Game of Thrones Season 6...

As of this writing, nope, I haven't seen the premier episode, and nope, I don't want spoilers. So if you're planning to give me spoilers, stay away from this blog. Or from my social media sites! Or else...

I'll ignore you. Forever.


Haha.


Anywayzzzz...

Been out for quite a loooooong time.. Even tried migrating this blog to wordpress and then regretting it afterwards.. So i stopped updating. and writing. and getting feedback, and everything in between.

Now, I'm back. Again. For good? Maybe, maybe not. Am I busy? Yes.
Am I alive? Yes of course, I wouldn't be able to write this post if I was dead. Even if you believed in the after life and ghosts.

So what's new? A lot of things, and a lot of people. One specifically is a new person -- a daughter particularly. Phoenix has a younger sister now. Her name is Phive. [Don't ask.]

What else?
You may want to wait for other updates, so far, that's it.

Toodles!



Ok, here's a new pic for you. Well, not so new, but new nonetheless.

Realizations at the Middle of the Week

I have always had this feeling that I need to do something that caters to my “creative” self, my artistic frustrations, my need for brain non-stress-triggering activity, and my financial goals, all at the same time. Yes, if there’s something out there that can cost little to none and answer for all of the above, I’ll take it!

After browsing around my bookmarks, I revisited one of these blogs, Frugal Honey, a recent financial niche blog of someone who owns/manages one of the known sites for beauty bloggers, Kikay Exchange. From there I realized, I have been moving the wrong direction for more than a month now. I wanted to start beauty blogging, but Frugal Honey has started detaching from it. I wanted to generate income from these things I write, but was starting something that did the opposite (beauty/fashion blogging entails purchasing products for reviews, especially if you’re a newbie since no one would sponsor you!). With that said, I know I was in deep sh*t. So I pulled out my journal and a pen, and started working up my mojo back by journaling first. I even included a snapshot of that below. (Funky handwriting, I know.)

snapshot of my journal & green ink.

Blogging via mobile phone

Might as well try it!

I've been wanting to start blogging again after another wave of hiatus.. so here it is... It's so much of a blog entry though, more like an announcement of some sort.

Anyway. I'm alive!!!!!

*the place in the picture is where we had dinner last night...*

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Debuts Tom Epperson’s Latest Works

Looking for that perfect inspiration to help you in your photographic pursuits?

From May 30 to June 5, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gives photography and art aficionados a real treat as it lets everyone marvel at Tom Epperson’s latest works in a special art show that will be held in Greenbelt 5. Entitled “Brewfinder: Enthusiasm Over Coffee at the CBTL,” the weeklong exhibition highlights the artist’s photographic prowess with a set that revolves around the concept of finding beauty in just about everything.

“This event is part of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s commitment to enrich passions, especially passions that are related with the arts,” shares Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “Needless to say, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has always supported causes we believe can help improve society, and art does that. Art teaches us that perseverance and patience, and not just skills, are important when it comes to creating beautiful things. And this is something that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and its employees live by.”

The six-piece set draws inspiration from Tom’s interest in dealing with erratic objects. “Lately, I have been working with mediums that are basically uncontrollable—a lot is left up to serendipity,” Tom said. “I like the idea of surprise, it reminds me of going into the darkroom in the days of analog and watching a print develop for the first time, it was magic. This is the same feeling I get when working with smoke.”

“Brewfinder: Photography Enthusiasm Over Coffee at the CBTL” is the first of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Taste Series, a seven-part pocket event series that highlights the brand’s single-serve system—the CBTL. Borne out of a partnership with the Italian design and espresso-making expertise of Caffitaly, CBTL raises the bar for coffee and tea aficionados by bringing the distinct Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf café experience into your home.

The CBTL. One touch. One perfect cup.

**this may be sponsored... >,< **

MIDNIGHT MERCATO FOOD MARKET COMES TO LATE NIGHT WEDNESDAYS

Are you looking for a place to indulge your late night food cravings on a Wednesday night? Or you can’t wait until the weekend to visit your favorite late night food markets?

 

Then Midnight Mercato, Metro Manila’s premiere late night weekend food market, will be open on Wednesday nights starting February 29 to answer your foodie call!

 

 

Indulge in the Midnight Mercato experience and enjoy an extensive selection of foodie favorites - steamed cheeseburgers, crunchy pork belly, wagyu steak on a sticks, deep dish pizzas, authentic Vigan empanadas, ice-cream filled mochi balls, specialty milk teas, dark lager beer cheesecakes – straight from the kitchens of home-based and specialty chefs, while enjoying live acoustic performances and free wi-fi. Wednesday Midnight Mercato is perfect way to celebrate the middle of the week!

 

Midnght Mercato is open from 10:00pm to 3:00am every Friday, Saturday and Wednesday (starting February 29) and Mercato Centrale is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Midnight Mercato is located at the corner of 34^th street and 8^th avenue beside MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City.

 

For more information, please visit their website www.midnightmercato.com or their Facebook account www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale.  For vendor booth rental or venue rental inquiries, please email admin@mercatocentrale.ph or text 09178401152.

Of Arts and Brews: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Opens in Ronac Art Center

Wishing you could have a bit of artistry to go with your daily dose of coffee or tea?

Making a very creative debut at Manila’s newest art and retail hub—Ronac Art Center—is gourmet coffee and tea purveyor, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.

“Again, one of our main goals has always been to make it easier for all Filipinos to have access to the best brews available out there,” explains Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. “Like in all our other stores, we took very careful consideration before deciding on this new location because we wanted to make sure it will indeed present convenience to all our followers.”

The new The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® store opened today, February 27, 2012. It is conveniently located in Ronac Art Center’s ground floor and caters to all sorts of coffee and tea aficionados in the Ortigas-Greenhills area. Staying true to the location's avant-garde nature, the store's design debuts a very interesting new look that's unlike any other in the country.

“It’s the perfect partnership,” adds Walden. “For some reason, coffee or tea and art seem very logical. Both exist in the same plane in a way that they both require a great amount of skill and expertise for one to get it right.”

As in all of its locations, the new branch offers The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's® full selection of internationally-acclaimed blends made only from the finest grades of custom roasted Arabica coffee and hand-plucked whole leaf teas sourced only from the most exclusive regions around the world. The store also offers fresh baked goods, sweet treats, and a line of complementary coffee and tea merchandise.

In line with its debut, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf® branch in Ronac Art Center is holding a special promotion from February 27 to March 4, 2012. During the said period, customers can come to the store between 4:00 to 6:00 PM and purchase any of their favorite beverages for only P100.

One Decade Down, Several More to Go!

In about 6 more hours, we'll be officially recognizing our 10th year together. Who would've thought we'd last this long? We're totally different personalities, and yet, maybe through God's grace too, we have managed to get along and "survive" each other. Quite the ride, huh?

He's the silent type. Not! Oh my, if that were true, it'll be the end of the world! Because he's the type of person who'd feel feverish if he doesn't talk in a span of at least 2 hours (except of course if he's watching a movie or sleeping). And sometimes he even couldn't help it that even if we're watching a movie he still talks every now and then, and when he sleeps he snores - very loudly - so he still isn't quiet at all. He sings a lot - and I mean a lot. Good thing he sounds decent. :) Though decent may sometimes be an understatement.

He's patient and understanding and tolerant. (Otherwise, how on earth would you think we'd pass the 10-year mark?!) And he's smart - he chose me, so that counts, right? But no, kidding aside, he really has a good working brain, if not so then he'd really be stupidly boring and I would've torn him to pieces long before we even got to be officially together. :)

Anyway, he's fantastic! And I really appreciate and love how he mostly just gives in and let's me be when I'm being annoying. (Now you really have to buy me coffee later!) He's one of the best gifts God has given me and having to share ten years of my life with him is indeed, one heck of a decade!

Now let's move on, shall we? Another decade is a looooong way to go! :)

Dear Phoenix, It's 2012!

Dear Phoenix,

It's already 2012, almost your birthday!  :)

It has been an absolutely fulfilling 2011 for me and your Daddy. We have watched you grow up from this tiny baby who just squeals and cries when needed, to this tall, long-legged baby who now drools on everything, walks like she has no tomorrow and says "cat" even while looking at a dog.

You may have not noticed but there has been so much that happened last year. One was of course, you were born, then Mommy got assigned somewhere farther and left CIAD in good hands. Daddy also got a new job and I think is still enjoying it. :)  You now have more batchmates in church, you prefer Tita Brenda over the other people in the Nursery and your Tita Yanyan is already carrying your cousin even before your Tito Ken can open CupcaKen.

Your uncles and aunts are also doing better, even though Kaye is already spamming our FB accounts with her k-pop thingy. Kuya TJ now has a job, he doesn't want you calling him uncle, you know. Kuya Bryan gained more weight and is now back in Ipil, God knows why. Papa and Mamu, as they want to be called, are doing better also, they have been the most excited grandparents this Christmas since we went there for a vacation. (And they still despise your Daddy for printing "Lolo" and "Lola" on their shirts!)

You also met several ate's this year. One of which, the oldest, kinda pinched your arm and since then denied it. Two other ate's passed until you met your Ate Phebe, who is now taking care of you. You have been so behaved up until you discovered you can very well want something and cry if you can't get it. Ever since you wandered about the room and the sala and the kitchen of Papa and Mamu's house, you have been enjoying giving a full exercise to me, Mamu and now your Ate Phebe. You want to walk around too much, and sometimes even run (and crawl-run, if there's such a word!). You now almost always want to get out and look for cats, or dogs, roosters or chickens, and this was when you started saying "cat" and "dog", "shi-ehn" and "fin-esh". You learned to kiss your reflection when asked to "kiss Phoenix" but you won't kiss Mommy nor Daddy (which is frustrating by the way...) What else will you surprise us with, in the days to come? :)

So there, as I said, it was a lovely year, and hopefully, 2012 will be so much better!



Still waiting to hear you say our names,
Mommy and Daddy

I miss Blogging!

I do. I miss blogging. Not the deadlines or the research, but just jotting down, typing away... Just like that.. I kinda lost the touch after giving birth since my Phoenix is a handful, but I totally want to go back to blogging again. For one because it just loosens up my brain a bit just enough to get me going with my tasks again. Two, it kinda gives a little jiggle to my head just so the creative juices will keep on seeping through the tiny little cracks so I don't lose it at all.

Hmmm.

And I also miss the cha-ching I sometimes get from blogging. *smirk*


Don't mind me though. I'm just bored.

Hey You! How's Everything?!

Hey, hey, hey!

How's everybody?! I know it's been ages since my last post.... And to fill everybody in on the developments, here are some bits and pieces (and what a good time to update, it's the first day of September!):

1. Phoenix is already 6 months old (there she is!).
2. I was assigned to a new office, holding a new position, having new challenges, and facing new people. Hearing new and fantastic blog-gable bloopers... ;)
3. We're now past our 2nd wedding anniversary. Yay!
4. I still don't like seaweeds. Blech!

So anyway, hopefully I can juggle in a few more posts every now and then to keep you all up and running (duh, as if you stopped! Lol!), and maybe persuade another person to continue blogging after her 1st post, haha!

So there. Toodles!

Proving Old Wives Tales Wrong!

Remember my posts about old wives' tales for predicting the gender of an unborn child? I tried the suspended ring test and the Chinese Birth Calendar.

According to the suspended ring test, if the ring swings from side to side, it's a girl, and if swings around in circles, it's a boy. Well, guys and girls, my bad.. I read it the other way around. So to cut it short, that old wife's tale is true with Phoenix (yes, we're naming the baby Phoenix, just that, no second names). The ring from my video swung from side to side which means it's a girl. How come we know that it was correct?! Because we finally had that sonogram last Saturday! Here's a snap on the printed film (I actually hate CUPSI for not having a better ultrasound machine or printer and also for being so stingy they didn't give us more snap shots of Phoenix! Hmph!)

Phoenix sorta looks like me, doesn't she?

The Chinese Birth Calendar was altogether wrong. Boo!


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Unboxing the Avent Starter Kit

Bought a newborn starter kit (Avent) online via ebay.ph... Which reminds me, I still have to leave feedback for the seller...  :) Anyway, here's a link to her online store in ebay.ph --> http://shop.ebay.ph/i_heart_sg/m.html

This purchase almost didn't push through because of some scheduling problems for the payment, but thank God, it did, and here it is! I saved, let me see, about 32.5% of the current mall price since I just paid P1,889 (including shipping fees), in SM this set sells for P2,799.75.

first level unboxing... hehe!

First of all, I commend Karisse (the seller) for wrapping it up pretty well. Although the box had one of its corners "harassed", the contents were fairly untouched. And it was sealed. I inspected the plastic wrap, and it was not just something re-attached or re-wrapped, see the pics below too.

the contents have peeped through!

By the way, I apologized to Tom for being so excited. I hurriedly opened the package without him. He was also excited to see it though (since last Friday!) and even sent an SMS this morning that maybe we can open it together, but it was too late. I was already into the contents when his message arrived. Sorry nie!
*I just placed everything back together so he can open it again later at home...*

inventory time! avent newborn starter set contents

So above are the contents of that magical box, same with what was indicated in the box, all looked brand-new and untouched. All in all, there were 8 items (2 x 9oz bottle with 2 hole slow flow teats each = 2 items, 2 x 4oz bottles with 1 hole slow flow teat attached plus 2 extra 1 hole slow flow teats each = 4 items, 1 pacifier and 1 brush).

Overall, I was satisfied with this online purchase. The seller was reliable, and the items complete and the packaging neat and well-cared for. Props for honest sellers with good items and a professional attitude!

So if you want to try to buy something online too, try registering with ebay.ph  and if you're looking for a baby stuff like this newborn starter set, here's Karisse's online store.  :)

Also for more information about Avent products, 'coz maybe you're wondering why go to such trouble looking for an affordable Avent set, here's their site --> http://www.usa.philips.com/c/about-philips-avent/36537/cat/

Not-so-Mystery After All

Their promo ads said it was a mystery shampoo, but from the day I saw that ad, I immediately knew it was Pantene - apparently we went to the grocery the day after I saw the ad and lo and behold! The new packaging was already displayed, hence, no-brainer.

Anyway.

So as all others did, I joined their online thing, where you register to get your free samples, remember that? I waited and waited and waited, but no, there was no shampoo and conditioner delivery. Until this morning. After months of waiting. It just arrived this morning.

Yep, Pantene. Better late than never.

Did I Ever Mention?

That finally.... I have tasted and ate, and survived the whole thing, guso (seaweed / agar-agar)?! I tried it yesterday, although one medium-length strand of the thing was accompanied by a tablespoon-full of sautéed ampalaya with egg and rice. It still tasted a bit of the salty-water of the sea, a bit more vinegar would have helped. But let me say, it was not as gruesome as I imagined!

*photo credits*

As Promised... Update on Testing OWTs

I posted before that I'm supposed to be testing some old wives' tales about determining the gender of my unborn baby, and that after the weekend, we would be 100% sure already since we'll be having an ultrasound. Well, surprise! We didn't.

I was so disappointed when Dr Cyd told us we still should wait for another month to have our ultrasound. Grr. And I was so hyped over Thursday and Friday because of excitement which all of a sudden turned into disgruntlement because our OB still wants to wait for another month just to have the gender determined. Hmm, I wondered why but she just keeps on telling us that we should wait another month so that the sonologist/ultrasound technician will not commit any mistakes in telling us whether the baby is a boy or a girl.

Hohum. Duh. So we'll just have to wait until November 13 or 14 to finally know.

10-10-10 and that Strong Kick!

What a historic date!

Of course, this day won't come by in the nearest future, so that was pretty special already. Plus a friend of ours delivered her baby boy via cesarean on that date too, at 10 o'clock. Imagine. Congratulations Val & Tonton, welcome to Sean Khaleb!

And of course, we also have something to remember 10-10-10 by! Last night, while we were already lying in bed, talking a bit, waiting for sleepiness to knock us off, Tom asked why in the world I was giggling even though what he was saying wasn't at all funny. So I told him - it's because the baby's moving too much! Night time is when this baby particularly likes to do somersaults and flips or just let us know that it kicks and flails its arms around. So I took Tom's hand and placed it over the spot where he can probably feel the movements, and he talked to the tummy and said, "Strong kick daw beh?"

And so we waited for about a few seconds, and the baby suddenly gave one hard kick! I was laughing and Tom was shouting "Waaahhahaha! It kicked! Kusuga uy!"

Hmm, what do you know, a very obedient baby while still in the womb! I was so proud... Lol!

Anyway, we still have no idea what the gender is, but we have scheduled ourselves to finally have an ultrasound on Saturday, perhaps after our check-up with Doc Cyd.

:)

Make Room for the Baby!

Sheesh. I’m already on my 5th month right now and slowly, Tom and I have been looking around the house, trying to see and imagine where we’ll make room for the baby’s room.

Aside from the fact that my tummy has grown bigger and more noticeable and more uncomfortable - from sitting down to getting up, going to bed and up, squatting, etc - nothing else has increased in size. Not our house, nor our lot, nor our purchasing power. So how oh how will we make room for another room?

We thought we can just redo the flooring of the house’s 2nd floor and maybe put linoleum or maybe vinyl tiles. Repaint part of the walls while we still can’t extend or move one wall forward for bigger space or something. So the next big thing to think about are the colors.

I'd still choose blue even if it's a girl....  :)

According to interior designer Betsy Burnham (via The Canadian Press), we shouldn’t just plan for a cutesy, baby-ish room since of course, the baby will outgrow it and it would be very very expensive to redo the décor and everything. So instead of sticking to the pastel colors fit for babies, I think we have to plan it out into something that’ll still be easy on the eyes and the budget and still fit the child’s age until God provides for another set of color palette and décor.

Still, regardless of whatever we choose for the look of the room, I've been thinking that we should give out birth announcements and keep one or two of them and frame them for the room. It’s pretty mushy though. But at least our baby won’t say, “You told people about me only via facebook mom!” So I guess we’ve have to take pictures and print them out or maybe do those birth announcements thingies – but just in time for his or her dedication. :)

Naptime Productions can actually answer a few of those worries. They bring you unique cards for every occasion. Personalize everything from graduation to birth announcements!




*sponsored*

Update on Scofield

Received reactions for my post on Wentworth Miller being gay - and auditors always see the nitty gritty details...

The article was dated August 28, 2007. And by September 26, 2007, another article went out saying that Wentworth finally answered a journalist regarding this issue saying he's just busy working and looks forward to having a girlfriend and a family.

Seems like better news, eh girls?



**photocredits: http://www.flylip.com**

Trying to Imagine

...the feeling of having short hair again.

Not the boyish cut, but just shoulder-length hair. I think it definitely feel a lot lighter. Something like this, 'coz I know my hair is not so smooth and sleek, it's actually unruly and kalkag.

Started imagining the feeling because I just got these vibes that I'm sending off "ermitanya" vibes already...

19 weeks and counting!!!

And according to babycenter, the baby is now about 6 inches long and weighs 9 ounces. Sensory development reaches its peak this week. The nerve cells serving each of the senses - taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch - are now developing in their specialized areas of the brain. Nerve cell production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections. Hmm, so maybe that's why I feel a lot of fluttering - a LOT of fluttering - (this is how fetal movements at this stage feel like) maybe because the baby can now hear my voice and whatever sounds it can hear from the inside... And recently, I've been feeling a little heavier even though my OB said I didn't gain any weight since my August visit. Hmmm.. Actually I've decided to cut down a little on too much rice so I won't gain too much weight and later have difficulty, right? But I still eat good, always considering this little fella inside.

We also had a good laugh during my last prenatal check-up because we asked if we can already have an ultrasound to determine the gender. My dear OB just laughed us off, said we were too excited. She suggested to have the ultrasound when I'm already on my 6th month, so there'll be very little chances of the ultrasound tech giving us an erroneous answer to the most intriguing question - boy or girl?

My dad also laughed at us when we called them Monday night, I think that was Monday night. Anyway, he asked why we were so curious, well I said it's because we have to pick a color for the baby things! And he blurted out yellow because it's gender neutral. Yikes! Is it? Same with Mark's comment in the movie Juno, we actually haven't seen a guy with a yellow room... :)