baby alexi...

welcome to the christian world dear baby alexi beatriz! =)
baptismal date: 06 April 2008
thanksgiving: 12 April 2008
you may view more delightful pics here.

alooohhaaa!

i'm back, good thing work nowadays is tolerable *i think* so i can go back to reading my books and blogging of course. presently, i'm finishing the 3rd installment of the dark materials series. (for those of you who's not familiar, it's the northern lights series or as the movie had it, the golden compass.)

before i go on, i'd like to include in my entry the 2nd birthday celebration of my noahby last feb15. yeah yeah, its so late already. it was just a plain and simple celebration with the blowing of the candle in the cake and a quiet dinner at home. nevermind the valentine coz i spent it blowing my brains out in the office. its a leap year as well,some friends and i had a simple dinner at a new restaurant in raffles mall. nothing fancy, food was ok and doesn't really have that wow factor. we met hanipay's sister apple and welcomed her here in sg.

by end of feb to early march, everything just came by like a blurr because overtime work was inevitable and i couldn't even keep track of time properly. anyway, i was still able to squeeze in a little time to go and buy myself my own 1st camera! wiippeee! after 7years of working, i finally got my own digicam hehehe! got it from the IT show in suntec. originally i was eyeing on a new macbook for my own personal use but unfortunately, dadi and i agreed that my camera is much needed in the future events of our plans. we'll be watching maroon5 tomorrow at kallang stadium and of course its difficult to bring dadi's dslr, yehey maroon 5 live in sg!!! my 1st ever concert show to watch after 29years hehehe *oo na sobrang oa na hihi* i'm so excited to finally see the vocalist adam levine.

we also plan to go island hopping in pinas when we go home for our 2week vacation. that too has been booked already yiippee! we're off to pinas on may23 then flyback june7. dadi and i will drop off the kids then transfer to another plane for our cebu-bohol-bora trip. this one i can't wait to experience! as in finally we'll be able to have a vacation by ourselves, the two of us enjoying the sun and the views across visayas hehehe...we haven't arranged on our cebu-bohol-bora trip yet, hopefully the weather will be great and airfare will be cheap. we're also training for a running marathon, the singapore passion run, come june8 so dadi is training me for the 5km run *oo na, fun run lang sya.. keber e first timer po! hehe pagbigyan na!*

btw, i'm now doing a regular hosting job every sunday at the arena in clarke quay for the pinoy sunday entertainment show. it's organized by our friend ulrik and his colleague, ronald. it's like a variety show with bands and live performances. the audience can participate and jam with the bands and join the contest. april will be a busy month as there will be a pinoy amazing star contest coming up. its sort of like american idol style with the elimination and judges and voting thru sms. please do try to come down on sundays if you're in sg and watch great pinoy talent.

eram's sister, debbie, and niece, sam, also came for a week's vacation. we saw them on the eve of their flight back to manila. we had some coffee at citylink after ami and i went to the chinese temple in bugis to seek some 'divine intervention' hehe.. then we celebrated ami's birthday at our pinoy sunday show in the arena last march23. o diva, sosyal!

ayun so that's how life is at the moment. happy easter! =)

*i have to blog this right away, as in ora mismo when i had this conversation with nixon*

nixon going to bed and hugging me...

nixon: mami, something happened to me today...

me: what is it baby?

nixon: somebody told me i'm sexy boy

me: who said it??

nixon: *covering his face with his palms* lincoln did!

*lincoln is his bus buddy and school mate*

me: *trying to recover* why did he say that!??!

nixon: i don't know what he was thinking

me: how about you?

nixon: i don't know what to think also

*moment of silence*

nixon: mami, i have an idea! i'll just ignore him!

me: absolutely!

*kailangan ko na ba ikwento ang birds and the beast 101 sa anak ko!??!*

btw, my nixon has another friend besides lincoln... his name is benjamin.
o diba sosyal! may nixon, lincoln at benjamin franklin! hahahaha!

hay kahit sobrang pagod ako sa overtime for the past 2weeks, nawala ata
lahat ng sakit ng ulo ko! hahahaha

looking forward

i can't believe it that 2007 went by in a breeze. i have a 5year old kid now and noah is turning two on feb2008. i've survived the year working at sgx and still trying to conquer the odds of my career path. we were able to do some clutter organizing and hopefully our rent won't go up in the next few months.

right now i'm so happy to finally do some things that i promised myself i'll get back on. i've found my right pace in jogging so i'm very happy joining dadi during his evening jogs. i've also started reading again.. right now i'm burried with northern lights, the 1st of three books of the golden compass.

dadi and i watched the movie on the last week it was shown here in sg and i was so angry at him that night becoz we were late. good thing there was a book sale at carrefoure so dadi was kind enough to search for all three books. i was so ecstatic becoz i was really anxious to get a copy of all three.

don't ask me about my yoga class right now becoz i can't find time to squeeze it in in my ever so busy work schedule and my muscles are aching so bad lately. i really must book myself for a deep tissue massage.

nixon has started back in school as kinder2 and all he can say whenever we ask him how school was is that its fun! noah is more active and curious each passing day. dadi has moved to the tampines office from millenia walk so i'm officially missing him.

hoping for the best this 2008!

noche buena

our house warmly welcomed some of our friends for the noche buena feast last dec.24. it was my first time to cook and prepare roasted chicken, fortunately it went well and i complimented it with some steamed veggies. of course ham and grapes would always be served, then the ever famous sopas, bistek and fish escaveche, and our favorite puto. after dinner, we exchange gifts, watched a movie and some picture takings.

please visit our multiply site, i've uploaded the pics there.

late dec2007 posts.. KL trip

swamped with so much to do's last dec2007, i wasn't able to blog about how we got through til new year. the highlight of our christmas was our trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the kids and tita juvs. i think it would be a shame not to be able to see the KL twin towers which is just some few hours from SG.

we decided on it last minute, actually a week before our target date. out of so much stress and boredom, ate vi and i decided to check on KL trips and fortunately we were able to get a booking at people's park chinatown. it was a great deal, 164sgd each for 3days, 2nights to legend hotel including breakfast buffet and tickets to ride the eye of malaysia.

our trip was 12.30pm so we got there at KL almost 7pm already. we checked in and had dinner at mcdonalds *talaga namang mcdo pa din* then we let the kids rest first while we adults went to chinatown. the place was really pretty at night with lots of bargain hunters scattering around.

the next day we had early breakfast and proceeded to KLCC to catch the trip going up the KL towers. unfortunately we got there late so we just took pictures outside and look around the mall. then we went to times square with the kids while ate vi and kiko strolled around putrajaya. we decided to meet afterwards and have dinner at times square. it gave me a bugis-like feeling going around the building with lots of stores each floor (note: bugis is a big shopping place here in sg). i got so tired with this place, as in! lots of sales and so many shoppers. eating at kenny rogers was disappointing though. when ate vi and kiko arrived, we went to the theme park and the kids really had lots of fun!

on our last day, we went to ride the eye of malaysia in the morning. good thing the place wasn't crowded but the heat was exhausting. nevertheless, we enjoyed the experience and then went back to the mall near our hotel to do some last minute shopping and lunch at KFC. our bus arrived on time and we got back in SG saturday night.





more pictures here

looney toons and friends

one fine swimming day

mareng faye and ffg were kind enough to invite us over and take a dip at their condo. some of their friends from sgx were there also with their kids. thank you very much mare for letting us have fun with the kids on the pool... they really enjoyed it. well, nixon did hehe.. noah was so scared of the cold water.

the swim team

candid faye

with nixon *on top* and noah *below*

go figure! =D

surprise story #2

the following day, dec1, we gathered again to give a surprise baby shower for ati twix. we initially had our meeting after our dinner last rockNshoot event at clarke quay. we opted to bring food by potluck. the other ptv4 pips were informed the following week about our plan. i emailed buru about it and asked him to make up an excuse so that ati would go out that day and go to ulrik's place.

we were all set at around 4.30pm that day. when they knocked on the door, we were lined up behind the table and as they entered the flat, we shouted a big surprise and happy birthday! hahaha!!! twix was so shocked, you could just imagine the big smile on her face and everybody was laughing! she said that buru told her it was yanah's birthday *ulrik's daughter* but actually it wasn't and yanah is vacationing in pinas. she insisted on buying a gift for her but good thing buru was very convincing hehehe... faye and ffg almost bumped into them at the bus stop in lucky plaza, mareng faye and ffg just backed out and rode on a different bus.

it was really a nice get together party and we were all so excited and happy for the coming of the new addition in the kid's group. to ati twix and buru, we're all wishing for the best!

surprise story #1

december1 was ate vi's birthday so some of our friends and i planned to give her a surprise cake blowing session at the pantry on nov.30 meryenda. jill and i went down to buy a cake at swensens but before that, i asked ate vi where i can buy disposable plates,spoon and fork. the lady had no idea that we're suppose to use them for the cake hehehe.. i had no choice but to ask her becoz she's the only person in the office who has them. good thing melvin was able to get some supplies from somewhere else.

on our way back from swensens, we met kiko *ate vi's boyfriend* in the lobby then they proceeded to the pantry to prepare. i went to fetch ate vi and grace. good thing their bosses were in a meeting so the timing was perfect! when we were approaching the pantry, ate vi thought kiko was there on our floor to do some fix on roy's pc. she then realized when we opened the cake box that we were celebrating for her birthday. she was terribly surprised and was speechless hehehe.. happy birthday ate vi! =)

ate vi and kiko...sweet!

ate vi, me and grace *mga walang magawa*

5 things tag

Tagged by ati twix =)

5 things found in my bag
- wallet
- keys
- lip gloss
- sign pen
- White Flower *ako din ati meron hehe*

5 things found in my wallet
- credit card
- pictures
- receipts
- atm cards
- sss id/philhealth id

5 things found in my room
- tv
- computer desktop
- bed
- cabinet
- lampshade

5 things i’ve always wanted to do
- to get that wonderful euro tour with our family
- to teach in a school
- learn to swim then dive and snorkle
- get inside a real castle in scotland or switzerland
- cook and bake in my own nice kitchen

5 things i’m currently into
- blogging
- yoga
- trying to finish tv series and movie backlogs
- cooking
- a multitasking mother, wife, daughter and programmer

5 people to tag for this
- carola
- kuya david
- cupie bernskie
- tracy
- len oliver

welcoming a break

Last Saturday, Nov. 24, our friend Ulrik has organized an event in The Arena at Clarke Quay. Out of no choice, he asked me to help in hosting few bit parts of the show. Our friends, Hani, Eram and Ami also helped Ulrik in the registration and selling out of show tickets. We arrived around 3pm on the venue then the show started around 4pm. There were lots of pinoy bands who graced the event and they really performed well. Among the band included was Ulrik’s group, Quiverpool... he was the drummer. My portion came before their set, I introduced one of the contestants in the 50 most gorgeous people here in SG. Her name is Jacyln Chan. She was there to promote herself and gather some votes from the audience. All I can say is that she’s smart and nice and beautiful. I got the chance to know her more backstage and after presenting her to the audience, we had some picture taking. There were also some invited models for the PinoyCSers members shoot. The ladies helped me hand out the prizes for the raffle draw and congratulating the stars of the night. It was pure music and fun all night.

After the show, we had dinner at Boat Quay. Finally, we had our chance for some peace and quiet. We had a delicious beef hotplate, baby kailan veggies, fried calamari and chicken ala max hehehe! We reviewed the event and planned some things to do in the next few weeks. All in all, it was a fun night, and the break was very refreshing. I miss hanging out with my friends. I'm very thankful for dadi's presence, it made the night much more fun and easy. He was so supportive that night and I know that he also enjoyed taking pictures.

at the stage with the models

backstage

at the vip lounge

at the registration booth

*from left to right* esther, naomi, natasha, jacyln and moi

addiction

i thought i'll get over it. it's like one of those feelings that when you already tried and reached the peak, you just wanted to stop and get on with your life normally as it was. but i was wrong, i just caught myself doing it again and again even if i had already finished one session. i started slow, to feel the moves and the right motivation. then at times, there comes the frustration of not getting it then you decide to do it more and more. afterwards, you attain the ultimate end! and you've won! but you can't get enough of it... so you do it one more time. i can't stop myself from doing it at the office or even at home. i try to fight back the temptation, but my fingers just itch to get on with it.

hirap talaga magpigil sa paglaro ng solitaire!

Finally!

After 3months of deciding which design of chuck taylor to buy and postponing it until we finalize what we wanted, we bought our own pairs of converse sneakers! Yahooo!!! Originally, I wanted to buy a pair of mine back in Manila last march when we had our vacation. When we got back here in SG, dadi and I decided to get ourselves a pair with the same design that would be nice for both of us. So here they are… =)

I’ve been trying to avoid the inevitable, trying to delay what is supposed to be. I faced it, alas! It carved a mark in my heart and soul. And now I’m so lost and confused. I’m trying my best to be a better person... to be a loving wife, a doting mother, a responsible daughter, a reliable sister, an objective friend, a hardworking employee, a just member of the society. Does one really have to carry the task and burden of such? I’m asking for more patience, guidance and counsel, of love and understanding, of hope that eventually things will get better. Enough of the leaping out of faith, I’ll retire myself for what is to come. Who knows if I can get back the urge to fight back again and conquer the odds, but for now, I’m just tired. I’ve been hiding and fighting too much, and I’m missing a lot.

Awed

The other night while I was putting my little boys to sleep, Nixon suddenly asked if he could pray first before sleeping. I was astounded and caught off guard. I’m not prepared what to say while guiding him to his prayer. But suddenly he started reciting the Lord’s prayer (Our Father…), the Hail Mary and Glory be. I didn’t say anything after he finished. He said goodnight and I answered back a sweet goodnight to him. Then I smiled and said a thank you to God. My son is really growing fast. He’s now 5years old… and I’m one proud parent.

By the way, he also knows how to look at the time on our wall clock. =)

the new...

me...


dadi...


nixon...


noah...


and my new fone...hihihi!

latest

after coming back from my pinas vacation, i was immediately rolled in to another project in sgx. my other project was in UAT (user acceptance testing) phase so the ball was with the users. we were waiting for feedback and approval. the new project entails more program changes and cumbersome tasks since we were assigned to make official documentations as well. the worst part was that i got sick with tonsilitis for a week so my performance was not at its peak.

we had a small celebration for blessie's birthday at surfNturf in suntec. we also helped faye and rommel moved out from their condo. we met some friends and had lunch to welcome them here in sg. i went back to my yoga classes just last week.

blessie's birthday celeb @surfNturf




the best thing that happened lately was that i had been pronounced by our company as a permanent staff after 4months of my probationary period. yiippee! it's nice to enjoy the perks and of course it would mean assurance somehow for our future here in sg.

back in sg

after a week, my mom and sis were scheduled for a one week visit here in sg. my mom missed our kids so much. we visited the merlion because last time they were here, they weren't able to go there and have pictures taken near the merlion itself. my mom and sis went around sg by themselves and joined us for dinner sometimes during week days. dadi and i weren't able to take our leaves anymore but we tried to take them out after office.

we had lunch at no signboard in vivo city during the weekend, it was also our 1st time to dine there. cereal prawn was really great and abalone with veggies. the chili crab was very spicy and the fried rice was terrific. we had picture takings and the kids played in the playground even with the scorching heat. then we proceeded to chinatown for some coffee and visit. good thing the moon festival was around so the place was crowded with tourist and lots of decorations were present.

they left on a monday and as usual, my mom was very sad to leave her apos behind. she was begging us to come home on christmas. well hopefully we'd still be able to get cheap tickets this late. we'll see...

kainiz experience sa manila

one of my reasons kaya ako umuwi sa manila ay para mapalitan ang surname ni nixon. iniisip ko na sana payagan nila ko kahit ako lang maglakad ng papers. di naman kasi kabisado ng information kung tinatanong ko over the fone ung mga dapat gawin so might as well go there personally para malaman ko. i called the manila city hall to verify if they're going to get the original copies of the birth certificate and marriage license. oo daw kailangan nila kunin para may sarili din silang copy kaya nung wednesday mismo ng hapon, nagpunta kami sa NSO quezon ave. dati dun lang pupunta kung gusto mo lang magrequest ng copy. aba pagdating namin dun, wala na at kailangan na kami pumunta sa east ave branch. pagdating namin dun, buti na lang walang masyadong tao pero kakaiba talaga pila system sa atin. the following day ng 11am pa marerelease ung mga papers so iniba ko sked ko. sa umaga na lang ako pumunta sa dentist para sa hapon, pagkakuha nung papers, direcho na kami sa manila city hall.

sa manila city hall nagsimula kalbaryo ko. syempre may pila at pagkatapos ko naghintay ng 30minutes, sinabi sa kin ng legal assistant na dapat daw local copy ng birth certificate ung ipapasa, di daw ung authenticated copy. aba nagulat ako dahil ultimately, pinaka legal ang authenticated copy dahil galing pa to ng NSO at ginagamit pag kukuha ka ng passport. ayaw nila, kailangan daw talaga un local copy na nirerelease pagkapanganak ng bata na binibigay sa ospital. di ko nadala un kaya sabi ng ale, kuha na lang daw ako muna dun. kinabukasan ng umaga pwede na daw makuha at balik ako sa kanya. sinabi ko ung case ko na ako lang magisa andun para magasikaso pero unahin ko daw muna pagkuha nung birth cert, tsaka na lang un susunod.

the following day, friday, nakuha na namin ng umaga un birth cert. buti maikli pila kaya sandali lang ako naghintay. pagdating dun ulit sa legal assistant sabi nya schedule for interview daw kami mag-asawa. sabi ko nga sa kanya kahapon na ako lang mag-isa. ayun di daw pwede. araykupu! akala ko naman ok na, biglang kailangan pa daw ng affidavit of legitimacy from phil. embassy sg tapos papa-authenticate sa DFA sa pinas bago ipapasa ulit sa kanila. manang naman! sana sinabi mo na lang sa kin kahapon para di na lng ako nagbayad ulit para kumuha nung local copy at di nasayang oras namin bumalik dun kundi din naman pala maaayos. haaaayyyyy!!! gobyerno nga naman talaga naten! pano ba tayo aasenso nyan!? pambihira!