GRATEFUL

I know it's unfortunate but sometimes, it takes bad things to happen to other people for you to realize how lucky you are. It has been a rough 2 weeks for a few people that I care for very much that it has made me so much more grateful for these 5 things:

1. V and I are faithful to each other despite our spats every now and then.
2. I have wonderful helpers who genuinely care for us, especially for Joaquin.
3. A great relationship with my sisters. We made a promise last week that we would never ever fight over money or something equally petty.
4. My mom is unbelievably healthy! :)
5. My family (especially the ones in the US) still have jobs.

I was chatting with a friend from the US last week and I was saying that despite the financial crisis/recession the world is going through right now, we should remember that we still have a lot of things to be grateful for. Actually, this is something we should remember everyday.

So there-- I still want new running shoes, a laptop and an oven for Christmas and while I wouldn't mind getting all the material things I asked for, these 5 things I listed are more than enough to make my holidays happy. I hope yours will be too!

WHO'S WITH ME?

Click on image to enlarge

SEE YOU THERE!

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY WEEK

Just wanted to share highlights of my week last week:


1. Saw the Twilight premiere at Greenbelt 3 with Charo.

And yes, the book is so much better than the movie! But to see Bella, Edward, Charlie, The Cullens and everyone else on screen was such a thrill! It's been awhile since I gushed over a celebrity and I don't care if this makes me seem like a teenager again but--I love you, Rob Pattinson!!! You played Edward really well! You're the best vampire boyfriend a girl could ever have. Hahaha!


Yumyumyumyumyumyumyumyum!!!

2. How I Met Your Mother's Naked Man Episode.

Friends used to be the only show that I can watch over and over and over again and still laugh as hard. I just never get sick of it. How I Met Your Mother comes in second, thanks to the awesomeness that is Neil Patrick Harris. I really recommend this show to everyone.



Suit up, Barney!

Going back to last week's episode, the group came up with 50 reasons to have sex and it's quite funny!


Just click to enlarge!Let me know which one's your favorite!


3. Watching Twilight for the 2nd time. (If you're a fan, it is better the 2nd time around.)

4. I charmed my Aussie client in agreeing to not let my team come to work on Philippine holidays! I finally got to enjoy the long weekend yesterday (Bitin. But I'm looking forward to the week-long holiday in a few weeks!). :)

5. Joaquin's swimming pool (For now).

Ninang Bea (thank you again!!!) gave Joaquin an olympic-sized (baby olympics, haha!) inflatable pool for his birthday and we got to use it over the weekend.

HE WE LOVED IT! Joaquin cried when we took him out of the pool. We are hoping that this will teach him how to love the water. Hopefully, he will be ready for the beach next year!







I'm pretty sure this week will be just as great coz it's a short work week! Hooray! Have a wonderful week, guys!

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