The Story of my Life

And then there were fireworks to end my 33rd birthday....


Hubby picked me up after work and we headed to Makati Shang for dinner. At first he didn't want to tell me where we were having dinner but I eventually found out on the way. Funny thing is, our reservation was for Heat in Edsa Shang, not Makati Shang. He had no idea which Shangri-La Heat is. Good thing, there were empty seats at Circles in Makati Shang so we were accommodated. Sorry no prictures to prove this.


After dinner, we had our usual birthday drinks at Texas Roadhouse, Bonifacio Highstreet, with the Bigbarks and Leslie and Dex. Glad that Leslie and Dex joined para maiba naman. Hehehe



And to cap off the night, Leslie ordered her trademark drink for everybody.

Party invite c/o Anna Cuvin

Souvenirs c/o Mellay

I had a grand time catching up with those I haven't seen for quite a while. The common reaction of our friends is that I've grown so big, they think I'm gonna pop anytime. I'm almost full term so yeah, they can say that.

The games were planned by Anna. At first, I was a bit anxious that Anna won't be able to pull off the games cause she's been very busy with her new job. But come the day of the shower, I was surprised that everything was well taken care of, including props.

This is the multi-tasking game. One has to put all the clothes on the clothesline while taking care of the baby and talking on the phone.

The cerelac eating contest was hilarious as each pairs has tofinish the cup of cerelac blindfolded. One pair ended up having cerelac all over her dress and face. lol

This is game is rather obvious. The Brazilian, the guy on the leftmost, won the game.

The rest of the night were spent chatting and picture-taking with friends. They wanted me to open the gifts for baby, but I declined because the last time I did that, I couldn't stand the thought of everyone watching me open their gifts. So, if you're interested to know what we took home here they are.

You wouldn't believe how many bottles I received from the shower. When I did the inventory, I had a total of 24 btls!!! Wow!

These are super cute comforters. :) I didn't think people would buy them for me but I'm super grateful. Hope they last until the second or third baby!

And these too...cutie socks!

Now that all the parties are over, I've to start packing for d-day. My golly...can't believe it's going to happen soon. Ang lapit-lapit-lapit naaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Can't wait to see Baby Kara. I love you baby.

My Volleyball Club family organized a semi-surprise baby shower for me last Thursday, 7 April, in between their volleyball games. At first, I thought they weren't serious that there was a shower. I only knew it was for real when George told me that I should be there...that's why it's a surprise. We had the usual yummy merienda ---Sontanghon and Chocolate cake. Then after their first set, we had the baby shower game which Husbo almost won. The game was to beer drink from a baby bottle, walk around the volley ball, then serve the ball. The first service to make it across the net will win. Here are some photos:

Me with my Volleyball Club family

That colorful thing that Diesel is holding is one of my takeaway...an activity mat.

And this cute socks.

George thought of what to write on the cake. So gay right? hahaha

Husbo joined us later that night. Beside me is Mars who is already 9 weeks pregnant. Next to her is Diesel.

Czar won the beer-drinking game.

Thank you guys!!!!

The Shower no. 1 I mentioned before is actually Baby Shower no. 2 as my officemates, meaning friends from the Department I belong to, organized a baby shower for me last week. I had so much fun and was overwhelmed with their love and gifts. Thank you guys for taking the time and effort to share this great blessing with us. Our thanks also to those who organized the party--you know who you are. Here are some photos:

Everyone lining up for the food. We had Kare-kare, chicken pastel, rellenong bangus, barbeque, Costa Brava cake and Chocolate Sansrival Gelato. Too bad my taste buds were out of commission at that time so I didn't get to enjoy the food that much.

The game masters - Ryah and Gil. Aside from them, Pam and Magel organized the shower. Thank you girls!

Group 1 busy answering the game. I think it was about matching the childhood memory to a specific person in the group.

Group 2. They seem to be having fun. They emerged the winners too. Galing!

Here are some of my takeaways:

Rubber mat, bottle cleaning agent and toy.

Healthcare and grooming kits.

Feeding bottles.

Cute baby shoes.

And loads of clothes.

I also got a bath tub. That's probably the biggest gift I took home that day. Too bad I can't take a picture of it because I don't want to remove it from the box yet.

Again, thank you thank you thank you so much for these.

Was a hilong talong yesterda. Had so many things on my to-do list and for some reason, I can't seem to figure out which one to do first, and all these I have to accomplish because most of them are for my baby.


I did the following:


1. Learned the ins and outs of ordering at Amazon and placed order for a stroller for Bebe

2. Ordered breastpump from a US Distributor

3. Coordinated with Turnover Manager for our unit in Cedar Crest

4. Draw the initial guest list for the baby shower

5. Requested catering quotation from Darlene and Edison

6. Worked on Staff Council matters

7. Ordered blue folders for a loan signing in India

8. Work on various things

9. Work some more.

10. Coordinated with Anna on our schedule for Baby Registry



And then, in the next few weeks, I will be busy doing the following:


Mar 11 (Today) - Baby Registry at Baby and Co.
Mar 12 - Breastfeeding Seminar (9-12)
Mar 12-13 Brainstorming with Husbo on Home's interior design
Mar 18 - Baby Registry at Rustan's
Mar 19 - Check-up (AM) and Unit Inspection (PM)
Mar 20 - Charlotte's Party and Grand Mass at Days
Mar 27 - Bea's party
Mar 31 - Baby shower with the HB's
Apr 2 - Check-up and Baby Shower

A lot of my mommy friends told me not to start shopping until all the baby showers have been held so as to save us money and time. Though I'm not expecting that friends would go out of their way to plan that for me, some of them have already given me a heads up as to when they plan to hold my baby shower.


True enough, Baby Shower no. 1 was set as early as last month. And the save the date is out!

This one is from the HBs-slash-Badminton friends. Thanks guys! Looking forward! :)

My head is still throbbing due to lack of sleep and my feet are still sore. Had our MBA year-end party in our home which means Husbo and I were busy playing host and hostess. As usual, it was a riot. Parties with these people are usually like that, and it's not because of just one person, it's because everyone is makulit and rowdy all at the same time. I can just imagine how disturbing we were to our neighbors last night, and I can't really blame them. Everyone was speaking at the top of their lungs and laughing to their heart's delight.

The Earlybirds: Jom, Me, Des, Kathy, Jayvee and Romeo



This is all of us. Only one person is missing: Wilson
From L-R: Enganged couple Patchi and JV, Ching, Rome, Ritchie, Jason, Kathy, Jayvee, Des, Jom and I

Borrowed a friend's template of Panahon Ko `To and tweaked the questions to make it more appropriate for a Christmas party. Had 3 groups of 3, with each group having someone represent the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Group 1 - Kathy (70s), Des (80s) and Jason (90s)
Group 2 - Jayvee (70s), Ching (80s) and JV (90s)
Group 3 - Rome (70s), Ritchie (802) and Patchi (90s)

Knowing how much these people hate admitting their age, I grouped them without telling which era they were representing. It was up to them to admit which era they belong to for as long as someone will say the magic words: Panahon ko `to!

To which Ritchie replied: Panahon ni Rome yan!

Ritchie answered: Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang.

Rome: Panahon ko `to! Bell bottom. Nagsusuot kasi ang ako ng bell bottoms nung 90s.

Kathy: Panahon ko `to! Disney Channel?

Everyone burst out in laughter knowing that Kathy was way mature than the rest of us, we can't accept there's Disney Channel in the 70s.

Ching: Panahon ko-nya to! (pointing at JV)

Weng weng, as you know, became popular in the 70s. Ching realized she was answering a question relevant in the 70s and she doesn't want to be identified in the 70s era.

Ritchie was the first to raise his hand with this question but couldn't let out the answer. Kathy, who belonged to the other group blurted out the answer with inip...Spray Net!

After the game, we had white elephant exchange gift.

Up next, we played the walang-kamatayang Pinoy Henyo.

Des and Ching seemed like they were on drugs that night, heckling and doing just anything to disturb the person on the seat. Super hyper mode these two ladies!

Ching: English?

Hindee

Ching: Tagalog

Hindee

Ching: Shet? Ano to? Espanyol?

The night ended a little past midnight. The house was a mess, of course, and my feet were soooo tired. But it was all worth it. Had a great time. I'm usually one of the most makulit in the group but because of my condition, had to lay low. I sooooo missed these guys.

Last week marked the beginning of lots of parties to usher in the Holidays. I'm loving the holidays, because for the first time in so long I can eat whatever I everything (in moderation of course).

First, the Badminton Club Party. Which I don't have a photo of.

Second, Life is Shorts party of the Volleyball Club. Where I took home 500 worth of GCs.

Then the OGC Mardi Gras Year-End Party, where the party was so colorful. And for the first time, I felt deprived of alcohol so I ordered a glass of wine for props and smelling purposes. hehehe

And then, one PS arrived in Policeman costume who rocked the house down.

Finally, there is the Christmas party with my YDWTL family. The first time in 6 years of being a Dazer that I was able to attend it.

My monthly check up with my OB is coming up. And with all the food I ate, got worried that I might have gone over the weight limit for this month. Luckily, I only gained 3lbs. Hooray to that!

More parties lined up in the next two weeks. Will keep you posted.

Thanks to friends for the photos.

A month ago I wrote about Jom fixing up his rented place. He’s done with the renovation and yesterday, he had the first official housewarming party with his family. Housewarming parties for friends will be held separately as the place cannot accommodate a lot of people.

So if you’re wondering what his place looks like, here are some photos:

Front door Living Room
Dining Room
Mini Bar and Kitchen

I think some got confused with my last blog entry. My apologies for not being clear and accurate. So just to clarify, he's renting the unit. It's at Bonifacio Heights. He can't buy this unit primarily because the place is exclusive for the Military. He's renting it from a military doctor who's assigned somewhere else. He renovated the place nonetheless as he wants it presentable. He and his housemate, business partner Teban, shared in buying the furnitures and appliances. That's he's investment na daw. :-)

More pictures from the housewarming party can be viewed here.