And the Award Goes to...drumroll pls.

Blogger pals make my blogging life so much happy and worth all the time and effort because we all share the same passion of blogging, we foster great camaraderie by supporting each other, we share personal thoughts and feelings, some I have met and have been grateful, some have been my close blogger pals and some I can actually call my kindred sisters in the blogosphere.

Thank you so much Bingkee for the great friendship and for recognizing me.

So it is my honor to present this award to all my blogger pals. You all deserve this.

Backing for a While

I have been quiet for a while since I got back from my leave. Most of the time I am just zapped out and have no time and energy left to rack my head with ideas and put those thoughts into words. I remember the days when my head is filled with gazillions of thoughts that I feel it will explode if I don't write them. Now is the complete opposite of that.

My blogger screen is blank and my fingers on top of the keyboard waiting to be pounded but there's no juice to squeeze out. I guess most bloggers go through this phase as well - writer's block...in this case, blogger's block.

I think I have to step back a little and give myself some space while I regenerate. It's pretty ironic that I have to experience this few days before my "party" blog turns 1. Oh well...c'est la vie!

Ash Wednesday

Today is the first day of Lent. Many Christians observe this holy occasion as it marks the onset of Lenten season. Ash is applied on the forehead to signify repentance and to remind us that "For dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).

Property Holding

Real estate and property firms have been one of the hardest hit by the economic slump sweeping the entire world. My hubby and I are teetering on our seat on whether to sell our condo unit back home or hold on to it while we see the collapse of major real estate firms here in Dubai. So far, the property firms back in the Philippines are still in a better position than their counterparts here. However, there are uncertainties looming. It's kind of bleak and scary but we are holding on to our faith in the Lord that we will get through this crisis, stronger and with more faith in Him.

Online Study

Time is very essential to a working mom like me. Pursuing graduate studies as a goal was different then when I was still single or newly married because I didn't have that many responsibilities to mind. I used to take up MBA units back in the Philippines but due to time constraint and health reasons, I voluntarily discontinued my post education.

Back then, online degree was not yet heard of or maybe it was just sprouting into existence that people who wanted to pursue their studies need to physically go to their colleges or universities of their choice. A lot has happened from 1995 to the present time germane to distance learning.

I enrolled to an online degree last 2007 for half a year and having done that has given me the edge in terms of skills and qualification. I find this mode of learning as conducive and convenient to working people who have to juggle their careers and life in a balance. The mode of learning was according to my own phase and I learned to manage my time effectively and efficiently. Albeit, social interaction was kept to a minimum as the lessons were conducted online. I still managed to meet my classmates through online chat sessions which were scheduled on a weekend. I had fun and I am looking forward to take my next online degree in the future.

Healthy Drink for our Teeth

I have always been an orange juice drinker but ever since my enamel started to wear out, I have cut back on juices or drink them with a straw to avoid contact on my pearlies.

Green or black teas are good for our teeth. It's effect is like water leaving our teeth unscathed unlike the orange juice which attacks our enamels because it has acids like phosphoric, citric, mallic (to name a few) which can strip our enamels.

Here are dos which are good for our teeth.

1. Use a straw with acidic beverages
2. Drink brewed tea straight up sans the lemon, milk and sugar.

3. Snack on apples, celery, and carrots because these food are natural stain removers.
4. Floss daily.

(Source: RealAge tips)

Best Mom Award from Best Moms themselves

I am thankful to have met these two lovely moms in the blog world. I am happy as well that I have been recognized by these two best moms as well for being a best mom. Thanks ladies! I truly honor this award. Beth and Kikamz, you two rock! Hahaha!



The rules:
1. Show the award logo in your post. 2. Pick a picture you have with your kiddo/s. 3. Post should include your best experience as a Mom. 3. Nominate other blogger moms out there that you consider the best mom, like yourself.

Well, being a mom is a 24/7 career. It's a very gratifying job if I may say because you get all the hugs and the slobbery kisses of your kids. Everyday is a best mom day for me even if my daughter and I squabble on petty things. We enjoy each other's company so much that she has become my little buddy, my shopping conscience, my mini-me, my fashion stylist, my royal highness, my hairdresser, my own daughter... We enjoy our togetherness that sometimes I forget the boundaries of mother-daughter stuff, forgetting all those authority over a child. For her, I am her mom AND her best friend and for me, I am her mom AND her best friend. I'll never forget the time when I got bed-ridden because of pneumonia and she carefully stroked my forehead, took a bowl filled with cold water and she wiped my face, cleaned my arms and legs. She acted as my nurse and she even made me a paper TULIP (which happens to be my favorite flower!) so I could get better. This was last year. I asked her why she was taking care of me when she could watch cartoons and read books instead of sitting by my side, she said "Mama, because you always take care of me too..." Awwwww... No other job in this world can ever replace the gratifying career of MOTHERHOOD. I am blessed to be a mom.

Our fave place in the world! Paris! My daughter loved the place and even quipped that when she gets older, she'd buy a house and we would ALL live there. Wow! Made my heart melt...


This was our first Disneyland visit in Hongkong and the year after that, we went to Disneyland Paris. I remember seeing how happy my princess was, the sparkle in her eyes each time we took the rides and hubby was so supportive of us, allowing us (especially me!) to act-out the kid in us. Imagine a 34 year-old (I was 34 then when we went there) mom running around like crazy just to get ahead of the line? Oh, that would be me!

Buzz Lightyear ride in Hongkong Disneyland. We had fun shooting those aliens. We're both "kids-at-heart." Well, at least my daughter is a bonafide kid. I am NOT!


Shopping at Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand. My daughter is my "shopping conscience" because she always reminds me when to "stop." ;)

I am giving this award to the special moms I know: Cherry, Mommy Liza, Mommy Ana, Sarah, Niko, Chriss, Shiela

Arf, Arf!

Nope, not the barking of a dog nearby but that of my daughter. She isn't barking but coughing like a small pup. I had to skip my class today to take care of her because she's coughing like crazy.

Stuff like this really throws me off the balance. One moment I am a career woman making decisions and the other moment, I am a mom, worried-sick of her little child.

I hope my baby feels better soon. I can't stand seeing her cough her guts out.

I have a Jet Lag!

8.5 hours of flying time is not a joke considering I just spent 2 1/2 days in Manila. Another 8.5 hours flying time going back is just too much to bear now. I don't understand how pilots and cabin crew can handle time changes and how their biological body-clock respond to this. Lately, I have been having major migraine attacks when I reach my destination. I guess I am just tired and the crossing of time zones make it all worse.

I don't know if there is ever a cure to jet lag but somehow, there are ways to manage it. Here are tips on how to manage your own jet lag.

1. Try traveling on an early morning flight (if the airline has several choices of flights to your destination). This is because it is still dark and you can still sleep few hours in the flight.

2. Drink lots of juices and water.

3. Walk a lot after taking a long nap. This helps in blood circulation.

4. When I arrive in a place where it's morning, I act like it's the normal time. I try my best to avoid coffee nor drink alcohol so I can crawl to bed BEFORE 9 p.m!

5. Avoid filling your tummy before the flight.

If you have other jet lag prevention tips, please share :)

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

To our darling princess...

Your papa and I are so proud to have you as our precious child. You are God's gift to us and we love you very much. Now that you are 11, we pray that you will be blessed with good health, a bright future, a happy life and overflowing of love from all of us.

Be a good girl always.

We love you sweetie!


Myspace Happy Birthday Graphics


Myspace Happy Birthday Comments


Love,

Mama & Papa

Oh Love!

It's Valentine's Day soon and a lot of couples out there are planning laboriously on every detail of their very important date this 14 February.

I remember the time when my hubby and I used to date. We always go out a day before the big event because we just don't want overcrowded places and you have to deal with the traffic too. After many years of togetherness, we still go out, he still buys me flowers and sometimes gives me gifts. I often ask him not to since I am already contented with whatever I have and being with him is more than enough (wink!).

Now, I'm not saying we are getting old for this "love-thing." As a matter of fact, there's no age boundary in celebrating or observing this special "love" day with someone dear to you or someone you are currently courting.

No matter the age, I think Valentine's Day is one of the most popular occasions people observe. It's one of those days when you get to feel "special." So, to every one out there, single or hooked, dating or not, married or something else...here's wishing you a day full of love on Valentine's Day. Hope the love flows beyond Valentine's!


Free Myspace Graphics

On a "Wedding" Blog Leave

Well, it's not MY wedding but that of my sister-in-law, after many years of single-blessedness has decided to get hitched ;) So, my family and I will be off to Manila and I'll be very busy with the preparation.

I'll be back shortly and while I am away, please keep the party going! Yeah! Chat with all of you soon...

Disoriented Dolphins

I know humans get disoriented but never realized that dolphins do as well. About 200 to 300 dolphins were found in the shallow waters of Manila Bay yesterday near Bataan. Villagers, volunteers, fishermen and the navy were together in their effort to drive back the pod of dolphins to the deeper part of the sea. They were found swimming back and forth in an obvious state of disorientation where the probable cause is not yet defined.

I am so grateful to the courageous people who did their part to save these hapless animals. God Bless you all (and the dolphins!).

(Photo from: Daily Mail and Reuters)

Tweet, Tweet, Follow me...

I am basically new at Twitter and it seems very interesting. So if you have Twitter account, please feel free to add me.

Environment - Global Warming

Saving Mother Earth in my own little ways is one of my top priorities. I assert myself when it comes to educating people about the nature we live in and what fury we can face if we don't start taking care of it, in this instance, our very own Mother Earth.

My little gestures of saving paper, re-using what can be re-used, recycling and reducing wastage both at home and in the office are my simple ways of contributing for the betterment of the place we live in. I don't care about how my office mates tease me relentlessly for being passionate about this. I just have few words to those who don't listen - GLOBAL WARMING.

A Weighty Issue

Do you remember my post about my quest to lose weight because I have a wedding to attend to? Well, as an update to that, I have been using the treadmill 5 times a week and have cut back on my rice intake and white bread. So far, I have lost a kilo. My weight is not budging the way I would like it to maybe due to my age and hormones. I feel my clothes slightly getting lose but the desired result is not yet evident. The double-chin is still there. The muffin top is still there. The flabby arms are still there but... the pretty face is still there! harharhar!!! Joke!!!! Got yah!

I still have a week to go before I will wear my gown so I'll double my running time and eat more veggies without sacrificing a good, nutritious meal. If I don't lose weight by then, I'll just continue the quest because I want to wear a bikini when I go to Florida or Los Angeles this May! Yes!

The Visa

Sometimes, I admire my husband's carefree spirit and spontaneity in making decisions. We are completely opposite in many, many ways and yet we click so much because those differences complement both of us. For instance, we have been planning to apply for US VISA for 2 years now and have had put it off to travel to Europe. Last December, out of the blue, he just told me "Ma, set for an appointment for US visa." I gladly obliged! I mean, US visa is the ultimate visa of all! No offense meant to other nations but ever since, I have dreamt of having one stamped on my passport. Last Feb. 3, we went for our interview. After going through the tedious process of waiting from 6:10 a.m. out in the cold up to the point of being called for the interview almost 5 hours later was worth all the hassles and time. We were granted our first US Visas! Yey! Double yey!!! New York and Los Angeles, here we come!

Thank you Lord!!!

Foggy Friday

*Note: I should have posted this earlier but due to some unexplainable mood swings, I have been out of touch for a while. Must be the hormones...hahaha ;)

The week moved ever so slowly like a sloth climbing a tree. I thought it would never end - the waiting for weekend, that is.

The weather is still pleasant and not as cold as the previous days. However, the chilly wind blowing to your face still bites. I had to wake up early today for my HTML class while the rest of the household were happily snoring their blues away. I wanted to linger in bed and pull the comforter to my face as I planned to continue my broken slumber due to the pesky alarm clock which my daughter (for some reason, she has this habit of rousing me from my wonderful slumber at 4 a.m.!) set on an ungodly hour. Well, I might as well drag myself to class even if my mind was still set to sleep. I know it was still early, the chilly wind blew crisply on my face and brrrr... I woke up to a foggy Friday. Thank God for a foggy Friday! At least it's weekend... ;)




(Photo: my own, taken from the balcony - 6th floor - 30 January 2009)

Out of Touch

I am not my usual self these days. Must be the weather or my weight problem which drag my spirit down or the ever increasing job-cuts that are happening in this part of the world. Well, who said Dubai is invincible?

I am sorry for not doing rounds like I always do. I am very tired by the time I get home. I don't just handle a job of one person but 3 since all the temp staff were discontinued. I run the treadmill too, I tend to my family's needs, coach my daughter in her studies, do my assignments in my class and by the time it's around 7:30 p.m., I am already poofed.

It seems like I am out of touch but I am here. I will bounce back. I just have to mind some other stuff about my life too. It's really nothing serious. I may just be going through a weird mood-swing right now. Maybe I am menopausal already? Hahaha! I just can't understand how I feel. Oh well, c'est la vie!