Don’t Feel 36 at All

Happy 36th Birthday to me!  Funny how I don’t remember my age anymore.  I think every woman stops counting when she reaches a certain age.  Pardon me saying, but in my mind Im 30 (lol!)  I just hope my looks won’t betray me.

At 36 I believe Im at a stage where I’ve found my place under the sun. Life has taught me well.  But the journey is far from over.  There’s still a lot to be done.  A lot to ahieve.  It’s quite a uphill climb, actually.

I don’t have plans today.  But Im going to prepare just the same.  Lunch or dinner with my siblings is all I can predict.  Hubby already got me a gift (I’ll write about it, asap).  As for my birthday wish.  I only have two:

• a house and lot - which is in process
• good health, happiness and more blessings for Hubby, Kobe and Julia

You and Your Children Tag

A long overdue tag from Cheryll.  Finally, I’ve done it.  Thanks Che.  I had fun doing this.

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Rules :

 

 

1. Start Copy from “Begin Copy” until “End Copy“.

2. Choose the photo(s) of you and your child(ren) that you would like to share in your blog, with a small story/explanation about when and where the photo(s) was/were taken.

3. Add your blog name and url blog, then leave your url post in here. And I’ll add you to the Master List.

4. Please help spread this tag by tagging your friends as much as you can.

5. Please come back again to copy the update of the master list, often. This process will help new participants to get the same gains as the first participants.

Master List :

1. Juliana’s Site 2. Moms…..check nyo 3. Pinay WAHM 4. Residual Matters 5. So Cute 6. Pinaymama’s Diary 7. Beauty of Life 8. Point of View 9. The Callalily Space 10. Nyumix 11. Aeirin Collections 12. 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires 13. Twerlermz’s Blog 14. My Virtual Journal 15. Capturing The Moments 16. Jenny and Belle 17. Just another day in sunny Florida 18. Pampered 19. Apple of my Eyes 20. Mummy Diaries 21. All about your child 22. Super Mae 23. It’s my party 24. In My home 25. LZMommy 26. All Natural 27. It’s a woman’s world 28. Rantings of A Woman 29. ParentZine 30. Me and Mine 31. Dancing in Midlife Tune 33. mind bubbles 34. vanity kit 35. stripe&yellow 36. Em’s detour 37. something purple 38. My Virtual Closet 39. Why Babie? 40. My Views On My So Called Life 34. BOTH SIDES NOW 35. your blog

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This one’s taken a few weeks ago while we were watching TV.  I called out for a kiss and both came running to me with a sweet kiss and a big hug

 

 

 

 

 

Because of the heavy rains, we all decided to play indoors.  Well, actually the kids wanted to play while I had my mind set on reading.  Hubby wasn’t home yet so they were super bored.  Kobe and I took turns in taking these pictures.

One of my favorites.  Taken three years ago.  Now than my son turned 8, he rarely wants he’s picture taken (lol).  This is among the few I’ve kept all these years.

Now, Im passing this tag to Rachel, Girlie, Ghee and Joy.

Impromtu Dinner Date

I was glad Hubby picked me up from work yesterday.  The conversation I had with my Boss proved to be a little too much for me to handle.  I desperately needed company and would welcome a pleasant distraction.

Well, last night turned out to be a “pig out” for both of us.  Hubby was so hungry and was craving for his favorite crispy pata.  Im not really a fan of crispy pork knuckles but when Hubby discovered that Bangus restaurant offers the best crispy pata this side of the metro, it became my instant favorite.  For added value, we also ordered sinigang na hipon, which was also delicious.

 

For dessert and coffee, we headed to another favorite, Starbucks.  This is what caught my eye:  Italian Chocolate-Moccha cake.  It’s absolute sinful!  Yumm-o.  What a perfect ending to a surprise date…

HUWAAT?!?

Wonders never seize in the office.  i know i shouldn’t be a stranger to these things.  Afterall, our company has been “shaken” too many times before.  Nothing prepared me, though for THIS.  I almost dropped off my seat when my Boss told said that she was leaving.  It took a few minutes for her words to sink in.   No, she is not really leaving the corporate jungle, but our Head Office has called her to a new job post.  Being A seconded Officer, she has no choice but to comply.  So, by September 1 this year, i will be officially without a Boss and will be awaiting her replacement.

Her announcement came as a shock (hmmm… this seem to the the office’s favorite word, lol) to everyone.  Naturally, tears were also shed.  She is, afterall, well loved and respected (and feared) by all.  As expected, the news of her transfer spread like wildfire.  My phones were infested by lots of curious callers yesterday. 

I, on the other hand is in the state of denial and confusion.  In the four years we have worked together, a certain bond was formed.  We go beyond the boss-subordinate relationship.  She is a mentor, friend, critic, and sometimes, a mother to me.

I was assured that a replacement is under wraps.  But, deep down, I keep asking myself if this latest development is is a sign.  Perhaps fate is telling me something.  I am just too agitated to listen.  Or too scared to admit what I know all along…

Oh, well, as we always say at work :only in Bankard.

Tag of Four

Cheryll tagged me on this.  Hmmm looks interesting to do.  Here goes my share…  Thanks, girlfriend.

What you are supposed to do…and please don’t spoil the fun…Click copy/paste, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag 4 people in your lists!

 

A) Four places I go over and over:

• the office
• Rustan’s (C & P Malls)
• Ms Donald’s (also in C & P)
• Robinson’s

 

B) Four people who e-mail me regularly:

• my boss
• my sisters
• pinoy bloggers community
• blogging women group

C) Four of my favorite places to eat?

• Causeway
• Charlie’s
• Contis
• Shushi-ya

 

D) Four places you’d rather be?

• at home or anywhere basta with hubby and the kids

 

E) Four people I think will respond:

• Julianna
• Arlene
• Em
• Jean 

F) Four TV shows I could watch over and over:

• Lifestyle Channel’s Cooking Shows
• CSI (Vegas)
• Gossip Girl
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Julia’s favorite)

Scared!

It’s been six days now since the tragic death of one of our guards.  Manong Ed, as we foundly call him took his own life last Wednesday (5 am) in our office premises.  More than anything else his death has, and still is affecting everyone.  Much as I don’t want to write about the grim happenings at work,  but the events surrounding this tragedy is difficult to ignore.

There have been reported “sightings” of him everywhere.  We still have to recover from the shock of his death and  the atmosphere is thick with anxiety as we attempt to get back to our normal lives.  As a step to move on, a novena daily is being held for him.  But it is hard to move on for him, I suppose.  The eerieness continues to prevail.  The 30th floor hallways, the photocopy area, some work stations, the parking lots…

Im scared out my wits.  I can’t even ride the elevators alone.  Just early this afternoon, I was at the 30th floor hallway waiting for the elevator going to my floor (31/st) when the lights went out!  I froze and panicked, I could barely see.  The only lights left were the candles on the altar on the spot where he claimed his life.  It was the longest 20 seconds of my life.

Miss Universe 2008 is Ms Venezuela

It’s all over, folks.  The whole world just witnessed the crowning of Ms. Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza as Miss Universe 2008.  I almost forgot about it so when I finally did remember, the pageant was already in the Top 5 portion.  The ones who made it were indeed beautiful, exotic women.  Too bad, Miss Phillippines didn’t make the cut.  Among them, my favorite was Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzalez. 

I can’t help notice, though the absence of constant top lister (as observed in previous pageants), Ms. U.S.A.  Ms. Russia’s inclusion in the top 5, I must say was a refreshing surprise.   This year’s show proved to be quite unpredictable (to an extent), I must say. Take for instamce the odd pairing of the hosts, Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Mel B.  Frankly, I didn’t think that they would pull it off.  What I don’t get, though why does Mel have to show her tongue when delivering her lines.  I find it weird, actually.  Oh, well, what’s done is done and the show is over….

Good job, Miss Venezuela!

Best Ever Kiddie Spaghetti

Since my kiddie pasta got a lot of compliments, Im sharing the recipe I got from Reggie Aspiras’ Kitchen Rescue series.  This one’s called Baked Spaghetti.  This is so easy to make and I guarantee, it’ll be a huge hit.

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 4 c sweet style spaghetti sauce
• onion, chopped
• garlic, minced
• fresh parsely
• 3 tsp spoons sugar
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• beef cube

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Saute onions, garlic and beef.  Add sauce, beef cube, sugar and other spices.  Season with salt and pepper (for my variation, I added grated cheese).  Toss spaghetti noddles with the sauce and set aside.

White Sauce

• 1/4 c flour
• 4 c milk
• 1/4 c butter
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.  Cook in slow heat, whisking until it thickens.  Spread over pasta, top with cheese ( i used quickmelt) and bake for 20 minutes

Happy Birthday, Julia

 If there’s one word to describe Julia’s birthday party yesterday, that would be SUCCESS.  My daughter’s 3rd birthday celebration turned out really well inspite of little prep time and just me cooking.  The kids had a blast.  With some of my siblings and cousins joining us, the celebration was even more special.  Im proud to say that I got raves with the food and the cake. 

The cake was indeed special.  It was a huge hit and quite a conversation piece.  Julia’s cake was a  caramel cake.  I ordered it from Estrelle’s.  Everyone loved the melt-in-your-mouth texture and its intricate design won everyone over (young and old). 

As for the pasta, no one knew that it was the first time I’d ever made it.  I found this super yummy kiddie spaghetti recipe from Reggie Aspiras’ Kitchen Rescue series.  We all loved it.  Everyone went for seconds, thirds, even take out!  So far, it was the best kiddie party spaghetti I have ever tasted.

So, there Im proud to say that I’ve past the test with flying colors to boot!  Happy birthday, Julia!  Hep, hep Hurray.  Im leaving you guys with snapshots of the fun and memories of the party… enjoy!

A blah, blah, blah moment

I haven’t been in the blogsphere for two days.  Like the rest of us at work, the recent tragedy was a blow and a traumatic experience to all of us.  But life has to go on and there’s a lot to be done.  So along side the grief, the shock, the fear we’re all deep into work.

I’m somewhat lucky to have a diversion from these grim thoughts.  I have also been busy with Julia birthday celebration.  In fact, today is her most awaited day.  Come to think of it, I have tons of prep work to do.  With a few more phone calls, a trip to the grocery, and lots of kitchen magic, Im sure I’ll get things done in no time.

Blah, blah, blah… I really don’t know what Im driving at here.  My thoughts seem to be running in circles.  I just want to feel the comfort of pounding on my keyboard.  Eversince I’ve discovered blogging, I found that it’s been therepeutic for me. 

Sorry guys, Im a little off balance lately.  For the nth time, I say this again: its difficult to serve two masters at the same time. Motherhood and work is such a big challenge.