The husbo and I 
The Gang (minus Paolo who's the one behind the cam). Lou is the person above me.
In weddings, I always dread the Singles’ game. Not that I’m scared of getting the bouquet, but more because I am scared of the possible humiliation I could get myself into trying to avoid being in the spotlight.
These days, there are more ways of choosing the supposedly next-in-line. Some are fun but others tend to be over the top embarrassing.
Jom and I were once the butt of laughter in one of our friend’s wedding. The game was sort of a dating game. Jom was chosen as the Searchee (?) after quickly inserting the thread in the needle’s hole despite being dizzy caused by circling in place 3 times and a shot of tequila. When the ladies' turn came, the host trimmed us down to by asking Jom, all describing what the girls were wearing. I was lucky enough to be part of the final 3 because Jom’s answer matched what I was wearing. When we were down to three, the host asked Jom to smell each of the girls and pick his date from there. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong girl. That created a buzz among the audience (even waiters). How can you not know what your girlfriend smells? How could you ignore the signs? I resented a little but later on I realized it was just a game. And knowing Jom, I’m sure if he was given enough clues he would’ve picked me.
In last Saturday’s game, we were, thankfully, not handpicked to participate given that we've already crossed the "singles" stage. Thank Gawd, because, finally I dont need to worry about embarrassing myself in front of hundreds of people.
In the next 6 months, 5 of Jerome's high school friends will be getting married. This being the case, I need to have 5 different dresses because these weddings will be attended by the same group of people and I dont want to be seen in the same dress 5x!
One wedding will be this Saturday. For this Saturday, I'm going to use a grecian-inspired dress I bought early this year which I've only worn at the Fashion Week. Will show you a pic soon.
For the next wedding, which is in October, I'm thinking of wearing this one.
When I used to have so much time in my hands, one of the things I did to while away the time on weekends was read my books in a quiet coffee shop. For a couple of years, though, I’ve not secluded myself and my books. I’ve been busy being a girlfriend/wife, a badminton player and a kapamilya fan (LOL) so I’ve neglected my books and my quiet time. But today, I've decided, I’m going to do just that. I’m going to find myself and my book a nice and quiet coffee shop so we can catch-up.
This day isn't working out well for me.
Was at the CCP last night to watch Cats the Musical. I had mix reviews from friends so that made me more interested in seeing it. Read a few reminders and tips before the show but didn’t take them seriously, especially the part that you have to know the story before going there.
Lea’s performance is outstanding, as always. I asked myself last night, before the show, what makes Lea an excellent performer. (I know it’s a no-brainer but I just have to confirm it one last time.) I got my answer yesterday. Because her voice is amazing period. I compared her with other performers and while they were singing I would also hear them gasp for air. But with Lea, no such sign. And of course, who doesn’t know her unbelievable voice range? Haaayyy… after her last rendition of Memory, I fell inlove with her all over again.
This is us with Tina and Jajie in Jalapeno. We spent one weekend in summer at a beach in Batangas, and we're planning another getaway this September. In Cebu this time. Can't wait.
With Roselle, Lyn and Mei taken last Monday at Grill Republic.
Do we look exhausted?
Since I learned playing badminton I never wanted to stop, ever.
I started playing regularly in 2006 when I discovered that there was a club for badminton aficionados in the office. Since then, my regular badminton schedule was Tuesdays and alternating Fridays. The club also organized trainings which were perfect for newbies like me. I was so into badminton at that time that I was joining tournaments here and there, looking for other venues for my regular dose of badminton, and watching games of famous badminton players, whether live or on TV.
Starting last year, in an effort to lose weight in preparation for the Big Day, my badminton gig became more frequent. Aside from after-work-games on Tuesdays, I also play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. And if I have more energy, I would still play Monday evening. That’s how addicted I am, that’s how much I love the game.
This morning as I was on my way to my workstation after a fun game with my friends, I realized how much I’m going to miss badminton once I become pregnant. But then, maybe, when that happens I will love my baby more than I love badminton.
This photo was taken from the most recent tournament I participated in. (Story of that tourney in a different post)
I called my in-laws' house yesterday (looking for my brother-in-law) and I got the chance to talk to my niece, Charlotte. This is how our conversation went:
Me: Hi baby, how are you?
Charlotte: Ok. (in her monotone voice)
Me: What are you doing?
Charlotte: I’m eating.
Me: What are you eating?
Charlotte: Sabaw. (When she moved here she had an accent that we sometimes find hard to understand. But now, she can speak straight Filipino.)
Me: Wow! What time are you going to school?
Charlotte: I said I’m eating. Call me again later.
*Pause*
Me: (Not knowing how to react) Oh, okay. I’m sorry.
Charlotte: Call me again later. Around 5:00 okay? Cause I’m going to school. I’ll be home by 5:00pm.
Me: Okay. Bye baby.
Charlotte: Bye.
Now I know better. Never never interrupt a child in the middle of her meal if you don’t want to be scolded.
I want a new bag. I said it hoping that the feeling will go away as the words escape my lips.
The idea came out when I realized that I’ve been using the Louis Vuitton bag everyday since husbo gave it to me last year. Out of 365 days, I could count with my fingers the number of times I let it rest.
I know I can’t spend much these days because we’re saving up on a major trip next year. And if I don’t save up, I’ll be left behind which is unacceptable. So for now, I’ll just be contented with having them in my blog.
I vividly remember saying I don’t get this bag. I’ve seen so many of these lately and I really don’t get why it cost so much given its look and design. But today and yesterday, it’s what I’ve been eyeing for. So weird me!
I hope tomorrow I'll forget about these bags. I hope our bills come tomorrow and then I'll realize I need to save. Oh wait, I need to get a new battery for my car. There, enough motivation to not spend.
So what do you think? Of my blog’s new look that is. Have been wanting to give my blog a facelift but for lack of technical knowledge, I settled with my previous template. Then a kind soul taught me the tricks, and here you have it folks, a fabulous new look.
I chose this template because of my fascination for the color red. I’m getting and liking things in the shade of red. Red lipstick, red shoes, red bag, red clothes, and red furniture. Yes, red furniture. Husbo and I are thinking of getting an accent chair to match our home's black and gray motif, and the one we’re eyeing is a red coconut chair. Thus the couch up there (if couch is what you would call it).
The Lighthouse
Hamilo Coast
Nasugbu Batangas
Balai Isabel
Talisay, Batangas
Bamboo House
Talipanan, Mindoro
Lago de Oro
Nasugbu Batangas
Las Casa Filipinas de Acuzar
Bagac, Bataan
When I was growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with my dad. He thinks I am rebellious and out of control, and I think he is unreasonable. He thinks I will bring nothing but humiliation to the family, and I think he is unfair. He was hard on me, but that same fact inspired me to do well and be good.
In the middle of our war was my mom. My dad was never confrontational when it comes to us, his children. So whenever he has issues with us he'd talk to my mom and my mom will talk to us, which means we never had a chance to have a dialogue to sort out our issues. His means is my mom, my way is by letters. There were a couple of times I would write him a letter to air out my side which would lessen the tension, but after sometime we'll be back to square one.
He only loosened up a few years after I graduated. Since then, I had more liberty to do the things I want. And although he would still remind me of the effects of my vices, his approach became more subtle and loving. We became more vocal about our feelings on certain issues and we were saying i-love-yous to each other more often.
These days I get to spend more quality time with him. And the more I talk to him, the more I understand and appreciate the kind of man that my father is. He may not be the best father there is, but at the end of the day he is still my father. He is still unreasonable at times, but somehow I managed to embrace his imperfections. He may not be the smartest, loving, patient or richest father there is, but I love him just the same.
Happy father's day, Dade. I love you so much.
After our lunch buffet with Husbo's family, Husbo and I headed to Max's Tiendesitas to meet up with his high school friends for that much awaited chicken-all-you-can fest. Max's Restaurant, in celebration of their 65th year anniversary, launched Chicken-All-You-Can promo. The deal is you pay P165 per person if you want to avail of the promo (rice not included). You get ¼ chicken for every order. And they will refill your plate as you wish.
I was still full from lunch so I didn't find the chicken appetizing, that considering I am a chicken-lover. Plus, I'm not a fan of Max's chicken--I find their chicken bland and dry. But I availed of the promo, nonetheless, primarily because if I ordered something else it would probably cost us more.
Their chicken was surprisingly good – flavorful, crispy and freshly cooked. I liked the first serving so I had two plus 1 cup of rice and Kare-kare on the side. If my stomach was empty, my chicken count would probably be close to or more than the boys' count. They had an average of 6 servings or 1 ½ chicken. If only I was that hungry.
Not to worry, I'm already planning our next visit and I promise to come prepared.
