Wednesday Happy Thoughts

It's been an incredible week! Let us count the blessings and be thankful for the happiness....

1. my Northern Mindanao vacation...a much needed break
2. fulfilled my life dream of visiting Camiguin
3. conquered my fear of heights via the longest zipline in Asia
4. and my fear of drowning (since I'm not a swimmer)  via white water rafting at Cagayan River
5. and did this all without my husband, I feel braver and more confident about myself!
6. Camiguin's Pastel....OMG! Delicioso!
7. Leslie's doing good in school. She's a senior and graduating soon...I feel old!
8. Aily and her cute antics
9. my sales increasing despite of my 4-days work absence, thanks Jobelle :-)
10. Tikoy!

to know how this started and for credits on the image, click here.

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Music Monday #018: Alicia Keys

I'm back and I'm on fire! Coming from a long vacation with friends at Northern Mindanao, I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. It's good to take time out once in a while. And I did some things that I never thought I could do. Talk about extreme!!! I am a new girl now...braver, fiercer and on fire!

Happy MM everyone! :-)

Hooray for Mondays!!!

Enjoying my free coffee from @mcdo_ph this Monday morning! GV! #hoorayformondays 
next Monday ulit! http://ph.churpchurp.com/ehmsbaquirin/share/BreakfastMcDonalds

McDONALD'S Breakfast Hooray for Mondays

Every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays of January until
 February 24, McDonald's will be distributing "Hooray for Mondays"
 free coffee coupons in all McDonald's breakfast stores nationwide!

Go ahead and visit your favorite McDonald's store with your 
family and friends!

An Epic Fail Interview

Is she being bitchy? Or is he just plain stupid? As I watched the viral video of Ricky Lo's interview with Anne Hathaway, all I can say is that he came to the occasion rather unprepared. I can vouch for Ms. Hathaway since he's been throwing awkward and unproductive questions. I don't know if he's been 'starstrucked' for him to be fidgety and forgot to ask relevant queries. I guess, it's Mr. Lo's '4-minute disastrous interview' he won't forget. See for yourselves....

Nothing To Say

It's been days now and I can't think of anything to say here on my blog. I can't think of any topic to discuss or any story to tell. It's not that my past week is uneventful. Actually, I'm quite busy. Busy with my work since I am on leave for 4 days because of our out-of-town trip. Busy with all the housework since I am leaving. I don't want to leave the house dirty, dishes unwashed and laundry undone. I know my husband and my daughter. Unless you tell them what to do they won't lift a finger for anything. And lastly, I've been busy thinking about our trip. Yes, thinking. I am super excited I keep on looking on the internet for pictures and events about the place we're going. My bag is already packed. And I've been counting the hours since last week. 

I've come to thinking that maybe part of my excitement is that this is the first trip that I am not with my husband. It would be fun if the gang were complete but for me it is okay to be alone once in a while. Well, I'm not totally alone since I am with 4 of my friends. Though, they keep on teasing me that they will book me on a separate room, they will make me 'just' the official photographer, and I won't have anyone to save me in case our raft tumbles. Mind you, my husband is so afraid to try white water rafting that I think if we're together I would be the one saving him. Well, it's 2013 and I am up for new things. And it's a trip with friends, though it's minus the husband, I'm pretty sure we will still enjoy every minute of it. And it's an opportunity to miss him. Something to look forward to when getting home from our trip. 

What do you know, I still did said some things.....

Friday Letters

Dear CDO trip, I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!!! I am ready for you. Dear Husband, thank you for the movie date tonight. For now we will call it truce. Dear Daughter, I'm sorry we can't take you tonight to see Les Miserables. You have your school work and it's important. Some other time I guess. Dear Boss, you are now officially under my 'I Don't Like This Person' list.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I love the feeling of jogging in the morning. But I don't get to do that nowadays.
2. Seeing a blueberry muffin and a coffee as breakfast always brightens my day.
3. My marital dilemma is what I will remember the most from 2012.
4. My favorite family recipe is my mom's kare-kare.
5. When I want to spoil myself I have to go to the mall, eat a hearty meal, watch a movie and do some shopping.
6. Be Careful With My Heart is my favorite TV show.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Les Miserables with Paul, tomorrow my plans include shopping clothes for Leslie's graduation pictorial and Sunday, I want to finish all my house chores so that I can start preparing for my CDO trip.

Wednesday Happy Thoughts

Let's count our blessings for a week that's been....

1. making ends meet, though our salary is delayed (still), we are getting through everything because of my husband
2. cold breeze in the morning, yes it makes waking up harder (and taking a shower more 'freezingly' difficult) but this is what I miss last December
3. a dear friend giving birth to a healthy baby girl last Friday
4. still on my 10-days no rice diet, except for a small serving of rice pilaf from my brother last Monday night
5. Monday night zumba at home, to burn the rice pilaf I ate
6. Leslie helping in my housework, a miracle!
7. our upcoming CDO trip, super excited!
8. 'Brave' movie watching with Leslie, a mother-daughter bonding movie
9. Gie's late birthday treat at Pizza Hut
10. Christmas gifts from Singapore, didn't expect this honestly...kilala pa pala nila ako!

to know how this started and for credits on the image, click here.

I would like to share the first article I read today. This is for married women who needs convincing in staying married (like me), and for those single ladies who hesitates to tie the knot.

7 Best Things About Being a Married Woman

1. A companion for life time 
   Marriage certainly eliminates loneliness from your life. It is very tough for a single woman to live an unmarried life. With all your friends and close family living a busy life, being unmarried might make you experience a sense of loneliness. Marriage brings in a sense of companionship throughout your life.
2. Brings in financial advantage 
   Marriage is financially rewarding. Not only can the married couple get better tax benefits than any single individual, but they can get better investment opportunities specially designed for them. Financial advantage also comes through better sharing and planning. Married couples generally have good understanding about how to share and generate savings, in order to live a better life.
3. Social advantage
   Marriage brings for you a distinct social advantage over your unmarried peers (yes, we know sometimes you feel like being single again, but that’s only temporary) People will not pester you with questions like- When are you getting married? Are you dating someone? or other sticky questions.
4. License to do licentious things 
   This is still partially true in case of Indian society. Men and women who believe in the institution of arranged marriage or being celibate before marriage look forward to their wedding night with great anticipation. At the same time, being married brings added liberty for the girls who can party till late in the night with their husbands.
5. Gives you a new role in life
   Much before being a mother, a woman plays new roles of a wife, daughter-in law and sister-in-law which add new dimensions to her personality. It is not that you cannot have kids without getting married, but having a child by matrimony gives a legal status to the new born and much better acceptance in the society.
6. Emotional and physical security 
   Every woman desires a secured life. First it is the parents, and then it is the spouse who provides the much needed security. A married woman knows that there is someone who wants to take care of her, and who is ready to absorb her emotional as well as financial burdens. You will feel much more safer living in this world.
7. Enriches the quality of life 
   One does not feel like cooking, eating, shopping all by self every time. When you have a lovey-dovey partner to shower endless love and attention, life is simply wonderful. It is good to know that you are center of somebody’s world and vice versa. Caring for your loved one and his family will bring happiness and a sense of contentment.

source: yahoo!she

10-day No Rice Diet

My superfriends and I will be having our first trip this 2013 at Cagayan De Oro. And as part of my preparation for this trip I am requiring myself under a 10-day no rice diet. I weigh 128 lbs as of today. I gain 8 lbs after the holiday break. I know that is not a lot for me to undergo a crash diet. All I wanna loose, or at least lessen, is my belly fats. I think everything I ate last Christmas and New Year's eve went down to the sides of my belly. I'm like wearing a belt bag under my shirt. And together with the diet I will continue my zumba routine at home. I wanna look good and feel good, at least, when we are taking photos out there.  The only problem is I think I am coming down with a flu. I had a vertigo attack last night until this morning. And now that the dizziness subsides, it's the colds and fever that's taking over. Others may think that this is a quick way to loose weight. I don't agree. Two things: (1) I don't get thin or loose weight when I get sick and (2) I hate the feeling of getting sick. Well, it's lunchtime. I had 2 bananas and a soup for lunch. I don't have any cravings aside from sleep. I will take meds later and I will drink lots of water. I think I'm good. I intend to go through this diet and I am doing it for my self. Good luck to me. 

Friday Letters

Dear Cagayan De Oro Trip, You're so near and yet so far. I am super excited though I'm still out of budget. Sigh. And all this planning for the itinerary and finding the best package for the tour makes me more excited. But I'm not contributing. I have no idea about the place, the tourist spots, the hotels, etc. 'Panggulo lang talaga'. Well, Dinah and Rona can handle all of that. I just need to brace myself in case we will do the 840M-zipline ride. Afraid much! I don't even ride a simple ferris wheel in our local 'peryaan'.I don't know if I can do this kind of feat. I guess we will all find out soon. Just wait for the pictures. Dear Work, I thought you will give me a break. My boss lowered our quota but my work load is still piling up. How could it be? Well, work is work. Dear Paul, Have you noticed I called you by your first name? And not hubby or husband. Yes, I am mad. Sometimes, you are too dense and insensitive. Like today. Grrrrr! I cannot even put it into words. And I don't wanna talk to you. Today. Maybe until tomorrow.  Dear Daughter, Help please. I mean, help me with my house work. There's too many things to do with such limited time. Don't worry about your Dad. I can handle him. Dear CDO Trip Money, Where can I find you? Dear Walking Dead Series, Why are you so good! My gosh, I even dreamt of you. I woke up teary-eyed because I thought that the zombie apocalypse is upon us. And I was bitten! I felt the pain. Can you imagine that? A friend told me I watched enough horror and gore stuff I should take a break. But I can't. I simply can't. Dear Diet, What diet? :-p

Friday Quotes: Limited Patience

This is for my husband.....

Turning to Religion

I came by my boss's office desk this morning and I happen to see the book he was eagerly reading this past few days. It's Bo Sanchez's Didache 2013. This came as a surprise to me since I know that my boss is not a religious person, aside from the fact that this is the first time I saw him reading a book. Usually it's the newspaper or other business correspondence on his desk.  He admits that he rarely go to church and he's quite cynical in regards with religious matters.  I am guessing that since he had this  crisis regarding our company's tax payment that he turns into religion for guidance and help. And for me that's good.

But sometimes it's depressing to know that when a person is in his worst situation, that is the only time they turn to religion. I am not claiming to be the authority in religion. Believe me, I am far from being pious. But I never fail to pray thanks to the Lord for everything that is happening in my life. I never loose faith, and that is the most important thing. To always trust the Lord.

Wednesday Happy Thoughts

Happiness is...

1. will start watching Walking Dead Season 3 this weekend 
2. my mom's carbonara, a sure hit with my officemates
3. weekend eat-out with Leslie
4. meet up with friends, the setting is somewhat unlikely... nevertheless, it's always fun being with friends
5. new bag and new clothes c/o my husband of course
6. office-'Be Careful With My Heart'-bonding, miss this last holiday break
7. Aily and her cute self
8. new e-books, will start reading tonight
9. my first waffle 
10. Quiapo church visits

to know how this started and for credits on the image, click here.

Been Busy

I've been meaning to write about last Christmas and New year's happenings. And also my brother's winning recipes. And other things. But I've been busy. Surprisingly, my work load is piling up even though I am not making so much of a sale. I am not reaching my quota these days due to our new company policies. I thought it would give me more time to blog. Well, that is not happening. Anyways, I will find time to post soon. See you next time.  

Music Monday #17: Cha Cha Dabarkads

My husband and I arrive home around 3AM coming from a friend's house at Marikina. So, I am not my usual self today. I had to drink two cups of coffee just to get through lunch without falling asleep on my office desk. I'm still sleepy. I cannot function well. My office work is (surprisingly) piling. And I don't want anymore coffee. As a remedy, I listened to this. I like this song 'cause it keeps me swinging my hips even when I'm sitting. It keeps my blood pumping, my eyes open and my brain working. I imagine the little girl dancing while listening to the song. So everybody, let's do the Cha Cha Dabarkads...

Saturday 9: Brand New Me

1. It's a brand new year! Do you have any resolutions for 2013? Yes, I do. I have only one resolution for this year: to be more productive. My key phrase is....quality result.
2. Dusty Springfield sand of feeling "brand new". What leaves you feeling refreshed and/or rejuvenated  Definitely a day in the spa. As in whole body scrub, massage, facial, hair spa and foot spa. Then followed by a light dinner after. All these together with friends....heaven!
3. Dusty's given name was Mary Catherine. If you could give yourself a brand new first name, what would it be? Samantha. I fancy this name since my high school time. I find it sexy, mysterious and smart. I told myself once that if I had a daughter I would name her Samantha. I don't know what happened. I completely forgot about the name 'Samantha". My daughter's name is Leslie Anne.
4. Actor Billy Bob Thornton has dismissed antiques, saying, "I'm creeped out by old stuff". Do you ever shop at estate sales, yard sales or second-hand stores? Or do you want everything brand new? I don't mind buying second-hand items as long as it is in its good quality appropriate for its price. I am actually a bargain shopper so this is not a problem for me.
5. Are you sad to see the holiday decorations slowly disappear until next year? Or do you think they should come down on January 2? I hate clutters. I don't mind doing regular house arrangements or decorations. It keeps my mind fresh. So out with the Christmas decors.
6. Do you like the picture on your photo ID? Of course, I am such a pretty girl (toinkks!). Seriously, I look good in my company ID. But I hate my SSS and passport photo.
7. Crazy Sam shudders at the very thought of a snake. Which is your least favorite member of the Animal Kingdom? Snakes too...and frogs, rats, sharks, crocodile and horses. Yes, horses. I am afraid they will kick me every time I get near. And I throw up at the thought of horses drooling...eewww!!! uggh! 
8. What's the most recent magazine you flipped through? My daughter's K-zone. It is lying on the floor and something about Hugh Jackman as Wolverine caught my attention. I actually read the whole thing.
9. Do you have nice handwriting? Let's just say I prefer typing more.     

Friday Letters

Dear 2013, Please be good to me. I did have a good kick start of the New Year. I just hope that whatever I could get into this year, I will surpass it with flying colors. As my sole resolution goes, 'I'll be more productive'. The keyword is "quality result". Dear Boss, If you won't stop doing what you're doing I will quit! Seriously, get yourself together. Don't over react. All you are doing is making the problem worse. You said that you will let us do our own marketing strategy, why are you hounding us? And it's irritating! Stop it! Let us do our job and we will get through this. Okay? Dear Sweldo (Work Pay), Where did you go? I held you for like a couple of hours then you just slip through my fingers. I miss you already. Dear Daughter, I miss our movie time together. Hope we could go see a movie sometime with Dad. How about Les Miserables? It's showing soon. And, promise, if I find some money soon I will let you see Girls Generation's Concert at MOA. That's if I find some money before the concert. Dear Husband, I love you. I do. And thank you for being so patient. Now, all that is left to do is fix the house and move forward. Dear Hair, Why are you still brown? You should be red by now. Dear BFF's, Namely Rona and Dinah and even Emilie, I miss you girls. When is our next gimik? Aside from our CDO trip this January, of course. Dear Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), I love your eyes. I love your lips.I love your hands. I love you. Dear Ex, MOVE ON!  

Friday Quotes: Meant To Be

Holiday Break

This is exactly my sentiment during holiday break...

....and now back to work!

My One and Only New Year's Resolution

Almost everybody keep a list of their respective New Year's resolution. I, for one, am sure doing this yearly. I list things I need to change with my self, things I want to have or any thing that I feel would make me a better person. At the end of that year, I revisit my list and always every year I failed to fulfill it. I get to do one or two things from the list, that's it. So this year I am only listing a single New Year's Resolution. That is "TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THIS YEAR".

I feel that I am exerting a huge amount of time and energy on things that needed to be done but I don't get quality results. That is why I am promising myself to be more productive and I intend to keep this promise. 

The usual things on my list are still there. Like dieting, saving, being prompt, et al. But they are no longer on my 'resolutions' list. Rather I will list them under my "Obligations to My Self" list. Well, goodluck to me. I have twelve months to see if I can keep up.

Wednesday Happy Thoughts

Happy New Year! And as the year 2012 ends, here are some of the things I am thankful for as I greet 2013...

1. Never missing Be Careful with My Heart 
2. New Year's eve feast
3. and, of course, the left-overs
4. additional pounds, giving me more reason to exercise 
5. Leslie and my mom dancing to the beat of Gangnam Style and Cha Cha Dabarkads...so funny!
6. my hubby making it in a nick of time to join us with our New Year's celebration 
7. not being late on my first day of work this 2013 (and that is an achievement!)
8. Laughing Cow Cheese, love it!
9. thanks for the long vacation I get to do some home improvements
10. Finishing Prison Break Season 1-3 and Walking Dead Season 1-2. All that watching in spite of being busy at home. Awesome!

to know how this started and for credits on the image, click here.

Churp...Churp!!!

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Happy New Year!

From my family to each and everyone of you....Happy New Year!!! May 2013 be the greatest for us all. :)