Fun Friday

For a very busy working mother like me, preparing a weekly menu can be stressful sometimes. So I would normally vote a Pizza night while Friday has become more of a "Fun Friday". That saves me from labouring too much in the kitchen at least two nights a week.

But as we try to hit our goals, I had to do some cost cutting. So Friday would sometimes be anything in the pantry that I can put together as one dish. It goes between omelet corned beef, stir fry chow mein with whatever veggie and fishball/meat, pizza pasta, ham/cheese/tomato toast.

Yesterday, DH and I were both craving for Peking Duck. So when mama txted me that she didn't cook anything for dinner, we both took the cue to take her to our favorite local Chinese restaurant.

Our boylilits had good fun watching how the whole duck is sliced and chopped, placed in crepe topped with slivers of onion and some hoisin sauce. Yum... Craving has been sated... Fun Friday indeed!

Playing Doctor

Last weekend we celebrated the birthday of Tin. (She moved to Sydney more than a year ago but I have known her since we were five years old. We went to the same kindergarten, even classmates when we graduated high school, and went to the same college in UST. But she finished med school while I did Computer Science.)

 

Being a doctor herself, ALL her guests were doctors except DH and me.

 

Anyway, we had this funny conversation over dinner.

 

Tom (to us): Oh my God, we got you two (IT people) surrounded by doctors!!!
Louie : That's cool! I play doctor to her (pointing to me) sometimes!

 

((( Everyone laughed!)))

 

Oo nga naman! Gusto niyo makita nurse suit ko? Hehehehe!

 

Goals, goals, goals!

Pardon the absence. We have been busy lately. But with the arrival of groovy Lola a couple of weeks ago, I'm going to have time to catch up on some breathing again.

Anyway, I just needed to blog this one for posterity reasons. This is an excerpt from my DH's email to me last 7th August.

He has been reading, (his term actually is more of "hooked into"), a lot of motivational books/e-books. He finished lately "8 Secrets of the Truly Rich" by Bo Sanchez and "Who Took My Money" by Robert Kiyosaki. Now he's halfway through "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and James McIntyre's "What I Wish".

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anyway, share ko lang things i want to feed my subconscious mind

i imagine our life to be like this…

- to be employed by others will no longer be a necessity

- we’ll have many income streams and never have to worry about our financial needs. total financial independence!!!

- we will buy our house, car, boat and any luxury we want with cold cash, no more debts whatsoever!!!

- we will travel at least once a year overseas, locally, limitless, whenever we want

- we will setup businesses in the phils and employ our relos to improve their lives

- we will buy/aide our love ones to acquire their house

- we’ll have all the time we want to spend with our kids

- we’ll be able to give at least 10% of our income to the church and start our own ministry of helping people

- we’ll make love in the middle of the ocean on our luxurious boat

- we’ll make love in the air on our private plane

- we’ll have spa/massages whenever we want

- we’ll build the house i used to always picture in my mind when i daydream when i was a kid (multi-level, with gym, basketball/tennis etc court, swimming pool/sauna, cinema... as in, underground garage… batman style, helipad)


think of these things, think as if we already have them, that we’re already living this kind of life…

i love you babes… i will share all these just with you.


kisses,
me
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I was thrilled except the last point about the big house doesn't seem to appeal to me. With our current situation, a five bedroom second level is just too much to maintain.

But overall, I had a good 10 seconds living in that dream. For me there's nothing wrong about dreaming for more as long as your purpose is aligned with HIS master plan.

Our Favourite Quotes

... from the Bible.

From DH:
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Philippians 1:6 - "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

From Me:
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Isaiah 40:31- "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Do you have an ultimate passage from the Bible that you always cling to, that motivates you to keep pressing forward amidst challenging situations?

Care to share?

Dance with me...

Cause I will never dance with anybody else BUT YOU!

Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft

This is what happens when Indiana Jones meets the original Tomb Raider.Dressed up as our all time fave archaelogists for our dear friend's 30th birthday surprise party last Friday night.

Special screening of Hollywood movies. Had to do it or dinner will never be served. Hahaha!

Complete with all our "arte"-facts!!!

But never forgetting parenting duties.

Breaking News: Mother's day is nearing and so is hubby's birthday...

It's not fair! DH is stealing the thunder from me!!!

His birthday is coinciding with Mother's Day this year. I know he and the boys are upto something. But I particularly made it known that the ultimate gift I want this year is a BREAK!

Yes I need a break from everyone, and everything, and anyone, and anything! I can imagine myself ALONE (that's the operative word!) up in the mountains, gazing at God's beautiful creation (which I full well know could see straight away by just looking in the mirror... kapal! Don't close your browser yet! Nagjo-joke lang po!), feeling the breeze as it touches my soul, enjoying a few hours of serene solitude.

But what I got from DH is a big disapproval. Yes, he would love to give me a break (from my domestic duties) , provided I wouldn't be far from his reach and away from his sight.

I obliged with one condition that he will take me up to the mountains one day SOON. This time I can imagine myself still gazing down at the valleys, still feeling the breeze, but embracing a few hours of serenity while resting my head on my DH's shoulders.

Perfect BREAK... when, oh, when?

Newest Addiction

This is the latest craze within our household. The Easy Way Bubble Tea, particularly the Taro Milk Tea with (black) sago pearls. And it was all started by dear hubby.

Wiji loves this drink and calls it the Purple Tea. Yoyon loves the chewy pearls.

I just love it at anytime of the day. We don't even mind driving late at night to get at the nearest takeaway kiosk. Which is like four suburbs away - a good 20 minute drive from where we live. We are not that addicted, I'm telling you...

A couple of months back we even tried submitting our interest of franchising one within our very own Castle Towers Shopping Mall... We never got a reply. Bummer! And last weekend, while strolling the mall, we saw this signage that says "Easy Way Bubble Tea soon opening here."

Happy but at the same time got disappointed that another business minded creature got ahead of us. Anyway, better luck next time. The important thing is we won't have to go too far to quench the thirst.

Pictures of Us...

Our good ol' friend (Oxy!) reminded us early this month that it has been a decade since we graduated from college.


Hubby and I belonged to a cool block section of BS Math major in Computer Science in UST exactly 14 years ago. It was one of the best times of my young adult life!


To commemorate our 10th year since we marched the halls of PICC for our graduation, I have scanned our two class pictures.


This was us as freshmen students. (Mga bagong salta sa College of Science!)



And this was us in our senior year.



Missing the barkada, the Sabado nights, the cutting classes, the birthday gimiks, overnight outings, the Calaruega retreat!

Ahhh, those were the days that I could let myself be carefree!

Wall Painting...

I have been contemplating on whether I should transform Wiji's bedroom to have more of a kid-atmosphere.

Inspired by my "kumareng" Carla, I took courage and painted a wall in Wiji's room in dark blue - somewhat close to Microsoft Windows Classic Desktop WallPaper. LOL! Nothing fancy

From Ikea, we bought this ceiling lamp that my son didn't instantly appreciate. But when he saw the lighting effect with the new wall, he began to love it.

Ladies' Night

Watched Maroon 5 in concert last Friday, (4th April) with front acts from One Republic, (the band that sang "Apologized" and became popular when Timbaland turned this ballad into a remix.)

Oh what I night! Adam was just sooo sexy!

But he is still no match for my numero-uno hunk! Hehehe!

Egg-celent Night

We spent Black Saturday painting more than two dozens of hard boiled eggs. From the pictures you can tell that the activity was most enjoyed by the adults. The kids were contented to play Wii.

As for the Holy Menu, the palabok and buko pandan were "blockbuster hits" (note: I borrowed that tag from SimplyMuah). The Food for the Gods, became Cake for the Gods. Hehehehe! But most importantly we shared the company of our good friends. (Next year, bawal ng magkasakit si Mommy Carla!!!)

Holy Menu...

Tomorrow, Good Friday is the start of another loooong weekend! Hooray!

Anyway, before my brain shuts down, I'm trying to think of what to serve the kids and the young-at-heart this weekend. And because we will be, (more of try), observing abstinence, I can't have meat in my dishes.

You see (and I'm pointing at my mareng April who emigrated to the Swiss Alps two years ago), the Manasan's and LS will be getting together at our new abode for an egg-painting session on Saturday afternoon. (We've been missing you in sooo many events na mare!).

I'm thinking of palabok. But I must confess I've only tried my hands on this recipe, ONCE! I need a backup recipe. Since Carla is bringing fish. I might whip some ensaladang labanos (radish salad) . Also, thinking of salmon head in tamarind soup (sinigang sa miso). Or maybe munggo soup (mung bean soup).

My biggest challenge is the kid's menu. My goddaughter has allergy with seafoods. So I might bake some spaghetti. Hahahaha! No meat sabi eh! Esep esep muna! But imposing abstinence from chocolates and cakes before Easter Sunday seems to be a better alternative for them.

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This morning Wiji even had a request, if we could make some treats for the guests. Here goes another challenge. So I'm thinking of Food for the Gods. Again, I have only tried this once. By the grace of our Lord, may I find the recipe and the ingredients I have used four years ago.

Obsessed to be the best...

PARENT for my own children alone... that is!

Nine years ago, I was obsessed planning our wedding. (Thanks to http://www.weddingsatwork.com/! I still remember its early days when the number of members subscribed was just down to a hundred something I think, or even less!).

When I became a wife, as we don't have the privilege of having helpers unlike in the Philippines, I became obsessed on cooking, baking, cleaning up toilets and kitchen and training dear hubby to be domesticated. (Hahaha! Successful naman so far).

When I first got pregnant, I became obsessed on nurturing my then unborn Wiji. I was eating 8-10 apples a day. (Well, it was the only food my stomach could take). No salt on my fries please and I hated oily, processed food. Listened to only classical music at home and in the car. Said adieu to pop radio station. Dear hubby and I read pregnancy books and was full of conviction that I would give birth the natural way. And we were able to achieve that by reading the Bradley Method book I have ordered from US. (I covered it with plastic cover and used it again for the second son, Yoyon.)

So now that I am a parent, my goal is to be the best mother to my sons. And just like my previous obsessions, I only have one take at this. NO repeats! One of my greatest fear is to fail them. One day they will have a mind of their own and I hope they will perceive me as the best mum they can ever have in this world.

I was reading Bo Sanchez's journal the other day and that of Jim Paredes'. And they made me reflect again and revisit the last six years of my parenting stint. While I can say that I have done my best, I believe there are still a lot of areas in me as a mother that needs a little tweaking.

So I will set a few goals before I hit 40. Whoah! That's another decade from now but we all know that 10 years can go by in a flash. And before I knew it, "Life has just begun" for me again.

1. YES. As inspired by Bo, I will always say YES when my children ask me to read them a story. Kasehodang, pati right vocal cord ko eh ma-paralyse. Oh yes, the left vocals have been damaged for a year now. Depressing but I just pray for a miracle.

But when it comes to requests such as wrestling, transforming Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, or sit on the couch and play PS... I think my sons will understand if I will have to beg off. Those are dear hubby's share to my YES.

2. SLOW DOWN. I said before if I hit an annual gross of 6 digit, then I'm good to quit. That was before petrol prices hit $1 per litre. Unfortunately, now's not the time to quit. Instead, I will slow down and minimize working late and going home late, and will have the discipline to be home earlier for my kids. Long hours will be limited to only twice (tops!) a week. As they say, quantity time with kids is quality time. Gotta hang out with them as much as I could.

3. GETTING REALLY FIT. Even if I'm on my ideal weight right now, I have to start to really look after my health. I can't wait to be 40 or 50 before I become conscious of what I eat and drink. With dear hubby's cholesterol level shooting up, I have to scratch the weekly menu and find healthier alternatives. The after dinner walks and jogs around the neighbourhood with dear hubby must be on a regular basis too. Come to think of it, it serves as a good bonding time for us also. We both need to be strong and healthy so we can enjoy a lot of years being together and bringing happiness and hopefully inspiration to our childrens' lives.

4. PRAY MORE. Need I say more? To be honest, I never appreciated the power of prayer until I hit 30. I never understood the power of His grace that suffices all our needs, that makes us whole, renewed and deserving of His love. And I believe with a lot of prayers, I can be stronger, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually so I can achieve these goals without too much strife.

So if you notice me going against these goals (which probably my dear hubby would do with regards to #2), please pull me back to this posting so I can rearrange my world again.

The Throb...

Last night's dinner conversation with my little boys were quite interesting. As usual, Yoyon would tell tales of how his day was at the childcare. If I asked him how his day went, he would enthusiastically reply, "Good! I play wid mah frend". If I asked what he ate, he'd say "I ate apple, bread, mac-roni... Daz all!". That's my 2 year old boy.

Now, my almost 6 year old son, had a different story of how his day was at school.

Wiji : You know mum, my friend Jarrod and Brooke (their classmate) kissed! I saw it! Some girls and some boys saw it too!
Me : (in shock!) Huh? Ahm, hmmm, how did they kiss? Was it on the cheek.
Wiji : Brooke just went close to his face and they kissed on the lips!
Me : (in shock again) Huh? Ahm, ahm, forget about it and don't do it to other girls! Okay? (My dear hubby did not approve of my advice. But I can't think of any at that moment.)

The other day he was telling me that Jamie has a girlfriend in class and her name is Jessica. So I asked, "What about you?". He said, "I don't have one. I don't like to have one." Haay, buti naman!

His stories are giving my head a throb. I just don't know how to respond sometimes.

Gone are the days that he'd tell me that he played in the sandpit, or did a lot of drawing, or listened to a nice story. I'm sure it's going to get a lot more interesting in the days ahead.

I saw this book before. I can't remember which bookstore. But it was giving tips on what answers you can offer for different age groups when they start asking "big" and intimate questions. I think I need to find that book...

The Kindie Heart Throb

My eldest who is turning six in a couple of months time, is a favorite in the Out-Of-School-Hours Care within their school. This young blonde lady (a carer) is smittened by his 'big eyes', apparently.

When the carer met my sister, she said she is looking forward to meeting the Parents of Wiji and all praises for his well-behaved character.

When she met dear hubby , she expressed "delight" in finally seeing where those cute genes came from. (At mukhang delighted din ang dear hubby with all the flattery!!!).

When we met... WE HAVEN'T. LOL! I'm sure she'd say it didn't come from hubby - but from ME!!! (I know someone will strongly raise an objection. Sige na nga! Sa yo na galing! After all, looking back over the last 13 years, certified matrona killer ka naman talaga! LOL!)

A family friend's daughter, Dani, was even telling her mum this story that this carer blurted out these words to my son, "Oh, you're so cute. I want to take you home". Teka, teka! Iba na ang dating! Of course I get it that it was said in jest cause she probably really finds my son adorable! Flattered I am. At the same time worried that he might be following the footsteps of his dad's matronish killing looks! Ha ha ha!

Waking up to Maroon 5

On my way to work, I heard this song, "Wake Up Call" by Maroon5 which reminds me of this whorrendous matrimonial bed incident as posted a few weeks ago. I still cringe in ... eeeewww! .

Anyway, I almost forgot that in a month's time, I will be seeing their concert at the Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park with my good girlfriend. (As in GOOD, walang kiyaw kiyaw! Don't ask me what that lingo is, I got it from my big Ate.)

I love Adam - his voice is unique even if some of his songs are quite weird just like this Wake Up Call... Haaay! Wake up na talaga!

My Student of the Week

Had I not gave in to Wiji, he wouldn't know the surprise awaiting him last Friday in school.

Both boys have been fighting cough and colds since late last week. So last Friday, because it had turned to incessant cough for Wiji (colds triggers his asthma), I was trying to persuade him not to attend school for the day. But he insisted. Baligtad ano? Sana ganito lagi! (((LOL)))!

When he got back in the afternoon, he rang me at work and proudly told me that he was chosen to be the kindergarten's Student Of The Week. I remember I was asking him a few days before that - on how one can be on that list - when I saw it in last week's newsletter from the school.

So for this week, his name was on the newsletter and his big photo displayed on the bulletin board. Last night, he announced that he will be the class' captain for next week. In his own words, he describes it as being the leader, the one walking in front of the class wherever they go!

Go Wiji! Go! Go! Go!

What's Lunch for Today? (Pa-Order Oh Waiter)

Eating shouldn't be a frustration - not when you know what to eat and where to get what you want to eat!

During the week, everytime I haven't gotten any "baon" (packed big lunch - at Luis' school there's little lunch which is synonymous to our recess), I often spend a lot of time, thinking what I want to get especially when you don't have much choices around here (that includes "rice" together with the typical Pinoy ulam).

When I heard this song from Parokya ni Edgar, I just kept laughing especially when he sang at the end, "Gutom lang talaga ako..". I can easily throw a fit when I'm starving!

Whatever It Takes...

A few days ago, hubby downloaded new songs for my Ipod. This morning I listened to all the songs he recently added. And this was one of those : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iawro7IfoCM

It's the first time I heard this song but it felt so familiar already... Couldn't help feeling a bit emotional on my way to work. It was as if the lyrics evolved - somewhere - from our past ...

(Unfortunately I cannot embed the video from YouTube. Anyone knows how to hack it?)

Anyway, here's the lyrics...

Whatever It Takes Lyrics by Lifehouse

A strangled smile fell from your face
It kills me that I hurt you this way
The worst part is that I didn't even know
Now there's a million reasons for you to go
But if you can find a reason to stay

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes

She said "If we're gonna make this work
You gotta let me inside even though it hurts
Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"
She said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be
You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know that I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
And give me a break
I'll keep us together, I know you deserve much better

But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
That I'd be lost without you and never find myself
Let's hold onto each other above everything else
Start over, start over

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
and believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes