Laying Low Productive

I have not been really active on line lately. For one thing I've been feeling really lousy, bad cough and cold for about a week now. Got it from Bea. She's better though. Just a little coughing, her doctor said it's nothing to be really alarmed of. It's been pretty hot in the Metro lately. Temperature's rising, summer's almost here.


Another thing is I've been busy with something else as well. I have a new project which I will be announcing very soon. I've been working on it for almost three weeks now (actually I've been wanting to go into this for like years). I just want to take care of all legal aspects first before making the announcement. Yesterday I was at DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). I am quite surprised with the development in DTI's process flow. They now have their web program. We can apply and register on line! Just go to their website www.dti.gov.ph, create an account, then you can use their on line facilities. You'll get feedback on your mailbox, 2 to 3 days from submission date. Once you get their approval message, go to specified satellite office, proceed to "web application" booth for signature of the officer. You will then be instructed to pay to the cashier, then voila! You'll go home with your new Business Registration Certificate. The thing with this tool though is all transaction, save for payment option, will be done through the internet. So if there are corrections or revisions, they are not allowed to do it manually. Like what happened to me yesterday. I got a message from them that my application was rejected because I clicked the wrong "product and service" button. the product and service category is something they should really improve on, it should be more "layman" friendly. And their customer hotline assistants are not that knowledgeable on web application. So I just personally went to their Trafalgar office for clarifications. Jonet, the guy in-charge, was very helpful. But I had to look for an internet cafe to adjust the erroneous entry, the nearest (open) one was located at Herrera! It was a long walk to and from the cafe. But I did go home with the certificate. It's pretty cool, really. I felt sorry for those who were there lined up, waiting. If they only knew about the web thing.


So there, I now have my DTI Registration Certificate. Next week I'll work on Mayor's Permit and BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue). In the meantime, I'll be meeting with some suppliers, canvass for equipments and start interviewing some candidates to fill in staffing requirements, take Decolgen, drink lots of fluid and sleep.

February 16, 2009

February 16, 2009, the husband and I quietly and happily celebrated our 7th year of married coupledom. The day started with the hubby waking me up with a sweet good morning kiss and saying “Happy Anniversary, my love.” Too cheesy for you guys? Well, pardon the cheesiness, it's our anniversary. He surprised me with two dozen arranged red roses and a card (too cheesy, very Hallmarky, wont share it anymore). I don't really like him getting those very expensive bouquets from very expensive shops. I remember he once paid PhP3,000.++ for a bouquet, I really appreciate the gesture but I just don't think it's right to spend that much on things that wither in a few days' time.


The daughter skipped school that day, she was not feeling too well. So we decided to just stay in the area and have day out instead of our planned dinner date, just in case. Had a Japanese lunch at Misato. Ordered Miso soup, Sushi Moriawase (assorted sushi), Kani bacon (crabstick wrapped in bacon with teppan sauce), Ika sashimi (squid), Zaru soba (cold noodles) for me and yummy chahan (Japanese fried rice) for the hubby. Sushi and sashimi weren't really that good. It was okay. But not as good as the ones they have at Sugi, Tanabe and that Japanese resto at President's Ave.,BF Parañaque. There are not really much good Japanese restaurants in the area. There's a new one at Westgate we'd like to try out, Red Kimono. Actually, our co-parent at Rosemont invited us to the Grand opening, but it was also last Monday. We politely declined. Then we had a great dessert at Bizu. If you love chocolate as much as we do, you may want to try out their Cake Desire. It was soooo good! "A deadly and delicious combination of milk and dark chocolate ganache with Kahlua, creme brulee and sable crust topped with strawberry miroir finish." He had single espresso and I had tea to go with it. We were so stuffed after, we just had to walk off the bloated-tummy feeling.

Bizu's Desire

A Lovely Weekend

Our Valentine’s Day was spent as a family at Alabang Town Center. Just our usual weekend bonding time with the little one, sans the nanny. February 14th is no biggie for us, our Wedding Anniversary on the 16th is a more important event. Actually, since we got married in 2002, I think V Day’s a bummer. Had to pay extra for the flowers at the wedding as the supplier said it’s “Valentine’s”. And more often than not, flowers sold a couple of days after are mostly leftovers. That's what we get for tying the knot two days after February 14. Well, it was Santuario de San Antonio's only free Saturday before March at that time. The hubby wanted to get married before turning 37. The sexy Valentine card and DVD’s Chuck gave me made me smile, though. Now I have all three Resident Evil and Matrix, been waiting for them to go on sale for a long time. Not exactly your usual V Day present, huh? After years of being together, my hubby now knows what works for me.


We were at Riverside Clubhouse in Pasig last Sunday. My friend hosted a Bikini Bottom party for her two kids, Heather (4) and Hans (1). It was a fun-filled afternoon, with lots of food, games, and prizes. Our daughter's dream of dancing with Spongebob has finally been realized. LOL

Bea dancing with Spongebob

Inside a bubble

Goodbye, Huggies! (?)

Seems like we wont be including Huggies XXL diaper on our grocery list from now on. The little girl's been going to bed nappy-free for four nights now. Great news for the environment...and our pockets of course.


The daughter's been using disposable diaper since birth. As I believe it's more hygienic and easier to use (use and dispose) than cloth diapers. Prokids from newborn to around a year and a half. Tried Pampers, she had a little rash so we just used a piece and gave away the rest. Then we tried Huggies. She's been a Huggies baby until last Friday evening. Except for the time she tried Pampers and one outing wherein her yaya forgot to change her diaper, she never really suffered from any diaper rash. A couple of months before turning 2, we already started with potty training. We did not get the mini potties anymore, we trained her to use the big toilet right way, got the removable toddler potty seat (which her ninong calls "adapter") and a step stool.


It was difficult at first, as expected, with bladder control and everything. Then the mom of her playmate, suggested we try this trick: no nappy for daytime, or when she's awake, and make her sit on the toilet every two hours from last pee (to save yourself from having to clean up after). We tried it, with what I read from the book "What to Expect the Toddler Years," potty train for 3 days, if it doesn't work, the child is not ready yet, try again after a few weeks. VERY IMPORTANT thing to do is talk to your child about potty training. I instructed the maids (when I'm not with her) to remind her all the time that she's not wearing diaper and she should tell us if she has to make "weewee" or "poopoo". So far, we've only had 2 weewee accidents and one pooping incident at a mall. She was telling us she had to make poopoo and we didn't believe her because she just came from the toilet, her yaya was new, then she went like "Here, smell it!" LOL. It was a gradual process. From no diaper at home, to wearing diaper only at the mall or when going on a long trip (more than an hour). Until January 2008, we were getting ready for toddler school, she was 2 1/2, I was putting her diaper on when she suddenly said "Mom, I don't want to wear diaper anymore." Woohoo! She'd only wear diaper when asleep since.


Though she's been keeping her diaper dry throughout the night for more than six months now, with no daytime accidents, it was just last weekend that I finally tried no more night nappy. Hey, it's a family bed okay? We will be sleeping on the floor if she'd accidentally pee on it. Now I ask her to sit on the toilet before going to sleep, remind her she's not wearing diaper and to just wake up mom in case she has to go to the toilet. Have an underpad on hand though, in case she wont make it, it's what they use in the hospitals so the bedsheets wont get soaked. Every morning, I'd congratulate her and tell her I'm proud of all her progress,not just the potty thing. She'd reply with a smug grin on her face. Four nights going...I hope we can finally say goodbye to Huggies!

House Progress

On my way to work this morning, I was on the phone with Arch. Ramos. We're getting the additional battens for the roofing through him instead of Stone 2000. His supplier will give it to us at PhP11,000.00, almost 50% cheaper than Stone 2000's PhP21,000.++ quote. We really shouldn't just say yes to whatever they say, we have to scout for the best price possible. And supplier/contractor really make money on add-ons.


We did not get APO engineered wood anymore, as originally planned. Price went from PhP1,200.00 to PhP1,700.00 per square meter. It's now beyond the budget (with all the adjustments). And we have to keep cost from ballooning too much. Last Saturday, we made partial payment for Steiger laminated flooring. We were able to get contract price at PhP70,000.++ (vs. APO's PhP204,000.++), for entire second floor up to the attic, including labor. Well they're entirely different from each other in quality. But we'll be okay with laminates for now.


I am now canvassing for quality Graphicoat painted glass for the bar and kitchen splashboard. Arch. Co gave us two suppliers to call. Pacific Glass and CNS Unique. Called them up last Friday. We're definitely not getting from Pacific Glass! The sales officer who took the call was kinda rude. Since I'm not familiar with this item, it's only natural that I ask her about it. She explained in a way that made me sound so dumb. Hello! It's a potential buyer calling, you may want to be a little pleasant and accommodating? If all their sales people were like that, I won't be surprised if the company closes shop and they find themselves unemployed soon. CNS Unique was totally different from that other supplier. Beth, who's not even in sales, was very nice and answered all my queries, explaining every detail without a tinge of "impatience" in her voice. I asked for swatches to be presented to us so we can decide right away.


Applied first coating of paint...two more coats to go, using the final shade (Davis Liquid Tile for outdoor and Boysen Virtuoso Silk Touch indoor). Door jambs and cabinet framing are all in place; entry and cabinet doors will be delivered, hopefully, within the month. We are expecting full installation of Vignet uPVC windows by February 15, as committed by the fabricator. With the way things are going, it is very unlikely we'll be moving to our new home within the month. Maybe next month. Unless we ask Architect Ramos, our contractor, to rush things. There's really no urgency. We want things done right. Every time I visit, I check the lines and workmanship. If it's not acceptable to me, I ask them to do it again... even if they have to undo everything. I warned them beforehand that I'm particular about quality of work. Well I ask them nicely, with matching please and occasional lunch treat for all workers. With all the effort and penny poured into this project, it should very well be worth it.

Almost there

Monkeyin' Around

First saw this comic on my cousin-in-law's Facebook page. I believe she got it from www.CartoonStock.com. I could not help but laugh out loud! We've seen and heard all about that politician sibling of theirs. Actually, that primate is so talented he was able to make clones of himself. They're like all over.

Roof Tile Dilemma

I was at the construction site yesterday. Some of the windows have already been installed, more will be delivered and installed these coming days. They're now polishing the ceiling and walls, no second coat yet, but we've chosen colors already. Most of the bathroom tiles are already in place, and we now have some cabinets too! My sister-in-law came to check out the progress. She's very excited about the house as well. She was supposed to stay for a short while, but we ended up having a 3-hour lunch at Cafe Breton and practically spent the rest of the afternoon together! Which, I'm sure, from our husbands' point of view, is not a "practical" thing to do! LOL


Going back to house progress, the roof saga continues. Picking up from my Raise the Roof post last time, well we had a meeting with them (us, Arch. Ramos, Arch. Mark, Stone 2000 Account Executive, Stone 2000 Project Manager, and Stone 2000 sub-contractor). They were supposed to add battens to raise the slope and apex, around 4 inches. I've been waiting for price quote for additional materials...since it's their lack of coordination that resulted to the problem, we will only shoulder materials for readjustment; I got the quote just the other day. And it was a whopping PhP21K! Just for additional battens?! It's like they're trying to squeeze in labor cost as well! I told them I am not paying that much for additional battens (we've already spent more than 250K just for roofing alone), Zay, the Account Executive said it was for an 8-inch adjustment, and she'll try to negotiate for at least 10% discount (which, I think, is still too much). I called for another meeting yesterday with our contractor and architect, and we all agreed 4-5 inches is enough, since we have secured undersheeting. So I called up Zay again, this morning, and told her to give price quote for 4-inch adjustment, she said yes at first, now she just sent me a SMS saying the sub-contractor had already installed half of the area...8-inches adjustment! My reply to her was "how can they do that when I just got the quote last Monday, and we DID NOT agree to it?" No reply from her yet. I'm starting to get really peeved with this roofing brouhaha.