CONVERSATIONS WITH CLETO

Note: If you don't know Cleto, read this.

Was at the coffee vendo machine this morning when I saw Cleto.

Me: Hi Cleto! How are you?

Cleto: I'm busy.

Me: Busy with what?

Cleto: Terrible things.

Me: What terrible things have you been doing?

Cleto: [pauses--obviously thinking of an answer] Mamaya na tayo mag-usap.

I laughed so hard!

NOT SO SPUNKY ANYMORE

I have a secret.

I still read my old blog.  Often.  More often than I should, actually.

Because it's still me.  It's a reminder of my life back then and it's not that I'm living in the past-- it's just that in a way, my past is a reflection of who I am now.

I miss being able to write like that.  Being able to just pour it all out.  I've been trying. But, it just doesn't measure up.  

You see, for as long as I can remember, writing has been my release.  I'm not claiming to be a good writer ha, what I'm trying to say is that writing has always been something that comes naturally to me.  

And so, in a lot of ways-- I MISS HER. 

Have I become uninspired? Maybe I'm just more preoccupied now? Or have I, dare I say it--becoming BORING?

And what's funny is, the old me wasn't happy all the time.  Things were always complicated, something was always going wrong.  In fact, the most painful events of my life are in that blog.

And now that life isn't such a bumpy ride anymore, now that I'm happier, I can't even write.  Why is that so?

"My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away 

Every now and then you come to mind 
'Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game 
But when your name was called, you found a place to hide 
When you knew that I was always on your side "-- Always on Your Side by Sheryl Crow and Sting

JOAQUIN TURNS 2!

For Joaquin's birthday, we had a very simple merienda get-together yesterday with family.

Joaquin had tons of fun because all his cousins were there.

Bought swiss cake from Becky's Kitchen and drizzled chocolate candies on it. It was a hit with the kids!



He was sooooo happy when everyone started singing "Happy Birthday"!


Too happy that he started stomping his feet and his shoe hit a small part of the cake. Hahaha!

It was a great day! :)

Have a wonderful week ahead!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, JOAQUIN!

My Dearest Joaquin,

Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby!



It feels like only yesterday when I first saw you and cradled you in my arms.

You have given Papa and me the best years of our lives and I know that whatever happens, no matter how difficult things get, life will always always be beautiful because of you. You are our greatest blessing.

We will always be proud of you and wish you nothing but happiness in whatever you do. We will always be here for you and we will continue to strive to give you the best of everything.

There are no words to describe how much we love you.


Stay happy, healthy and grounded.


Love,
Mama

TOO CUTE--I JUST HAD TO SHARE!

Taken at the supermarket last Sunday



p.s.
He turns 2 on Sunday! How time flies!

ALA BEYONCE

Ever since I saw the music video of "Single Ladies (put a ring on it") by Beyonce, I have had a secret desire to lock myself in my room one day and just learn the dance steps.


If you share the same sentiment, you have gotta watch this! I LOVE IT!

JOAQUIN'S SALON

I'm feeling a lot better. But as much as I want to make plans for the weekend, I can't.

Our helpers will be gone for the weekend. Hubby is covering the Asia Pacific Poker Tournament in Hyatt, my sister, Francine has a swimming competition (and she insists that we don't watch) at the Palarong Med in Ultra and my cousin has work till 12nn Saturday and will probably be asleep the entire day.

Joaquin and I will be home alone. While I love having him all to myself, I think he will drive me crazy because he has been such a handful lately. I guess we will live on food delivery this weekend. Hehehe!

On a totally different note, Joaquin had his nth haircut last weekend. We've tried the best kids salons in manila but he always ends up crying and we have to carry him while he's getting a haircut.

The only salon he's really comfortable in is at Little Lamb's Pediatric Wellness Place at Fun Ranch in Tiendesitas. It's pretty far from where we live but to have my son enjoy watching Barney and play with toys and not cry while getting his haircut is soo worth it.

The thing is, the other kids salons also have cartoons or Barney for the kids to watch. They also have toys for the kids. I think what sets Little Lamb apart from the other salons is the relaxing atmosphere since the place is also a spa for kids. Another would be the hair stylist/barber-- magaan ang kamay. I think his name is Jon. He's really good. The other staff are also very friendly. They would even sing along with Barney and Joaquin loves it!


Little Lamb's Cozy play area


Watching Barney


Sooo behaved!




Sooo gwapo, noh?

And did I mention that compared to other kids salons, the haircut at Little Lamb is the cheapest at Php250.

They also offer infant massages that start at Php300 and even have a whirlpool and private room for the whole family to enjoy!

Little Lamb's Pediatric Wellness Place
Fun Ranch Center Bldg, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City
Tel: 3965201/ 0920-5006897

A VERY LATE HALLOWEEN POST

I've been sick for the past week and a half. Thankfully, my flu is now down to just cough, which has been keeping me awake most nights. Huhuhu! Everyone says I just need to rest but it's a critical time at work right now so I cannot afford to not be in the office.

Anyhoo, here are some pictures from our Halloween! Joaquin went on 3 trick or treats!

The first one was at Tita Francine's village in Valle Verde. He and Gabe had tons of fun. The second one was at our Halloween party at work where I came as Poison Ivy and the last one was at our village. Here are some photos:


Gabe was dressed as an Angel


Joaquin came as Jackjack Incredible


A lot of the houses at Valle Verde gave away ice cream as treats. I thought it was genius!!!


Gabe and Tita Francine


Gabe got all sweaty towards the end of the trick or treat so he had a change of clothes and Tita Francine lent him her headband. From being an angel to this! Haha!


We told him to smile like the pumpkin!


The kids sorting through their goodies!


Instead of giving away candies, our neighbor had a magic show for the kids. I have no idea how he made the table elevate. I was about 2 feet away from him and I was looking for a string or something but there was none. The table was really floating!I enjoyed this as well


With colleagues


With our messenger, Cleto (he made this by himself!!!)


With Betty La Fea (the gay version)


Me and Joaquin

Hope you had a good halloween!

WEAR SUNSCREEN

I'm feeling really blah today--probably from lack of sleep and a few minor problems. And whenever my spirit needs lifting, this is one of the things I like to read to stay optimistic about life.

I thought I'd share it with you.

WEAR SUNSCREEN
By Mary Schmich
The Chicago Tribune
Originally published: Sunday, June 1, 1997

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen
would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved
by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more
reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this
advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You
will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until
they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at
photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much
possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You
are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying
is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things
that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you
at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with
people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead,
sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's
only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you
succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank
statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with
your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most
interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them
when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children,
maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the
funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do,
don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.
Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it
or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument
you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living
room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel
ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone
for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your
past and the people most likely to stick with you in the
future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people
who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you
soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians
will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll
fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable,
politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust
fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when
either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it
will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over
the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

TO HEEL OR NOT TO HEEL?

Heelless shoes.

I know! What the hell does a heelless shoe look like?

Mrs. Beckham wore one last week.



And this is how it looks like up-close.



Fugly, isn't it? Here's another one



They're made by Antonio Berardi. I wonder if they're comfortable. Would like to try on a pair just for kicks.

I would chose heels anytime.