A day at Intosan Water Park

So we've been wanting to spend time with good friends Pang and Glenn since Glen came back from the US. Thinking of an opportunity of a long weekend, we planned on a day trip to Intosan Water Park in Danao City.

The place, though lacking the standard of a starred resort hotel, didn't disappoint. Xofia had a blast with the tiny water fountains, and I swear she could stay there the whole day, she won't mind. For a P120 entrance, it'd do for families with lotsa kids. Probably grownups wouldn't have as much fun, but surely parents will enjoy. We parents get a natural high seeing our children happy and enjoying life.

The major downside was the lack of upkeep and cleanliness of bathrooms. Or maybe I'm just too particular with bathrooms. Because I didn't want to stay in the bathroom longer than 3 minutes, I took my shower outside, soap and all, and changed clothes by the vanity inside the public bathroom. Took me two minutes tops inside.

Will probably come back there, but I think I may first want to know how often they're cleaning their pools.

Small space bar

We entertain a lot. Our house, because it's practically right smack at the city, becomes the unofficial gathering place for friends and family. And because we're living in a small townhouse, I need all practical storage solutions that doubles as something else.

In connection to entertaining, it's very important to have a bar where guests gather around and socialize. But because my dining area is small as it is, there's just no space to tuck a bar somewhere. I find this bar with wheels practical.

The bar showcases a built-in stemware rack and wine station. I could just easily roll the bar from the dining area to the living space where people usually spills over. After entertaining, I can push it out of the way under the kitchen island. Perfect!

Another practical solution that also caught my eye is this undercabinet wine glass rack.

The hanging wine glass rack had me swooning. What better way to display your crystals than this? Plus it doubles as a wine rack. And oh, be still my heart, it comes in polished chrome. Chrome just has this way of matching with any decor.

25 Random and Useless Things About Me

Reposting the list from my Facebook page. I'm new to Facebook and I'm taking everything in, little by little, baby steps so they say. So far, I've been having fun.

1. I am crazy over Figaro's Coffee Jelly. I swear I can have it everyday.
2. I love to cook dinner for my family. I'm lucky they don't mind eating late dinners.
3. I dream of living in a self-sustaining farm with a house sitting atop an ocean cliff.
4. I have sweaty palms...
5. Which is the reason why I shouldn't be drinking coffee, but what am I to do with the daily grind without caffeine?
6. I go into indescribable fits of happiness when I hear my Xofia says "Mommy" and is actually looking at me.
7. We have 3 coffee presses. Goes to show how much coffee means to me.
8. This mark right smack in the middle of my cheek is an indelible ink... kidding, it's a birthmark not many are blessed to have.
9. I hated morning sickness. It's the reason why I wasn't able to totally enjoy my pregnancy. Some say it's part of pregnancy, and should also be enjoyed. Not!
10. One of my closest friend told me she didn't expect we'd be this close after college. She said I was a snob, lanky social deviant back then. Well, not exactly her words, she was kinder. I told her that's what she got for judging over appearances.
11. I think my childhood was the most colorful, fun and dangerous childhood. I climbed trees, skied hills with nary a slipper, swam rivers and seas without proper training, ate wild fruits, made my own fire to cook my own food -- all in the name of play.
12. Everybody in my husband's side of the family adores durian. I can't stand the smell of it.
13. I have very shallow tear ducts. I think because I have very short eyelashes, and dust gets into my eyes all the time that my eyes have to be regularly cleaned, nature has to provide me with a cleaning agent at a ready. Ha ha.
    
14. I love to scrapbook by hand, the traditional way, but found no time for it lately.
15. I am still not giving Xofia her MMR shot because, darn, the autism scare still scares me.
16. Xofia is the best thing that ever happened to me, next to Bongkie, of course.
17. I love a glass of orange juice with my morning cups of coffee.
18. I used to make scented candles. I find making them equally soothing as lighting them. Then my allergy got worse because of all the fragrances, had to stop.
19. I am still green with envy over Lelany's first edition of The Graveyard Book, and signed by no other than Mr. Sandman himself.
20. I think Neil Gaiman is the coolest person to ever grace the literary world. I also think Edgar Allan Poe was cool but stupid for wasting all that talent over alcohol.
21. I'd like to believe I'd be the Barefoot Contessa in my second life, minus the celebrity status and the TV show.
22. I think cockroaches are the most despicable thing. I was told they're the only ones who can survive a nuclear attack. Still. Ick.
23. I hate to see people leave even if it's just for awhile. Whenever I can, I avoid instances that I have to see them go. Again, see number 13.
24. I don't do well with numbers; and thankful that cellphones now have built-in calculators.
25. I grew up pampered by my Lola (grandma). Mother thinks this is why I act so bratty at times. I think we just happen to have different opinions and I happen to assert mine more strongly. :P

Useless, but I hope you had fun :-)

Rocking out

It's the connection.

I am, once again, wondering if I did the right thing going for this provider.

Even Speedtest.net refuses to load. So I made screen captures of all those loading pages to while away the time. Pathetic...Internet.Connection.


Incidentally, however unrelated, I was reminded of some pics I owe Xofia's godmothers. Xofia received a big Dora pillow and an electric guitar from Titas Caffeinated-Muse, Diva, Faery, and Jan. She went to sleep late that night because she kept on turning her pillow over. Dora wins all the time, there's nothing much you can do about that. The guitar makes a lot of noise, alright, but this girl likes it, so I bite my lips and bang my head like a true rakista along with the rest of the household.

But really, nobody here can rock it out like this girl can:

OK, now, don't be such a killjoy and rock with me!

YEAAAAAAA!!! *peace out*

Mga Atih, you girls rock the most! Thanks for making my little munchkin so happy. :-D

On Bora, holiday buzz, and Xofia learning words

I am not the type who spends extra effort for the holidays. As long as I'm with my family, everyday is a special day. That's why I can't understand how I become so busy and caught up these days that I don't get the chance to do the things I love doing. I try to pace myself, though, and remind myself that it won't kill me if I fail my own expectation. Sometimes, you just have to let things be and find your peace in the fact that no matter how bad you'd feel about it, it won't change the thing that already happened. Might as well not feel bad about it. But knowing me, I just had to say something about it, even for just one time, then I'm done. I move on, I get over things quickly.

We're spending weekend in Bora next week. Yesterday, I learned that Xofia's swimsuit no longer fits her. That suit is for 1 year olds. Xofia is only 1 year and 5 months old. I expected that suit to at least last her until she's about this age. The good thing is, this shows that she is growing, normal, tall and strong.

Xofia has now learned a faculty of cute words. I never knew that the words I utter on a daily basis can be so irresistibly cute when uttered by 1 year olds. She's also singing-along to some of her favorite nursery rhymes. She has memorized the words and actions of itsy-bitsy spider. You just have to really spend a good amount of time with her to familiarize yourself with her words. The best thing so far that really had me to tears was when she said "Bah-bye Mamie. Mwah!" when I was about to leave for work. Tell me, how can you make yourself go away and work the whole day when you'd rather stay home and explore the world with the little one?

Remember how I told you we have to have her undergo surgery for her ASD? Well, we asked another pedia-cardio's professional opinion. We've been talking with this particular doctor on top of our regular visits with Xofie's doctor for quite some time now. Her opinion is that Xofia will not need the immediate intervention. She will need intervention, yes, but at a later time. Two other specialists share her opinion. It's 3 to 1 this time, and we're thinking of waiting and do the intervention later. So far, Xofia's growing well, gaining weight normally, is healthy and happy, and has never showed any symptom. We're hoping, praying and wishing it stayed that way until she's old enough to undergo the operation. No matter how late she'd have it, though, we'd still prefer the cardio-cath method over open heart surgery. I just pray that I'd have the strength to see my daughter go through the ordeal. I've never felt so helpless my entire life, never felt so vulnerable. Indeed, motherhood is no joke.

I don't really know how to close this, the same way that I have no idea when my next post will be. Here's hoping that there's wi-fi in Bora so I can upload pics as they come. If I can't, I'll be sure to put everything together after New Year's day. I guess I just want to let you guys know that I'm still here, breathing and very much blogging.

Enjoy your holidays!

Sometimes, I rant

I am only human; I also dislike some personalities.

And it's a total weird situation when a certain someone asked me if I could contribute to this person's (inadvertently, the one I don't like) project. The person who asked me didn't know my private feelings over this other person; so tell me, how do you politely decline to help?

I am also human; if people ask me for help, I'd do what I can. But I am not a hypocrite and I suck at sucking up and pretending everything's well and dandy when in fact I'd rather live in a place where annoying, insecure people mind their own businesses and I mind my own. (I know, too long, run-on sentence; sue me!)

But for the record, I do not hate annoying people. I merely dislike them. Annoying people are a challenge. They continually pry me out of my resolve to always take the high road. :P

Thank God for close friends and husbands. Otherwise, I won't have anybody to listen to me rant about these annoying people. I need to release the pent-up energy, you know, and trees are very unresponsive sometimes. I like a little interaction.

Now, back to my point. I don't want to have to do anything with this person, but I cannot say no to this someone who asked me. Something wrong with me?

Ah, what a weekend!

My husband came home from an out-of-town trip on Friday, and begged off Saturday's lunch date with my college friends. Aside from one of the husbands who made it to the lunch, but successfully made us feel like it was an all-girl date (not that it mattered, really), all significant others didn't make it. I wouldn't have been there if not for the husband who insisted that the expensive Cafe Marco lunch expenses will not be taken out from the family budget. He said he'll take care of it, and took care of it he did. The lunch lasted until 3:30 in the afternoon. The buffet didn't close until 2:30, and what best ambiance one could have but an endless row of worldwide cuisine; we didn't get out of the restaurant until we really had to.

Being a fan of Cafe Marco's buffet since I had my first bite, I was careful not to overstuff on one dish but made room for the rest, though I am always partial to Japanese food... but, pig out we did, and overstuffed we were. Of course, it was good catching up with the rest of the gang, but the best thing with our friendship is we never really feel the need to catch up just so we'd feel reconnected. It was more of continuing the conversations we've had like the previous one happened only yesterday. And these guys, they always feel like home.

Xofia had a Birthday Party invitation to her cousin Andrei's first birthday on Sunday -- which was another buffet dinner. I already told you how Xofia's a cautious baby. As expected, it took her quite a while to warm up to the rest of the kids in the party. She was about to enjoy herself when the clown entered and grabbed the mic. OK, I wouldn't have minded it had the clown been acting like he really was a clown meant to entertain children, but for the life of me, it was more of a stand-up comedy show meant to entertain grownups while having fun of the children. I understand that I'm ranting now, but the moment the clown grabbed the mic and uttered his first hello, Xofia was bawling. The clown was loud and ugly, and dressed in rags, I too was a bit afraid.

I grabbed Xofia and we took the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon sun outside. Never mind that Xofia won't be stopped from grabbing dried leaves and fallen fruit, and God forbid, cat poop; I was exhausted beyond my wits from simply keeping up with her. She'd run in any direction, beckon me when something interests her, and mumble her toddler-talk while pointing at an object. One particular object she was so interested in was a piece of electrical wire jutting out from a lamppost. And because she got bored waiting for me, she went ahead to play with the colorful wire. I was just in time to stop her from touching the wire, but oh God, I was breathless and my back felt like it was about to give up. Either I'm just tired or plain old -- whatever it was, I no longer cared -- the moment we're home, I hit the bed and took a nap. A cup of barako coffee afterwards sealed the power nap.

How about you, how was your weekend?

A shoutout to my top EC droppers

These are the beautiful, amazing bloggers who topped my list for the last 30 days. As much as possible, I try to return the favor, but I'm not as amazing as them, so here's some linky love, girls :-)

Thank you so much!

My 15-month old is a grownup

Hello Xofia,

You're a cautious toddler. It'll take minutes for you to warm up to someone, and hours to a group (especially the loud ones). However tonight, you found someone you instantly clicked with.

Your Auntie Han is home for some errand, and brought with her a friend. The moment you saw your aunt's friend, you were playing and laughing with her. I wasn't home yet but I was told you guys spent the whole time together.

You were extraordinarily chirpier the whole duration of dinner. Must be more than happy to be sharing the dinner table with your newfound friend, Tita Rosemae. You were also a show-off--a rarity! You let out the cutest giggle and the widest smile. When it was time to brush your teeth, you obligingly opened your mouth wide. Conscious that you had an audience, you grabbed your toothbrush and proceeded to brush your teeth like a grownup.

After dinner, you can't wait to walk around. I was a bit worried that you might be cranky as it was time for you to sleep. However, you were so happy to be allowed to walk around, you were talking your toddler-talk non-stop while pointing to things as if making conversations about them. You even covered your mouth when you laughed!

When your nanny said you needed to sleep already, I told you that it's sleeping time. You did not hesitate, you went to your nanny and raised your arms to be lifted up. You then promptly waved goodbye to us left in the living room.

All these, baby, and you're only 15 months old and 2 days.

Is this telling Mommy not to worry you'll surely grow up to be a good girl?

XoXo

Missed someone's address?

Here's a site that offers reverse phone lookup for the convenience of everybody. Reverse Phone Lookup guarantees results and promises that they have more records available.

Personally, I don't really maintain a database of people's addresses, I mean, in this day and age, who got the time to do that, really? I rely on the seeming accessibility of the SMS world to get these information personally from them. However, people move, and change numbers. And oftentimes, we don't get updated as we wanted to. There lies the rub. The best thing with Nationwide Phone Lookup is that you don't need a recent number to get hold of those information you need. And the thing that really got me is that they won't charge you if you didn't get any result from the search. That right there is a guarantee for me.

Bingo memories: the best gift

I don't know if it's something with women, or it's just me. I really have a hard time shopping for gifts; especially when it's something for school-aged children. Children are like sponges, they absorb everything. That makes me extra careful because I don't want to expose the recipient to something unproductive. Then I stumble upon Disney Bingo.

Bingo was a big part of my childhood. I remember having so much fun with my friends from school playing Bingo. And since we didn't have the fancy pebbles you use to mark the numbers, we'd use fruit seeds. We didn't mind, it was fun all the same. Sometimes, I'd go with my grandma to the neighbor's where we play Bingo all day. Now that I remember, I must've learned my first numbers with Bingo!

Disney Bingo is a game for all family members. The game promises a wonderful twist from the traditional one. And since it's Disney, the children will get to learn colors, numbers, and develop matching skills while having enormous fun. Now, this is the gift that I am talking about. My godchild is eight, and I'm sure she'll have a blast playing Bingo with the rest of the family. I'll make sure I'll get one for me, too. Bingo has given me so much fun memories in my childhood, I can't wait to make some with my daughter.

I encourage all of you to swing by Amazon.com or Drugstore.com and grab a copy of the DVD game. To give you an idea of what awaits you, here's a video:



Enjoy!

What's inside my purse?

I remember {girl}fas had a challenge similar to this awhile back. That time, I was dead busy I wasn't able to do the fun challenge. This time around, Faery Rowan tagged me. I'm kindov hesitant but went with it anyway. It sure is fun embarrassing yourself :-P

Wait... are you sure you're ready for this? This purse of mine is such a mess, it's an embarrassment in itself hahaha!

Here are the rules. Find a safe, quiet place free of significant others, nosey meme makers, priests, nuns, all things religious and men in general. (If you're a guy, just reverse this process to fit males and tell us about your wallet, tool box, briefcase or metro sexual accessory.)

1. Dump the contents of your handbag in a pile.
2. Take a photo of your handbag and the contents.
3. Be brave and explain to your fellow bloggers what lurks inside the handbag.
4. Tag others who might want to embarrass themselves.
5. Answer these questions:

Describe the contents of your handbag.
What's the most important thing in your handbag?
What's the most embarrassing thing in your handbag?
What's the smallest thing in your handbag?
Is there anything illegal in your handbag?


Started by Mimi, Queen of Memes.

Here's a snapshot of the mess that is my purse:

Contains my company ID, some receipt, dessicant, shades and glasses, dental floss, bills, check book, kikay kit, and mini purse.

The mini purse contains:

compact powder, coin purse, cards, some money for paying the bills tomorrow. And no, it doesn't stop there. My kikay kit contains:

comb, two shades of Lip Candy lip gloss, cheek tint, Nivea lip conditioner, MK foundation, eyebrow pencil, Loreal concealer which I almost never use, and lastly, razor for slitting throats. Kidding. The razor is for wayward eyebrow hair. I don't pluck, hurts big time.

The most important thing in my handbag? The money, the check book. Gah, I'm so cheap. But let's face it, if I lose the money, what happens to the payables? I'm the budget officer of the household, it's important I keep everything within the budget, and to not lose the budget.

The most embarrassing thing in my handbag? Nothing in particular, but I didn't realize I bring lots of unnecessary things and stuff them in. I don't even use half of what's shown here. But a girl is a girl, and kikay things have to be within reach, right?

The smallest thing in my handbag? The dessicant. It's one of the manifestations of my being anal. I have to have a bag of dessicant in my purse to keep moisture (and consequently smell) away.

Anything illegal in my handbag? Has to be the razor. For all you know, I could go wacko and slit throats, you know :-P

Now, anyone who's up to embarrassing themselves, come grab the meme!

Barako coffee, anyone?

A friend is selling kapeng barako from Batangas at P350 per kilo. If you're from Cebu, and you're interested, let me know. :-)

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Friends are God's way of taking care of us

I got another BFF Gold Card from Constance of Sunny Side Up Foodie. Thanks, girl! Hugs to ya!

======================================

Like Maricris of Zen Ventures, I have a lot to thank blogging for all the new friends I have found along the way. Visiting my online friends never fail to warm up my day like a warm chocolate cup on a cold day. No matter what happens during the day, I know I always have something to look forward to when I open their blogs. Something pleasant, something interesting, something heartwarming, and yes, something intriguing. We talk through our blogs, and whether it's a glass of margarita or a cup of coffee you're holding in your hand, conversations flow endlessly. And like a time well-spent with friends, you close your browser feeling a lot better, a bit wiser, and very much thankful you found this treasure trove.

Thanks to Maricris for this award. Maricris warmed my soul from the very first comment she made in my blog. It's not everyday you feel like that to anybody. I think she really is like that. She gives out a certain Zen to those fortunate enough to meet her. Maricris is also into etsy and something handmade. I urge you to visit her Etsy Store if you haven't yet, and drool over the beautiful creations she's made. To tell you that this gal is artistic, is an understatement. Go check!

So anyhoo, for the award, here are the rules:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated



I also got another one from Maricris. Makes me think if I really am worthy of all these. *sheepish grin*


And because I =heart= you, my blogger friends, you are equally receiving both awards from me. Linky love to you:

• Faery Rowan
• Dr. Gaya
• Bunot
• Caffeinated-muse
• Tash
• Diva
• Ayin
• Sheila
• Constance
• Chris
• Pinay Mommy
• Chitgoks
• Rey

Come and grab 'em! :-)

6 questions and 6 layer tags

6-question tag

For this one, I thank the sweet Marylyka.

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then go to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

• Pouring over photocopied notes for our 2nd Long Exam.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

• Finish all my tags
• Organize my papers
• Transfer my $ account
• Have TOR and Diploma notarized
• Clean up and organize local drive

3. Snacks I enjoy:

• Old-fashioned puto bongbong at sikwate
• Holy Kettle Corn popcorn
• Pringles Original (International)

4. Places I’ve lived:

• Borbon, Cebu
• Mandaue City, Cebu
• Cebu City

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:

• Purchase a 20-acre farm
• Build my farmhouse overlooking the sea
• Travel, travel, travel
• Give to children's charity

6. People I want to know more about:

• Ninoy Aquino
• Marilyn Monroe
• Nigella Lawson
• David Sedaris

This time, I'm tagging the following amazing bloggers: Pinay Mom in Czech, Flor Atherton, Iceah, Maris, Soreal and Shenzee.

==========================================

6 Layers

image from www.doctorhugo.org/

Thanks to caffeinated-muse for this tag!

::START::

RULES:

1. Add your blog/s to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. It’s okey if you only post this questions in one blog as long as you answer them.

2. Get back to this girl --> {YEN} and she’ll add your blogs to the master’s list HERE! Note that you are not ALLOWED to change the link here.

3. Copy from Start to End.

4. Tag as many friends online you know. But you don’t need to be tagged in order to join.

Copy this Participants List: Me and Mine | Creative in Me | For the LOVE of Food | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod | It’s Where the HEART Is | Around the World | SugarMagnolias | I Am Mommy | All About The Memories | Enchanted Play | Just My Scrap | Whats Up | Simply Me | Kitchen Deelite | A Mothers Horizon | In Depth | A Life in Bloom | Because Life is a Blessing | Digiscraptology | Joys iN life | Life is What we Make it | Photo Blog | Dancing in Midlife Tune | Pinay Mommy Online | Mommy Earns Money Online | Blessings and Beyond | Posh Post Reviews | Flowersbythewayside |The Fab and The Furious | Common Sense is Not So Common | Caffeinated Muse | Purpled Sky

LAYER ONE:

Name:
Bernadette

Birth date:
May 29

Birthplace:
Cebu, Philippines

Current Location:
Cebu

Eye Color:
Black

Hair Color:
Black

Righty or Lefty:
Righty

LAYER TWO:
Your heritage:
Ako'y isang pinoy, sa isip at diwa!

The shoes you wore today:
Bedroom slippers. I'm at home.

Your weakness:
second-guessing myself

Your fears:
Outliving my children

Your perfect pizza:
NY's Best of Yellow Cab

Goal you’d like to achieve in life:
be the best mom and wife to my family

LAYER THREE:

Your most overused phrase on IM:
noh?

Your first waking thoughts:
Xofia, please go back to sleep.

Your best physical feature:
My butt, they say. I'm not quite sure I'd agree just yet.

Your most missed memory:
Gathering seashells with my Lola.

LAYER FOUR:

Pepsi or Coke:
Pepsi

McDonald’s or Burger King:
I'm not a fan.

Single or group dates:
Doesn't matter.

Adidas or Nike:
Nike

Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:
Lipton

Chocolate or vanilla:
Chocolate

Cappuccino or coffee:
Coffee

LAYER FIVE:
A famous person, dead or alive, that you would interview:
Martin Luther King

Movie you can watch and say the lines along with the actors:
none

Name two of your passions in life:
My family, and cooking.

Least favorite time of day:
In the morning when I have to shower so early because I need to go to work.

LAYER SIX:
Hairspray or gel:
Not using any.

Your favorite meal:
I have a lot of seasonal favorites, but Japanese ranks the all-time fave.

Color you see when you close your eyes:
black pud

Listen to classical music:
Yes, I do, mostly when I was pregnant. They said it calms the baby.

Ever said LOL in real life without thinking about it:
Never.

::END::

Now, I'm tagging anybody who wants to get this. Are YOU brave enough to shed off those layers?

Blessed Bump

I've been tagged by Faery Rowan; and yes, it's true that my own pregnancy warrants a Hollywood contract. It's that crazy! Thanks, Atih, I had fun doing this! :-)

{START HERE}

Preggy Facts:

1. Who did you first inform about your pregnancy and how?
>> My husband. He was waiting right outside the bathroom door when I did the test :-)

2. Maximum weight?
>> 152 lbs. Oh, I was BIIIIIGGGGG!

3. Cravings?
>> No cravings, but I did want to always have a sweet, juicy watermelon all the time. I could finish an extra large one in one seating. Did I tell you I was big?

4. Aversions?
>> Holy cow! Almost everything. I had never experienced such heightened sense of smell, and everything just smelled so bad! The elevator, the malls, the supermarket, the people, their perfumes, even their makeup. I totally abandoned my cooking because the moment the pot hit the stovetop, I'd be running outside covering my nose. The site of anything oily will send me barfing, I cannot stand french fries and anything that is under the dairy family.

5. Morning Sickness?
>> For four long months. One time I had a very scrumptious dinner buffet at Marco Polo with husband and his siblings. I was able to keep the food down while we were at the restaurant, however the moment we got home, straight to the restroom I went; and barfed all Php800++ worth of gourmet. DISGUSTING!

D Day Facts:

1. Number of Kids/Deliveries?
>> One kid, one delivery.

2. NSD or CS?
>> Normal. No Epi, just Demerol to keep me asleep in-between contractions.

3. Girl or Boy?
>> Girl

4. AOG (age of gestation) on Birth?
>> Around 38 to 40 weeks.

5. How long in labor?
>> 24 hours. Read the harrowing ordeal here. Enjoy! :-)

Moms Who Played Along:

Mai | Yen | Eds | Vannie | Fun.Fierce.Fab | Bojoy | bonz | Pinaymama | Lourdes' Mia | Faery Dancing | Purpled Sky

{END COPY HERE}

I'm tagging Tash who gave birth to charming Athalia 4 months ahead of me.

I am one lucky girl

No so long ago, I actually had second thoughts blogging for the world to see/read me. I did not quite expect I'd be making friends every single day. The opportunities of meeting friends from all over are amazingly endless. Over the same week, I got three friendship tags. How amazing could the week go?

Why do we need friends?

For this beautiful poem, I thank Constance of Sunny Side Up Foodie and Mommy Ruby of Pinay Mommy Online. Thank you, girls! This really touched me.

Faeryrowan, Caffeinated Muse, divawearsnada, bottoms-up, Sheila, mckhoii, and chitgoks -- go guys, spread the friendship :-)

We need friends for many reasons,
all throughout the season.

We need friends to comfort us when we are sad,
and to have fun with us when we are glad.

We need friends to give us good advice.
We need someone we can count on,and treat us nice.

We need friends to remember us one we have passed
Sharing memories that will always last.

1. Everyday Life 2. Words of Love 3. Sheng's Simple Thoughts . . . 4 My Wonderful Life ....5. Can of Thoughts 6. Designs By Vhiel 7. Vhiel's Corner 8. Anything and Everything in Between 9. Wonderful Things In Life 10. The Fountain Of Happiness 11. A Message From My Heart 12. My Life's Adventure 13. Love Is.. 14. Photographic Memories 15. The Joy Of LIfe Forever 16. Beauty of Life 17. Money Maker 18. Jona's New Life 19. Creations 20. Lourdes Mia 22. Digital Life Scraps 23. Mommy Earns Money Online 24. Blessings and Beyond 25. Everyday Life 26. Words of Love 27. Sheng's Simple Thoughts . . . . Life is good and Beautiful 28. UMMA 29.Our Little Princess Gwen 30. Caramel Corn 31. Almanac Queen 32. Sunny Side Up Foodie & Lifestyle 33. Pinay Mommy Online 34. Purpled Sky 35. add your blog here

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BFF Gold Card

And this one, I got from Faery Rowan. Thanks for the award, sexy girl ;-) love it!


Rules:

1. Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award
2. Four (4) of them are followers of your blog.
3. One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to who ever gave you the award.

Tagging 5 of my blogger friends:
Marly
Pinay Mommy Online
Sweet Lyka
Eugene
Catherine

Please, the above 5 people are encouraged to pass this award to 5 Blogging friends too, following the 4 rules listed above.

It's true I have never seen you
and we have never met,
Never shaken Hands or
even truly hugged and yet!

I know for sure you care for
me by the kindness that you give.
And our keyboards keep us
together doesn't matter where we live.

So I give you this gift to
put a smile on your face
and to let you know in my
heart you have a special place.

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Purging off

It's a blur. A lot of swirling images in my head that never gets written, really. If I don't see something as vivid as a painted picture, I can't seem to put things down in writing. That's how limited I am :-P Anyhoo, this here is an attempt to get a hold of some of those and hopefully purge myself from those crazy, swirling images of colors that kept popping up.

1) It is inherent in scheming bitches to sneak up behind your back and stalk you. Even online.

2) Happiness is largely a choice. Life offers you a lot of choices. If you happen to be miserable that is because you have always set your sail on someone else's star. Be contented. There's nothing much out there that deserves your misery.

3) I have learned to not expect too much on people. That way, nothing surprises me when they do something out of the ordinary. I kind of expected it, actually.

4) Assumption is the mother of all f**k-ups.

5) Grown-up insecurities and neuroses are largely caused by an unloving family environment. Studies have supported that.

6) I am rarely wrong on my gut feel towards people. I should start believing in myself when it comes to reading people, and probably unsubscribe to the idea of giving people second chances. Some just plainly don't deserve to be reached out.

7) I have realized that if I cut a friendship chord, it better stay that way. If I feel like my friendship is not received or reciprocated the same way, I cut the string, forget about about the person and move on. Life has so much more to offer. Attempts to reconnect are ignored. Too little too late, I think.

8) You have to accept that there are people who thinks that the universe owes them something; that everybody SHOULD be nice to them. - Hubby

9) Some people are experts in twisting things such that they'd appear to be the aggrieved one. - Mentor/Ninong/Friend

10) The trouble with you is that you don't go out and explain yourself. You allow people to misunderstand you. -Friend

11) Meanings suddenly take a different shade when you have your own family. Happiness is so within your reach, and yet too fragile and volatile.

12) Why are we so wasteful? Isn't it enough that the world is slowly crumbling down because of our own wrongdoings? Is it too hard to take that extra step to conserve and recycle? Where will we be tomorrow?

13) We are so tolerant to those we love, but if we dislike someone, it is our every intention to find fault in that person and attach all kinds of meaning to their statements. I believe Optimus Prime said something to this effect. How true.

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Here's a little effort that goes a long way: dNeero convo for charity. Come, and join us :-)

Scrapbook Saturday: Christening

Click on the Scrapbook Saturday button to see more scrapbook from SS participants, or better yet, join us now :-)

Dating 101

image from http://www.naturalsciences.org/

Dating. Contrary to what most believed and continue to believe, I am not an expert on the field. Believe me though, I am no prude, that much I can tell you LOL I'm a late-bloomer by choice. I never started dating until when I was 20. I had to finish college first, that was the agreement me and my father shook hands on. *Yeah, ammagoodgurl*

Thanks, Mharms, for the tag! :-)

Players: Ozzy’s Mom | Me,Myself + 2 | Kidd Designs | Fun.Fierce.Fabulous | Me and Mine | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod | Creative in Me | Notable Bistro | Sugarmagnolias |Around the World | Eds Mommy Life | My Precious Niche | Just Me.. Eds | Pinaywife | Mhar’s Display | Purpled Sky | YOUR BLOG

1. When was your first kiss and where?
..::.. I was twenty, by the door, it was a goodnight kiss :P

2. When was your first real relationship and how long did it last?
..::.. I'd have to say nothing was real until when I met my now-husband. We're on our 8th year of togetherness now.

3. What age were you allowed to date?
..::.. Hahay, 20! LOL

4. What’s the craziest thing you did (for love) when you were a teenager?
..::.. I did not date when I was a teenager. I had to get pass the teenage years to be able to date.

5. How long was your longest relationship and what’s the secret?
..::.. Eight years. We complement and compliment each other. Is that saying much to ya? :-))

6. How long did you date before you decided to settle down?
..::.. five years

7. How did you know he was the ONE?
..::.. This was an answer I gave to a friend when he asked me a similar question:

for starters, i never had a suitor who's as persistent (5 years wooing) as he is; i have learned that the man is of character and principles and intellect and humor; i have never known anybody who's as patience and tenacity are like his; he knows my moods and how to handle them perfectly--i'm a gemini--i think that speaks a lot about me; he spoils me silly in whatever ways imaginable; he loves my somewhat dysfunctional family; gives me enough room to commit mistakes and learn from them; he allows me to be whatever i wanna be (mind you, sometimes i wanna be a gymnast or diva or synchronized swimmer, or Xena... ;P get the pic?); he doesn't say all the right words but his is the most warm and sincere and loving; he treats his female family members like royalty -- and that tells you a lot about how a guy treats all other girls in his life; i can't imagine living this life with anybody else other than him; and i can see myself growing old with the man.

8. Now, at what age will you allow your kids(s) to date?
..::..At 20! Because really, if they consider this late, I'd tell them they won't be missing much. Dating in teenage years is overrated, and they might end up messing up their lives.

9. When it comes to your kids dating, will you be a cool parent or a strict parent?
..::.. My gut feel about people is rarely wrong. What I'm saying here is that I'd be whatever I'd be depending on how I feel towards the people they're dating.

10. What piece of advice can you give to your child when they start dating?
..::.. Enjoy the experience, know yourself more on the process, know your limitations, never forget the lessons learned in every experience, and above all, don't settle down when you have as much as 0.01% doubt about the whole thing. Oh, this is gonna be a veeery long lecture session.

Passing this fun tag to Faery Rowan, Shiela, and Catherine. Enjoy, girls! :-)