Calli would hurriedly run out of the house and go to her.

Yesterday, Calli did just that. Her yaya went out with her. I instructed her yaya to always go with Calli whenever and wherever she goes out of the house. I don't care what she's doing, she has to leave it and go with Calli. So Calli and her yaya played with Baby Mori across the street just right infront of our house. 

After a short while, Calli came back home while her yaya, with Baby Mori in her arms, tailed her.

Yaya: Ate, iuwi na raw namin si Baby Mori sabi ni Calli.

Calli: Mommeeh, atin na si Baby Morit?

Funny. She calls Baby Mori "Baby Morit".

Me: *Laughs* Hindi pwede kasi hahanapin siya ng Mommy niya. Kawawa ang Mommy 'pag nawala ang baby niya.

Calli: *Whines* Sige na Mommeeh? Pleeease?

Me: Bibili na lang tayo ng ibang baby sa SM bukas. Dalawa pa. Gusto mo?

Ayaw pa din niya. Si Baby Mori daw talaga gusto niya. I could tell that Calli really liked it so much to "adopt" Baby Mori from how dearly she held and hugged Baby Mori's legs.

Me: Oh sige. Atin na siya pero hindi ka na magde-dede. Siya na ang bibilhan ng cereals at chocolates. Sa kanya na ang mga toys mo.

Yaya: Ano Calli? Gusto mo ba?

Calli: (With "shoo" hand gesture) Sige, balik na siya.

Super laughs.

I can tell from that that she's not yet ready for an ading. And even if she already is, I will never be. So, good luck to her. ^_^

Ciao! ♥

I'm Torn Between Jessica Sanchez And Phillip Phillips

I used to be 100% Jessica Sanchez fan. That's why I felt a teeny-weeny feeling of hatred (I think hatred is too strong of a word describing the feeling) towards Hollie Cavanagh when, although I didn't really see it on TV myself and was only told about it by my friend Golden who happens to be an American Idol fanatic like myself, she appeared to have smirked when Jessica was announced as one of the bottom three contestants that week. (I'm so sorry Hollie fans. Just me.) 

Jessica Sanchez was really my bet although Phillip Phillips has always been one of my favorites too. Aside from the fact that she sings undoubtedly really, really, reaaally good, I feel proud that she's 50% Pinay. Note the WAS*.

As I write this, I am watching #AIonETC Phillip Phillip's first song for the night, "Beggin'" which was chosen for him by Steven Tyler to sing. I can tell that he is having a good time singing the song. There's really something about Phillip's singing, besides his voice, that's really kakakilig! (Howkei, ako na ang kinikilig!) Well, even Jennifer Lopez cannot hide it. (Kilig na kilig ang lola mo!) He has raw talent, no doubt. I think he's gonna be very, very famous soon. He is now. 

I think it's his eyes and how he glances sideways at times while singing. 

Like this.

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And this.

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And this too.

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He does it as if he's teasing you. And he has a gorgeous smile. Honggwapo lang!

Remember the * at the top? I'm not sure if it's still Jessica Sanchez that I'm betting on. I'm now torn between Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips. I hope it's them I'll see perform in the finale. I guess, whoever wins between them, I'm gonna be happy. 

Who's your bet?

Ciao! ♥

Taste Buds At Work: Bubbatealicious Caramel Milk Tea

Elmer and I frequent SM City Baguio. Whenever there's a change in it, we notice. Whenever there's a new food shop, we notice...and drool. Whenever there's a scheduled weekend sale, we know. Whenever there's rally, we know. ^_^ Well, who doesn't? Most people here in Baguio do. This is a small city, and there's only one decent mall here. Yep, SM City Baguio that is. (Howkei, this is not a paid post. I wish!)

Couple of months ago, I noticed this new stall somewhere near the food court area - Bubbatealicious Pearl Milk Tea Place. I can't tell you how much I love milk tea. I was introduced to milk tea when I was...I don't remember. A cup of water (hot or warm then just chill sa fridge later on), tea bag (Susan Baker or Lipton), brown sugar and canned evaporated milk (I prefer Carnation). Solb ang milk tea fix ko at home. 

An Open Letter To Muder, A Mother's Day Greeting

Uno Has Turned Dos

Uno is my friend Apol's son. It's his 2nd birthday today. Calli and I were so happy to have been part of his birthday celebration. 

Calli while en route to the party

I went to the party with Joy and...

From A Mother To Another

To all my Titas, my mommy friends, my mommy workmates, my illegitimate MIL and all mommies out there especially to *drum rolls* my one and only Muder, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! This world will never be the same without all the selfless, caring, compassionate, considerate, dependable, loving, smart and beautiful mommies in it. Mabuhay ang mga ina sa buong mundo!

Ciao! ♥  

 

Motherhood Is A Blessing

Mother's Day is a day to honor mothers, celebrate motherhood and maternal bonds, and acknowledge the influence and role of mothers in society. Mother's Day here in the Philippines is celebrated every second Sunday of May. (That's this coming Sunday. Yay!!!) Filipinos consider mothers as the Light of the Household (Ilaw ng Tahanan). Traditional Filipino families usually celebrate Mother's Day by treating mothers to lunch or dinner out, letting mothers go on a shopping spree, seeing a movie with mothers, giving mothers some time for self-pampering, creating handcrafted tokens such as greeting cards or just simply letting mothers take a day off of household chores that they routinely do.

Today, I mailed a Mother's Day greeting card addressed to my Muder in Nueva Ecija. With the trend these days and all the ease and convenience of communication through texts and emails, I see mails sent through post as extra special. They are like a true and unconditional love, because they're rare. 

Like a mother's love for her children. Nothing compares to that. Everyone agrees with me on that, yes? A mother can give up and at the same time, do everything for her children. A woman who has children and cannot do that for them is not a mother. What's she called? I don't know. Because motherhood is not a stage, not a phase. It is lifetime responsibility and opportunity. And for that I feel pride in being a mother. I feel blessed to have been given this chance to celebrate motherhood.

Something Went Really Wrong Here

Elmer and I were browsing old photos and found these. I really find these boys really, really, really cute and so adorable. I jokingly, carelessly uttered, "Ano nang nangyari sa mga batang 'to?" Elmer replied, "'Yung isa nasa LA, 'yung isa andito oh!" with his thumb and forefinger placed under his chin aka the Mr. Pogi pose. ^_^

I teased him about how he looks so differently now from that photo of him when he was five years old. "Ang cute kaya nung nasa picture kaya hindi ikaw 'yun." "Survivor ka ba ng isang grabeng aksidente?" "Magpapapalit ka na lang ng mukha, bakit naman 'yan pa ang pinili mo?" Despite my teasing him, I know deep inside him, he was feeling proud that he was ONCE a cute li'l boy. And he kept saying that it was him who looked like Nikki and Calli when they were still babies. 

Li'l Elmer Jr. (top) + his cousin Li'l Julna Jr. (bottom), Philippine Military Academy Fort Del Pilar, Circa 1988

The Tulfo - Barretto-Santiago Brawl

Live at NAIA Terminal 3. In the grey corner, we have Ramon "Mon" Tulfo. In the pink corner, we have couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto. This is most talked about in all media since it happened on Sunday. It's all over the news. It's trending in Twitter. These people involved now play He-Says, They-Say thing. The questions afloat now are: Who started all this? Who's telling the truth? Why does NAIA Terminal 3 collect unnecessarily high airport fee from passengers and there's no even CCTV camera in all areas?

Weekends + The Avengers

How did your week go my dearies? It's weekend. But my weekend was over yesterday. Today is the first day of my week. You see, I work in a call center. Work days and hours are different. "My" week starts on a Saturday and ends on a Wednesday. "My" weekends fall on Thursdays and Fridays. Or shall I say, "used to"? Starting next week until end of June, I will have normal weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. Isn't that exciting? Yay!!!

What did I do during the weekend? Calli is back from Pangasinan. As I've already mentioned before, Elmer went on a quick break with the girls and left me (I had work during the holiday) here in Baguio with our yaya. He went yaya-less. Anlakas ng loob! But he managed (and he managed very well ha) so I give him a round of applause for that. I missed Calli so much. So she and I played and cuddled and sometimes fought. Before coming back from Pangasinan to Baguio, Elmer and Calli brought Nikki to Nueva Ecija. Nikki has moved from Pangasinan to Nueva Ecija for the second part of her vacation. You know, it's still school vacation here in the Philippines. Oh, how I love to be her right now. *Sigh* And I love how my daughters are very much acquainted to traveling and commuting. Sanay na sanay na sila. They started traveling and commuting early.

Yesterday, Elmer and I, just the two of us, went out on a date. We've finally seen The Avengers. The non-3D screening before the last for the day was at 6:30PM. The one for the 3D was at 5:30PM. We were already at SM City Baguio at around 4:30PM. We didn't want to do some shopping, or even window shopping, because of the thick crowd that came and went to the stores. Super Sale kasi. Nakakainit ng ulo lang makipagsiksikan. We didn't want to wait and do nothing for 2 hours so we decided to see the movie at the earlier screening time in 3D. Plus the fact that Elmer still had to go to work at 11PM, I also had to go to bed early because I had work at 4AM today. And the most convincing factor was that Elmer had not tried seeing any movie in 3D. Spell ignorance. No more, na-experience na niya last night. ^_^

The Richest Of Them All

It was all over the news. Government officials and employees have reached their deadline of submission of their Statements of Assets, Liabilites and Net Worth (SALN). Oh my. Why am I not surprised when the Records Management Office of the House officially declared who the richest of them all were. 

Here they are. 

First, we have Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao.

Then, we have Senator Manuel Villar, Jr.

I realized just now that these two execs are both Mannies. So those of you who plan to have a baby boy in the future, you might want to consider naming him Emmanuel or Manuel. Maybe, just maybe, Manny = Money.

They're just two of the richest government officials today. Personally, I think it's clear where these two acquired/are acquiring their riches. Manny P. got his from boxing and increasing number of businesses. Manny V. got his from his countless number of businesses (and the C-5 Road Project? Haha, may intriga pa talaga on the side. Peace out, Senator Villar). Where the hell are the other government officials getting all their abundant wealth? Oh yeah, they're GOVERNMENT officials.

Ciao!

Change Is Good...And Pretty

Look what was delivered to my house today.

The replacement card for my Femme Visa! I love it!

I still love the old one. It still works, but it will not have any use to me once it expires in June. I loved the old card's design but I think this replacement card has better, more hip yet still feminine design. Needless to say, the new card works and still will even after June 2012 until June 2017.

Look at the old card's design. Also nice eh?

Obviously, I like the new card's design more. Which design do you like more?

Ciao!

 

Labor Day Fun

Nikki is still in Pangasinan. Elmer and Calli have left for Pangasinan yesterday. While still at work today, I didn't feel like going home to an empty house. I was making up reasons to go to town. Oops, I remembered, I needed a new tube of lipstick. Okay, I would go to town and buy one. I was planning to do exactly just that when my plan changed. My friends Joy and Charlie invited me to go out with them. I was hesitant at first but...the heck! My house was empty. So I went with them. 

The plan: have ONLY "two rounds" at Caltex in PNR. 

The suspects, Joy and Charlie. Walang hiya na sa camera talaga.

Again. This time with Apol.

Look who we found at Caltex. 

My Project 365+1: April Update

Let's have a li'l recap here before I continue with this. 

While I sewed my April photos together, I also tried to recall what productive things I've accomplished this past month. As I went through each photo, I remembered  how I spent and what I did on each day of April. This really is working for me. I'm happy. About the productive things I've done this past month? Hmmm. Let's just move on to the photos, shall we?

Thirty new photos for My Project 365+1.

My Project 365+1: April