Photo Flash Cards

Faye has this brilliant idea how Anika can remember our names! Kay taba ng utak talaga!

She printed out photos of the members of our family and glued it to a cardboard. Here's the result:

Face flash cards!

Faye doesn't have an e-file of the the photos of my youngest brother, Alvin's brother and wife and my father in law. Kaya kulang ang flash cards. I'll be sending her photos so that complete na ang flashcards ni Anika.

Anyways, we lay them on the floor and call out names. Anika will pick up the photo if she recognizes the name.

Depende on her mood. Sometimes she gets the photos right and sometimes, wa' siya care.

Sometimes, she lets Barney "eat" the photos hehe.

The only consistent thing is that when we ask her, "Anika, where's Papa?!" She'll always get the photo of my dad. Then she will go "Bo!" and then point to her cousin Gabo in the photo with my mother in law. Yun lang dalawa ang kilala niya. My dad and her cousin Gabo =)

Why don't you try these photo cards? It's a fun way how you can teach your babies who's who in your families =)

Outfit of the Day: Back To Work Wednesday

 A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. 

- Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

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Anika decided to join the OFTD pictorial again. Notice, may matching hand on her hips din siya.

I will be giving a talk to some of our company's management trainees today. This is a great way to start the working week after the long weekend. Hindi masyadong busy agad. I'm sure we are still feeling lazy to start working! It's like having a vacation jet lag =)

I'm wearing a dress from SM Department store. I love the print on this dress. Fifty percent off yan =) Php 600 only. What a steal right?! =) Black peep toe pumps from Janilyn.


Positivity everyone! This is the solution in prevention of botox =)

Happy Wednesday!

Witnessing Small Miracles

Yesterday, Fr. Fernando Suarez was invited by DMCI to have a healing mass for the employees of DMCI and all their affiliate companies. I wasn't supposed to go pero I remembered Wowa saying that she wanted to meet and be healed by Fr. Suarez. Since we were allowed to bring two family members or companions, I brought her and Alvin's mom as well. To make the storytelling less confusing because I call both lolas Mama, I will refer to my mom as Ka Winnie while Alvin's mom will be Ka Lydia.

Moving forward...

This is Father Suarez:

photo source

Apparently, he's famous because he can heal people. Please don't get me wrong but I'm the type of person kasi na everything has a scientific explanation dapat. So hindi ako masyado naniniwala. Again, don't get me wrong. I love God. I pray to him every night. Pero I have doubts that a human can do extraordinary things, like healing the sick in just a pray over. This includes the "himatay" section every time a healer touches them.

Anyways, when we got there, we were told to register. We were asked to write down what the two mudras want to be healed. We had to write it down in a piece of square sticker to be stuck on your chest.

KA WINNIE: Anak, isulat mo yung mga sakit ko.

ME: Game.

KA WINNIE: Kidney.

ME: K-I-D-N-E-Y

KA WINNIE: Osteoporosis

ME: O - S - T- E..... Hindot. Ma, pwede po bang LBM na lang?!

KA WINNIE: Gaga! Sige na i-sulat mo na.

Ang hirap naman kasi!

We were told to write also our petitions which will be placed inside the petition box and be burned later on. I wrote good health to all my loved ones especially to Alvin and Anika. And sana, wag maaga mamatay ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.

The mass started at 10am. I was so curious about Fr. Suarez. Everybody's talking about him. When I saw him, parang ang gaan niyang tao. He has a very light aura around him. He's giddy and always smiling. Mama liked him because he's very umm.. I forgot the term. Ang lalim ng english na ginamit niya eh. Parang same meaning lang as amicable and simple. Ah ayun! Unassuming is the term she used.

During the homily, I appreciated him more. He said kasi that he's just an instrument of God. The healing already started within us during the mass. Super funny pa siya. As in hindi siya boring maghomily and the content is very touching. He also said that after the mass, he will do the healing. Hindi daw kailangan bumagsak (or himatayin) para ma-heal. Because nga, the healing started already during the mass.

So eto na, after the mass, nangunguna na ang dalawang matanda. Alvin's mom (Ka Lydia) is in the medical field so medyo she had doubts about the himatay then healed thing. They gave me their bags and the payong. Personal alalay nga ang peg ko that day. Thank God there were catchers behind each person kundi maloloka talaga ako because dala-dalawa ang kasama ko. Paano ko bubuhatin yan mga yan?!

KA LYDIA: Don't worry anak. Hindi naman ako hihimatayin.

KA WINNIE: Ako anak sigurado hihimatayin ako niyan!

Fr. Suarez reached Ka Lydia first. I was surprised because bigla na lang siya natumba. A kind man caught her. When I was about to go to her, Fr. Suarez went to Ka Winnie naman. Ayun hinimatay din. Para nga silang domino dun. Isa isang bumabagsak. Stress drillon talaga ako!

Thankfully, Ka Lydia was able to walk to the chair. Then Mama followed. I gave them a complimentary bottled water each.

KA LYDIA: Grabe Nana. Tinuro lang ni Father yung chest ko tapos may naramdaman akong force.

Kaya siya nawalan ng malay.

Naloka talaga ako. It's true pala talaga!

The most amazing part there was this little boy. He was just like 4 years old and he was standing beside his mother in the line. Father Suarez reached his mom first. Natumba. I was really looking at the boy. Impossibleng manloko ito. Father Suarez touched him then ayun hinimatay ang bata.

Kinilabutan talaga ako. I wanted to cry. My throat was hurting already kasi pinipigilan ko maiyak. Ewan ko ba. Touched na touched talaga ako with what I was witnessing. There was this old nun there who was cured of her rayuma. When she came to Father Suarez, she can't walk. Then after she was touched by Fr. Suarez, ayun I saw, nakakalakad na si sister. Bongga talaga.

KA WINNIE: Cge na anak. Ikaw din pumila ka na dun

ME: Ayaw ko po. Wala naman akong sakit.

KA WINNIE: Ipagamot mo yang hypochondriac mo.

ME: Arte lang yun Ma. Hindi nagagamot ang psychological sickness.

KA WINNIE: Eh yang Vitiligo mo, para matanggal.

ME: Hindi na po matatanggal to.

KA LYDIA: Cge na. Yung mga anxieties mo matatanggal.

I didn't answer. Kunwari di ko na lang narinig. I had so many reasons but the truth was takot kasi ako. I wasn't ready yet for the experience. Ayaw ko yung mga experiences na hindi ko maexplain. Maybe next time.

Until now I still do not have a scientific explanation for what I witnessed. But I tell you, iba talaga the feeling when you're there na. Overwhelming mga teh.

You can read more about Father Suarez here.

My Six Blogs for Blog Day

I'm a blog hopper. I love reading blogs as much as I love writing in my own.

For Nuffnang's annual Blog Day, here are my entry:

1.) A Pair and A Spare

Why I like this blog:

Geneva is a very creative person. She's very stylish. She teaches us how to be fashionable without spending too much by sharing her DIY tips! This is an inspiration for all Filipina who wants to look nice but are on a budget all the time! Like me! haha! =)

2.) The Golden Diamonds

Why I like this blog:

Can you believe that this girl is only 17 years old?! I'm so fascinated with her. I have to note that she comes from Moldova, a country I didn't even know existed until I came across her blog. The photos are really great and well taken. It shows the sophistication of the subject and the same time playful enough for the readers to see that she's just, well, 17! Her mother takes the most of her photos =)

3.) We Could Grow Up Together

Why I like this blog:
The photos are very unique. They are very much different from those kikay photos that I like. Not much words are needed as captions because the readers can just use their imagination and create a story out of them =)

4.) Suri Burn Book

Why I like this blog:
I do not particularly agree with everything that "suri" writes here but most of the time I find the entries really funny. It's a comic relief for a stressful day.

5.) 101 Grams of (eye) Candy

Why I like this blog:
The blog name says it all. I read this blog for the pretty things it features.

6.) Kape at Sigarilyo

Why I like this blog:
The writer is hilarious! It's a personal blog written in Filipino and the writer's thoughts are just so funny! Walang keme. Simple, written as is but super enjoyable basahin =)

There you go.

If you guys can recommend six blogs, what will you recommend? =)

Nakakainis naman.

We're not tuloy to Tagaytay this long weekend. Toots said that his boss told him to report to work on Monday.

Kamote.

I was so excited pa naman.

Okay lang sana because there's a storm coming daw. 

But what will we do with all the vacation days?!?!?!?!?

Super sayang naman. Minsan lang ito.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.........

Nuffnang's Blog Day

photo source

Nuffnang is celebrating Blog Day 2011 on August 31, 2011!!!

What is Blog Day?

Blog Day was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On blog day, bloggers will be posting their 6 recommended blogs. According to Nuffnang, this way, everyone will find themselves discovering new, previously unknown blogs thanks to the viral effect of social media.

How to join?

1. Spot 6 new blogs that interest you the most, preferably blogs which are different from your own culture, point of view and attitude.

2. Share with Nuffnang why you have recommended those 6 blogs – are they funny? Do they tell unusual stories? Maybe the photos are out of this world?

3. Publish your blog post about your 6 recommendations by 11.59 pm, 31 August 2011.

4. Submit the permalink of your blog post about your recommendations as a comment HERE.

The best part here is that we get rewarded if we recommend really awesome blogs! The winner will be the Featured Blogger of the Month for October. The winner will also have a radio guesting at the Wake Up Show iwht Vince and Tracey at Mellow 94.7.

Aren't you inspired already?!
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To all my Nuffnang co-bloggers, I am encouraging you all to join!!! This is a fun way to discover new blogs, don't you think?! I will definitely check out the blog recommendations at Nuffnang! =)

For my readers who aren't blogging, do you have recommended blogs? =) Please let me know so that I can check it out! =)

Outfit of the Day: Vacation Mode Friday

Have you ever been in a blah day?! Yung tipong blah. As in wala lang.

I was like that yesterday. I was so not me and even my officemates noticed.

Here's my blah attire:

Black bazaar cardigan over Zara sando, pants, Mango bag and Havaianas.

Yup, I was in Havaianas the whole day yesterday. Bakit kamo? I forgot to wear shoes. It was such a blah day that I went out of my house not noticing that I did not have shoes on. Sheeeesh.

But anyways, today is a different day! There may be a storm coming in Manila (hindi na kami nagulat ni Alvin, always yan pagmay out of town trip kami, 98% uulan) pero naka-summer attire lola mo. I feel so upbeat today! Paano, long weekend na! I'm so excited! I'm going to mega, mega relax!

ALVIN: Talaga lang ha. Relax ka this weekend?

ME: Oo. Basta wala lang magsestress sa akin!

Hehe. Alvin knows I get annoyed over the slightest thing. Kaya hindi siguro makapaniwala na magrerelax akish.

Here's what I'm wearing now:

Top from SM (250 lang yan!), Jag pants, Celine wedges and Mango Bag

 Sando is bawal in our office so I put on my favorite jacket:

It will be really difficult concentrating in work today with the long weekend hovering around our heads hehe.

Where are you guys going this weekend? =)

Speaking of vacations, isang tulog na lang, long weekend na!!!!

Imagine two holidays falling right next to each other after a weekend! Saturday to Tuesday walang pasok!!!

You know what this means.

Hindi na naman mapakali pwetan ko kaka-plan what to do on the long weekend! Lol!


We have plans already on Sunday and Monday. On Saturday, we'll be going with Toots to make asikaso something then we'll attend a birthday party. So far, those are our plans. Hopefully, may mai-singit akong one ultimate date night with Alvin (we BADLY need one) and one afternoon when I can sort and clean out my closet for my online garage sale.

Wish me luck!! =)

V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N

Apparently, we will be now be pushing through with our Kota Kinabalu trip on October even if there will be no wedding to go to.

Sayang naman daw ang passport ni Girlie.

Yun oh! =)

No kasi my brother's friends (and supposedly wedding entourage and guests) convinced him that they still go to Kota Kinabalu just for the heck of it. It will be his birthday that weekend too and obviously he does need BOTH his family and friends on that specific weekend. Bakit kamo?! Read between the lines.

Mamamayagpag na lang ng alak ang nanay ko sa mga kaibigan ng kapatid ko one night sa weekend na yan. They will be celebrating my brother's new found freedom and his birthday. Oo, lalasingin ng bongga si Toots para hindi na makaramdam and hopefully makalimot na sa sakit. *sigh*

Anyways, we will not be staying at Shangri-la in Kota anymore (where the wedding was supposed to be). Ayaw ko makasalubong ng mga hindi kanais-nais na tao. Yung mga tipong makakapal talaga ang fez. Our family may have kept quiet about the whole thing, pero tao lang din kami. May hangganan.

If everything goes according to plan, we will be staying here instead:

 

Ohhhh.. I'm so excited!

I am looking forward to this first out of the country trip with my mom. We have been around the world with my dad but with Mama, sa mall lang lagi kami nagpupunta. This is the first time that we'd be with her for a vacation kaya I'm super duper excited! However, this weekend is totally for Toots talaga. We want him to feel that in spite and despite everything, he is loved.

Will tell you all about it after! Promise =)

Havi Was Hospitalized

Havi, our Shih Tzu, was pooping blood last Sunday. I wanted to cry. He was so quiet and was obviously in pain =c

Good thing there's an animal clinic near us. I went there without Havi first and told the nice vet attendants what happened. They said that it was crucial for Havi to be put on dextrose because he was losing blood.

I went back home and asked Jekjek to bring Havi there. I didn't want to come because two year ago, I witnessed how they put dextrose on Havi. He was pleading with me using his eyes. Di ko kaya teh. I get the same feeling whenever Anika gets hospitalized. Parang hinihiwa puso ko.

Anyways, thankfully, Havi was given antibiotics and was released two days after. He had bacteria daw sa stomach niya and his kidney was sick daw. The confinement rate was Php 650 per day plus the blood test plus the other medicines that they gave me. Mga 3,500 pesos din ang nagastos namin.

It's okay. As long as Havi's okay already.

Last Monday, I visited Havi at the animal clinic.

The clinic was clean and the people were friendly. If I can just remember the clinic's name. Sorry.

Havi was super excited to see me. He kept barking and jumping around. Gustong gusto ko na talaga siya kargahin that time.

That's a sign that he's feeling okay na. The day before that he was so tamlay talaga.

When I got home, I made kwento to Girlie and Jekjek:

ME: Binisita namin si Havi sa hospital kanina.

GIRLE: Ano daw sakit niya teh?

ME: May bacteria daw siya sa tiyan and may sakit daw siya sa kidney.

GIRLIE: Hala. Kawawa naman. Kailangan niya siguro ng kidney transplant. Hoy Jekjek. Kukunin na nila kidney mo! Ibigay mo kay Havi yan. Kawawa naman!

JEKJEK (looking really scared): Bakit yung sa akin ha?! Bakit yung kidney ko?!

Kaloka talaga 'tong dalawa!

Dining at Dulcinea

Wowa loves eating at Dulcinea. I love their pumpkin soup! After shopping last Sunday, this was where we ate lunch.

I was supposed to order their famous churros but to try something new, I got their cream puff:

I love it! The melted sugar on top was so sweet but it was balanced by the cream filling.

We ordered also a pitcher of the Four Season shake.

Mama ordered these too:

I forgot what this was called. I don't normally eat tripe but I like this dish.

Gambas without the spicy churva.

 I also ordered their salpicao

Yumminess!!

Other must try dishes at Dulcinea:

1.) Pumpkin Soup

2.) Churros with chocolate

3.) All their cakes!!!!

DULCINEA

G/Lvl., Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Sunday Shopping with Mama

Mama called me last Friday. Akala ko kung anong importanteng thing she had to tell me, yun pala she called to say that Robinson's Department store will be on sale that weekend. 

Shopping daw kami.

Ohhhh.. I love those words hahaha!

So we met up at Starbucks in Magallanes at 10am last Sunday. We drove to Galleria and found a parking lot easily kasi konti pa lang ang tao.

While walking on the deserted hallway, I took the opportunity to take a photo of my mudra's outfit:

MAMA: Ano ka ba na naman anak! Ano ba yan!! Ayaw ko nga sabi eh!

Pero naka-pose naman! Hahaha!

She was wearing a dress from Tango (or Mango?), Havaianas flipflops and Forever 21 sling bag.

When we got to Robinson's Department Store, I saw so many sale signs around!

Pero teh, seriously, wala talaga kami mabili. The stuff that were on sale were really not nice. Di ko type. Talagang pang sale na ang mga clothes na yun.

We were really disappointed.

On our way out, I remembered Mitch telling me that SM Makati was on sale. I made aya my mom there instead.

When we arrived, here's what we saw:

Sale nga!

The best part there was the stuff that were on sale were really nice. Most of them are 50% off ha! I was so giddy with excitement! I so love SM talaga!

I spent a lot of time here at Attitudes

Hindi ko knowing ang brand but they had a lot of pretty office blouses and skirts that were on sale. Hakot kami ng mga susukatin!

I had plenty of loots. Mas marami pa sana kung pumayat payat pa ako ng konti noh. There were tops and dresses that looked really nice on the mannequins but I looked like suman in them. When I fitted the bigger sizes, hindi na maganda. Also, the skirts (which were 50% off too) didn't look nice on me =c Tocino na lang daw, mukha na talaga daw akong teacher =c But they look really nice on Mama. Good thing she bought all four skirts. I can borrow them as soon as I lose these goddamn fats.

Here's what I wore that day:

Top from Tango, denim shorts from Hot Kiss, F21 sling bag and Red Herring flats

They renovated na pala SM Makati. It looks newer and fresher.

And they have these ala Forever 21 bags already for shopping. Chuchal!

As much as I wanted to, we didn't go anymore to the kids' section anymore. Baka mapagalitan na naman ako eh. Anika has so many clothes na daw. In fairness, Mama was right. Anika seldom repeats what she wears. Kasalanan ko yun. But on the brighter side, if ever baby number 2 is a girl, makakatipid na si ka Alvin =)

Here are the stuff that I bought at 50% off:

From Php 700 this is now Php 350 only.

This geometrically printed top really fits me well. I look less 5 lbs haha. Php 400.

 

This sando is perfect when paired with denim shorts. Laid back ang dating Php 250 only

Office polo at Php 400 only.

Pardon my baby girl in the photo below. Gusto niya tumambay kung saan ako nagpipictorial ng clothes eh. Everytime I move, she moves din and stays beside me. Cutie pie!

I love this dress because of the material and the print. It cost only Php 600 from Php 1,200. Whatasteal!

Whew!

SM Department Store sale really rocks!!!

They truly got it all for you! =)