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

Stick Shift

With the daughter's frenzied school schedule this week, they have been practicing for the school Father's Day on Sunday, the family had to adjust to her different school hours. They should have just stuck to regular schedule --she's in the morning class. She skipped ballet last Tuesday, because school practice was 1-3 p.m., and ballet's at 3. Her usual nap time is 1-3:30 p.m., so no siesta Tuesday and Thursday. Since she's the only family member who can not drive yet, our driver's schedule will depend on her schedule.

Yesterday, more than ever, I felt the need to learn driving Manual Transmission vehicle. I only drive automatic, you see. And we only have one A/T car (others are M/T), and it was coded yesterday. For non-resident of Metro Manila, we have vehicle coding here --depends on the plate ending, some vehicles must be off the major roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on certain days of the week; e.g. Monday, plates ending in 1 and 2, Tuesday, 3 and 4, etc. Going back to my story, the hubby was not feeling well, he couldn't drive me to work. I took the driver with me, and just went on half day. Had to do payroll. I guess, it would be easier if I were to learn how to drive stick. Then I would not have to depend on someone else to drive for me when no automatic's available. I can drive anything, anywhere as long as it's A/T. Yes, even a truck! I tried learning before, but it was just so stressful... especially with the hubby ranting "Don't stop! Don't stop!" when he actually meant "Don't ride the clutch!" We were on an intersection. LOL. Yeah, really. Maybe I should just enroll in A1 or ask the good husband to get a new car! Bwahaha

It's Friday. Happy weekend everyone!

Long Holidays

The husband and I were all family bonding time from December 23 to January 4. He took his mandatory leave from work and I... well my mom gave me early vacation (he he). We took the opportunity to spend time with the little one going malling, visiting friends and relatives outside Alabang. Construction was at a standstill since all workers were on vacation and no business for suppliers and fabricators as well. Now we have to rush, rush!

Godsiblings Bea and Rafa goofin' around @ Dome, Shangri-La Plaza Mall:

Happy New Year!

Hey, everyone! It has been a long while. As a good friend pointed out when we visited him last January 2, my last post was the “Fruit Salad”. It was a very long holiday… too long actually. Now here we are welcoming the year with a long to-do list: the hubby’s list, the little one’s, construction, office payable, etc, etc. Will start real posting maybe mid or late this week. Just taking time out to say I hope you all had a warm and blessed Christmas with your families, significant others, and friends; and may this year be better than the last one. May we all be blessed with good health, true happiness, peace of mind and better finances!

Twilight

When I first heard about the Twilight novels, with the young ones and young once going gaga over it, I was busy reading babycare and toddler discipline books. Now there's the movie adaptation. Our niece sent me a SMS asking if I'd like to watch the movie with her (for bandwagon effect), I said yes, but she's been pretty preoccupied with work lately so we haven't gone to see it yet. Last Saturday, our 11-year old niece, dropped by the house to play and watch High School Musical 3 with the cuddle pup. She asked me if I'd like to watch Twilight with her and I said sure, if she's allowed by her parents to watch it, why not? She went home to get their Twilight DVD and we spent the late afternoon watching it. It wasn't bad. It's something tweens and teenagers would appreciate. It was like Buffy the Vampire Slayer-meets-Underworld. My nieces think Edward Cullen's hot... well, me thinks Dr. Carlisle Cullen (the dad) is sooo hot! But of course, my hubby's hotter! LOL

Photo from MTV.com

Bargain Hunting At Divisoria

As we grow older, the list grows longer and longer. Now it's not just family, friends and godchildren... included on the list now are household staff,officemates, neighbors, village personnel, construction workers, your kid's friends, classmates, teachers and school personnel etc. I was pretty much decided on cutting the list short this year, but changed my mind the last minute. It's Christmas! Time for sharing. Just a little something for everyone.

My sister-in-law and I have been planning to go to Divisoria for weeks. Since the  preschooler's on vacation starting yesterday, we finally had our geographically-challenged driver drive us to Divisoria. As I would normally do when I go there, we parked at the secured parking area of Tutuban Center Mall, they also have clean toilets by the way (as compared to other public toilets in the area), and walked to Divisoria Mall. Got there at 8:00 a.m., and finished at around 2:00 p.m. It was a battleground for bargain hunters! It's not as nice as Greenhills but prices are 50% cheaper. Armed with sneakers and PhP5000.00, I braved the DV crowd with my sister-in-law. Went home with my loot exhausted and with a splitting headache. But I was happy because the PhP5000.00 I had with me went a longgggg way! We even passed by Binondo for boxes, yes boxes, of fruits. Imagine with just that amount of money, I was able to get presents for 60 people. Like the Kiat Kiat (Mandarin oranges) from Binondo, it's PhP40.00/kilo vs Makati Supermart's PhP84.00 and the Navel Oranges PhP650.00/64 pc box vs PhP165.00/6 pc pack (info courtesy of my sister-in-law), I got three boxes (10 kilos/box). Now that's value for money!

I just have to go back to Binondo later for more fruits, like I said the list is long.

Man's Bestie

Our dog Napoleon turned 2 last November 26. Originally a present to my pa-in-law from the hubby's sister, this Labrador Retriever has been in our care since he was 3 months old, since we used to stay at my in-laws’ home. When Pa passed away, Nappy (as we fondly call him) moved with us to the townhouse. He stays with us inside the house, but we tie him up because we really wouldn’t want any accident with Bea, as you can see he’s very muscular and when standing on his four legs, he’s big (thanks to Eukanuba). Like any other lab, he is very playful and energetic and has literally dragged his handlers several times when he’s “chasing” or excited about something. This guy is very gentle and affectionate to humans though and he still has his “puppy-eyed” look even if he’s an adult dog already, even his vet at Animal House Alabang, Zapote (his cousin Cappuccino, my brother-in-law's German Shepherd, goes to the same clinic) says he still acts like a puppy. To know more about dogs check out http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/.

Caring for this breed is quite easy, a bit expensive though…bigger dog--bigger stomach to fill, bigger coat to shampoo, vaccine and meds (monthly maintenance) volume depends on dog’s weight. I’m not complaining, just stating facts in case you’re looking into bringing home one. Here are some of the stuff nappy uses to stay healthy and gorgeous-looking:

*Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Formula (Dry), we alternate Lamb & Rice and Chicken
*Lambert Kay’s Fresh ’N Clean Oatmeal and Baking Soda Shampoo
*Virbac’s Enzymatic Toothpaste in Vanila Mint Flavor
*Pedigree Denta Stix
*Heartgard – for prevention of heartworm disease
*Frontline drops or spray for flea and tick control (best way to prevent this is not to let your pet “socialize” with flea-infested animals.

We usually get the “personal hygiene” stuff from Animal House, but for food and other things, they’re cheaper at Canine Depot (near the terminal at ATC). A regular visit to the vet should be observed. More importantly, a loving home will do wonders for any pet.

Bea and Nap

Maki-baka!

On my way home from the house construction site yesterday we came across an amusing sight... a herd of cows taking a leisurely walk along Daang Hari, slowing down other motorists. It was like a scene from Gary Larson's "The Far Side."



For the non-filipino speaking readers, "baka" is the filipino word for cow. Now you might be thinking, are they moving to the province? Technically, the answer is yes. As the village we're building in is an Ayala Land (Community Innovations Inc.) project in Molino-Bacoor, Cavite. No longer part of NCR (National Capital Region). It's not that far though. It's like 10 minutes away from Alabang commercial area via Daang Hari, just behind Ayala Alabang Village. It's that strip of road connecting Alabang and Molino. Should you wish to view all Ayala Land developments click on www.ayalaland.com.ph.