Christmas is almost here. I can't wait to buy gifts for my love ones but before that, I have to make a list so I won't have a hard time finding stuffs to give. Of course the list starts with my children.

I'm thinking of giving B the toy that she really like and keeps on nagging me to buy it whenever we are at the mall. For the little man, I think diet pills will be great, just joking! Maybe bottomless milk will be enough for him for now. LOL!

For mom, I think bag will be great for her as well as for my Aunties.
For dad, pair of shoes will do and I think my hubby also wants one.
For my brother and her wife, I'm still not decided about it.
For my cousins, I think asking them what they want will be a good idea to have a hint on what to buy for them.

My list is not yet done, more will come as Christmas time draws near. I hope I can finish it as soon as possible so I'll start my shopping.

What a stressful week I had. So many office tasks and a handful of problem at home which mainly made by my sweet bratinela; but of course, it was just a kiss away by her and a sweet smile from my little boy and everything’s going to be fine once again.

I think I need a vacation. Hubby and I need to relax and have fun with our two angels; it’s been a while since our last trip. We need to rejuvenate and unwind; I don’t want to look like hag this coming holiday season plus the thought that stress can cause different diseases, quite scary huh. Bet I need to surf the net to find a good place for us to go and have fun.

On this day of your life, Abie, we believe God wants you to know ... that today you can help a thousand people see God's light.

Feel God's light shining within you and take a step to inspire someone else to shine. As you share this vision today with just one soul, that reaches ten lives that touch a thousand.

Of course I always want to help other people to see God’s creativeness in my own simple ways. I can start in my own home by inspiring my children to do good things to others by becoming a model to them.

As we all know, helping is a very great way to make people happy. Just by showing them that you care will always be a lot meaningful. So I hope that many people will do this and share the blessings that they receive by paying it forward.

I like this picture taken by hubby while I was in Kuala Lumpur (does it looks like I am applying for one of the jobs listed in pa job listings?).

I just got back today after I attended a four day workshop in Kuala Lumpur. I initially thought that it will just be one boring conference as I have to sit down and listen to hours and hours of lectures but I was wrong as it proved to be one really productive workshop that I have ever attended.

It is so nice to meet up with my colleagues from within the region that I only get to talk via email and phone conference before. Just like what I said, it was really nice to put faces to the names. It was great to listen to all their wonderful ideas, rants, tips and I was so comfortable interacting with them that I did not hesitate to speak out my mind also.

And although I am still tired because we arrived at 5 AM from our 4-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, I was really glad that I did decide to apply to participate for this year’s ITP workshop.

My Causeway loots are here. Most of the Causeway girls already tried on their Causeway loots (with pictorials of course) but I hadn’t had the time to try my orders yet. I just opened the box from Air21 and scan through my items but I hadn’t had the time to really open each of them and try it out. But I already asked hubby to take my pictures later. (vain. lol).

We attended a birthday party today and since I don’t have anything nice to wear, I decided to try the black boyish romper that I bought from Causeway. Though it’s black, my big tummy is showing. LOL. (Looks like I will really have to ask hubby to buy me one of those ellipticals for Christmas). One of my neighbors even asked me if I am pregnant. (Though I am secretly wishing that I am).

Oh well, that is what I get from not being conscious with that I eat. Just last night, I shared an 800 ml of Vanilla Almonds ice cream from Selecta with hubby and we were able to finish it in one seating. So should I be shocked if most people noticed that I really gained weight? LOL.

Last Sunday, we went to Serendra and had dinner at Contis. The food was really yummy, so as usual, I was so full after eating. But even though I was already full, I still manage to eat my share of Sonjas Cupcakes for dessert. Who can resist those cupcakes when it really looks yummy.

Then last Monday, we went to Bela’s school for our Parent’s Visit and PTC. After her class, we had lunch at Shakeys. I had spaghetti, mojo potatoes, chicken and pizza. (Boy I guess if I continue eating like this, I would really need the best weight loss supplement.) I even thought that I was pregnant because I always eat twice or thrice as much as I would normally eat before.

Oh well, who can say no to good food right. Especially we really miss eating Filipino food when we were away for three weeks so since we came back, Howell and I have been really pigging out. LOL.

On this day of your life, Abie, we believe God wants you to know...
... that to burn out the pain, just find a place filled with joy.

God created joy as a balm for pain. What are some places, who are some people filled with joy that you can rely on to ease your pain?

Before I went to Europe, I’ve been so busy with my works at the office. I tried to finish all of my pending works so that I will not have overloads when I come back. I really worked hard to meet my deadlines as early as possible because I know that I’ll be busy packing my things and I chose to spend more time with my daughter since she’s not coming with us.

My last day at the office, it seemed like everyone is so busy. The whole office is somehow quiet and you can rarely see people roaming around. And so I started to wonder because it looked strange to me. I immediately asked my boss and he told me that everyone is busy preparing for the fire drill. I didn’t know about this since I came home late that’s why I didn’t hear the announcements. And so I found out that they are going to test the new fire alarms if it is working.

After the drill, everything went back to normal. And after a couple of hours, the long day has finally ended and I was very fortunate to finish my works and have some reports to my boss.

You Are a Bikini

You love warm days, and you don't shy away from the beach. You're confident enough to not worry about how you look... but you're not a brazen show off either! You feel sexy and young at heart - especially during the summer. You are classic and chic. You rather own one designer swimsuit than a dozen cheap knock offs.

What Kind of Swimsuit Are You?

Last night, I plan to finish all my tasks. I master with all my might to try not to sleep so I can finish all my tasks but I guess I am just too tired and even with one strong cup of coffee, I doze off to sleep after mid night.

I still have a lot to do and I have a deadline to meet. I only have a few hours left and I don’t know how I can squeeze all my tasks with the limited time that I have. I am so thankful since hubby is really very supportive and he has been helping me with my paperwork even though he has some paper work that he needs to finish too.

Oh well, I have to try hard. Of course I can just say no and just pass the opportunity but who wouldn’t want extra moolah right? LOL. So although my brain is toasted already and I can’t think of anymore topic to write, I still have to try. I just have to reward myself after this (I deserve it, this is really hard work. LOL).

I am still not 100% decided if I will go with Howell to Germany but we will be applying for our Schengen Visa. It will be our interview on Monday and it is only today that I started to prepare for the documents and the other requirements that we will be needing for the interview. But I am glad that I was able to obtain all the papers that I need including the travel insurance which is one of the requirements to obtain a Schengen Visa.

I hate visa interviews. It always gives me butterflies in my stomach. I got denied when I first applied for a US visa and since then, applying for any type of visa is a really stressful thing for me (I will really need my wrinkle cream as I am really so stress out).

But thankfully, I have a lot of colleagues who applied for a Schengen Visa already and so I was able to get some tips from them. Hopefully it will be enough (partnered with more research that I will be doing later) to convince the visa officer to give me a visa. Otherwise, then maybe it is a sign that I should not leave Bela and I will just stay here in Manila with her. LOL.

To say that Howell and I are very busy is an understatement. I still manage to keep up with all the paper works that I need to finish for all my three subjects for my masters plus I have to finish my pending tasks for my sideline too and we are still quite busy at work. So almost everyday, Howell and I will be up until 3 – 4 AM just to finish all of this. Sometimes I have to start late since I have to wait before Bela goes to bed first (since I can’t work anyways because she always want either me or Howell to play with her, or watch movies with her or just chat with her). Sometimes she goes to bed at 11 PM so that is the only time that I can start with my work.

Just like last night, I stayed up until 3 AM. I am quite happy though because I was able to finish my to-do list but that is just the first part of my list as I still have a lot of things to do. That is why Howell suggested that we should get vitamins and supplements because otherwise, we both might get sick. So I learned about Allegro Medical System. It is an online site where I can buy almost all my health care needs from medical supplies, to baby products, and even Urological supplies like foley catheter. What I like about their site is that they have an auto re-order system which is what I need so that is one less thing for me to worry about.

So I will log off now and hopefully I will be able to finish my to-do list again tonight so I can at least go to be before midnight.

I love Sophie Kinsella’s books. I read all of them and I have a copy of all of her books except for the "Can you Keep a Secret? " (I think). So when my good friend and kumareng Peachy shared with me Sophie’s account in Face Book and gave me the good news that Sophie will be releasing another book this July, I was thrilled.

Well actually July will definitely be a busy month for me as it is the midterm week plus I have to finish all my requirements for all my three subjects in my Masters before our August trip but I am sure I will be able to find time to sit down and read Sophie’s new book. (I can say that because that is what I did this month – I have tons of paper work to do but I was able to finish the Amazing Race Season 13 and CSI Season 9 Episodes 16 – 23). Well I guess this things are what is making me sane nowadays because of my busy and crazy schedule so I wouldn’t mind taking a break for a bit from my busy schedule and enjoy Sophie’s Twenties Girl book.

Check more information about the book here.

Picture snagged from Randomhouse Au.

If you will ask me to make a wish list let’s say for my birthday, then here is the list that I will come up:

1. My Neverfull
2. Coach’s Satin bag from Faye’s site
3. Philip Stein watch
4. Vacation with my family in Shangri-La Mactan
5. Disneyland trip in Hong Kong
6. Jewelry – But I am not picky when it comes to jewelry. I don’t need it to be expensive. I just want it to be fashionable, classic and stylish (I told you I am not picky) just like the discount costume jewelry from Holsted Jewelers. What I like about them is that their designers have put a lot of time in making true “wow” jewelry that I won’t be able to find their designs from any retail store.

So if there is anyone out there asking what I want for a gift, then here is my list. LOL.

Ok, I will just rant for a bit here. I just feel so pressured with all the papers and assignments that I have to submit this week for my masteral. I should have started working with it today but I can’t find the energy to work. For one something happened yesterday that made me really pissed of and I can’t seem to get it out of my mind and so I am so distracted that I can’t find the inspiration to finish my tasks. Second, I feel so bored reading all our modules and doing everything by myself without any classroom discussions. So I have to understand everything and I can’t even find anybody who can answer my question. I know Howell is my classmates but he is so busy with work that he hasn’t found the time to read our modules. Then I have my duties too at work so I am dead tired already when I reach home to finish all my assignments.

I am already thinking of dropping. LOL. I am so tired and I am not sure if this will be of any help to advance my career. Or maybe I should just buy a Nespresso espresso machine because for sure it will be a very hectic week for me and I will definitely sleep late this coming days to finish all my tasks. Look at the list of the things that I have to do:
1. Finish my online tasks – I don’t have that much this week but honestly I would rather have a dozen of online tasks rather than read a dozen of my modules at school.
2. Finish my Tutor Marked Assignment for my Development Communication subject (Deadline for this is June 26).
3. Read Chapter 3 and 2 additional readings and then write a comment about what I read to be posted on our discussion board. (Deadline for this is June 26).
4. Read Chapter 1-2 for my Principles of Programming Languages Subject
5. Finish my first Tutor Mark Assignment for this subject (Deadline for this is June 27).

Thinking about it makes me irritated already. But I guess, I have no choice…I just don’t know how I can survive this coming week with all the tasks that I need to finish….

Do you have some frustrations when you were a child? Like for me, did you know that I was frustrated singer, ballet dancer, swimmer and pianist. LOL. I have no talent whatsoever, so I grew up just being an audience instead of being a performer. But I think I am little good in dancing because I remember I always participate in school programs and even in programs in our barangay and me and my friends will perform a dance number. Oh, those were the days.

But if I have to bring it all back, I think I will love to enjoy the same things that kids nowadays are enjoying. Like with Bela, I was able to enroll her to swimming class at age 1, to ballet class at age 3, and gymnastics class at age 2. Back during my childhood days, I don’t think there are centers who accepts students as young as 1 year old in their class. Like now, I can see that Bela loves music also so I am thinking of enrolling her to piano lessons. But I think the youngest that they accept is 7 years old. Maybe, I can join Bela with her lessons so I will get to learn how to play at least one musical instruments. LOL. I checked out the online piano lessons of Yoke Wong and I watched the videos and looks like it is something that I can handle. What do you think, am I too late already for this? LOL.

Have you seen this from Katrice Wear site?

I posted on my other blog that I ordered this from Katrice Wear and it will be delivered to me on June 8. I am excited to wear it already because as you can see, it really looks good on Marissa (Katrice Wear’s owner) and her daugther.

As soon as I saw Jane and Sophia wearing it during the MBAPs summer getaway, I instantly wanted to order one because it looks so sexy so I contacted Marissa when we reached Manila. But of course, I did not realize that I am not as sexy as Jane and Marissa. LOL. So I have been reading weight loss pill reviews so I can slash some excess pounds so at least I can do some justice on the cute and sexy short summer dress from Katrice Wear. LOL.

Wish me luck. I promise to post a picture of me and Bela wearing our matching outfit when it arrives. I have ordered three pairs from Katrice Wear already and unfortunately, I haven’t posted any of our pictures here. Every time Bela and I are wearing it, I always forget to ask hubby to take our picture so hopefully, we can have a pictorial wearing our short summer dress this time.

Sorry if I haven’t posted updates on this blog for weeks now. I have been very busy (or should I say lazy and mahina ang racket so I am not obliged to post fillers. LOL) lately that I can’t find the time to update this blog.

But here is a list of the things that I need to blog:
* Bela’s Ice Skating Trial Lessons at SM Megamall
* I am now an MCTS (Microsoft Certified Techology Specialist
* Our decision on where to enroll Bela this school year
* Her last week’s anecdotal report (which I forgot to copy so I have to wait till Friday to get a copy of it).
* Our Mother’s Day Celebration in Tagaytay
* Pictures taken using my Holga camera (my first two rolls of film).

After doing this list, I realized now that I have a lot of back postings to do. LOL.

Last Thursday, I had my annual medical checkup as part of the requirement of our company for continuous employment. I know I haven’t been monitoring my diet lately and so I was not surprised to find out that I gained 5 lbs. LOL. I am still not considered as obese though but my, if only you can see my bulges on my waist and how big my tummy is. I can’t even fit in my old pants.

But I still find the courage to wear my swimsuit when we went to the beach last weekend. LOL. But I have to hide my tummy every time I have to stand up so they won’t see my big tummy. Oh well, I’m in the beach anyways so a swimsuit is the proper attire to wear there, right? But I guess I will not find the guts to wear anything sexy like sexy lingerie, apart from the beach.

And as I am writing this, me and Bela are munching on a bar of chocolate so I don’t think I will be loosing those excess pounds really soon.

I am really affected by the death of Francis Magalona. In fact I made a post about it on my other blog. I am so affected maybe because a couple of years ago, someone close to my heart died of cancer. So talking about cancer is really a very sensitive and emotional topic for me.

Hubby noticed that I am so deeply obsessed with reading about Francis M’s illness and he noticed that I am really affected to the point that I feel upset already after reading his blog. I wanted to research more about Cancer and get more information about Mesothelioma and leukemia, but I figured I should stop this obsession as I hate having this feeling of sadness. So instead, I searched for my interest, Lomo Cameras.

I initially want a Holga Multicolored Camera but after doing some more readings, I got confused as I learned that Holga Cameras have different types and each one uses either a 120 mm or 35 mm film and I still have to research which one of this films is cheaper. Also, after checking out this blog, I even got more confuse as I saw more Lomo camera types and each one of them has a unique feature.

I wanted to buy one this week so I can try it out when we go to the beach this weekend but I still have to do more readings and read reviews and tips from lomo users. And I am not sure if I still have time to do all of that this week…We’ll see.