Can you spell S-L-E-E-P-Y???

I've been trying to wean Joshua from his bottle which means he's got a bit of trouble sleeping at night.

Last Sunday night as we were settled down in bed, I was testing his spelling skills. He successfully spelled the words dog, cat and pig. I was telling him what a good job he did when he apparently decided to test me.

"Mommy, what's c-a-u-v?"
I know it wasn't a real word but I decided to play along. "Cauv," I say.

"Mommy, what's b-a-u-v?"
"Bauv."

"Mommy, what's c-h-a-u-v?"
"Chauv." I was sleepy now.

"Mommy, what's c-a-u-w-x-y-z?"
"That's not a real word."

"Ok, what's s-a-u-w-x-y-z?"
"mmm...that's not a real word." By now I was mumbling, almost half asleep.

"Ok, mommy, spell microphone!" he almost yells in my ear. I wake up.
"M-i-c-r-o-p-h-o-n-e," I say.

"Wow, that's really long!"
"Oh go to sleep, Joshua!"
"But mommy..!"
"Shhh," I say. "It's Daddy's turn," I whisper.

And with that, I drift off to sleep.

A hot day and a hot video

Thirty two degrees. That's how hot it was Sunday afternoon. I was taking a nap with the kids and we had the air conditioner on and an electric fan turned on full blast and it was still hot. I don't know how I can get through this summer and it's only February.

So I have hatched a plan to have a girls only getaway with my two sisters to Boracay. For those who have not heard of the place, it looks like this:


Imagine talcum powder like white sand, the best shakes this side of the Atlantic and the best parties when the sun goes down. *sigh* Heaven! It's about time anyway. The last time we had a getaway with just the three of us, it was years ago when we went to Australia for a vacation. So we've been to Bora on separate occasions but never together. I think my hubby's feeling a bit left out but he understands. (Or maybe he's worried...*grin*). My youngest sister already announced that ..."what happens in Boracay, stays in Boracay..." so maybe that's what worries him. *We'll be good!!!! Promise and cross our string bikini covered (or is it uncovered?) hearts!* HA HA HA HA!

Meanwhile, my sister made me listen to this song made into an unofficial Grey's Anatomy video. I have not seen any episode yet mainly because I know once I start, I wouldn't be able to stop. But the song is utterly, utterly beautiful (and has the same title) and the GA video is just one of the sexiest things I have ever seen. So I'm sharing and here's the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9tq4Og8C34). I know it takes a bit of time for it to download but believe me, it's worth it. Patrick Dempsey is, omg, *fans self*.

I've got a busy week ahead of me. I hope your weekend was as good as mine.

Because It Is Friday

For the times when you wish you had the perfect comeback....

Disclaimer: Being sarcastic and mean does not pay. This is only intended to amuse my fellow cubicle dwellers who have had a tiring day and need a laugh before wrestling with Friday night traffic. Of course, if you're feeling really evil and put upon and have reached the end of your endurance, feel free to use any one of these. Just don't blame me for your loss of control.


THINGS YOU'D LOVE TO SAY AT WORK AND OTHER PLACES

1. I can see your point but I still think you're full of sh*t.

2. I don't know what your problem is but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.

3. How about never? Is never good for you?

4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.

5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.

6. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.

7. I'm out of my mind but feel free to leave a message.

8. I don't work here. I'm a consultant.

9. It sounds like English but I can't understand a word you're saying.

10. Ahhh, I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.

11. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.

12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

13. I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn.

14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.

15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.

16. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

17. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.

18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?

20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.

21. And your crybaby whiny-ass opinion would be?

22. Do I look like a people person?

23. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.

24. I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.

25. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.

26. If I throw a stick, will you leave?

27. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

28. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

29. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.

30. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.

31. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?

32. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

33. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?

34. Chaos, panic and disorder - my work here is done.

35. How do I set a laser printer to stun?

A Book Review...sort of

I have just finished reading this book and I am blown away.

When I started reading the first page, I couldn't help noticing how beautiful the words flowed, almost like a poem.

"Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?"

I almost want to stop reading, somewhat scared of moving forward. It's like hesitating before opening a much awaited gift, overwhelmed with a delicious sense of anticipation.

It is part science fiction, and part love story. Henry, a librarian, has a genetic disorder that causes him to spontaneously travel through time, mostly to his past. He meets Clare, his wife, when she was six and he was thirty-six, and marries her when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. And in the face of his disorder, they struggle to lead normal lives. It is equal parts fascinating and heartbreaking, and totally engrossing.

I hope I don't put people off by my gushing. Far from being another mushy love story (like, er, The Notebook), the author tells it in a very detached, matter of fact manner. She makes the time travel utterly believable and pulls the reader into Henry and Clare's lives without all the scientific drivel.

I won't say anymore, except to reiterate how much I loved this book. If you're itching to read books you don't normally read, then make it this one.

The Yummy Mummy

Technically, a Yummy Mummy by definition is a woman who fits into her size 6 Seven jeans three weeks after giving birth (by scheduled C-Section of course -- no messy labors please!). She's a fashionista mama who shops for groceries in heels, closing deals on her cell phone while wagging finger puppets to stimulate her baby's growing brain.

I came across a book with this title about a month ago and then again this weekend. I wanted to buy it but I've already binged on books so I had to pass. I thought it was a cute title. Then I read on the net that actress Kate Winslet was just declared Yummiest Mummy of the year in the UK. So it's more than just a random idea on a book title. The term has actually gained legitimacy -- much like the terms "baby boomers" or "general Xers". I have to laugh at the thought of being in skinny jeans after three weeks. I vividly remember being a bloated mess of hormones three years ago, panicking over being left with a jealous Joshua, who had the bad habit of wanting to hit his sister as I breastfed her.

Seriously, I don't know how these women do it. And I don't mean the actresses and models whose livelihood depends on how they look. I don't own a single pair of Seven jeans (and never will -- the price tag is enough to buy diapers for more than a year). My feet have grown two sizes since the kids were born. I don't think I will ever go back to my pre-pregnancy weight no matter how long I lay off the carbs (or kill myself on the treadmill). My tummy will never be the same. It's not always sweetness and light, designer baby gear and pilates classes.

It's difficult for me to balance work, time for the kids and the hubby, and time for myself. It's a tough world and sometimes I feel like I've got one foot in the corporate world and the other one in mom world, never really fitting in either. I feel lost amidst the stay at home moms who see each other every day at my son's pre-school. They are all nice and friendly but I am a stranger to them. I get distracted at work when the kids are sick, eaten with guilt that they are being cared for by someone else. I feel responsible for so many things and the thought of having to live up to a glamorized image of motherhood just doesn't appeal.

But I guess, in the end, you just do what works for you. Hats off to the yummy mummies out there -- as long as the kids are clean and happy and I'm relatively presentable then that'll have to do.

Beach Weather!

Gee, and just like that, it's summer. It was hot this weekend. The kind of hot that's best tolerated if you're lounging around in a swimsuit with a cold drink and a good book in hand. Unfortunately, this kind of scenario isn't in my foreseeable future unless you count a kiddie wading pool in the yard with me immersed to my hips and being gleefully drenched by two hyperactive pre-schoolers. Which is a lot of fun, especially if I direct the drenching to people who make the mistake of walking too near.

I can pretty much predict what summer's going to be like. If we're not out of town, it'll be the kiddie wading pool on weekends or the mall to escape the scorching heat. I gotta start scouting for summer activities to keep the kids occupied during the week. I'm thinking tennis and theater for Joshua and swimming and/or ballet for Faith. Maybe they'll actually find something they'll want to stick with. Though I'm really hoping Josh will take a liking for tennis because his mommy's got visions of being in Paris for the French Open. Heh heh!

Speaking of distractions, the hubby and I saw Music and Lyrics yesterday. It's nothing spectacular but very entertaining. The opening 80's music video with Hugh Grant is hilarious! Not too bad if you've nothing better to do on a hot afternoon or trying to fill in the time before the really good movies come out. For instance, I can't wait for Transformers (yeah, I watched it and can even sing the theme song which impressed the heck out of Joshua!). I kind of had a crush on Optimus Prime. Hooookay, let's not get started...

I've got thirteen new books. Thirteen! Thirteen lovely, spanking new books that I don't have time to read. Bummer!

What Kind of Work Week Did You Have??

Am sooooooo glad it's Friday...

V Day

This morning on the way to work, the radio station played romantic wedding songs. Delivery men with roses are everywhere. People are inundated with special offers from restaurants, coffee shops and hotels. Traffic today will be horrendous and I'm not surprised. After all, it's Valentine's Day.

Yes, it's commercialism at it's finest. And yes, I think that sometimes the meaning behind what is celebrated gets lost underneath all the hype. Quite a lot of people have said that expressing how you feel for someone shouldn't be limited to just one day. I agree with that a hundred percent.

However, this over hyped celebration does have it's uses. Because let's face it, being in a relationship is not always flowers and romance, sweet words and scented candles. And when you have children, the focus shifts a lot of the time. It's not wrong but it is the way it is. The love is always there but the sweeping and romantic gestures aren't.

So today, I am happy about the pink carnations I received from my husband. And I smile every time I remember what he wrote on the card. No big expensive candlelit dinner tonight and that is perfectly fine. Instead, we are celebrating the birthday of my grand aunt who was born 80 years ago today. She is unmarried and has chosen to spend her whole life with us. She has taken care of me and my sisters since I was four months old. We are celebrating our love for this tiny woman who is the kindest and gentlest person ever. What better way to celebrate?

But since it IS Valentine's Day, I changed my blog song today and it's for the love of my life. I think of you every time I hear this song and the lyrics say why...

"...i have you
a lover and a friend
you are everything i need
you are the sun
the air i breathe..."

Ok, enough mushiness. Time to go home.

Home Sweet Home

Just got back from my Shanghai sojourn. This was, by far, the most memorable visit I've had. And not just because of my first day fiasco. Previous trips have almost always been hurried -- get in, work all day, hit Shangyang market then dinner, usually at Xin Tian Di.

This time, I did Shanghai like a local. There was still work, but meals were taken at places frequented and raved about by locals. I became a temporary tea drinker (never touched the stuff before) and got exposed to barbequed duck tongue *shudder*, lotus flower pastry (yummy!), honey lemon tea freeze (divine!) and the most heavenly foot massage ever! Do not even think of going to China without having a foot massage. This is the best. Period.

Instead of flying back on Saturday, I opted to stay an extra day with a friend. I ditched the car and driver in favor of the Metro (their subway) and mostly walked to places. Friday night's agenda was a little shopping before dinner then the massage at 11:30 pm. I was surprised at how safe it is to walk around the city even after midnight. At 12:30am, it seemed that everyone was out having Chinese New Year celebrations before the official holidays start next week. We couldn't find a cab so we braved the cold and just walked back to the hotel. I couldn't imagine doing that in Manila.

The next day was spent just going around the city. We spent more than two hours at my friend's real estate agent's office closing her rental agreement. I had fun getting stuck with her landlord and his wife who, together with the agent, kept telling me I had beautiful eyes *bats eyelashes*. Only they were using sign language because we couldn't understand each other. I finally got it when she made big "Os" with her forefinger and thumb, then gave a thumbs up sign. It was really amusing. Now who wouldn't get a kick out of that??!!

My last night in Shanghai was spent at one of the hottest bars on the Bund with my friends. A singapore sling, a drink called "orgasm", a glass of white wine and two margaritas later, I was having the time of my life.

No wonder I had a dreadful headache on the plane.

Ni Hao Ma!

I'm in Shanghai. So much to tell after only one day!

I was waiting for my half past noon flight to Shanghai and it's only 10am. So I do what I love best, parked myself on a seat, jammed my earphones on and lost myself in a book. I wanted to relax because I knew I was going to be stressed out when I arrived. As soon as I land, I had to change into Corporate clothes and heels and go straight to the Chinese New Year dinner.

Fifteen minutes after the airline meal, the woman beside me got up to go to the rest room and promptly spilled her ice water on me. Grrrrr! The right side of my clothes was drenched and she didn't even bother to go get some tissues for me to wipe with! Horrible woman! She must have felt the bad vibes from me because she didn't come back to her seat for the remainder of the flight.

The plane landed and I got off to find a thick fog, a whole lot of grayness, and a freezing wind. Great. This after being told it was not that cold (15 - 20 degrees) and not to bother with thermals. I was one of the first to get off the plane so I breezed through immigration, got my suitcase and trundled off to the rest room to change.

Thirty minutes later, I was looking for my name on the placards being displayed by the drivers. It was only 4:30 and the driver was supposed to meet me before five so I was congratulating myself on being early when I spied the driver and saw one of the members of the Executive Committee (an expat) behind him. He and his son were on the same flight and I realized I made them wait for half an hour. Whoops.

Off to the car we went. After one instance of almost landing on my butt because of my four inch heels and twenty minutes of waiting at the curb in the freezing wind, we learned we had to walk to the parking area as the road was blocked and the driver couldn't get through to pick us up. So I lugged my suitcase, laptop case, big purse and a plastic shopping bag of dried mangoes down two flights of stairs (the guy I was with had four pieces of big suitcases!) and we were (finally!) on our way.

It was a fancy dinner party (and I was glad I changed out of my sneakers) and I got to sit at the VIP table with the owners (who were sooooo nice!). We were introduced one by one to everybody in the ballroom and you had to stand and wave a little when they called your name. Whee! Just like a famous or important person. :D

We were all given individual gifts and it was while my head was down stuffing the gift in my bag that my seat mate called my attention. When I looked up, everybody was holding their wine glasses up for a toast and waiting for me. Whoops. Again.

Is the day never going to end???

The 14 course dinner mercifully ended, the table rounds toasting everybody finished (you have to avoid clinking your glass against another if you don't want to do a bottoms up every single time). I finally staggered into my room at 10.

I think I want to go home now.

Tweet!

Back home from a lunch date with old friends, I found my daughter still in the midst of her afternoon nap. I curled up next to her and just lay there for a while. Half an hour later, she opened her eyes, saw me beside her, smiled sweetly and said, "Tweet!"

I looked at my husband. "Did she just tweet?"
"Uh huh."

I looked at her again. She stretched. "Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!"
I love her. Bit of a weirdo, but I love her.


Ha! I just proved once again that what I said in my previous post is true. As evidenced by my conversation with the hubby last night.

While reading through a copy of Fortune magazine which featured the richest men in Australia and New Zealand he commented:

"Do you know that the richest man in Australia is only 39 years old?"
"Is he good looking?"
"I don't know."

I rest my case.

That Guy Thing

A discussion cropped up on the way home when the hubby's work colleague
hitched a ride. Sometime during the 2 hour traffic, the conversation narrowed down to this question: how come men can never admit that another guy is good looking? What's up with that??!!

Come on. I've proven this with the hubby. Whenever I ask him if a certain
guy is good looking I'll typically get this response, "I don't know. Don't
ask me that." The hubby's colleague adds that unless the guy involved is an
actor like Brad Pitt, I will usually get a noncommittal response.

Now, I don't have a problem acknowledging whether another woman is good
looking. In fact, one time, I gawked at a woman standing in a corner who
had the most amazing pair of legs I've ever seen. I'm like, "OMG! Did you see her legs???!!!" I couldn't resist a last look at her when we passed by in the car, craning my neck to get a last glimpse that the hubby had to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention.

I once asked a guy friend about whether he thought a guy who just walked in front of us was cute and I all I got was a "Huh??!!".

So, is it a guy thing?

There's got to be more than an "it's just the way it is".