Dayz of Nullah

Something New

2011-04-17T12:06:00.000+08:00

Time really goes by so fast. A lot of new things going on.

First of all, we now have a new automated Hematology machine in the clinic. Patient diagnosis has never been easier. We were fortunate to have acquired this machine during our holiday trip back to Manila. It is a big investment but it is worth it. We are slowly reaping the benefits. Busy is always good when you have your own clinic.

Second, the kids are finally enrolled! Tomorrow is their first day of formal class. We have brought them to the school several times just to get them acquainted with the place, the teachers and the other kids as well. I am so glad they like to come back. We had fun shopping for their school supplies, with them having a choice of what they want. All things are labeled and neatly arranged, even their clothes are ready. I think I am more excited than my boys. I hope they would have a really good schooling experience.

Holiday Rant

2010-12-17T18:34:00.000+08:00

November has gone really fast. Went back to Manila to escort a patient. I was so happy to be home even for just 5 days. It was swift and busy, not a moment wasted.

Then came December, slow December. I've always been excited during the holiday season. Now that I'm working, I dread it. Holiday means no income. To top it off, I think Papua New Guinea has the most lazy government. Every little thing is celebrated and declared a non-working Holiday. I am feeling the crunch of paying my employees' undeserved holiday pay. Imagine, they get to have 10 days of paid non-working holiday, while I on the other hand, lose income. It's not good from my standpoint. I'd rather work! Never thought of myself as a workaholic, but when you need to pay the bills, the more patients the better.

The only thing that excites me this holiday is to see the look on my kids' faces when they open up their presents. Other than that, I wish it were January already.

!@*?":P

2010-09-12T09:43:00.000+08:00

Feels like ranting but I couldn't release what I want to say. The past few days just pushed me off the edge. I'm just irritated, tired, and mad as hell. I'm running out of patience. That's all I can say. Now, I'm getting home sick. Wish my dad and mom were here.

Adios, Mi Abuela Julia

2010-08-28T17:05:00.000+08:00

My Apo Julia was laid to rest today. She was 95 years old. Apo is the best grandmother one can ever have. She was caring, thoughtful and very loving to her kids, grand kids and great grand kids. I am her youngest grandchild, and my dad is her youngest son. We were spoiled rotten by her. I remember she once told me that she wouldn't go to rest until she sees me give birth. She did not only wait for me to give birth but she was able to see my kids too. Even though she already had senile dementia and could not really recognize people that are even close to her, she still knows and seek for my kids. It's unfortunate that I was not there to bring her to her final destination. I will surely miss her and all the things she has done for us. I will always keep you in my heart, Apo. Rest in peace +

A hard habit to break

2010-08-17T18:39:00.000+08:00

I'm officially hooked to online shopping!
Living in Papua New Guinea, there isn't much here in terms of shopping. In fact there's nothing here!
For the past few years, for us to get a decent piece of clothing, we had to buy our things whenever we go home to the Philippines. From clothes, shoes, toys and the ever important underwear, we had to get from somewhere else. So imagine my happiness when finally, I was able to order "the necessities" from the internet. It opened a whole new world for us. It made living in PNG more pleasant and comfortable.
Now, I'm thinking of making a business out of this compulsion. I would love to be someone else's personal shopper. Doing what I do best and getting paid for it?...Not bad at all.

Down and out

2010-07-27T17:19:00.000+08:00

I miss blogging. Things have been busy lately that I rarely find time to organize my thoughts...much more put it into writing. The stress is too much lately. I've been down with Malaria two times in a months time. As if I haven't had enough, Flu came in next. What's going on? Is my body telling me to slow down, or perhaps de-stress a little?
Anyway, I am well now. Thank God for that! I miss playing with my kids and doing my daily routine. I wouldn't want to stay sick forever.

My Bestfriend's Wedding

2010-05-16T21:57:00.000+08:00

I have waited a long time for this moment to arrive so imagine the excitement when my best friend, Joy told me about it. I was literally jumping and screaming with delight. I haven't seen her in a long time and I don't really know much about her anymore. For her to ask me to be her Matron of Honor, still is a big deal for me. I know that she already have some new set of close friends that could probably relate to her more...but best friends will always be best friends no matter what the distance.

As the wedding day drew near, I prepared myself and flew to Manila. I am by the way living in Papua New Guinea now. I'll only be in Manila for one short week and really have so many things to do. First thing I did was to call her and ask if she needs me to do something for her. She just asked me to go to the couturier and fit my gown for repair. She also reminded me to prepare a speech for the party. Now, this was harder than I thought. Come wedding day, I went straight to the church where the ceremony would be. Everybody they hold dear were there, and I was happy to be amongst the witnesses. This was the first time I'll be meeting the groom. I don't really know much about him. When I saw Eric, he greeted me as if we have known each other forever. That was a nice feeling, and I can sense some good vibes from him. I can tell that he really is a good man, worthy of my best friend.

The entourage was already inside the church and getting ready to march, I still haven't seen Joy. Finally, her car arrived and she peeped thru the slightly open window and called me. When I saw her, my heart pounded really hard...this is the most beautiful she has ever been. We hugged and got teary eyed, holding back tears just so we can save our make-ups. Standing, waiting for her to make an entrance I keep telling myself that I will not cry. But as I saw her coming near, I just couldn't help myself. I let go of a river of tears...of happiness of course. This was the day we have dreamed off and it turned out really well.

While we were all waiting for the newlyweds to arrive at the reception, I took the time to make my speech. Yes, I only did it then when I had a year to prepare for it. Anyway, I wasn't able to eat because I was anticipating that they'd call my name anytime for the speech. A very bored crowd, two song numbers and five speeches later, they call me. I had my piece written so I wouldn't choke but as soon as I took my place in the podium and looked at the couple, I started trembling. I got so emotional that I was not able to read what I have prepared. Damn those tears! The best part though is when I was done with my speech, almost everyone was in tears and applauding. So, I think I did a good job, and delivered a heartfelt message to them. After all the crying comes party time! It truly was a lovely and memorable night.

2007-04-08T16:24:00.000+08:00

2007-04-08T16:03:00.000+08:00

I'm back! Remember the secret I've been keeping since January...here it is. You can see me on this months' issue of SMART PARENTING magazine. This was taken last January 5, 2007 when I was still 7 months pregnant with my twins. The bulge is gone now and I've already given birth last February 16, 2007, 1:09am and 1:10 am to two adorable boys.
It was around 10:30pm, I was watching Maging Sino Ka Man at home with my mom while munching on some peanuts when I felt the urge to urinate. I tried to slide out of the bed when my waterbag broke. At first I thought it was just urine but when I stood up, lots of water came gushing out. I told my mom, "Manganganak na yata ako." She started to panic, called my dad who started to panic too. I called my husband on his mobile phone and asked him to go home immediately for I might go into labor. Then we called my OB, she told us to proceed to the hospital and have myself admitted. It was not until 11pm that my husband arrived and we went to UST hospital. I was brought directly to the labor room, had my contractions monitored, had an UTZ and I.E.. Both are still in breech position. When the Anesthesiologist arrived, I got transferred to the O.R., and had a CS.
My baby boy Holiday got delivered at 1:09am followed by baby boy Hunter at 1:10am.
Finally, they're out and I was already put to sleep after taking a glance at them.

2007-01-09T18:04:00.000+08:00

I've been a little busy this past week doing what i do best, shopping! Funny how one's priorities change when you have a child to think about, more so if you're having two. With all the sale going on, I couldn't buy something for myself. I'm feeling guilty about spending. However, I feel like I'm in shopping heaven when I'm at the kids department buying things for my babies needs. I only have a few weeks to prepare for their arrival and when that time comes, I want to be ready. My dad has been so patient driving me around town. He's not much of a traveller and he definitely hates going to the mall. I know he's also as thrilled as I am that's why he gives in to my requests. Talk about emotional black mail.

Anyway, I met with my bestfriend yesterday. She's the first person I have on my list of Godmothers for the twins. Probably, the best one for the job. It's unfortunate that we didn't have the luxury of time to spend together this time. Nevertheless, I'm glad for the time we had however short it was.

Counting down, just 3 more weeks before J arrives, and 7 weeks to go before I give birth to my babies. I hope we make it to 37 weeks. Time flies.

P.S. I've got a little secret and it won't be out til April.

Welcome 2007

2007-01-01T18:03:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year, everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful feast.
Having to celebrate the holidays without J was hard. Though I had my parents and his siblings to cheer me up, it's not the same without him. I tried to show I'm happy but the longing kept haunting me when I'm alone. Still, I'm doing my best to face each day with glee and excitement for my babies sake.
As for me, I started a countdown...
4 weeks until Jayson is back, 8 weeks until my babies come out!

Halfway There

2006-11-02T13:50:00.000+08:00

Thank God! I'm halfway through the pregnancy. The twins are doing well, growing right, and healthy. The OB-Sonologist said that we might be having two little boys but she hasn't confirmed it to us yet, not until the sixth month when we can see the organs more clearly. Nevertheless, we were happy to know of the possibility of having boys. So thrilled, I started buying some baby clothes in neutral colors.
Every week, my belly is getting an inch larger. I got my appetite back. I'm starting to feel those back pains and leg cramps and it's getting harder to sleep and breathe. I'm not complaining though. I love being pregnant!
Anyway, my husband, Jayson just left for Papua New Guinea yesterday. It wasn't an easy thing to go through especially with the hormones I'm battling with. Emotions ran high and I just couldn't stop crying. I miss him every second of the day. I'm so used to him by my side that I feel incomplete. I know that he'll do what he's supposed to do there. I just need to be strong for our babies sake. That's it for now.

2006-08-17T13:44:00.000+08:00

It's good to be back!
I just had the longest three days of my life.
Spotting... bright red fresh blood. It scared the hell out of me...and the whole of our clans. There was a dark cloud that hung over us. Having these precious babies in mind, we sought medical help and was admitted for Threatened Abortion (intrauterine bleeding, with or without contractions, a closed cervix and no passage of products of conception). I had to stay at the hospital for two days for observation and complete bedrest (with no bathroom privileges).
At first, I thought the bleeding came from my urinary tract (assuming that I may have a small stone) but the urinalysis didn't confirm my hunch. Fortunately, the ultrasound showed that the twins are doing well, growing fast, very active, and there was no sign of bleeding from within. So, I had to take some medicine and had to be confined to the bedroom for two more months. I can't even go downstairs, much more go to the mall. The price I have to pay is high but I wouldn't want to risk having to lose my little ones. I don't think anybody would want that.
I thought something like this this won't happen to me but it did.
We're just glad that for the meantime, I'm feeling fine.
We're so grateful for the prayers and support that we've been getting from our family and friends. Most of all, I'm so thankful for having a husband like Jayson. I know he's tired but he never once complained.
Got to go and rest now. Til next time.

Love Times Two

2006-08-03T11:09:00.000+08:00

Well, what do you know? We're having TWINS!
I'm still at loss for words.
Here they are, making their first appearance.

Credits:
La Vie D'amour kit by Michelle Bradley @ Shelby Digital Design Shoppe
Twine and glass freebie by Sara Carling

Sixth Week

2006-07-24T12:45:00.000+08:00

I'm now on my 6th week of gestation. About two weeks ago, I had a hard time sleeping, wondering when my period will come. I've always had a longer than usual cycle (30-33 days) that's why we had to wait a while for us to assume that we're pregnant. The instance that I had the slightest hint was when I had an Implantation Bleeding (pinkish vaginal discharge). At day 35, I started feeling nauseous the whole day so we decided to take a home pregnancy test that night. My heart was pounding hard and fast, I couldn't bare to look as the two lines appeared on the test. I waited a few more minutes, trying to convince myself that this time it's true, it's positive. Slowly. I walked toward my husband to show him the result. I've never seen him that happy for a long while. Finally, we're having a baby! Not long after a few moments of celebrating, we told our parents. They were very joyful as they will be grandparents for the first time.

A week after that here I am, always craving for wanton noodles! Aside from the sore breasts, uncontrollable sleepiness, frequent trips to the lavatory and refrigerator , I'm doing fine. I guess the hormones haven't kicked in much yet. Being pregnant is the best thing that has happened to me so far. I've been informed that getting pregnant with PCOS isn't going to be easy. For a while I started to doubt the possibility. I've been bombarded with medicine just to have the slightest chance of conceiving. I still am under medication and I'm glad I was compliant or else, none of this would have happened.
My dear hubby is so supportive and attentive to my needs and wants. I couldn't ask for a better partner. Anyway, here's a very special thing I did entitled "Sweet Beginning". It's my first pregnancy layout.

Credits:
Hip Mommy Kit by Summer Simmons @ Sugar Giggles

By the way, thank you to everyone who wished us well. We really appreciate all the good things that you have to say. And before I forget, here's something that I want to pass on to other women who is desirous of conceiving a child. I've always said this Prayer for Motherhood before I go to sleep at night. All it needs is a little faith.

Credits:
Quiet Me Down Kit by Valerie Fowler @ The Digichick

Fresh

2006-07-17T10:48:00.000+08:00

It's all goood, baby! I'm off to my first Prenatal Check-up.

2006-07-16T23:34:00.000+08:00

Are you having a baby?
If you are, there's a new kit by Summer Simmons called Hip Mommy.
It's a funky kit with bright colors and lotsa elements.

You can get it Here.

2006-07-05T08:20:00.000+08:00

Guess what?
My LO was chosen at The Digichick as "Layout of the Day".
What a beautiful way to start the day!
I didn't even know there was an award for that.
Check it out! Life is a Journey

Credits:
Altered Artistry kit by Sausan Designs at Plain Digital Wrapper
Font: Guilty, Jean Claude's hand

2006-06-30T13:50:00.000+08:00

I am NOT dead... at least not yet. I'm so ashamed of leaving my blog empty for a while. Not that I don't have something to tell, I just feel so lazy this past few days. I guess being broke and jobless really pumps out the energy in me. Anyway, I have some great news too.
The clinic inspection went well and is already approved by the PNG Medical Board. But the thing is, they still want us to expand the clinic to accomodate patients from neighbouring provincial hospitals. Wow! Isn't that just awesome news? Before we we're thinking whether we'll be able to have a number of patients. Now, I'm wondering if we could handle the volume. I guess it's better than having no work at all. At least, we have something to look forward to. It's just a matter of time before we get our working Visa which is long overdue. Fixing the requirements held us back for a year...a very long year! Sometimes I wish I could have gone into residency training just to kill time. On the other hand, if I've gone into training it would be harder for us to conceive and have the treatments. In line with that, I'm on my second month of taking 150 mg of Clomiphene Citrate. I must be responding to this dosage because I finally broke the cycle of having PCOS every other month. That alone is good news and if we'll be able to have a baby, that would be a great blessing.

* * *

In othe news, designer Michelle Bradley is having a birthday on the 4th of July! As a birthday treat, she is offering a freebie on her site at Shelby Design Shoppe. Grab it before its gone! It will only be available for a limited time.
Go here in the forum: http://www.shelbydesignshoppe.com/msgboard/index.php?topic=35.0
or Her blog: Shelby Digital Design Shoppe

Mari K is also having a 50% sale over at The Digichick in celebration of her daughter's 2nd birthday. Sale ends on June 30. Lots of great stuff and new kits up for grabs. Don't miss it!

That's it for now! Have a great weekend!

2006-06-18T10:25:00.000+08:00

It's father's day! Happy day to all the father's out there specially to my dad. I'm so broke I wasn't able to prepare something for him. I know he understands...he always does and I'm so grateful. When I was growing up, I wasn't able to see much of my dad. I just see him in the morning before I leave for school and in the evening when I'm about to sleep. He was a workaholic! Nevertheless, when he's not so busy tinkering with his car, he takes me out to go wherever I want. "Wherever" for him means anywhere in Makati. We'd go to church at Greenbelt Park where the chapel is surrounded by a pond. Afterwards, we'd go to Pancake House and order our favorite Taco. I've always known that I'm a spoiled child. I get whatever I want and enjoyed being a child...mostly because of how my dad treated me. I miss those times but right now, I'm enjoying every day that we are together.

Credits:

Super Dad kit by Mari Koegelenberg @ The Digichick

p.s. If you have time, you might want to check out her blog: Mari K Creations . You just might get lucky.

In other news, our clinic in Papua New Guinea has just been approved by the inspector from the medical board. All we need is documentation on their part so we could apply for a working visa. This is great news for us! Eventhough it took longer than we expected, at least there's some progress in that department. We're so excited to go and work our butts off. Then perhaps, there will be better days for us all.

2006-06-02T09:55:00.000+08:00

Well, HELLOOOOOOOH! I almost forgot about my blog. Not that I don't have anything to say, but I just feel so lazy to do anything lately. So aside from watching MI:3, The Da Vinci Code and Xmen, things have been boring. I can't even do a decent LO for now.
***
Anyway, a couple of weekends ago, we went on our yearly pilgrimage to Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine in Pangasinan. It only took us 3 hours to get there from Manila which usually is a 5 hour drive with minimal traffic. We met some of my husband's cousins at the shrine already. I was disappointed when I wasn't able to go up to the miraculous figure. The line was twisted and it would probably take me two hours to get to the top. I guess we're saving that for another time.
After a while, we already headed off to the beach. I didn't know what to expect because I haven't gone swimming on the northern part of the country, particulary at San Felipe, Pangasinan. At first I was disappointed about the place. There were too many people on the beach, it was so freaking hot and the beach wasn't really a pretty sight. After a couple of minutes under the sun, I immediately got toasted even with sun block on. I went to the cottage to each brunch and fell asleep on the stiff wooden chair. When I woke up, my back hurts, the sun isn't that harsh anymore, it was a little cloudy and the beautiful waves kept on coming. Out to the beach again, I rested on my floater while the waves sent me drifting to the shore. This time I was really having fun! The dreadful day finally picked up and I could go home satisfied. It was another 5 hours drive home, and I'm too exhausted to stay awake.
***
In other news, I've been given a new regimen by my OB-Gyne. I am now taking 150 mg of Clomiphene Citrate a day for 5 days, 1000mg of Metformin daily. Can you imagine the side effects of taking these medications. I didn't want to eat, I felt nauseated at the smell of things, my abdomen is cramping and other stuff that's driving me to the edge of my seat. I guess it worked for the meantime coz when I went for my follicle monitoring there were no polycystic ovaries. Finally, my left ovary which was so resistant to treatment set out an egg together with the right. Yes, I have two eggs this month but I don't know if it will be able to grow in size enough to ovulate and be fertilized. In this area, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hope for the best. At least PCOS is temporarily absent this month. If I don't get pregnant this time, it will be another ballgame up ahead.
***
I cleared my closet the other day. I realized that I have all this new clothes that I don't have place for. My aunt just sent me 4 more bebe blouses, I still have 4 unused blouses that I got from my birthday and several things that have long been forgotten in my closet. After a little contemplation, I asked my younger cousin to take whatever she wants and give the other stuff to our other cousins. At least I'm seeing a little more closet space and I get to give my barely used clothes to be put to good use.

That's it for now. Gotta bake some Lasagna for my parent's anniversary. It's been 33 years!

2006-05-15T09:12:00.000+08:00

First of all, thank you everyone for your messages. I'm such a sucker for tiny thoughts, that's why your notes meant so much to me.
I had a wonderful time yesterday! First stop was the mall. My Dad, hubby and cousin Archie went with me. As usual, I headed on to my favorite store MANGO where they're having a sale. I rummaged through the piles of clothing but could find anything that I like or at least anything that would fit my XXS size. Darn it! So I just browsed in the New Collection section of the boutique where I found some nice things. I just planned on buying a piece as I'm having a little financial difficulty. I want that one sentimental piece to remind me of this birthday I had. It took several minutes to finally pick up the things, yes...ThingS I wanted. Fortunately for me, dad pulled out his credit card for me to use. I can see that my dad is getting bored and that he's just approving my choices just to get over and done with it. That's the point! See, my tactics worked. I just love a shopping spree! Before you say I'm too old for these tricks, you must understand that I'm an only child and one hell of a daddy's girl.
Moving on, we headed to Blue Wave to meet other family members. I was not the only one celebrating that day. I had the same birthday with my husband's younger sister. It took them almost an hour to reach the resto, Plato Platina and we're getting hungry by the minute. Good thing we ordered some antipasti or else. We had a nice dinner and lots of humorous conversations. I just wished that mom was there with us. And before we call it a night, we had to make one more stop...Starbucks. I must have eaten a lot coz I had a serious case of indigestion.

I wasn't able to sleep because of that and the fact that Jayson's starting his residency training in Sugery the next day. I'm having mixed emotions about it but I trust him and his capabilities completely. I just have to get used to having breakfast, lunch or even dinner without him.
He's off to work now, and me...I'm just hanging around.

It's My Party

2006-05-14T10:50:00.000+08:00

...and I'll cry if I want to. Yep! Today is the day. I'm thirty one and I want to stop counting from here on.
When I was YOUNG-er, I was so excited about my birthday. I couldn't sleep waiting for midnight to come when all my friends would call me up and I'd be on the phone for hours. I used to be excited about a new birthday dress to wear, giddy about the celebration to come. Those were the days.
Today, I'm just happy to wake up to a new day! No birthday cards to read, no presents to open (except for that red envelope mom & dad gave), aside from that I know so well that there's nothing for me today. Dad woke me up with a greeting as I in turn greeted my mom a Happy Mother's Day. It doesn't bother me to share the limelight with all the mothers out there, coz if it weren't for them, there'll be no birthdays. I felt neglected somehow. Mom took off early to go to Pampanga and attend one of my cousin's wedding. Dad opted to stay home with us.
I went to Church early ( which is very rare) with my hubby just to thank the Lord for all the blessings He had showered upon me. I am not a deeply religious person but I know how to give back what God has given me.
Maybe we'll celebrate later. I'm glad Clomiphene hasn't started kicking in yet or else, I'd wind up a famished grouch. I'm feeling...Italian.
I have only one wish for my birthday... **********
I think you know it by now.

Have a great day everyone!
Happy Mother's Day!

CTM of the Month

2006-05-04T20:53:00.000+08:00

Lookie, lookie!
Guess who's being featured this month?
See it here.

Road Trip

2006-05-03T22:49:00.000+08:00

So, what's new?
We travelled 1100 kilometers by land.
Can you imagine how long we've been sitting on our butts?
We left Saturday Morning at about 3AM. It was still dark but I know we could handle navigating the first stretch. When the sun rose, we were already at Quezon Province. I've been there a couple of times before but haven't reached the boundaries. It was a grueling ride! The road is awful, much like the surface of the moon! To make things worse, there were no restaurants opened at 7am. Good thing we saw a roadside eatery called Delicious. As usual, I ended up ordering Wanton Noodle Soup which is my favorite. I didn't expect the food to be that good. I particularly liked the egg noodle and the wanton with the shitake mushrooms in it.
As we went on our way, I realized that we had to go through the zigzag road along the mountain. I didn't get to sleep through the whole trip. We passed by the fishing villages of Gumaca, Quezon, the coconut plantations of Camarines Sur, and some other scenic places.
It was 11AM when we finally reached Naga City. We were able to get accomodations at Naga Regent Hotel, by far the best hotel we could find in the city.
The wedding's at 2Pm so I immediately started preparing. Jayson took longer to get ready. I was starting to get frantic when we couldn't find the church. When we got to the church, I thought that the mass has started already which really made me pissed. Good thing it was the wrong church. We were lucky enough to reach Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica. The reception was held at an indoor garden more similar to the place where we got married. We don't know most of the people around so were seated with a couple of locals. It was a beautiful wedding full of traditions and love overwhelming. It was worth the trip.

Sunday morning, we left Naga and headed further south to see the infamous Mayon Volcano. We made a stop at the Cagsawa Ruins (an old Spanish Colonial church that got buried during the volcano's eruption in the early 1700's ) where all that is left was the bell tower. It was a little cloudy when we got there so we never really saw the peak of Mayon until later in the afternoon.
Then we went on to find the white sand beach of Masibis. The way to Masibis was steep. After reaching the end of the road, they said that we have to take our vehicle with us on a ferry ride across the river because there's still 5 more kilometers of driving before we reach the place. We chickened out and couldn't take that risk. We headed back, disappointed and a little rattled about the situation. We passed by the beaches of Kalaykai and Bacacay where the water is clear but the sand is so black. Far from what we had in mind. It was getting dark and we just wanted to find a place to stay. We were lucky enough to find a decent and private resort in Mullner's. We went for a swim in the warm water and dark night. I didn't stay long because I felt my face burning and itching from the saltiness of the water.

Monday morning, we woke up early hoping to have a clear view of Mayon volcano but it rained on the most opportune time. I'm afraid that it was going to be a bad day to travel. After breakfast, we started heading home. Our tank's almost empty and we couldn't find a nearby gas station that accepts credit cards so we had no choice but to pay in cash and sacrifice our lunch money. I was the one navigating so I chose the shorter road to take. It was too late to turn back when we realized that we will be travelling for hours in a road beside the mountain cliffs of Iriga. I couldn't move or say a word. There was silence in the car. I guess we all got petrified when we saw that we had to pass by the eroded part of the mountain. It was like being in Jurasic Park without the dinosaurs. I saw the Island of Catanduanes on my right side with the white sand we were dreaming of. The view was breathtaking but still, I couldn't even move a finger to get a shot. Is this the way that I'm going to die? I started praying to all the angels and saints to keep us safe! My gosh, it was the most exciting and horrific part of the trip! I never doubted Jayson's driving abilities, and I know that was the time to believe in him. We got to the plains safely, and God granted us with sunny skies through the whole time we were at the mountain. I've never been so happy to see rice fields again in my life! It was already night time when we reached the nearest City which is Lucena. Famished and tired, we screamed at the sight of Max's Fried Chicken. After that, the trip home seemed faster. We reached Manila after 12 hours of road trip. I'm just so glad to be home!

2006-04-28T09:03:00.000+08:00

My friend since 3rd year college, Eric has just invited us to his wedding tomorrow afternoon. It was a weeks' notice and we were a bit unsure if we could come. Come to think of it, I wouldn't want to miss his wedding. We've been friends for so long, interned together as Physical Therapists, went to med school together and classmates til the end, we shared the same dorm, and attended all the what have you's and like fraternal twins, our lives are intertwined like umbilical cords. I guess I can say that he's really special. I'll never forget the fact that when I got married a year ago, he came all the way from BICOL just to attend. It was a 10 hours ride by bus and would probably take a little shorter to drive. It's our turn to make that road trip. I'm so excited to go!
At first I wasn't sure if we could come. Mostly because we have a schedule with the Sonologist. But since I got PCO this month, I'll be omitting the successive ultrasoud scheds. Maybe it's God's way of putting things in order, telling me that I shouldn't obsess about it and that there are more important things to dwell on like friendship. With my schedules cleared, and aside from the Flu that I just got we're definitely good to go. Joining my husband and I are his brother and sister-in-law. We might as well go to places like the perfect coned Mayon Volcano and some some other tourist spots while we're there. Although we haven't been to BICOL, I'm confident that we won't get lost. I bought a map already and if I'm stupid enough to lose it, I could always ask for directions.

2006-04-24T11:37:00.000+08:00

Bilateral Polycystic Ovaries, again?
I am so screwed up!

2006-04-21T20:23:00.000+08:00

I'm still here, folks. I'm so terrible when it comes to writing that I don't do it much. Well, nothing has changed much except for my crowning glory. I thought that my hair had a life of its own, getting harder to manage each day. As if it's not enough that I 've had some troublesome days!
Anyway, I was so disappointed about having another unwanted monthly period that I couldn't talk about it. We certainly had our hopes high but to our dismay, nothing good came out of it. I guess that's the price we have to pay for some leisure. So, I decided to move on in silence, taking things astride. Another round of Clomiphene and the whole she-bang, another series of ultrasound. For a while, I got used to being in the lithotomy position that I didn't care anymore.
Meanwhile, my dear husband started applying for his residency training in Surgery. I, on the other hand, didn't go with him. This time, it's just a matter of priorities. I don't know how we'll be able to make a baby with both of us on duty, with different schedules and all stressed out. Not to mention the very low salary that's just enough for his food and gas allowance. Staying home might be the more sensible choice for us. In any case, the monetary compesation is not really a big issue. The better end of this deal is the amount of knowledge and skill that he can get from this experience.
We haven't given up on our upcoming career abroad. It's just that things are taking longer than usual. Honestly, we don't know what to do anymore. The Medical Board of PNG's really squeezing out every last bit of patience we have. If I may say so, I think they're just a bunch of morons who doesn't know what's good for them! We gave them all the requirements, our clinic is almost done, the only foreign doctor in the area has left already, and all that's missing is us. It's the end of the month again and time for them to congregate. I hope this months meeting will be more productive and favorable. *Fingers crossed*
And so amongst all this chaos and uncertainty, one thing is for sure... I love the way my mom cut my mane! I feel ten pounds lighter!

Trip to the Islands

2006-04-06T14:53:00.000+08:00

I don't really know where to start so here it goes.
March 29 Wednesday
- Roadtrip from Manila to Port of Batangas; 2 hours
- Got on a Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro)ship from Batangas to Calapan, Mindoro: 2 hours
- Roadtrip from Calapan to Roxas, Mindoro; 4 hours
- Got on a Ro-Ro ship from Roxas to Port of Caticlan; 5 hours
March 30 Thursday
- waited for sunrise to get on a 15-minute boat ride from Caticlan to Boracay Island
- Checked-in at Orchids Resort in Station three
- German Breakfast by the beach
- Swim til Lunch Time
- Lunch at Gustoph in Station Two
- Stroll at D'mall - souvenir shops and dining places
- Dinner buffet at Bar Grill in Station Two
- Watched a Reggae concert at Bom Bom
March 31 Friday
- It's our 14th month anniversary
- Farmer's breakfast at the resort
- Island hopping boat ride
- Snorkling near Crocodile Island
- Shop for souvenir pearls and accessories at Puka-Shell Beach
- Lunch at Hey, Jude! in Station Two
- Had a Henna tattoo
- Dinner at the resort Patio
- Watched a fire-throwing show at Cocomangas, had some drinks and the Pizza is a must-try
April 1 Saturday
- Breakfast at Bei Marc and Beck's
- Afternoon swim
- Banana Boat ride - an inflated boat shaped like a banana being pulled by a speedboat; the objctive is to turn the boat over and drop the passengers into the water
- Shop for Souvenirs
- Dinner Buffet at Dalisay Paradise Restaurant
April 2 Sunday
- Morning Walk from Station Three to One and back hunting for South Sea Pearl vendors
- Willy's Rock
- Crepes for Breakfast
- Pack things for departure
- Boatride from Boracay to Caticlan
- Roadtrip from Caticlan to Roxas City, Capiz
- Lunch at Ramboy's in Kalibo, Aklan
- Watched a Pistol shooting competition at Capiz Gun Club
- Dinner with our friend, John's family in Roxas City, Capiz
- Stayed at their Resthouse in Ivisan, Capiz
April 3 Monday
- Lunch at Capiz Gun Club
- Had a Pistol Shooting lesson from the Club members
- Had Authentic La Paz Batchoy at Ted's
- Bought dried Squid and Fish (Danggit) for Pasalubong
- Dinner at Dodoy's house
- Pack luggage
April 4 Tuesday
- Roxas City Airport, flight to Manila

That was the end of our week-long vacation. The best part of it was experiencing the warm hospitality of the people we met along the way. I would love to come back someday! I'm missing the island life already.

2006-04-05T20:17:00.000+08:00

I'm back! I'm just popping in for a while. I loved spending time in Boracay but my body is still aching from all the fun and excitement. I'll post more pictures soon! Promise!

Credits: Garden Glow Kit @ Citrus Blossom.com

2006-03-27T14:14:00.000+08:00

We're going on vacation!
I get all worked up just thinking about it.
Boracay, here we come!
Since we never had a honeymoon, I think it's about time we did. I'm all packed and ready to go. I'm just a little worried though, coz my OBGyne advised me not to go on long trips that could be exhausting. But it's too late to cancel reservations. I guess I just have to take things lightly and not over-indulge in activities. So, what should we do in Boracay aside from leaving footprints in the sand?
I can smell the salty see breeze already!

2006-03-13T14:08:00.000+08:00

A month has passed since Basti passed away. I've gotten over those crying days. I know I'm okay already because I can look at his pictures and smile. Just to remember him by, I made this LO specially for him.

Credits: Daydream kit by Mari K @ TDC

2006-03-06T21:25:00.000+08:00

Drum rolls...
Presenting...Bogart!
I can't begin to tell you how much this little energizer has changed our lives. Bogart is the reason why we've been smiling more often. He's our bundle of joy, our jester. Although he could never take the place of our dear Basti, he's making his way into each of our hearts.

Credits: Dirty Boy kit @ Fernlilis.com

2006-02-25T17:21:00.000+08:00

I'm back, folks. I just had the longest 2 weeks of my life. Everything seems to go wrong. Anyway, I took the time to recover from our loss. It was a difficult thing to go through and I'm really thankful for all of you who took the time to care. It meant so much to me.
I guess, things could only go uphill from this point. I feel my mojo is creeping in. I can't wait to do the things that I neglected for some time.

On the lighter side, my bestfriend who's in NY surprised me with a call. I started to weep as soon as she talked about Basti. I must admit that I have forgotten to answer back her mails. She just knew what happened with Basti thru this blog. I know that she really cared about him but most of all, she got so worried about how I'm taking things. And so today, she sent me some flowers. It's beautiful and I love it just because it came from her. I couldn't have gotten a better friend. Thanks, bestfriend! You always know how to paint a smile on my face.

Farewell to a Dear Friend

2006-02-14T14:11:00.000+08:00

It's been a busy week. Now, my heart is just full of pain. My pet, Basti has been sick. He lost his appetite, he seemed a little depressed, and always tired. I tried to make him eat even if I had to spoon-feed him soft pieces of meat. His teeth must be really aching coz he just swallowed everything. Last Saturday morning, my dad gave him a bath, I blow-dried his hair, and he looked handsome. We brought him to the vet to have his teeth checked. He was sedated and got his incisors removed. Because he couldn't eat, the vet placed an IV line on him. We had to confine him for a couple of days just to give hime time to recover.
We visited him Sunday, he looked fine. He was able to stand up and drink a little. He sat in front of me so I could caress him just like I used to. He licked my hand and I felt a little relieved. He looked at me as I walked away. I couldn't sleep the whole night, thinking if he's going to be alright.
Yesterday morning I got an early call from the vet telling me that he contracted Canine Distemper. It was bad. He said, he's been crying all night. Maybe he was calling out for us and that he was in great pain. We immediately went to see him. He was lying down, unreactive, looking back at me with blank stares. He lost the sparkle in his eyes. My heart was crushed to pieces. I couldn't stand to see him that way. I know he can still hear my voice telling him how much we love him. I was hoping for the best, but the reality is he's just deteriorating. I didn't want to leave him that way. We went home for a while to eat lunch. I just couldn't get myself to eat and the tears just keep falling. We called at 4pm to get an update from the vet, he's still the same. I wanted to go back to see him but it was too late. The vet called us to let us know that he had passed away. I was a few minutes too late. When we reached the clinic, there he was curled up like a baby. I couldn't believe he's gone. I touched him for the last time and closed his eyes.
It was nearing sunset as we went home to Bulacan. I said a little prayer and buried him in a safe spot. I hope he's in a better state now, free fom pain and suffering. We will miss him terribly. He has brought us so much joy more than anything else. Thank you Basti, for all the great memories you left with us. You will never be forgotten.

In Loving Memory Azotea's Sebastian"Basti Yamat" August 31, 1999 - February 13, 2006

2006-02-07T21:16:00.000+08:00

I got tagged by Edhish!
Here goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was a Physical Therapy intern getting ready for graduation.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Setting up a clinic and changing my name on every bit of important document.

Five snacks you enjoy:
Pizza, Mac n Cheese, Chocoloate cake, Twister Fries, and Corn dog

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Dreaming of You by Selena, This I Promise You by N'sync, Someone To Watch Over Me, That's it! I'm bad with lyrics.

Five bad habits:
Cursing, Collecting toiletries, Clutter-bug, I don't exercise, Smell my dh's head

Five things you like doing:
Shopping, Digiscrapping, Watching Tv, Talking to my dog, Browsing the internet

Five things you would never wear, buy or get again:
Tube top, Micro-mini, Gypsy skirt, DM's, Large hoop earringss

Five favorite toys:
Camera, Laptop, Wacom Tablet, Photoshop, Java games

This tag ends here. Everybody has been tagged already.

2006-02-02T23:17:00.000+08:00

The anniversary has gone by. Nothing really out of the ordinary happened. We just went out for dinner at our favorite restaurant. We haven't gone on a date for a while, except for the occassional trip at the mall. Secretly, I was hoping he'd give me flowers. I guess he promised not to give me another bouquet since the last time he gave me one, we broke up. Long story. Anyway, I had a real nice time. I got so caught up with the appetizer that by the time the main dish was served, I couldn't eat anymore.

In other matters, I got a pleasant surprise when I opened my mail yesterday. Kristy just sent me her newest element pack: Garden Collage. I couldn't wait to use it. So, here's what I did. I posted it @ the Digichick and I think it needed some love.

Credits:
Garden Collage Element Pack @ Kristy Ann Designs blog
September Sun Paper by Laura Alpuche @ TDC
KM Nature brush

It's been a Year

2006-01-31T00:27:00.000+08:00

A year ago, two long time lovers (is 9 years long enough) vowed to love each other no matter the circumstances. Well, what do you know? That was us! The year has gone by in such a fast pace. We haven't accomplished much. No new addition to the family and we're still here. Eventhough we had an unproductive year, I'm still thankful that I'm able to go to sleep with my dear husband beside me and that I get to see him everyday when I wake up. He is such a blessing! Although... there are times when he gets too annoying. I just want to smack his face and punch him to the ground. Lol!

Anyway, here's a layout I did for my dh on the occassion of our 1st wedding anniversary. I've put so much love and attention into making this one. I hope he likes it, and I hope that you do too. Happy anniversary, baby! Mwah!

Credits:
Paper: Home Comforts kit by Mari K @ TDC; Delight kit by Taran Conyers
Flowers: Lil Petals by Holly McCaig; Delight kit by Taran Conyers
Ribbon: Delight kit by Taran Conyers
Brush: Bloom Buddies Brush set by Holly McCaig
Elements: Bling Fasteners by Holly McCaig
Fonts: Blackjack, My Old Remington

Muse Me

2006-01-24T22:54:00.000+08:00

Last week was not a good week for me. I'm always at the hospital for my follicle monitoring. I must have had 3 TVS in 1 week. It was tiring and left me anxious about the results. Fortunately, I had some good outcomes and I could rest for a week or so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed again.

Then there's TDC. I'm getting frustrated with how things turned out. My comments on other's LO's don't show up. That's really a bummer, since I love giving away praises. Then I noticed that my LO's were not appreciated much. It's really disheartening because I've put a lot of love and effort in making them. I felt that I didn't give justice to Mari's kits (which are really works of art) with my LO's. I felt unworthy. Since I started digiscrapping, I considered TDC as my home. I loved participating in the forums, browsing through the gallery, leave comments, and join the challenges. I know that I'm not supposed to feel bad, but I do. I'm just thankful that I still have my 2Peas gallery...hanging around the site still gives me a sense of joy and pride with what I do.

I was glad to find Holly's Dare to Muse me challenge for this week. It gave me inspiration and made me think about the things that I should be proud of. God help me, I hope there won't be lots of times when I'd doubt myself. When I started counting my blessings, I knew that there's no reason for me to be gloomy.

I am...

Credits:

LoveLoveLove kit by Mari K @ TDC

Bling Fasteners @ Holly McCaig's Designs

2006-01-22T16:49:00.000+08:00

Times like these makes me really proud to be a Filipino. Thank you to our people's champion, Manny Pacquiao for bringing in the honor.

2006-01-22T11:49:00.000+08:00

Been tagged by Mari!

What scrapbooking lines/products/etc do you dislike?
I'm not a fan of vintage just because I have a hard time playing with it.

What is the hardest thing you've ever had to scrap?
My graduation. I didn't have a lot of photos to scrap with. Bummer!

What technique do you use more than any other?
Embossing and drop shadows. I also use Optikverve.

Ever been published?
Nope! I'm too shy to submit.

What's the smallest scrap of paper you save?
Notes from my friends in college. Scraps that we pass around when we're really bored of the subject.

Ever have any scrapbooking-related injuries?
Low back pain!

Finish the sentence "If I wasn't a scrapbooker,
I would spend my money on gadgets.

Give us your best storage or organizational idea.
Color-coded storage boxes for papers.

You just won a week-long scrapbooking cruise for 5. Who's going with you?
Holly Mc Caig, Mari K, Valgal, Fernlili, Shabby Princess

You're turn!After you've answered the questions, tag 4 of your scrapbook buddies!
Fernlili
Valerie
Paula
Kristy Ann

2006-01-18T16:03:00.000+08:00

I haven't had a good night sleep...just an hour and a half. I wanted to sleep but my mind kept on wandering. Have you ever experienced the feeling that you're not appreciated? I must be having a creative block. My LO's are going unnoticed in the galleries. Do I really suck? Everytime I do a LO, I give it all I've got. I try to find new ways of improving my craft and make it unique. I just don't understand.
Here's a peek at my newest creation. I Love,Love,Love using this kit by Mari K. It has my favorite color (*pink*) and has the cutest elements to boast. And yes, It's Mari's birthday today! Happy birthday, girl!

Credits:

Love, Love, Love kit by Mari Koegelenberg @ The Digichick

Font: Love Letters

On a lighter note, I went for another TVS this morning. It's day 14 and I'm trying to monitor my follicles. After all the weight loss, nausea and diarrhea, It's all gone. Goodbye, Polycystic Ovaries! Woohoo! I'm so happy to see that I'm starting to ovulate again. What a relief! I just have to continue taking meds and monitor follicle formation...Hopefully, we'll get a positive result soon.

2006-01-15T23:21:00.000+08:00

It's my dad's birthday! And since I'm flat broke, instead of me giving him a gift...he gave me one. How sweet is that! Luv yah, daddy.

2006-01-14T01:29:00.000+08:00

I've been tagged by Kristy!
Here goes...

Four jobs you’ve had in your life:
Cashier, Physical Therapist, physician, Wife 24/7 ( does this count?)

Four movies you would watch over and over:
You've Got Mail, Sweet Home Alabama, Stepmom, The Incredibles

Four places you have lived: Manila, Laguna, Subic, Pampanga

Four TV shows you love to watch: House, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Clean House

Four places you have been on vacation: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Milwaukee

Four websites you visit daily: TheDigiChick, 2 peas, Blogger , Friendster

Four of your favorite foods: Pizza, Chocolate, McChicken, Mac&Cheese

Four places you would rather be right now: At the mall, Papua New Guinea, a Spa, The Beach

Four bloggers you are tagging:
Val
Mari
Tin
Mimi

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

2006-01-10T00:23:00.000+08:00

I was wondering why Basti (my adorable pug) has been losing weight. Was it because of the lamb chops he had last Christmas? I don't really know. His feeding didn't really change but I noticed him always showing his front teeth. I'm so worried. Well, he lost a tooth today. Poor doggy. It doesn't seem to affect him in a big way. His appetite is still good and he's playful as ever. Is it normal for dogs to lose their teeth? Will it grow back? I have to do my research.

On other things, I just finished my first LO using Mari's Jellie Babies kit. This is a really big kit with lots of elements, papers, alpha's and ribbons. I just love it, the pastel colors, the textures and shapes! Btw, just got news that Mari is now a Digichick designer. Pretty cool! I'm so excited for her! I know that someone as talented as her would be a wonderful addition to the roster of designers at the site.

Anyway, I was not sure if it turned out okay (my LO, I mean). I have so many things in mind and different ways of using the kit that it got jumbled up in chaos. Well, here's my first attempt...Surely, it won't be the last for this kit.

Credits:
Jellie Babies kit by Mari Koegelenberg
Font: My Old Remington

2006-01-05T18:17:00.000+08:00

I'm really having a bad day today. My throat is really dry and itchy, I feel like my lungs' going to come out as I cough and worst of all, I had my period. Just my luck, huh? Anyway, I just need to suck it up and stop whining. So instead, I thought of channeling my energy into work.

I just got this wonderful new kit from Fernlili {Confections of a Pre-Teen}. Somehow, receiving and playing with it kept my spirits high...at least for today. This kit is so girly with lovely pastel colors, doodles, gellies and everything you need to work with. And yes, she was kind enough to send me a direct link to the kit since I'm having trouble downloading with YSI. Thanks again, girl! You made my day!

I had the perfect photo for this kit. Featured in the photo is my dh's niece Shalina Bianca with her brother RJ and her friends. This was taken during RJ's 6th birthday party. Have a nice day, y'all!

Credits:
Confections of a Pre-Teen at Fernlilis.com

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T22:04:00.000+08:00

Happy new year, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful celebration.
Needless to say, I think this is the best new year party we've had. The family is complete, lots of friends, a hearty meal and spectacular fireworks! Who could ask for more?
Six hours befor midnight, we're still at the mall shopping for some good wine and treats for the kids. It's amazing how people get so engrossed with welcoming the new year with a Bang. I know I am! I don't want to get emotional this time. No thoughts about leaving the country soon. I just tried to enjoy myself that just in case I don't get to come back here for next year's holiday, I'd still have beautiful memories to take along with me.
Ok, I said I won't be emotional. I'm a little sleepy from all the celebrating, my throat is sore, my stomach is having a life of its own, and my nose is running at the speed of lightning. Got to catch some sleep!

2005-12-28T14:46:00.001+08:00

I whipped up some LO's a day after Christmas... and with all the photos I have, inspiration wasn't a problem.

Loving Arms!
Credits:
Awfully Chocolate kit by Jasbeanie, Funky Rudolph kit by Mari K
Font: Susie's Hand, My Old Remington

Oh, and yes! It's my dear husband's 32nd birthday today. Happy birthday, bebe!

Credits:
WinterBlue Kit by Holly McCaig
Font: Angel

Eat, Drink, Be Merry

2005-12-25T02:09:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!
I just love the holidays! This year's Christmas celebration is something that I will always cherish. It's more joyous, more sentimental and everything in between. We started by dressing up my pet, Basti so he could have his holiday photo taken. He's such a cutie! Don't you think?

Then we grilled some lamb and pork chop marinated with Jack Daniel's whisky for dinner. I am not deeply religious that's why I didn't go to the midnight mass. Took a break and waited for 12 o'clock to eat Noche Buena. It was delightful!

For the first time, my dh's family joined us in celebrating. We ate, drank and exchanged gifts. It's fun to see people's faces light up when they receive presents. And even though I didn't receive any, I felt better seeing our family enjoy theirs. "It's better to give...than to receive?"...mostly true, but I have some selfish moods too and I love receiving presents. I guess I should be thankful for the blessings that cannot be measured materially.
And yes, it's my first Christmas with my husband. The more I'm thrilled to celebrate and make it special. I took on the task of cooking which I don't normally do. No big deal, I loved having done it for my loved ones.
Flashback: a week before Christmas, we ate at CPK and ordered the Penne with Italian sausages. We really loved it that's why I wanted to replicate it at home. 2days before the 24th, we we're desperately looking for Italian sausages to go with the pasta. We finally found it but wasn't sure if it's the same thing.
And so back with my story, I'm just glad that my family loved what I had prepared.
Ok, my thoughts are a little disorganized. That's what happens when I'm genuinely happy. Thanks for bearing with me.
For now, I bid you this... "Feliz Navidad!"

Cheers!

The latest

2005-12-20T00:48:00.000+08:00

Here's a LO I did for Val's newest kit 29 degrees. It's a fun kit with shades of red and purple and some doodles. It's really a kit that you can use even after the holidays.
Laughter Credits:
29 Degrees kit by Valerie Fowler at The Digichick
Font: MA Flirty

2005-12-19T12:01:00.000+08:00

A week and one wedding later, our local version of Santa just left. He came all the way to the Philippines from Virginia just to attend a relative's wedding. For the past few days, we've been busy accompanying our uncle (actually, my husband's uncle) get around town. I must have gained a couple of pounds from the constant eating. Traffic is so bad during the holidays and that makes it even harder. Even though it was a bit tiring, we wouldn't underestimate the fact that we really had fun spending time with him. Uncle Nestor is such a kind-hearted and generous man that's why we call him Santa. Hohoho! Now, he's off to his family in the US just in time for the holidays. We'll surely miss him here! 'Til we meet again, maybe next year.

Holiday
Credits:
Paper kits: Holiday Magic by Shabby Princess, Awfully Chocolate by Jasbeanie
Elements: Scalloped ribbon and green button by Shabby Princess, Vintage Christmas elements by Sara Carling, Christmas angel by Gina Cabrera
Brushes: Hohoho by Holly McCaig, A little Flakey by Kristy Nerness at The Digichick

2005-12-13T23:54:00.000+08:00

Jayson has been gone for two days and I'm left all alone for my oB's appointment. I had another TVS to monitor my follicles and guess what I found out...I have PCOS. Suddenly, it became clear to me why we are having a hard time conceiving. I wanted to cry over the matter but there's no reason for me to feel rotten about it except for the GI upset that I'm experiencing with my new medication. I'm still optimistic that somehow, with luck and a lot of prayers, the hard things would seem easy.

When my husband came from his trip, he granted my Christmas wish. Maybe he thought that this was the right time to give it to me, being sad and everything. It may seem superficial but I feel much better now. I have a new toy that would take my mind off of things. I'm loving it!

Wacom

Here's the first LO I did using my Graphire4 tablet.

Carnival

Credits:
Autumn Picnic Kit by Valerie Fowler at The Digichick
Font: Fontdiner
Brush: Miss M

2005-12-11T22:29:00.000+08:00

Your Hair Should Be White

Classy, stylish, and eloquent.
You've got a way about you that floors everyone you meet.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Funky Time

2005-12-09T14:06:00.000+08:00

So happy to receive the news today. Finally! Woohoo! We got the approval from the medical boards already. So, I have one more month to prepare for the migration. Just waiting for our visa then we're gone.
Adios, Filipinas! Hahaha. Oooh, so ecstatic! Can't wait to pack my suitcase.

I'm back on the computer. I've been busy lately giving a tour to our Uncle who came home from the US. I barely have enough time for myself. But I just can't resist working on Mari's new kit Funky Rudolph. I really love this kit because it has one of my favorite colors which is plum/berry. It's supposed to be a Christmas themed kit but being the rebel that I am, I decided to do away with the Christmas photo. I really liked how it turned out.

Credits:
Funky Rudolph kit by Mari Koegelenberg at Digitalscrapbookpages
Font: Fontdiner

2005-12-07T19:46:00.000+08:00

Just when you thought you've had enough, another one comes along.
Have you ever had that feeling that something is just so beautiful to let go?
When I saw Mari's work, I was blown away. I love the colors that she used on her kits. I also like the fact that she makes a complete one, with the ribbons, brads, anything that one just might need. That's just what I'm looking for!
I'm glad she still chose me as one of her Creative team members. Though, I remember submitting my application past the deadline. This one is special just because I'm one of her very first CT.
Thanks for the opportunity, Mari!

Holiday Greetings

Credits:
Wonderland Kit by Mari Koegelenberg at The Digitalscrapbookpages
Font: Dear Joe

Juice

2005-12-06T23:18:00.000+08:00

Been busy working on the computer lately trying to squeeze out my creative juice. Thankfuly, Val provided two equally wonderful kits to work with. All I had to do is to find that perfect photo.
My latest model is Isabelle. She's the daughter of my friend back in college. She's so photogenic and loves to pose for the camera. Isn't she a darling?

Sparks
Credits:
Trying to be Girly Kit by Valerie Fowler at The Digichicks
Font: Schoolgirl and Arial

Pretty Credits:
Foxy Kit by Valeri Fowler at The Digichick boutique
Fonts: Top Secret, Jane Austen, Arial

2005-12-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

When it rains, it pours!

I'm so glad to be part of Val's Gals. I chose to submit my application to Val(Valerie Fowler) because I love the softness of the colors and the simplicity of her creations. The kits are so versatile and full of possibilities. Most of all, I'm glad to be on one of The Digichick's Designers' team. The Digichicks is really where I grew as an artist. It's shall I say...My Home.

Congratulations to all who made it to the Team.
Michelle Pearson
Tegan Coffman
Jennifer Boyce
Lyndsey Deeds
Amy Tayler
Laura Alpuche
*Me*

Just to be working along with other talented artists and designers is a great honor from me.

So, what's a doctor like me doing in the artistic realm. I don't know. I'm just glad that both sides of my brain is working.
Golly, so excited to scrap!

Honky Tonk Tonk

2005-12-02T21:36:00.000+08:00

Click here and see where it takes you. I'm head over heels! Can you tell?

In line with that, I'm off to my scrapping mood again. Here are some LO's I did for Citrus Blossoms.

All Paws Happiness

Credits:
Kit: All Paws by Amber McDonald at Citrus Blossoms

San Diego Simple Joy

Credits:
Kit: San Diego by Amber McDonald at Citrus Blossoms
Font: Jane Austen

Wishful

2005-11-30T21:24:00.000+08:00

So, I'm not pregnant! It's ok. This time, I don't feel the sadness and disappointment as much. Quite a big improvement from last month. We went to our doctor for another consultation. As expected, I'd still be taking some medication to increase our chances. We'll never give up hope. As long as we can do something to hasten the process, we will do it. It's what my doctor calls "responsible parenthood". Fingers crossed!

Speaking of wishes, I'd like to thank Kristy Nerness for the beautiful kit she sent me. I was browsing her blog and noticed that she had this delightful kit made. It was so kind of her to surprise me with this one. It was totally unexpected, like making a silent wish come true. Thanks again, Kristy!

Wishful

Credits:
Kit: "I Wish" by Kristy Nerness available at The Digichick
Elements: Staples and Hinge by Fernlili
Font: Selfish

2005-11-28T17:02:00.000+08:00

My LO's are up at Fernlili's Gallery. Check it out! I'm so happy to see other people appreciate the things I do. It just makes me want to roll up my sleeves and improve myself more.

With this photo of my nephew, CJ, I tried editing it with Optik Verve's visual photographer. I also twinked a little with the custom shapes to create the jester's hat. This LO was inspired by Fernlili's Happy Holidays kit. It's so versatile that I thought of using it for a non-Christmas themed shot. I guess it turned out fine.

TimesLikeThese!

Credits:Kit: Happy Holidays by FernliliFont: Fontdiner

Let it Snow!

Credits:
Kit: Happy Holidays at Fernlilis.com
Font: Snowcaps, Santa's Sleigh, Jane Austen

My second LO using the kit was inspired by my mom's photo. This was the first Christmas that we spent apart from each other. I had a slight technical difficulty with the photo because the resolution isn't that good even after trying to repair it. Anyway, it's the essence of Christmas I'm after.

2005-11-27T15:55:00.000+08:00

It's been two days and I still haven't had a good night sleep. After watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose, I'd never want to stay up until 3:00am. I won't be giving out anymore details regarding the movie but if you want to be haunted, this is the movie for you. The funny thing is, it scared the hell out of me! The last time I felt petrified and had goosebumps with a movie was with "The Sixth Sense". How long ago was that?
Anyway, to contribute to the sleepless nights, I still have the Medical Board approval to think about. I hope it's good news this time! If things don't go our way, we would have to go on a different direction. Plan B. What is plan B? I'd have to figure it out.

Zaphyrus

2005-11-25T01:53:00.000+08:00

In time for Thanksgiving and the coming Holiday season, there's a 40% discount on all the Full kits available at Fernlilis.com. Sale runs until the 25th of December.
Dragonfly!

Credits:
Kit: Zaphyrus available at Fernlilis.com
Font: MammaGamma
Brush: Vanilla

Frog Prince!

Credits:
Kit: Zaphyrus at Fernlilis.com
Font: First Grader

Fire in the House

2005-11-23T11:36:00.000+08:00

We finally had the chance to see the latest Harry Potter movie {The Goblet of Fire}. Yipee! Though I'm really not that much into reading the HP series, I sure do enjoy watching the movie rendition.
As usual, the ticketnet was filled with swarms of people, trying to find where the line starts and ends. We waited 30 minutes for our turn to get the tickets and were disappointed that we didn't get the reserved seats. Meaning, we would have to fall in line at least 30 minutes early for us to get some decent seats.
I don't know why, but for some reason, whenever we see a movie at G4, we always wind up miserable. You see, it's one thing to be enthusiastic about the movie but it's a different story when you start chatting inside the cinema. This really pisses me off! Unfortunately for us, the two guys sitting behind us never shut their freaking mouths. Early in the movie, we sort of had a clue regarding the ending. No Thanks, to the two morons narrating the story. Irritated, my hubby tried to ask them to keep their voices down. They were a bunch of numb freaks. Talking as if everybody has read the book. So again, J furiously asked them to shut up! How insensitive can they be? I thought we'll be caught up in a fight. I guess they got intimidated a little and decided to mellow down.
Moral of the story: Try not to watch a movie at G4. Gateway is the way to go!
Just the same, I enjoyed watching. Can't wait for the next one.

2005-11-17T16:22:00.000+08:00

I'm on a roll! I just can't stop digiscrapping. As soon as I got hold of Fernlili's 2 newest kit, I've been busting my a**. I'm so delighted to use these kits, and for some reason, I only decided to buy a scanner now.
I still don't have a phone line so every now and then, I visit the neighborhood cyber cafe just to upload my LO's and blog on the side.

Without further ado, here are some of the LO's

Kit: "Announcing Ella" by Fernlili available at Fernlili's.Com

Sweet Mandy:

Twosome:

Kit: "Announcing Ethan" by Fernlili

Summer Breeze:

Strong Soul:

Lastly, I'm so excited to receive my blinkie from Fernlili. Now, it's official.

Fernlili's Team

2005-11-10T17:01:00.000+08:00

So, Ive been neglecting my blog lately. Not that I don't have the time...believe me, I have all the time in the world. It's just that nothing spectacular has happened in my life lately...Until, today.
I woke up with an email from Fernlili, Yipee! Who is she? Just one my favorite scrapbooking kit designers, that's who. She gave me the good news of being part of her Creative team. As you know, I've been involved in digiscrapping for several months now. It's my first time to be part of a creative team in the digital scrapbooking world. I'm so happy and thankful for the opportunity!
Oh, I'm so excited to work with her kits. Can't wait to get started.

* * *

I'm supposed to upload some LO's I did this week but the our server has been down for a while. I'd have to go outside just to blog. Darn it!

Refreshed

2005-10-31T17:52:00.000+08:00

It feels so good to have a haircut! It's been two months since my last trim and after my mom left, nobody has ever touched my mane. A lot of times, I felt tempted to go to another hairdresser. I'm so glad I waited to get this sassy cut. I feel 10 pounds lighter!

* * *

At long last, I had my period! Isn't it ironic that while other people are menaced by this monthly visitor, I'm rejoicing that I'm having it? Thank God, the medicine worked! Now I can condition my ovaries to ovulate. Come on, work with me.

* * *

After much trial and error, I finally figured out how to make my own blinkie. Here it is!

And before I forget, Happy 9th month anniversary bebe! (eventhough I know it slipped his mind)

2005-10-25T22:29:00.000+08:00

I finally had the time and energy to blog. Things have been so crazy and hectic that I couldn't find the time to write my thoughts.
Okay, so we've been having a hard time conceiving a child. For a while, we thought that we're already on the family way. I missed my period again and this time it's been two months. We tested 2 times and on both occasions, we got a BIG FAT NEGATIVE! So, what's wrong with me? I've been diagnosing myself and ruling out all the impossibilities. That's what's wrong! When we finally had the courage to face reality, we sought the help of a colleague. We went to her with an open mind and a hopeful spirit. Sometimes, it's so hard hope for the best when I know the many different possibilities. I'm so glad we did it. I prayed to God for strength, courage and to bless us with a doctor best suited for our needs. He gave us that. Truly, when you seek...you shall find. We're already on our thirty's. It means that time is of the essence. Nowadays, a couple who hasn't conceived within 6-12 months of having unprotected intercourse is considered an Infertile Couple. This is mostly true when you are desirous of pregnancy. Though I've read and encountered this before, nothing could ever prepare me for this moment. I had to be strong...for my sake and for my husband's as well. I'm so proud of him and thankful that he stood by my side every step of the way.
The following day, we underwent a fertility work-up. It was my first time to undergo a Transvaginal Ultrasound. As I've seen this procedure done many times before, I was daunted. I'm glad that it wasn't as painful as I've anticipated. The easy part was over...waiting for the result was the agonizing part. I couldn't eat or sleep. Hoping for the best. When we saw the result, we were relieved to know that there were no structural abnormalities with my reproductive system and that my problem could just be hormonal. Sigh. We're both taking some medication to increase our chances of conceiving. I hope things go our way soon. Fingers crossed!

Weekend came and I'm off to being a Godparent for the nth time. Not that I'm complaining, I'm actually proud that she trusted me with such a responsibility. She is Sabrina Isabelle,a meek and darling child. Ina is the first child of Mae (my buddy in medschool) whom I spent my classes and lunchbreaks with. We've always teased her on how slowly she does things. For the first time, she got ahead of me by being the first one to have a child. I'm so happy for her. Things may not have worked out for her in the past, but I know now that she's living the life that she has always wanted. She looks so happy and contented, it shows in the way that she cares for husband and her daughter Ina. I just hope I could live up to her expectations.

Before the day ended, we attended Kaela's 7th birthday party next door. My dad was always fond of her. She reminded him of me when I was still young. We went to the same school, she loves Sanrio, she's dark and slim... no wonder! Children's party has a way of making me feel good. Specially when it's time to have a piece of the cake. What a day!

Best of all...My momma's home! Hurray! Snap, snap!
I was so glad to see her again! She gained a couple of pounds, seem more shapely and voluptuous. Oh my mama! Where's my pasalubong? I'm so excited to see what's inside the balikbayan box! To prolong my longing, we dropped by Duty free first. I thought I'd be able to buy a chemise but I was disappointed that Lacoste didn't carry the style that I wanted. Dad bought the checkered brit poloshirt, Jayson bought his Italian sole, and me...None! I'm so envious but I wouldn't buy anything half-heartedly. When we reached the house, I immediately opened the box. And there it was, my big C duffle bag! I just love it. I'm so glad I didn't buy anything at dutyfree. What I got was more than I wanted. Thanks mom! Welcome home!

Footsies Frenzy

2005-10-16T17:06:00.000+08:00

I just love shoes! I believe that one is never enough.
Maybe, I'm a little out of my mind that's why I have aqcuired four just this month alone.
Let me start with Havaianas... Honestly, I'm not a fan of this flipflop. I just bought the most basic so my hubby would stop feeling guilty about him buying one. It wasn't a bad buy afterall. I realized that I might end up using this more frequently since we'll be living near the beach.
Then there's this Pink Dolls thong I bought on sale for P500 at Shoe Salon. Can you say cheap? But then again, I couldn't refuse buying the chocolate brown slip on's from Bass... Just because mom told me that she got me a new bag of the same color, doesn't mean I have to buy matching footwear... Wrong! If there's one thing that I stick by when it comes to fashion is to always match this two. Enough said.
But the best buy for me is still the black ballet flats from 9West that I will be using for the office...simple and comfy.
And so I promise not to purchase another one this month... I know I can do it because I'm already broke.

Traveler

2005-10-03T23:49:00.000+08:00

One by one, I'm saying goodbye to my personal belongings. First, my laptop then my PDA's, then my clothes, bags, and shoes. What next? All those years that I took care of them, not a scratch or defect, I was sad to see them go. Since I can't bring them all with me on my journey, I'd be happier to see that others are putting them into better use. And so I hope.

+ + +

My mom hasn't gone home yet. I miss her terribly. I was always affectionate towards her and am never ashamed to say that I love her. It's just that, sometimes we don't really agree with the decisions that she makes. She's very secretive, to the point that the only time I get to discover something is when things get out of hand and she could no longer keep it private.
I've always admired her for her kindness. Often times, I call her a Saint. That's why other people take advantage of her generosity. Maybe, that's our main difference. She's a Saint, I'm a Sinner. I could never measure up to her golden heart. I just think she's foolish to let others manipulate her in a way. Not that I'm selfish or greedy... I just think that being kind and giving should have limitations.
Thankfully, I also learned from her the virtue of patience. If I didn't, I don't know how I could take my husband's antics. LOL! I guess I learned from the expert! Seeing how my mom dealt with my dad when I was growing up was really a good learning experience.
She just turned 56 last weekend. I hope she had a blast celebrating her birthday. Please come back soon. We're kind of lost without her.

+ + +

On a sad note, we just discovered that my Aunt has Breast Cancer. She's my dad's eldest sister...and her favorite sibling. I can see how affected my dad is and we don't know how to react given this situation. It was just last month when she consulted me about this lump she had on her breast. As any physician would advise, I told her to have a Mammogram. And it confirmed all our fears.

She's a strong-willed woman maybe that's why she was able to take it well. It was only after her surgery that we knew about her grave situation. Hopefully, with the help of chemotherapy, she'd be able to fight this battle and succeed. Our prayers go to you.

+ + +

And so I leave you with this quote:

" I am only a traveler, a tourist here on earth; and so I travel light - with only a few things as possible. That way I am ready to go on short notice."

- Unknown Monk

Raw

2005-09-08T15:11:00.000+08:00

Finally, I was able to work with Adobe Photoshop. All the tutorials payed off. My layouts are still raw and rough on the edges but it seems like a good start for me. I love the versatility of this software. Though Print shop deluxe was a lot easier to use, Adobe really challenges me more. Now, this brings a whole new meaning to the way I digiscrap.

Fresh from the Box

2005-09-02T02:44:00.000+08:00

I'm so excited to finally be able to replace my old Sony laptop with a newer and more powerful notebook.
At last, downloading won't take me ages anymore and doing my layouts will be a breeze.
I'm sleep deprived because of this.

Eat Your Cake

2005-08-31T12:57:00.000+08:00

Basti...our pet pug, just turned 6 today.
After seeing the dog in the movie Men In Black, I couldn't stop thinking of getting a pug. Well, that was six years ago. My dad who just retired then needed something that would occupy his time. It was perfect timing! Day after day, I would browse through the classified adds hoping to find our future pet. We didn't go to petshops because as we know, most of the pups there were undernourished. Besides, we wanted to get to know or see the breeders and their pets. After some time, we were lucky to find one.

When I first saw Basti, I knew he was the one. He was really mischievous, playful, and full of energy. He had a great smile on his face and his eyes sparkled with glee. I couldn't let go of him! So without further delay, we brought him home. My mom was surprised to see him. Amazed and baffled, she said that she's never seen such an ugly dog. Poor Basti. He's not short of being really good-looking, his face has character. I thought he was the most adorable pug!

After 6 years of living the good life, he's more laid back, not so frivolous, eats more, runs less, and still sweet. As he celebrated his birthday today, I noticed that he was exceptionally more happy. It's as if he knew how special this day is. This is officially the first time he's had a party. He couldn't wait to jump on his cake! After blowing the candles ( which I did for him... wouldn't want to share with his saliva) I gave him his part of the cake and he quickly finished it up to the last crumb. It was a happy day for all of us. This is just a small gift for someone who made a big difference in our lives. He brought so much joy into our home. My only wish is for him to be able to live a healthy and longer life. Happy birthday to my precious brother, friend and companion!

Something Old, Something New

2005-08-30T01:03:00.000+08:00

I never looked forward going to the dentist. In as much as I wanted to have my regular prophylaxis, I'm just plain scared of the idea. Braces have a way of instilling an unpleasant experience. It's an engram, dentist=pain!
I'm glad I found a dentist with really light hands. I want so many things done at this point. I wanted to have my teeth bleached but since I can't do without coffee and coke, it seems like an awful waste of money. But if I decide to give that up, that's the first thing I want done. At least, my teeth look better with it's newly shaped form. Now, I can't wait for my next appointment.

+ + +

Not long ago, I was really good at bowling. My dad was always the highest scorer when he was still playing. He was not much of an athlete, but he was a great sportsman. I always admired him for that.

As soon as I can lift the bowling ball, I was rolling. I would always ask my hubby to go bowling with me but I couldn't convince him. Last weekend, while waiting for the screentime of the movie, we finally went bowling. I really suck now! With just one hour to play, my arms became weary and my hand kept on shaking. The next day, my body's aching all over that I can't even walk without complaining.

Above all this, I'm still glad we did it.

+ + +

I'm learning Adobe Photoshop now. I got really frustrated the last time I used it so I decided to buy a tutorial. This is so far the hardest, most complex photo-editing tool I have ever used. I guess I just have to practice more to get the hang of it. Someone, please shower me with some patience dust.

Bon Voyage

2005-08-22T14:58:00.000+08:00

And so my mom left for the states already...

On the way to the airport, there was an uncomfortable silence in the car. No one was talking, trying to hold back the tears. We're sad to see her go just because we'll be missing her a lot. We're so used to being together everyday that one month is an awful lot of time to be apart.

Now, I'm in-charge of the house. Aside from the other duties she left to me, the last thing mom told me is to take care of my dad. Well, that goes without saying. My dad is such a tough cookie to handle, not to mention a really big baby. Not long after we came home, we were already haggling with the finances. Poor dad, he never stood a chance! Oh, mom! What will I do without you? I miss you already.

Traveler

2005-08-16T22:19:00.000+08:00

Back to the old days. I've been having a hard time breezing through the internet. First, since my dsl server was always down...we had it disconnected. We also changed our phone line to PLDT. Bayantel's service really sucks! I don't recall a time when I successfully connected with a line other than theirs. Oh, the trouble I had to go through just to take a peek at my blog.

So many things happened in the past two weeks.
First, my grandma passed away already. She's my Apo Eleng, the one who took care of me from birth to my teenage years. I only have fond memories of her. She passed away swiftly. She suffered from Pneumonia and Septicemia...putting her in high risk and succumbing to death. I was holding her hand when she took her last breath. There was nothing I can do.

We had to travel by boat for her burial. Amidst the typhoon and flood, we arrived safely. It was Jayson's first time for a boat ride. While he was busy disguising his anxiety, the ride brought a lot of memories from my childhood. It's been ages since I last went to Nigui, Pampanga. Things haven't changed much. And the only reason I'm coming back is to see my Apo for the last time.
Her demise brought sorrow to my soul. Apo Eleng will always have a special place in my heart. I know she's in a better place now and that's enough consolation.

Last week, my mother-in-law left for PNG. Soon we'll be doing the same thing. I'm still conditioning myself for this change. This weekend, my mom will be leaving for the states. Since there was no way of stopping her, better do it now while I'm still here. It's better that way. My dad won't be left alone and he wouldn't feel the loneliness as much. Besides, I'm still looking forward to some pasalubong!

A lot of things still needs to be dealt with. For now, I'm taking things one day at a time.

Still TTC

2005-07-25T14:20:00.000+08:00

After 6 weeks of waiting...with just one drop, I knew it was gone.
Deep down I'm still hoping that this was just a case of implantation bleeding.
I pray that it's just what I thought it was.
Just when we accepted that we had it made...
this happened to the best of us.

Sorry folks. No good news this time.

Pandemonium

2005-07-19T13:39:00.000+08:00

Finally, a chance to blog again. Our server has been down for a while and I couldn't do much with the computer.

Wednesday: Got the NBI clearance already. Needless to say, the photo was awful. I look constipated. We had lunch at Plato Platina in Blue Wave. We ordered Pasta Marinara, All-meat Pizza, Pollo a la Salvatorre (chicken courdon bleu in red sauce) and Pollo a la Gorge (grilled chicken with mushroom sauce). The chicken was a bit flaky but overall, it was flavorful. The serving is just enough for one person, not much for sharing. The price is also reasonable. Did I mention dessert? The Mango creme pie is very light, not too sweet. On the otherhand, the Decadent chocolate cake came a bit short of its name.
By 8pm, we were already at the airport to pick up Jayson's mom. The first thing she asked of Flor( my SIL) and I is "Wala pa bang laman?" (sabay hampas sa mga tiyan namin) Oh well, in as much as we wanted to have one...there's nothing... or at least, I haven't confirmed it yet. It's still early to conclude and I don't want to give them false hopes at this point. We had dinner at Seaside Market where food is overflowing. It's the perfect place to pig-out when you're craving for seafood. Afterwhich, Jayson had to bring his mom home to bulacan for Tito Eddie's internment.

Thursday: Dad went home to Lubao, Pampanga. My aunt called him saying that my grandma has been calling out for his name, sort of making a roll-call. My grandma is 93 years old. She's bedridden, with a bad eyesight and short of hearing. She almost died a couple of times...but she is one hell of a fighter. I remember she told me that she wanted to see me pregnant before she finally lays to rest. Pressure...
Come night time, it was late and my dad has not come home yet. I was getting worried that something might have happened to him on his way home. I couldn't call him because he didn't carry a cellphone. So, I just waited in vain. When he finally arrived, he told me his horrifying experience. He got involved in a freak accident along the highway. Apparently, he was driving fast (100km/hr) and didn't see the bridge was under construction. NLEX is poorly lighted, there were no warning devices and no signs of construction ahead. In an attempt to avoid the rutt, he stepped on the brakes and started spinning madly... much like the scene from Tom Cruise's MI2. Aside from him getting shocked, and some minor scratches on the vehicle, my dad was safe. Oh dad, what will I do without you? Thank God, he was wearing a seatbelt.

Friday night: Had some flower arrangement done at Dangwa and brought it to Bulacan. Accompanied my parents to Tito Eddie's wake. I had a bad experience with one of Jayson's family friends. When we arrived at the wake, as a sign of respect or just plain courtesy, I made "Mano" to the elderlies. Because the house was small and crowded, I reached in with my left hand as there was somebody blocking my right side. This old lady, which was the bestfriend of Jayson's aunt, just blurted with disgust that I did the "mano" with the wrong hand. I was humiliated. Good thing my parent's didn't hear her make such a nasty comment. I learned my lesson and I'm sticking to it. Never again will I come near her. She disrepected me and I don't think that people who don't respect others should not expect to be treated with respect too.

Saturday-Sunday: Went home to bulacan again for the funeral. It was a dark time for the family. While the immediate family was weeping in silence, here comes the superstar crying out loud. It was so annoying to see. If she didn't care much for the dead when he was still alive and fighting for his life, why should she start caring now? All this drama is lame. More like the payed crying ladies seen in movies. And the Best actress award goes to her. It's all superficial.

Monday: It's our 9th year anniversary! Jayson's still with his mom in Bulacan. I spent the day working on our digiscrapbook. Another year, and we totally forgot about it!

Change of Name

2005-07-13T15:16:00.000+08:00

I'm so relieved that my travel documents have been dealt with. Getting married sure does add some extra tasks like having your name changed. I felt nostalgic saying goodbye to my Maiden name. Well, that comes with getting married.

Since I hate queue's, I tried to do things that can be accomplished through the internet.

Marriage Certificate/Birth Certificate:
www.census.gov.ph or dial 737-1111
P300 at Metrobank
5 -7 days processing

Passport:
www.passport.com.ph or dial 737-1000
P1,300 only
2 passport size photo, no name and signature, white background, shirt/blouse with collar and
sleeves
Marriage certificate from NSO or certified true copy of marriage contract from city hall in Sepca
paper and authenticated by NSO
Old passport
Use your married name in the application form
Be present on the said pick-up and delivery date

PRC license:
2 passport size photo with name at the buttom
Marriage certificate from NSO only
photocopy of license back-to-back
Fill-up green form for renewal and change of name -- entrance
get form for Change of Name (white paper), have it notarized P40--2nd flr. main bldg.
Records verification -- section B 1st flr. main bldg.
Grade verification -- annex bldg near entrance
Pay at the cashier P475 and P21 for documentary stamp
Submit all document at the Office of the Secreatary -- 3rd flr. main bldg.
1-2 months processing

NBI clearance:
NBI bldg. Carriedo st. Quiapo Manila
Pay P20 entrance and P115 for the clearance itself
3-5 days before releasing

Thankfully, all these Government agencies were efficient in delivering services.

In 3's

2005-07-12T00:14:00.000+08:00

They say that death comes in three's. I am slightly superstitious that's why I can be a sucker for traditional beliefs. Last week, there were three deaths in the family. Thankfully, It didn't involve the people I hold dearest to my heart. I don't think I could hold on to my sanity if something should happen to them. Incidents like these reminds me to call on God. I am not deeply religious. I barely go to church but when I do, I make sure that I give myself to His service.

It was my mother-in-law's brother that passed away last wednesday. The day before that, he suffered a massive stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage) which sent him to a catastrophic, comatose state. We were not there to make the initial assessment nor were we in a position to decide which road the family should take. The hardest part of my profession is making these so-called life changing decisions. How do we tell the relatives that there is no hope? We don't. We give them options even if the situation seem bleek. It's just depressing to see that ultimately, the final dictate will still revolve around the financial capability of the family. For the wealthy, the choices are limitless. For the impoverished, there is no choice. But for everyone, there is always hope...even in the slightest of possibilities.

We spent the weekend in Bulacan with Jayson's siblings. For the first time, I enjoyed it. No tension, no rivalry, no negative vibes...it felt great! They're my family now, and we do have each other to rely on. The family's darkest hours brought us together.

On a lighter note, I was able to snatch some time to work on my digiscrapbook. For this weekend, I was able to make three layouts. I tried doing it in Adobe. It's much too complicated for me. Good thing I have a software that's easy to use...made for slow-learners like me. It's a little draining but the outcome is soooo...worth it! Check it out here.

Gateway

2005-07-03T23:57:00.000+08:00

Weekends are dedicated for watching movies. This time around, we went to Cubao to check out the newest mall in town, Gateway. Since we hardly go there, I was amazed that I can still navigate thru the streets of Cubao. It's been months since our last visit. During the time when Alicia Keys had her concert in Araneta Coliseum, the mall was still on its finishing stage. I really like this particular mall. It may be small but the shops that I often go to are all there. I was delighted.

We ate dinner at Burgoo. We ordered Grilled Pork Chops, Grilled Chicken Americana with Angel Hair Pasta in Pomondoro sauce and the Baby Back Ribs platter with shrimps and sausages. All tasted bland! Total waste of money.

Next, it's movie time! The theater was very modern, clean and orderly. The ticketnet was overflowing with people. My only qualm is that you still have to go out of the cinema if you want to use the restroom. We watched Tom Cruise's latest movie, War of the Worlds. I was a little disappointed with the film. I guess I expected more from Spielberg and Cruise.

+ + +

Somehow, whenever I think of Cubao, the first thing that comes to mind is C.O.D. My fondest childhood memories of the Christmas season were spent watching the yearly mechanical show in front of the store. A lot has changed. The covered Fiesta Carnival is now an open park. I was not able to see the famous Gregg shoes stall, maybe it's no longer there. I didn't even know that there was such a mall called Shopwise. Overall, I think it has changed for the better.

5th

2005-07-01T15:06:00.000+08:00

I had a burst of inspiration from the email I got from "the Knot". I almost forgot our anniversary. Technically speaking, it falls every 31st of the month. But for some obvious reason...we need to settle for another date. No biggie! It's just a number.

5 Months after:
- got the album and video already
- halfway through the wedding scrapbook
- documents for migration still being
processed
- openned a joint account
- set-up a clinic
- export crystal jewelry to PNG
- got marriage license from NSO
- had my passport ammended for
adoption of married name
- had some new hobbies (see the
picture I laid-out)
- still waiting for a miracle

Since I have to renew my passport, I had my picture taken at Kodak Retiro ridden with eyebags and zits on the forehead. No choice, i had to make do with the face I have. When Jayson picked it up from the studio, he said he was surprised to see my picture on display. Nyek! Dyahe! Di kaya ginu-good time na naman ako nun?

+++

Yesterday was crazy! A movie/teleserya/commercial (no idea) was shot at the store across our home. Sabi ng daddy, "May shooting sa labas!" Being a sucker for gossip, I followed him and looked through the window. "Ano yan? Daming tao! Sinong bida? Nge! walang sikat? Sus, kala ko makikita ko na si Hero and Sandara." Disappointed, I left. Must be another one of those LBM's (low budget movies).

And the cough builds on... Sa mga kababayan ko, sabay sabay tayong mag-Whoof! whoof!

Washerwoman's hands

2005-06-24T23:15:00.000+08:00

How often do we say Thank you?
Since our house helper is out of town this past few days, I took on her role of washing the dishes. Not really a big deal since I'm used to doing it during my medschool years. Being in pad of my own somehow taught me the pleasure and pain of independence.
Now, I'm back to living with my parents. Back to the comfort zone.
Funny though, after eating our meal, my dad offered to do the dishes. Maybe he thought his princess didn't know how. It's so sweet of him to put my comfort ahead of his. I smiled and was grateful for this tiny gesture of love. Thanks daddy, but I couldn't let you do this task for me.
I love my dad. And even now that I've grown old, I know that when he looks at me...he sees the face of his little girl.

Lately, I find myself crying in solitude. Never a night passes without a tear. What's going to happen when I leave? Who will take care of him? Who will give him his vitamins? Who will care to ask if he wanted a snack? No matter how small, it still concerns me. I just hope that he won't slip even in the slightest of depression. He's such a softy when it comes to me. I pray that God will grant him the strength to overcome the longing and emptyness.

All this fuss...over my water-wrinkled hands.

Conditioning

2005-06-20T13:47:00.000+08:00

It's like stagnant water.
Like time stood still.
Like being catatonic.
Like blood-letting.
I feel drained and useless.
Don't even have the resources to watch a movie.
If I don't leave, I'll probably die a poor man.
I want to go to Papua New Guinea!
A place that embraces us with respect and confidence.
Have to learn to speak in Pidgin.
Don't question my patriotism.
We'll be serving a Filipino community.
That's an understatement.
Earn a living and put some spunk to my otherwise faltering medical career.
Be back in a few years.

Think about this several times a day.
Condition myself.

Keeping Memories

2005-06-12T15:34:00.000+08:00

If a photograph is all you've got, wouldn't you keep it?

My BIL's wedding Album:
The price for the Renaissance album sure is worth it. The pictures are also nice. Couldn't say much about it. There isn't really much to say...or see. I was looking forward to see myself in it. I was surprised to find out that they didn't include their guests in the album. It was a lonely picture. Like a low budget movie with no actors. If I wasn't there to see it, I would have guessed that it was unreal. Maybe they wanted the album to be filled with pictorials...as in...scripted and superficial. That's just how I see it. But as I've said, it's still nice... to each his own.

Our wedding album:
Though the leather album lacks the sophistication when compared with the Renaissance, I feel good about it.
The content is more important than the cover. Every tear, every smile, everyone who came, celebrated and honored us with their presence...everything captured. Again, that's just my opinion.
And if you're wondering whatever happened to our album...it's now in the capable hands of Mimi and Karl. I hope it gets restored soon. And just to keep it safe from unmindful spectators, we had a miniature album done. I should have thought about this before!

Wedding Scrapbook:
I'm trying to start this project. It's long overdue. Wedding preps, bumps, and everything in between.

Nada

2005-06-04T20:31:00.000+08:00

We're running low and dry.
No income for this week. The clinic has been closed for a few days now. Problems with plumbing, drainage etc... flooding inside. Guess what the new plumber found? There was a bag of dirt inserted and stuck at the elbow of the PVC pipes. Who could have done that? From an insiders point of view, the plumber said that some construction workers intentionally do that so whenever a problem arises, the homeowners would recall them ....hence, another paying job. Crap! This is all bull....

+ + +

A month ago, we started making accessories to sell in PNG.

The good news... it's a flourishing business.

So, we sent another batch of swarovski crystal bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

At least, even if we're not earning here... there's always the Papua market to fall back on.

Pinoy MD

2005-05-28T23:55:00.000+08:00

We had the opportunity to meet Dr. Willie T. Ong, the author of the famous Medicine BLUE BOOK today. FYI, almost all medical clerks, interns and physicians have this book on hand. I must say that this book helped me through the endless and nerve-wrecking medical grand rounds. It's so useful and handy that until now, we still use it in our practice.

M.I.N.D is an advocacy and support group for Filipino doctors. We attended a talk about how physicians can improve the quality of healthcare in our country. Honestly, I decided to attend just to get the autographed copy of the book. I thought I was attending an activist meeting. I was wrong. The topics discussed included relevant issues like the MD to RN phenomenon, Brain-drain and Medical Malpractice bill. I must admit that the issue on Brain-drain struck me. With all our plans layed out and in the process of execution, I feel a little guilty about leaving the country. But who can blame a person who only wants to seek a better life? We have been given a chance to practice our profession in a more profitable environment and not everyone is fortunate enough to come across such opportunity. Don't get me wrong. We're not all about the money. We just want to save for our future. When the time is right, we can go back for our residency training without having to worry about the God-foresaken salary. If only more people would understand the plight of Filipino doctors...
Just to shed some light, here's an article that I stumbled upon. Please take time to read it!

Malpractice Issue: A Tough Fight Ahead
By Willie T. Ong, MD

Get ready for war.On the red corner, insurance groups and legislators have made a head start in pushing for several malpractice bills in the Senate. A reliable source has confirmed the hiring of a top lobby group to have these bills approved as soon as possible.On the blue corner, the Philippine Medical Association, led by its president Dr. Bu Castro, has initiated the “Total Recall” project, which asks for the withdrawal of all these bills. The PMA has met with its component associations in charting the battle plan.If you expect an even fight, think again. The multi-million funding of the insurance groups crushes the cash-strapped medical profession in the first round. Estimates show that the insurance groups stand to gain three billion pesos every year. This is from the 60,000 practicing doctors who will have to pay Php 50,000 yearly for malpractice insurance. Thus, it will not come as a surprise if they invest millions in lobby money to pass these bills.For those unaware, not one but five malpractice-related bills are pending in the Senate. Any one of which could spell doom for doctors and healthcare alike. Senator Serge Osmena’s Senate Bill (SB)1720 is self-explanatory: “An Act to protect against medical malpractice, punishing the malpractice of any medical practitioner and requiring them to secure malpractice insurance.” Other controversial bills are Senator Osmena’s SB-337, Senator Manuel Villar’s SB-588 and SB-743, and Senator Juan Flavier’s SB-03.The odds are stacked up against the doctors as prominent media personalities continue with their anti-doctor campaign. And for the defense, can the Philippine Medical Association put up a decent fight?

Implications of Malpractice Bills To The PatientAccording to the PMA president, the ill effects of malpractice bills are already well documented. “First, the cost of healthcare will rise dramatically as doctors practice ‘defensive medicine.’ More and more expensive laboratory test will be requested not for patient’s benefit but to protect the doctor from lawsuits.“Second, surgeons will refuse to operate on high-risk cases. No one will operate on serious but potentially curable cases for fear of lawsuits.“Third, all doctors will be forced to obtain malpractice insurance. This will force many doctors to find another profession or leave for abroad. Eighty-nine percent of doctors cannot afford malpractice insurance.“Fourth, there will be less and less medical missions, because doctors can be sued for treating charity cases.“In short, these Malpractice Bills are anti-poor and anti-patient. The poor can no longer get free health care from medical and surgical missions all over the country. As more and more doctors leave the country or retire early, our health care system will collapse. Thousands of poor people will die.”Dr. Bu Castro has many plans, all of which sound good but without adequate money and other doctor’s support, it may be impossible to accomplish. If for nothing else, the malpractice issue should awaken slumbering doctors from their apathy and rally around their cause.

Alive Again

2005-05-27T23:33:00.000+08:00

It's good to be back and blogging again. The past week was so dreary and stagnating... I'm glad it's over! My mom gave me the cold shoulder for some time. That's the longest 2 weeks of my life. I'm not sure if I lost some weight. I couldn't eat dinner properly and enjoy the food because the silence was deafening. Imagine...silent movie.
Finally, she gave up. I missed my mom tremendously. I missed sharing the good news with her. I wanted to tell her that the company name we applied for at Papua New Gueinea got approved already and our application to the medical board is being processed already. She's always the first person I talk to about this. Yesterday, she decided to break her silence. A simple peace offering from her told me what I needed to know. Whew! I thought it would never end. Rejoice!!!

+ + +

I attended some seminars sponsored by a pharmaceutical company and The Philippine Anti-Aging Medical Society (PAAMS) this week. All about vanity and fitness. I was contemplating on penetrating the world of dermatology. I never had the opportunity to affirm my calling into this field of medicine...until now. I got my groove back! Thanks to our friend, Dr. Sarah Barba. She introduced the famous Dr. Joel Mendez to us...the man who started it all. I learned some anti-aging techniques...from botox to the mesotherapy popularized by celebrities. I also saw how some dermatologists look like. My, oh my! I was expecting a lot! I've streotyped them to be the most appealing if not more physically presentable among doctors. I just believe that you should practice what you preach. If its beauty that you're selling, i guess it's only proper to present yourself that way. The least they can do is to take care of their skin. I know I'm being superficial but isn't dermatology also just skin deep? Anyway, I would have gone into training if not for our plan to vanquish the country. After our quest for greener pastures is done, give me at least 3 years for this, I'd definitely pursue a career in dermatology. Wait for me.

While taking a break during the seminar, I took my camera out for some shots. I was on the roofdeck of a building trying to find a nice view or an interesting element when a call center employee made a comment. She bluntly said that I was weird. Darling, I would rather be described as eccentric. What's wrong with photography? Nasty girl!

+ + +

The knots on my back are killing me. All this tension took a toll on me, the result... more MPS (myofascial pain syndrome). A massage would be nice at this point.

To release some pressure, I did what I do best...shopping, eating and movies! I'm feeling much better now!

The night was still young so we attempted to go to baywalk for the 1st time. Despite the drizzle, we went for a stroll. The rain was unforgiving and poured on us. I was already thinking of what to order. Oh well, another nightlife cut short. At least, I can sleep better now.

Barely Breathing

2005-05-20T12:57:00.000+08:00

Just like a volcano that's ready to explode, i can't help but but send smoke signals to warn the people around me. It's just how I am.
I do things my way in my own time. Nobody messes up with that. I'm not inflexible. I just want things planned ahead of time. I'm tired of pleasing everybody. That seems to be an impossible thing to do.
Looking back I wonder, why did my mom prefer to accompany the balikbayans instead of spending time with me on the eve of my wedding? Among all nights, it was such a lonely evening. The once in a lifetime experience was just brushed aside. Is their life more important than mine? I remember crying really hard. Imagine me, the only child, spending my last day as a bachelorette alone. Do I deserve less love and attention just because I live a financially comfortable life? While I was walking down the aisle, I wept because I was trying to spill all the bad feelings I have bottled up inside...not because I'm letting go of my past life. I cried because I know that my dad has so much love for me and regrets the time that was lost wandering with the people he couldn't care less. I sure know how to cry. It's one of the things I'm so used to doing. When you spent most of your life in solitude, nobody to talk to, no one to share the burden with...you'd know how good it is to shout! to cry!
Why do I always have to take the fall and suck up the faults I didn't do? Do I always have to make excuses for other people's shortcomings just to save their ass? I'm tired. I'm not a saint like my mom. I am nothing like her. Aside from the family resemblance, we have nothing in common. I'm not saying that she's not a good mother. It's an injustice to say that. She's selfless and giving. Things I can never measure up to. I don't want to be selfless... I want to love myself. Giving is an option and not an obligation. You may think I'm narrowminded. Sure, everybody can say that...but they never took the time to look at things from my stand point. Oh...the things I did just to keep this family together. No one will know that. We're not perfect but I don't want to think that we're broken. There's time to heal and time to just stand still.
For now... I may just be the burden that's too heavy to carry. Mom's greatest enemy. She might be feeling this way. I can't blame her. I don't give her everything that she wants of me. Someday, she'll also know that I'm the only one that's left. I love you, mom! From one bitch to another.

+ + +

I got this forwarded message from my sister-in-law. It pretty much sums up what I believe in. Thanks, Celyn.

Bitchology
" When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch. Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me. When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch. The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid. It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be. I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that! So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it !!!! '"
- Anonymous

Running Years

2005-05-14T21:30:00.000+08:00

It's my birthday! My 30th! Oh my, oh my, only one year to go before the calendar rejects my age.
It's been a busy day, running all around doing things for other people. Never really had time to celebrate on my own.

The day before...
Maybe God wanted to give me a gift. He sent us a lot of patients for circumcision this week. Thank you Lord! At least, I won't be spending this day empty handed. Being a doctor is not really a business as some may think of it. I still hold on to the belief that it is a calling... to serve and to heal. The monetary matter is just a tiny reward. Everyday, I learn something new. I get to experience first hand the things that I was exposed to only in books. It feels great to conquer your fears. Suddenly, the vagueness of it all just disappears.

Moving on... We fetched my Tita at the Airport. Looked for every blonde lady that came out. Finally, we saw her, brought her home, she distributed the pasalubongs, and luckily, they remembered my birthday. Sigh. I was about to put to test the Pitiful face I've been practicing for days.
As predicted, I got the bulk of the pasalubongs. Brought home a handful of chocolates! My cousins need not argue with this. I'm the eldest, that's why! 2:00AM

We attended the Golden Wedding Anniversary of my dad's bestfriend. Dad stood as one of their principal sponsor. I was moved...just to see all their children gather up and prepare for this event. An occassion such as this is so rare. We were fortunate to take witness. 50 years of love, fidelity and all the things in between. Imagine, such devotion! I can only wish for something like that in the future. If we're lucky enough, I'd love to go though with the same chaos and euphoria as I did when we got married...minus the expenses. 7:00PM

So there goes my day...
I'm sure next year will bring something different, something special. Can't wait!

Thirty Series

2005-05-11T00:23:00.000+08:00

For my Upcoming Birthday, Here's my List of 30 Things

Things About Me
1. I'm an only child
2. Unwittingly used suntan lotion instead of sunblock when I was younger and didn't
know the difference between the two Coppertone's
3. The kid that others used to bully around
4. The Dancing diva during my pre-school years
5. Former ballerina/pianist
6. Had a secretary with me to school when I was in grade 1
7. Sent to the principal's office for not doing my homework
8. Had a head surgery for Hemangioma when I was 13
9. Collector of sorts (bags, shoes, watches, beany babies, etc)
10. Had 10 dogs (Lucky-mutt, Sarsi-Papillon, Brownie-Poodle, Michelle- Poodle,
Poochie-Toy Terrier, Whity & Fluffy- Japanese Spitz, Mico-Mutt, Puffy- Maltese,
Basti-Pug)
11. Always won for the "Linggo ng Wika" slogan-making contest in HS
12. Member of my HS choir (STC Chorale)
13. Entered my school project in Economics to the Interschool Poster-making contest.
Topic:"Consumerism and Nature"...I won 3rd place! My trophy is still being
displayed in the School Library.
14. Spent most Sundays at Quad Mall (presently Glorietta) and Greenbelt
15. Had my first taste of Hamburger at Mc Donald's
16. Allergic to shrimps/prawns
17. Had birthday parties until 13 years old
18. Bought a book summary of Theodor Dostoyevsky's novel to read for my term paper
(I don't even know if I spelled the author's name right)
19. English Literature is my weakest subject in HS
20. Hate Imitators!
21. Frustrated Interior Designer
22. I designed most of the gowns I wore in the past (prom, santacruzan, debut,
pageants, even the gowns my entourage wore during my wedding)
23. Cry Baby... I get so emotional when I watch TV/movies. Even National Geographic
can make me spill some tears.
24. Spoiled and Pampered
25. My yaya's been with me for half my life
26. I don't want to drive. I tried...but I'm really short tempered when it comes to
driving.
27. Jayson calls me the MMDA chairwoman. I hate reckless drivers, traffic violators
and inconsiderate pedestrians.
28. Daddy's Girl and Mommy's Pet... for short, Balingbing!
29. Couch Potato. I can stay in bed all day.
30. I have a hard time opening up to other people

Favorite Food and Drinks
1. KFC's fried chicken- original Recipe
2. Macaroni and Cheese from Kenny Rogers
3. Hot Fudge Sundae from Mc Do
4. Spaghetti from Pancake House
5. Pasta Marinara from Dulcinea
6. Chicken Teriyaki from Teriyaki Boy
7. Shrimp and Mushroom Dumplings from Causeway
8. Seafood Fried Noodles from Wah Yuen
9. Lomi from Chinatown's Best Food
10. Sbarro's Baked Ziti
11. Mc Chicken burger
12. Taco from Pancake House
13. Crabstick and Celery Mayo Sandwich from Delifrance
14. Hamburger Steak from French Baker
15. Pasta Arrabiata from Segafredo
16. Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks
17. Dark Chocolate Bar from Meiji
18. Ham and Cheese Croissant from Cinnabon
19. Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookie from Mrs. Fields
20. Steamed Fish and Garlic from Big Buddha
21. Miso Soup from Sushi-ya
22. Carbonara - My Own
23. Meatlover's Pizza from Yellow Cab
24. Jumbo Chilly Cheese Dog from Burger Machine
25. Chicken Kebab from Cafe Mediterranean
26. Chicken Stew Pattie from Jamaican Pattie
27. Ebi Tempura from Tokyo Tokyo
28. Chicken Afritada
29. Lengua in Mushroom Sauce
30. Can't do without COKE!!!

Things I Want To Do
1. Surf the Internet
2. Hit the Beach
3. Road Trips
4. Cook Pasta
5. Scrapbooking
6. Photography
7. Watch Reality Shows
8. Try on shoes
9. Shopping
10. Use the Photo Editor
11. Cuddle my dog, Basti
12. Having Midnight Snacks
13. Experiment with my Hairstyle
14. Crafting
15. Take Quizzes
16. Buy Fashion Magazines
17. Eat Fast Food
18. Sketch Gowns
19. Visit the Petshop
20. Going to Amusement Parks
21. Ride the Rollercoaster
22. Be photographed
23. Start a trend
24. Maintain a Dollar account
25. Be a dermatologist
26. Invest in Real Estate
27. Travel the world
28. Have 3 kids
29. Maintain a slim figure
30. Learn to cook

Banderitas

2005-05-09T18:27:00.000+08:00

The heat is on! Bring out the fans and umbrellas! Took another trip to the countryside. Summer promises to fool the disenchanted traveler. I even had Jayson ride the "padyak" for the first time. One weekend, two more towns have been conquered.

What makes a Fiesta? The overwhelming amount of food, dessert, gallons of beer, and the hospitality of town dwellers seem unreal when you think about the socio-economic situation. Well, who cares right about now? Men having beer bellies from the endless drinking and I'm growing one too from consuming...without the beer, of course! Everyone's jovial and satisfied even just for a moment.

Frenzy Fright

2005-05-03T23:54:00.000+08:00

Good 'ol Capampangan delicasies.
It's fiesta time once again. Every year when I was still young, my dad and I would go back to his hometown in Lubao. I remember riding the squiggly Ferri's wheel, lining up just to experience the nauseating Octopus and placing my bet at the Sakla. Oh, the good times... those were the days.
Revisiting, I looked for the lavishly decorated streets, the Peria, the Marching Bands and everything that comes to mind when you say Fiesta. The town was peaceful, no blowing horns, no traffic! At last, we reached our destination! The best thing about it is the part where we eat the sumptuous feast. Callos, Arroz Valenciana, Kare-kare, Lengua...names synonymous to Capampangan cooking.

+ + +

On a sad note, my wedding album got ruined today. I brought it to my relatives in the province for them to see. Unfortunately, the second I took my eyes off it, the disaster happened. There it is, the pages stained and crumpled.

Scene: Mom and Tita turning the pages...

Mom: Naku! Ano ito?

Leslie: Anong ano? Patingin nga! P*****ina! Sinong tarantado gumawa nito?

Tita: Parang tinignan yan nung mga anak nung bisita kanina. Ano ba to, Coke?

Leslie: Sinong mga bata yan? Papatayin ko sila! Anak ng puta! Asan na yang mga yan?

Pagbabayarin ko sila! Di ba nila alam kung ano halaga nito!

Mommy: Baka pwede pa remedyuhan to. Tanong mo kay Mimi!

Leslie: Remedyo? Eh namantsahan na nga yung mga pictures eh. Mabuti naman at nagtira pa

sila! Pu*******na talaga! Lagot ako kay Jayson nito! Mga hampas lupa! Mimi! Paano

na 'to? Huhuhu.

I don't know what to do! Half crazy, half shocked, thinking...it'll be very costly to have another one made. I despise those provincial people who did this to my precious album!!! I can't stop cursing! I hope they don't experience the joys of getting married. Waaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

+ + +

Are you pregnant? Ive been asked this question a couple of times today. Even though that I know thay they mean well, I can't help but feel down. Imagine, even my 17 y.o niece didn't have a problem conceiving! Oh well, this too shall pass. I'll have mine in God's time.

It's in the Bag

2005-05-01T22:45:00.000+08:00

I packed my things, bought plastic bags, had my money changed to smaller bills...Garage Sale!
This was an entirely different experience for my husband and I, first time. We got up early and loaded the car with things I hoped would not return back home.
It was a hot day! Even with the tents up, I was dripping in sweat which I don't often secrete profusely. Good thing, we had Mia(Mangahas) and her family to share the tent with. The boredom was lessened to a point.
I used to drop by garage sales when I'm in the US and I get to buy a lot for my cousins. Back here, I guess people are not used to it. The narrowminded would think that we're shameless and needy. Imagine, selling your personal stuff for such a small price. My dad didn't approve of my eagerness to join the sale. He's too proud for that! I did it anyway!
We didn't get to sell a lot but we did sell some big items. Many factors played a part: the gate was not openned so the potential buyers may have shyed away from ringing the doorbell just to get in; the heat was intense; there were only a couple of people who came, they're probably parochials; the items I was selling didn't fit some potential buyers because I'm a size XS-M for clothes and 5 1/2-6 for footwear; and the price is not right!
I'm bad at selling things. I'm a better shopper at that. I get frustrated and sorry for my things when the customers would lower the price to something ridiculous, say, minus 80% of the cost. Imagine, this lady was bargaining with me for an item priced at P500 for P100. That's robbery! I would rather keep my stuff. I conditioned myself to stay in the tent and not roam around. Not that I'm anti-social, I just didn't want to buy more stuff that I don't really need and would regret buying in the end.

(L-R: took a moment to pose while arranging the things on sale; J and Maan can't wait to leave the place ; all packed-up and ready to go, what's for lunch)

So after staying for 3 hours, we packed our things and headed-off to eat at Pancake house, where else? Only burger steak can ease my hungerpangs. Good thing we earned more than what we have spent.
Overall, I think we did good. I'd do it again if the opportunity arises.

Parking Lot

2005-04-30T21:00:00.000+08:00

Don't you wish this was your parking lot?
So many cars...so little money to spare!

Sing it!

2005-04-29T15:21:00.000+08:00

Have you ever had those days when you can't find anything to do? I have lots of those! So whenever Jayson and I feel bored, we just amuse ourselves. There's always a camera on stand-by for this unseemingly dull moment.

I look terrible on this shot!
Come on bebe! Sing it for me!

Purge

2005-04-24T14:03:00.000+08:00

My clothes are taking too much closet space now. One can hardly squeeze in another hanger. It's even tougher to see what's behind the front row of folded everyday wear. I've tried a couple of times to have it organized, but still, there just isn't enough room for change.
Recently, i started posting on the classified ads of Friendster (Pusit.com) for my underutilized Sony Clie handheld. Then I thought, why not sell some of my clothes. I sorted them into groups: rarely used, never been used, frequently used, and for hand-me-downs. It was hard to decide on which items to let go of. I love my clothes. Even the oldest ones are still in good condition.
Since I posted last Friday, I've been getting responses from prospective buyers. There's not much money to make from this. Not much profit to brag about except for the free closet space I'm getting. But as they say..."One man's junk is another man's treasure." It would make me happier to know that somebody is willing to take it and put it to use again.

Check out the items! http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lengguymd/my_photos

You Can't do That!

2005-04-21T13:33:00.000+08:00

You can't:
1. Tell me not to use my car just because you're borrowing it
2. Ask me to go home early when in fact, I just left the house
3. Tell me what to do with my own hair unless you're my mom
4. Tell me to wear make-up just to make me look matured
5. Tell me not go to the beach just because I don't swim well
6. Tell me what to do with my blog, if you want it differently then you should apply it in your own blog
7. Stop me from voicing out my thoughts and feelings, that's what blogs are for
8. Tell me nasty things just because it pleases you and your big ego
9. Be mad forever. To err is human, to forgive...divine.
10. Be cruel to animals

You just can't do that!
I better stop ranting.

Wondering

2005-04-17T01:39:00.000+08:00

FYI:

Today is suppose to be our wedding day.

So what's the big deal? Nothing really. I'm just wondering if things would have turned out differently if we are to be married today.

If I had to do it all over again, I guess I'd still be...

An Unconventional Bride!

You're probably the type of girl who never considered getting married - until you met *him*
You're not a big fan of white dresses, church weddings, or cheesy DJ's
That's okay - you'll do it your way... whether that means a Vegas wedding or guys as bridesmen
While you may not toss the bouquet (or have anyone to toss it to), it will still be the most romantic day of your life!

What Kind of Bride Will You Be? Take This Quiz :-)

Just like 'Ol Times

2005-04-16T23:33:00.000+08:00

This day was a blast! It's been two years since I last saw my bestfriend, Doray. Nothing has changed except for the fact that I'm married now. We're still laughing like crazy, making fun of our old experiences. Those were the days when we didn't have a care in the world. Bad girl- Good girl! That's us! Just guess who's who of the two. As we matured, I realized that the goofy girl(she still is) I know has grown to become a successful career inclined lady. Far from her juvenile delinquent image. She's now a very independent, responsible, and family oriented person. I've always admired her for her strength and guts. That's one thing I envy about her.

Back in highschool, we had different sets of friends. One would wonder how we can stay bestfriends even if we're not always together. Maybe we shared a deeper kind of friendship that knows no distance. We both wanted to be Fashion designers but our parents we're not supportive of the idea. That's when we took our alternative courses at UST. She took up Pharmacy and I took Physical Therapy. That was the time when PT was a so in-demand. Eventually, she shifted to PT and transferred to Fatima College, I stayed at UST for at least another year. Things were chaotic that time. I decided to fail my subjects so I'd get an honorable dismissal, that way, I would at least have a reason to shift to Fine Arts. But all my plans failed and I ended up transferring to Fatima too. Joy and I were back together again. We shared the same dorm, same food, same transportation, and even shared our dreams. We once contemplated on going to Med school together. After graduation, we sort of took a different path. Maybe we were not meant to engage in the same career. We can't stay together forever.

Until now, I still miss everything about her. She's the funniest person I know. One of the most vain too. Feels better to talk to her face to face than the usual emailing that we do. Things may have turned out differently for us but it's for the better. Just like seeds, we needed space for our roots to grow. It is through distance that we were able to let each other explore the possibilities and probalilities in life. We have found our own place in the sun and we are happy for each others accomplishments. My only wish is for her to find the right person to love and one that will love her back even more.

I don't think I could ever find another one like her. Real friends are hard to find. It's like looking for a needle in a hay stack. There seems to be a lack of genuine people in this superficial society we live in. I'm glad I've found her early on.

Warranty

2005-04-15T00:12:00.000+08:00

At last, my laptop's functioning right! After several trips to Compuserve and Microstation, no more hassles! I've been observing it for a day, wishing that it would start at once. Well, what do you know? Isang pindot lang ng power sindi agad. Sus! Hindi pala kasi compatible yung pinadagdag naming hardware kaya nalilito yung processor kung anong memory ang gagamitin nya. Aba, nakailang reformat din yan ng Windows XP. Buti na lang tinago ko resibo and warranty.