Just a couple of things that made my weekend special:

A copy of Paullina Simon's The Summer Garden found at the bookstore last Friday night. The third book after The Bronze Horseman and Tatiana and Alexander. Again, I am almost reluctant to start reading, because it'll be over when I finish. I am forever grateful to the Book Bitches for introducing me to this author.

Black patent leather peep toe flats after weeks of searching for the perfect black flats. Not high at all, but not too flat. Believe me, it means something.

Listening to the fabulous choir singing at the wedding we attended last Saturday. Holding the hubby's hand throughout the ceremony and after.

Waking up late Saturday morning. Darn kids almost choked me to death with hugs cause they didn't want to get up yet. I liked it.

Piping hot pepperoni and cheese bread sticks from the Tea Square. Heaven. Must.get.more.

Car ride with just my siblings yesterday. Nothing special but it was to me.

Long emails from friends. Google reader set up by my darling, darling hubby.


How was your weekend?

The other night I found myself wide awake, unable to go back to sleep. It was too dark to see the clock on the wall, the dim light of the small lamp too far from it, but it felt like the quiet of 2 or 3 am. I sat up and studied the three sleeping figures on our makeshift bed on the floor. It was cold in the room. I smiled slightly at the sight of my husband hunched in his small space at the corner next to Joshua, completely covered by his Marvin the Martian wool blanket. He insists on sleeping with us on the floor in spite of the big empty bed in the middle of the room.

Our family bed on the floor is like a nest, made of two long foldable mattresses laid side by side, flanked by the foot of the bed and the couch and completely surrounded by pillows.

Joshua moves a bit to where I usually lie, feet searching for me. I am often awakened at the sensation of his cold toes burrowing under my tummy, which means he has kicked off his blanket yet again. They hate having their feet covered -- no footsie pajamas for them.

He moves again, and hugs my legs. I marvel at his size now, tall for a 5 year old and remember when I could hold him in the crook of one arm and hardly feel the weight. His cheeks are like porcelain, cool and smooth as I nuzzle them. He doesn't wake up despite my attentions.

I look at Faith sprawled in complete abandon, arms and legs every which way, hair tangled on the pillow, mouth slightly open. Her toes are tiny and pink. Her breath still smells like a baby's, milk combined with her unique scent.

I could stay up watching them for hours, then briefly thought of getting up and finishing my book. Then a creaking noise spooks me. So I squeezed myself between the kids, burrowed under my blanket, turned my face into Faith's sleeping one and closed my eyes.

When I got pregnant for the first time, I was naturally very excited and immediately bought the requisite What to expect... series. Pored over it, surfed countless websites, subscribed to Baby Center, you name it.

And since we lived near my mom and grandmother and my great aunt who raised me and my three siblings from babies, I had a wealth of advice that was immediately accessible (whether I wanted it or not), twenty four by seven. Not all of the advice is based on scientific fact by the way. Examples of which are:

Superstitious belief #1: Never bring the baby out of the house until it's been baptized. Not sure if it makes the baby susceptible to possession of evil spirits or something. No one ever comes out with a reasonable explanation. Just a vehement "Basta!" (tagalog word for "just take my word for it, you ignorant fool"). Ok, take out the ignorant fool part, I was just kidding about that.

Superstitious belief #2: People visiting the house and seeing the baby must dab the baby with a little bit of their saliva (I know, altogether now, "EWWWWWWWW!!!"). This is to prevent "usog" which makes the baby cry non-stop in the wee hours of the morning. The dabbing must be done on either the foot, the stomach, or the forehead.

Superstitious belief #3: Filipinos have a healthy respect and belief in elemental spirits. Which is why, whenever my sisters and I came in from playing outdoors with unexplained bruises on our legs, my grandmother or aunt would say, "kinurot ka ng ingkong" (you've been pinched by an old elemental spirit cause you're cute). Ha ha, just added that last part. This has been so ingrained in me that when my kids play outside, I have to bite my tongue before I blurt out "tabi po, ingkong" (please stand aside).

Imagine what my very un-superstitious hubby has to put up with in our household. After he had to grapple with superstitious beliefs for newlyweds which makes me chuckle everytime I remember those days (and which can take a whole new post altogether).

They mean well, they really do. And I love them for it. It's something I can laugh about with my sisters and hubby. But I guess the point is, there are a lot of instructions and advice out there and for a new mom, it can be quite overwhelming.

I would say just go with what feels right for you and your baby. Because I find that what works with one baby doesn't necessarily work for the second one. And most of the time, what's practical works best.

Three day weekend! Yay!!!!!!!!!!

Monday is the Foundation Day celebration of the city where I work so it's a non-working holiday for offices in the area. Cool!

I've already planned to do the school run on Monday which I am looking forward to -- got to have a talk with the school administrator but I don't want to get into that right now. Then have a long nap with the kids after school. On a Monday. Wow. (It's so much nicer to be on holiday when everyone else has to go to school or work, isn't it?

A run at the Zara sale this lunchtime (new shoes!), a night out with my girlfriends at work tonight plus three whole days with no work. What more can I ask for?

Have a good weekend everybody!

School Tales

Pictures finally saved in my laptop.

Here's my little girl on her first day of school. Doesn't she look adorable in her uniform? The hubby and I took a half day off from work for two days so we could bring the kids to school and stay until they got off.

It wasn't hard to wake her in the morning (thank goodness). School is a twenty minute drive away (if there's no traffic) so they will have to get up at 6:30 at the latest to give time for breakfast and any tantrums (we've had two so far) before my mom or dad drives them to school before 7:30 to make the 8 am time. Have I mentioned I've got saints for parents??? :D

I had a lump in my throat as I watched her showing off her school uniform to her grandparents. I couldn't believe my baby girl is old enough to go to school. My husband says he suddenly felt old as we drove into the parking lot and, together with the other parents, trooped to the school entrance with Faith and her tiny backpack and snack bag.

The school was filled with parents and nannies anxious to see how their little ones are going to fare on their first day. That day, only the nursery and pre-nursery students were in school -- it was probably less chaotic than if all the levels went in on the same day since they were only allowing parents and nannies to stay outside the rooms during the first week.

As expected, there were kids who wouldn't let go of their parents' hand and others who insisted their parents/nannies stay inside the room. One child kept going outside the room asking for his nanny. A few kids kept bursting into tears.

Faith was a little trooper though. When we brought her inside the classroom, she went with her teacher and started playing with the toys. Her daddy and I stayed outside the glass windows, alternately recording and taking pictures. It was pretty obvious she was enjoying herself. I knew we could've left her without issues but my husband and I both stayed until they were dismissed. I think it was much harder for me than for her. She came out of class out happily carrying a pink balloon, chattering in the car the whole time.

Here they are on the second day of school all dressed and ready to go. It's been three weeks since school started and I was so happy to learn that Joshua always brings his sister to her room before going to his. Okay, gushing. I know. Can't help it. Sorry. It's a proud mommy moment for me. *sniff*

Now that school's started, routines have changed a bit. We now spend a chunk of time during weekends to go over Joshua's lessons. They don't have daily homework yet but I go over their weekly bulletins and plans for next week and try to prepare both of them for future lessons. I'm trying to manage my schedule so I can still go boxing twice a week and be home early enough for the kids.

I've also heard from my mom that Faith has a habit of walking around in class and not paying attention. Oh dear. But I'm not too worried. YET.

I mean, c'mon, it's her first time in school and for someone who more or less plays all day long, it would be hard to just sit still with all those toys and interesting things around. Like the teacher's bell (her favorite - teacher had to eventually keep it where she couldn't reach it), or the toy bowling pins, and the different colored balls in the baskets. And before my dear hubby pins this on me, no, I DON'T have a short attention span.

I wanted to post about the kids' first week of school but I don't have the pictures loaded in my laptop yet so I decided to hold off until I have them.

Last Friday's traffic was just terrible -- I left the mall (just 5 minutes away from the office) after shopping for groceries at 7pm and was still on the road at 10. I hadn't been feeling well the past week and my cough was definitely acting up by the time we reached home at 10:30. My work commute is just crazy. I hate, hate, hate driving! It was not a good start to the weekend.

We had a lovely visit from my good friend Lisa and her daughter Lara who are on vacation from Austin, Texas. It was a play date for the kids who hadn't seen each other in two years. It made me wish we lived close to each other so the kids can play together more often.

The weekend passed by in a blur. The heat was unbearable despite the on and off drizzles. I was busy preparing the kids' stuff for school (books labeled and wrapped in plastic cover), Father's Day cards and presents prepared, family gathering and all that.

It's lunchtime on another blah Monday. The coffee hasn't gotten rid of my headache, I was kept up half the night by my cough and I find myself feeling too sluggish to go boxing yet again.

I hope your week's starting off better than mine is. In the meantime, gonna go grab some lunch and the copy of People's hottest bachelors for 2007. Sue me. I need a pick me up.

Just last week my co-workers and I were talking about our childhood and how we grew up without computers and Wii and playstations. And how my co-worker's 7 year old is the unbeatable CounterStrike champion in their neighborhood.

Things were a lot simpler then. As soon as we woke up from our afternoon naps, my sister and I were out of the house, playing with whatever struck our fancy (mostly removing the leaves from my mom's fern plants and scattering them around) and fighting with each other, of course, at which point our grandaunt would come out, break us up and make us go inside. Then we'd fight over who cheated at jacks or pick up sticks.

Summer was something to look forward to as we were usually with our cousins in the province where we would play the more traditional Filipino games like patintero or just play tag or hide and seek. Or just race up and down the pigsty which was located on top of a hill and where you get a view of the river on the other side if you didn't mind the muck and the stink.

In grade school, it was not unusual to see groups of girls sprawled in the corridors during breaks playing chinese jackstones and jacks, and as we got older, chinese garter. I once sprained my ankle playing this game in our back yard while trying to jump over the garter which was raised to shoulder length -- and I was already a freshman in college.

The streets outside our neighborhood would usually fill with children at around 4 pm and wouldn't empty until nightfall. Nowadays, it's quiet apart from the people sweeping fallen leaves off the front of their houses. There's the occasional nanny taking a child out for a walk in a stroller but no more children playing on the streets.

So yesterday, I thought up a quick game of hide and seek in the afternoon with my brother, husband and the two kids. And I learned the impossibility of keeping a three year old quiet while hiding. Faith kept giggling which is why I immediately found her and her dad hiding behind the coconut tree in the yard. And she couldn't keep quiet even when I held a hand over her mouth while hiding with my brother behind a wooden chair, prompting me to push her into view so her dad could see her. I crept over to where Joshua had previously hidden which was fortunate for me because Faith pointed out my previous hiding place to her dad gleefully. Cripes! I guess I have my work cut out teaching her the basics of playing hide and seek. We ended up throwing a frisbee around for the rest of the afternoon.

I know it's naive of me to think that my children will be able to resist the lure of computer games. Joshua is already fascinated with computers and using paint and playing Super Mario. I can't keep them from technology. But I also realize it's my role to teach them they don't have to be indoors all the time. That it's possible to have fun without high tech toys and gadgets and tv.

So call me a killjoy but I'm definitely holding off from getting a playstation or a Wii. And I'll be happy if Joshua remains ignorant of Counter Strike for the meantime.

I saw the third installment of Pirates of the Carribean last weekend and frankly, I don't know what all the fuss is about. I should've listened to my instincts and skipped the movie altogether. But since it was an opportunity for a movie date with the hubby, off we went Sunday afternoon to see it.

What's wrong with it? First, it was an hour and a half too long in my opinion. When I start squirming in my seat and looking at my watch to check how much time is left during a movie, then it's taking much too long to get to the good part. I actually asked my husband if we could go about two thirds into the movie and I was only half kidding.

Second, maybe it's just me but I couldn't even follow the plot about halfway into the movie. There were too many instances of characters switching ships and getting captured and switching ships again that it gets boring after a while. And can somebody tell me what the big build up of Calypso is all about? All that hoopla and then she just turns into a giant mound of crabs --- hellooooo??!!!!

I couldn't even get interested for the sake of the eye candy. Johnny Depp, though he was a bit funny (and walked funny too), isn't really my type. Forget Orlando Bloom, he's prettier than Keira Knightly who mysteriously developed sword fighting skills and is good enough to fight *gasp* burly pirates and British soldiers.

Plus call me fastidious but one other thing I don't like about pirate movies is the dirt factor. It's just gross, ick and yuck. Johnny Depp has seriously big pores on his nose.

So Pirates 2 won the awards at the MTV Movie awards. Go figure. I still think it's one sequel too many.

I'm fairly certain that it was a happy birthday for Josh...take a look at the boy when he saw his present (I think you can see his tonsils)....



Aside from the Spiderman lunchbox in his hand, we got him this....

The mask can be inverted to the black spiderman costume and comes with a web shooter canister that shoots webs and darts. I'm actually jealous, it looks like so much fun to play with, which is why I sneaked a sample of the mask...


I'll give you three guesses what my Halloween costume will be this year (assuming Joshua gets tired of it, by then).

Monday morning bits and pieces

Have I blogged about how much I don't like Mondays??? Don't think so.

Well, I don't like Mondays. Always feel disoriented and grumpy and frumpy and...you get the picture. Thought I'd write down some bits and pieces, some from the weekend and some that happened this morning...

It's Joshua's birthday today!!!! He's five! I am wishing I could be with him the whole day today. And hoping that the weekend we spent together was enough (which I know wasn't -- to me, at least). I can't wait for Joshua to see his Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles cake!

I almost hit a man on a bike this morning. Hence my foul mood. The freaking idiot was on a death wish -- the light had been green for some time when he went careening out of nowhere on his bike (which shouldn't be allowed on a main street anyway!) trying to beat the oncoming cars. The car brakes squealed as I furiously rammed my foot on the brake. I missed him by a couple of inches....%^&$^$&!!!!!

We saw Shrek 3 with the kids last Saturday and I thought it was the funniest of the three. One and two were ok but most of the jokes I thought were a bit slapstick and I hate slapstick and jokes that deal mostly with bodily functions.

I already know how the Pirates movie ended -- I made my brother tell me. Now I'm thinking whether to still see it cause I didn't like the ending. Not mentioning how it ended here because the hubby will kill me when he reads this and I put a spoiler here. *zipping mouth shut*

The other day Faith was being a gremlin in the car on the way to church. She kept growling hard and swiping Joshua with her hand (she was pretending to be a dinosaur) while he was peacefully playing with this Spiderman toys. I was shaking my head and telling the hubby, "look at your daughter...she's being so naughty!" . He looks at me, smiled and said point blank, "don't you see yourself in her?"...well, I never! The nerve! Hmp! Hello??!! I never growl and swipe at the same time!!!

Did you know that I work for a food company? Today I went to a coffee tasting -- my very first food tasting experience. Don't know if I made a very good test subject as I never take my coffee black -- everything tasted bitter and sour to me. Now I wonder when's the next food tasting for pizza??

It is customary to kill a chicken on the day of one's birthday - a life in exchange for continued good health. So for Joshua's birthday, my dad bought a live chicken yesterday and chased me and my sister around the breakfast table with it under his arm. My husband said the screaming might have passed the phobia to the kids -- I don't really mind, at least they won't be bringing home any stray chickens!

Date Night!

It's not my typical Friday night. I find myself in the rare situation of being free to do whatever strikes my fancy. My parents have taken the kids out of town for the day and won't be back till tomorrow. I've already been to the boxing gym three times this week and my knuckles are a bit sore so I'm laying off it tonight. Hmmmm....what to do??

Choices:
a. Shrek 3 -- Nope. I'd prefer to see with the kids this weekend.
b. Pirates? -- It's Friday night (albeit a rainy one) and the first weekend so it's gonna be crowded. Plus I'm color coded (plate number ending not allowed on main thoroughfares from 7am-7pm) so can't leave till late. We might be able to catch the late night show but I don't relish getting home at 2am. *gasp* sign of old age????? nooooooooooo!!!!!! I just need my beauty sleep...*hmp!*
c. Dinner and shopping for hubby -- Possible. He needs new work shirts (and my expertise, of course, :D). But...raining, not so in the mood to shop (maybe I'm sick), crowded mall.
d. Dinner and a video -- Liking this. Plus I can always read a book if I don't like the movie.

Of course, this is totally crazy but I miss the kids already. Faith has been especially affectionate lately, repeatedly kissing me and saying she loves me every time we lie down in bed.

So typical of me. One night in two months without the kids and I still feel the guilt.

Have a good weekend folks!

It rained hard yesterday afternoon, signaling the end of one of the hottest summers we've ever had. School starts in a few weeks and it's a new school for my two kids and Faith's first time.

I remember grade school when the first thing they made us write as soon as school starts is an essay on "How I Spent My Summer Vacation." I'd rack my brain for what to write and end up writing inanely about some trip to the beach on a half sheet of writing paper.

It's typhoon season again (we've already got one!) so time to put away the summer stuff -- the wading pool and toys, swim goggles and bathing suits. Haven't been in school for years and no vacation for me and the hubby but here's our summer, in pictures.



Above is where we spent the most part of the Lenten break -- three lazy days with the whole family just being alternately noisy and quiet, blowing bubbles on the terrace and enjoying our dad's cooking. Some weekends are also spent here but these trips are quick ones given the different paths our lives take which is why pictures like the ones below with my siblings, are rare. Well, rare also because we hardly agree on a picture we all like enough to show people -- what do you expect with three girls?? These two are the only ones that passed muster.



Then the amusement park trip which the kids and I loved. It was a hot and sticky morning till afternoon trip but we didn't want to go home.




Our first family ferris wheel ride. The kids were beside themselves with excitement, while the hubby and I had a death grip on each one of them. These pictures were taken just before the hubby realized he was afraid of heights and before the kids started wriggling, hence the death grip and tense warning to sit still or else!



We rode all the kiddie rides (where the hubby and I could fit) from dinosaur eggs to the carousel, Joshua liked picking the gorilla's nose and you could see from the third pic taken after the water ride how much I enjoyed it while Josh hated getting wet!



And of course, what's summer without spending some time by the pool? It took me a while but I finally figured out how to keep bored, hyperactive kids out of trouble and away from the television on lazy Sunday mornings when we have nowhere to go.

So that's how my summer went. How was yours?

Questions and Answers and a Happy Birthday!

First off, Happy Mother's Day to all my mom blogger friends! I hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day like I had. And thank you to all who sent greetings my way, you guys are so sweet! :D

It's been crazy busy the past few days and I've missed blogging so I thought I'd do the Q&A meme that I first saw over at kj's. She has graciously provided me with five interview questions about myself. If you like this idea and would like me to ask five questions of you, let me know and I will send them to at least the first three people who respond, by way of email or blog comments.

So here goes:


1. What aspects of your work do you enjoy most?

I like finding solutions to problems and that is the aspect I enjoy most about work. I especially like working with groups of people and brainstorming ideas and making the process fun for everyone. My former colleagues used to enjoy my staff meetings so much that they looked forward to it every week.


2. If you could plan a dream vacation, what would it be and who would you include?

I've always wanted to take a tour of Europe with my husband so that would be my dream vacation. I would love to experience Europe the way a local would -- so, no quickie tours for me! I'd hate to have to be on a schedule -- two days in France, one day in Vienna, etc. Places I would linger at would be Tuscany, Hildegarde promised me a walking tour of Flanders so I can see firsthand all the awesome places in her photographs and then lots of time in Greece and Rome.

3. What is it like to live in the Philippines and how have you been influenced by Filipino culture and traditions?

I found this to be a really tough question to answer. I like living here because it's home, I've never lived anywhere else. There are a lot of things to like...the weather, the people are warm and friendly (and have no difficulty communicating in English -- just in case my blogger friends from abroad are thinking of visiting), the food and all the beautiful places and beaches to go to. The culture is a mix of Spanish and American but still retains some aspects that are purely Filipino. It's a predominantly Catholic country so most of the religious norms and traditions that I grew up with are Catholic. However, we have a very rich folklore that has seeped into our everyday lives so completely that sometimes we're not even aware of it. I believe Ces wrote a post about some of the predominant superstitious beliefs that a typical Filipino child would grow up with.

Family is held sacred and while a lot of other cultures also have this value, Filipinos take it one step further with our extended family system. It is not unusual for grandparents, siblings, in-laws, cousins to live under one roof. A child is not expected to leave the family home when he/she turns 18 and grandparents are taken care of until their dying day which means we don't have a lot of nursing homes in this country.

That being said, it is still a third world country. Corruption is rampant in all levels and basic services like hospitalization and good schooling for those who cannot afford to pay are barely adequate. More than half of the population do not get to eat three full meals a day and politicians' children go around with a police escort in luxury cars just to go to the mall. On the last election alone, millions are spent on print and tv advertising for their campaign when thousands do not have enough to eat. It's really sad but it is understandable why most of the educated population want to leave the country.

4. What do you do when you are really mad and disgusted?

I have a colorful vocabulary that gets unleashed when I'm really mad and disgusted. You wouldn't want to be in the same car with me when I'm driving and get cut by an idiot driver or stuck behind another politician's brat on their way to the mall.

5. You have just been awarded $ 2500, no strings attached except you can't save it or use it to pay bills. How will you spend/what will you do with the money?

My family and I used to travel when we were younger and I really miss the extended time together especially now that my sisters and I are busy with our own lives. I would love to treat my family to a vacation in Boracay and spend several days just being together.

If you'd like five questions from me, here's how it works:

DIRECTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW MEME:
1. Leave a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. Please make sure I have your email address or I can list the questions on your blog.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.


So let me know. :D

Incidentally, it is my daughter Faith's 3rd birthday today!!!!! :D

Why, when I see and interact with the kids everyday, did I suddenly find myself thinking I missed them last night while I was sitting on our bed, in the middle of a scuffle between the two?

So last night, I wallowed in their noisy presence, touching and kissing as much skin as I can, inhaling their smell and gripping their fingers and toes whenever they came near me. Faith kept tackling me from behind, wrapping her arms around my neck and forcing me to lie down. Then proceeded to sit on my head -- and I didn't even mind 30 pounds of toddler parked on my face. Until I couldn't breathe anymore, of course, at which point I would tickle her bottom and she would scramble off, shrieking the whole time. And then she would do it all over again.

I kept telling Josh to give me a hug and he would come over (he was watching cartoons), give me the tightest hug and go back to the couch. The evil mom in me kept asking him to come back and give me another hug, waiting to see if he would get tired of the game. But he never did.

Then Faith started eating my hair (she really likes it) and making me eat hers (I just put it in my mouth and pretended to chew it off in chunks -- makes her giggle every time).

We were all in our nightclothes and so noisy while their dad took an unscheduled nap (one minute he was sitting on the bed, the next he was fast asleep). He didn't even wake up at the worst of it, the poor dear. He finally got up when it was time to read the bedtime stories (we read one book each), then he kissed the three of us (and Faith's toes) goodnight.

Back for more Torture

Last weekend at the video arcade I got distracted by this game where bulldogs come out of a hole and you hit them with a hammer to score a point. Faith was too small to play so I had a go at it. And then another one. At which point while I was determinedly wielding the hammer with two hands and hitting the dogs with all my strength, my husband sauntered over and remarked, "I wonder who you're thinking of?" Honestly? No one. It just felt so good to hit something.

Which is probably the reason why I loved my boxing session last Monday night. It was around 6:30 by the time I was changed and the trainer (a short, rotund Visayan guy who insisted I called him Ferrer) wrapped my hands and put on whatever they called those mitts that you have to hit. And then I was in stress release heaven. This is what I've been looking for. Nothing I have tried before matches the sheer physicality of boxing. My mind was blank except for listening to Ferrer's instructions...jab, hook, straight...again...and again. He kept asking me if I was alright since he knows it's my first time. And I just kept nodding...the three minute intervals between rounds with 30 seconds of rest and a drink of water was ok. For the first half hour, at least.

The next half hour was spent rotating among the different boxing equipment. My arms already felt like lead, then he handed me a skipping rope. I was utterly conscious of the fact that I couldn't do the boxer type skipping rope thingie. So I skipped rope like a little girl does which was the only thing I knew. Hey, at least I knew how to skip rope, right? I couldn't look at myself in the mirror for fear of laughing hysterically at how ridiculous I looked while skipping. I had to stop at intervals to catch my breath...it was hot and I felt like I had sweat buckets.

It was during the mat work (for abs) that I thought I was going to die. Really. There were crunches while doing the bicycle with your legs, crunches for the obliques and about five other different types of ab related torture designed to wring the last vestiges of strength and energy you have. When we finally finished off with stretches, I didn't think I could drive the car to pick up the hubby. I had to sit down for 10 minutes because I was sure I was going to throw up.

So it's two days after the torture, my whole body still hurts and I can't even put on my bra without wincing. I have no idea how I can even do the rudiments but guess what?

I am going back there tonight.

There. I've done it.

I bought the boxing gloves last weekend. Which means I now have to totally commit to my decision to take up boxing. No more excuses. I've decided the time has come to finally get my act together and win the get fit and lose the rest of the weight battle that has been plaguing me for the last five years since giving birth to my first child.

Yes, I am a bit vain. I'm not grossly overweight or anything and I think I have quite a healthy self image. I was the proverbial 90 pound skinny girl in college and for most of my single life and spent that time desperately trying to gain weight. I burned up the calories faster than I could eat up all the "sinigang" and rice and chocolate my 5 ft 1 inch frame could manage.

Ten years and two babies later, said metabolism has slowed down to the point where I wonder if I still have it. What freaking metabolism????!!!!!! It's gone, I tell ya. Completely gone. Which leads me to thinking about what possible activity I can get into without sufficiently losing steam after the first month.

So...walking. I already do a lot of that, and nope, not working fast enough. I'd enjoy biking but I have a terrible phobia of being chased by neighborhood dogs (there are NO such things as dog pounds over in my corner of the world). Besides, mountain and racer bikes are way too high for me and I am also deathly scared of having to brake and falling sideways when I can't reach the ground sufficiently. Gym? I hate going to the gym. I hate going to those posh places where women wear make-up and wear nice clothes just to sweat a little. Besides, working out on a machine is intensely boring. I've still got a year's worth of gym membership I don't use simply because I can't be bothered.

I have all the motivation to start this year. First, I'm not getting any younger and I know it pays to be physically fit of only to keep up with my hyperactive children without my tongue hanging out from chasing after them. Second, I have an important event in January that I need to look good for and third, my co-workers and I have a bet going where the biggest loser (as a percent of total body weight) wins the pot.

And perhaps the most important reason...I'm sick to death of dieting. There is no possible way I can cut out a whole food group from my diet for the rest of my natural life. And chocolate. I loooove chocolate. It keeps me sane. And between my sanity and my weight...well, no contest there.

So I'm taking up boxing. Starting today, in fact. In a place where boxers like Manny Pacquaio train. All the equipment but none of the posh. Heck, it's not even air conditioned.

Perfect.

Number 100

Yes, I know it's been a while since my last post. I've been a bad blogger. It's been a crazy two weeks on the homefront -- but what's weird is I can't really pinpoint the reason why I didn't seem to have enough time for everything.

But it's my 100th post, and I had to think carefully about my subject. So I decided to write about someone who's mostly been in the background here in my blog. You'll notice I usually write about the children and me and lately, *ahem* gerard butler (or whoever takes my fancy) but rarely about the most important person in my life.

He's a bit quiet, you see and a private person so I am usually careful about what I share here. He just celebrated his birthday last week so I figured it's about time you get to know him. He's the one who puts up with me because he has no choice (LOL!). Yeah, the one who put a ring on my finger.

Not to be overly mushy or anything, but I know it's rare to find someone who is your perfect counterpart. He is the quiet to my rambunctiousness (where do you think my kids got it, huh?), the calm to my temper (especially when I'm driving) and just the overall good guy in the family. My sisters adore him and often seeks his advice when it comes to matters that need a guy's opinion (or when they don't want to listen to me *hmp!*). In fact, when we have one of our rare fights, they always assume it's my fault (even if it isn't!!!...grrr).

He can't sleep without me (that's why he hates it when I travel) and he used to make and feed me my breakfast while I was exhaustedly feeding the infant Joshua after another endless sleepless night. I make the grossest faces and he still finds it really cute. Aaand, he thinks I'm gorgeous first thing in the morning (isn't he the perfect hubby??!!). He loves me when I'm good and adores me when I'm bad.

I know I'm extremely blessed to find a guy like him and I thank my lucky stars every single day.

Let's Dance!

My wits are still scattered by the long long break from work. There's a lot about the weekend that I wanted to blog about but my mind's not up to it yet.

So instead, I am posting a video taken of the kids dancing on the front lawn of the house in Tagaytay where we spent most of the long break.





In case you were wondering what the heck Joshua is doing, that's his Pokemon dance. I can't figure it out either, buy hey, it makes him happy.

I hope you had a nice Easter holiday.

We're off on a Lenten holiday starting tomorrow. Everything pretty much shuts down for the next two days for Lent. Monday is also a national holiday so that makes it five whole days with no work and all play (and prayer, of course).

There won't be an internet connection where I'm going (at least until Saturday) so I will miss trolling your blogs. Meanwhile, the nanny's on vacation for two months so the kids have our unadulterated attention for the next five days at least.

Also, it's the hubby's birthday on Saturday so will have to think of an appropriate way to celebrate seeing as it is Lent.

But I'm leaving something for Ces (because you don't know him yet), Keshi (because you like him too!), and Maria (because I want to cheer you up)...something to look at in the next four days! This is Gerard Butler...

This one is courtesy of GB.net


*Sigh!*

During the past two days I lost count of Faith's tantrums and the reasons behind them. There was the ice cream that she wanted when we were all in the car, the pink balloon she wanted that belonged to another child and the video she wanted to watch when it was time for bed. And those were all just episodes from last night. The terrible twos. Right.

Never has the difference between Joshua and Faith been more apparent than now. Nobody in the family remembers a similar tantrum from my eldest. He's usually sweet and even tempered and, when upset about something, is usually very easy to distract. Not so with my little girl. She screams her lungs out and cries pitifully when she wants something and doesn't get it. We realized early on that to give in to her screams and tantrums would not be very good idea.

So we've learned to harden ourselves against the tears and the screaming. I can tell when she's just trying to manipulate the grown ups into doing her bidding and when she's genuinely upset or scared or hurt. The former gets her no attention and I am quick to tell the softening grandparents to let her cry in the corner. Sure enough, the volume lessens and the screaming subsides into soft sobs after about five minutes of non-stop crying. Like last night, I put her in the corner of the room to cry it out while I went about the business of preparing the room for bedtime. Even Joshua has learned not to interfere during these times and just keeps quiet on the couch. I could see her watching me, increasing the volume when I looked her way but I kept ignoring her. When I was done, I turned off the main light and called Joshua to bed. She quieted and when I asked her if she wanted to go to bed now, she nodded and went to me, took her bottle, lay down with my fingers on her face and went to sleep.

She's only two years old. I wonder what she'll be like when she's a teenager?

Moving up and growing up

Here are some shots taken during Joshua's moving up day in school. Here he is all dressed up in their High School Musical number.







They all had to change for the actual ceremony where they get their names called and get a "diploma". This is my favorite picture with his best friend Chloe.



I was looking at the pictures and thinking to myself, how could this little boy have possibly come from me? He's grown up so much from the tiny tiny baby that burrowed inside my hospital gown.

I'd sometimes like to freeze a specific moment in time and just hold it in my hand so I can take my fill of looking.

I am finally surfacing (briefly) from the Gerard Butler induced fog I've been in since watching the movie 300.

So far, the hubby hasn't gone and gagged me with a spoon in the 300 madness I have been in the past few days but I imagine he's getting close to it. (Nah, he loves me too much to do that heh heh!) We went to the bookstore last Saturday to pick up a book they had reserved for me (yeah, another one) and I spent 15 minutes glued to the screen they had hooked up showing movie trailers of 300.

What the heck is wrong with Blogger? Can't upload pictures and here I was all ready to post pics of my darling son's moving up day. But, he was just brilliant! The first time he ever had to be onstage last year he just stood there staring at the audience. This time I was totally floored when he enthusiastically performed in the two dance numbers and said his closing remarks so well. I'm just so proud of him. He's growing up so fast.

Before blogger went all bonkers on me, I managed to upload this one pic and it's not even of Joshua. I took this on the way home from the bookstore. Faith was playing with a small balloon she got from a restaurant and I learned what happens when you keep rubbing a balloon on your hair.



It actually looks funnier if she holds the balloon a little farther from her head but couldn't capture it. Grrr...blogger had better sort itself out soon!

P.S.
Anybody from Scotland out there? Anybody out there who can introduce me to Gerard Butler? I'll be really really grateful.

Bye for now!

I'm all done and I've got the day off tomorrow!!!!!

It's my son's moving up day and I've taken the rest of the day off. First to attend the moving up program, of course. The whole class will be performing and guess what they'll do?? (Caroline, I hope you read this) They're doing High School Musical. Yep. With costumes and all! I have a feeling I will have to hold on to Faith tightly because she might run on stage and perform along with her brother. And while that would be sooo cute, it might also be a bit embarrassing if she causes a glitch in the programme.

Oh, and Joshua's going to do the Closing Remarks. And he's got it all memorized too *sniff* am so proud of him! It's his big day tomorrow and I can't wait!

Then, I'm off with the hubby to see Frank Miller's 300. *yippee!!* Blood and gore and half naked men...whoops...I mean, um, the historical significance of the film is really interesting for me. Really. *ahem*

Three whole days with the kids and the hubby with no work to do. A movie date. A ton of books to read. I hope your weekend's as good as mine's going to be.

Math 101

Got a better answer to these math problems????

Blah

I really have to be getting home now. I've got a long list of groceries to buy and a ton of work to do when the kids are asleep. Plus I am operating on maybe two full hours of sleep last night with an hour or so of traffic to go through before I can get home.

And I so wanted to write about something. Like how my son's off his diapers and the bottle for good (it was so painless I couldn't believe I was worrying about it). Or how the play we saw last weekend sucked so much that we walked out 10 minutes into the second act. Or maybe about Faith dancing ballet while watching Barbie in Swan Lake.

But, there's not enough time to do any of that.

I'm just sitting here, gathering enough energy to stand, pack-up my things and go. Aren't I just a burst of sunshine today.

So, to make up for being so depressing, here's a kiss from me to you.................

Because I Need Super Powers

You Are Wonder Woman

A true goddess, you have the strength and skills to rule the world. You're one sexy amazon... all of the superhero guys are fighting over you!

What Superhero Are
You?

Will catch up later this week...

Why don't you

Have a good weekend folks. Whether you...

Party
Read
Play
Sleep
Shop
Talk or
Tease

Remember to be good.

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".