in need of suits

The husband will leave again for Hawaii a week from now to attend the annual Pacific Telecoms Council event. But before leaving for Hawaii, he's bound to Indonesia this coming Tuesday for a very important contract singing with their telecom partners. As always, the husband instructed me to prepare all his business suites as well as casual attires for all his meetings. Surprisingly, he also asked me to check out some tuxedos online since he will also be needing one for the corporate ball event. Hahaha, as if he can get the the suit within one week! Anyway, who knows ... probably the tuxedos might arrive on time. Otherwise he will be forced to wear his ever fave black suit for the event. Let's see.

another toy for the bratinella?

After getting her the Baby Alive Doll last week at Toy Kingdom, the little girl is now asking for her own laptop! We were surprised the other night when the little brat blurted out of nowhere that she wanted to have her own laptop. I believe this was brought by the funny incident that night when she wanted us to play with her new Baby Alive doll, Sophia. The husband, me and even Kuya Ico were busy tinkering with our laptops (yes since we have wifi access, we are almost online even inside our home! LOL) and nobody wanted to play with her (bad parents!). As soon as she noticed nobody's listening to her doll stories, she immediately said : "Mommy, I want a laptop too!" We all looked at her and laughed at the idea of getting Samantha a laptop toy-gadget. That would be very, very expensive of course!

Anyway, the brother suggested that we get her new Mp3 players instead so she can listen to all her fave Mama Mia! and Disney songs without borrowing Kuya's ipod. Cheaper and more pratical gift for a five-year old girl, don't you think so?

Samantha happily playing with her new Baby Alive Doll

surprise! surpise!

The husband was indeed surprise with his birthday gift. And all along he thought it was a new mobile phone. An Apple iphone or Nokia communicator perhaps. But he was dead wrong ... he underestimated my capability. Hah! And now he was more than pleased with the surprise gift. He was truly ecstatic! LOL.

To my dear husband: this is my birthday, valentine's, anniversary, christmas and new year's gift X 3 (in years). Now top that ... 'coz I don't think I can top myself next time. Hehehe! I love you so much!

the gift: automatic omega seamaster

And now you know why I am on a "purse ban" for three years ... hehehe! Since I've almost depleted my bank account with this gift, I think I need to learn the art of scrapbooking soon. I need to save up again before I can buy any big item for my loved ones and myself.

school project submission

My son Ico called a few minutes ago to ask for my help with his school project. Since he's about to go home tomorrow, he called to tell me all the paperworks he need to submit on Monday. I think two papers due for submission on Monday for his Science and History subject. Both research materials. He warned me he need to surf the net the entire day tomorrow to get project data and download pictures. So I guess no blogging time for me then. lol.

He also asked me to buy colored folders, linen and bond papers and to check the condition of our Canon printer . It should be in perfect condition with colored and black ink available since a lot of pictures will be printed for his school project. Good thing hubby replaced our printer ink few months back. It can still accommodate more than 200 pages and will defintely suffice for Ico's school project submission on Monday.

weight loss fluke

I lost 4 lbs last week. Was ecstatic and inspired to slim down. I did'nt eat much carbo (particularly, rice) and sweets. I even avoided buffets and late-night snacks. I am happy and just maintained my usual meal intake. Bread for breakfast, one cup of rice for lunch and dinner. No afternoon or late-snack binge. Despite the good news, I was quiet about it to hubby ... I want to surprise him.

BUT after weighing in today, I was surprised that I am back at my original weight. Darn. After not eating much and avoiding snacks, I can't believe nothing happened! I was expecting to lose 2-3 lbs more with my last week's effort, but boy ... I was wrong! What may have caused this diet loss fluke? How I gained back the 4 lbs I lost in one week? Can't figure it out ... Totally irritable after knowing the result.

I told hubby my weight loss fluke and he was laughing at the result. With so much effort done to shed off few lbs, he told me it might be attributed to my PMS cycle. Lately he noticed I am quite irritable too thus he's thinking I am under the "PMS" phase. The husband suggested I should consider taking progesterone cream to prevent any PMS symptoms. This way, I can naturally combat my sudden weight loss/gain, abdominal cramps and irritability. Hmmm...coming from my husband, I am sure this is a perfect explanation and solution my PMS symptoms. He's the one taking all the birth of my ire! Hahaha!

skin treatments

After my second laser hair removal session last month from Belo, I am more convinced to try the Spanish peel facial treatment. I saw positive results from my officemate who had the said treatment and I was so envious how smooth and flawless her face now. I've been monitoring her progress from the day she started her treatment, and surprisingly you will notice dramatic skin changes. Really!! Her blackheads and skin blemishes gone! Her face lightened and it was really smooth. And she's just on her third session! Because of this, I am thinking of grabbing Belo's 3+1 package for Spanish peeling next month. I so want to experience deep cleansing and skin peeling to remove and exfoliate my skin. I just hope I can save up soon so I can avail the promo. If not, I still have my ever- dependable and reliable skin care products from Aveeno like my daily moisturizer with SPF15 and lip moisturizer with natural ingredients like oatmeal, jojoba oil and shea butter. Love these wonder products. Really works wonder for my skin.

Kuya Ico's wishlist

Over lunch last Sunday, Kuya Ico jokingly named his Christmas wishlist. Caught off guard, I told him it is still too early to think about his Christmas wishlist since we are not yet on the -ber months. Moreover, we are still in the middle of some financial obligations and the budget for Christmas gifts still undetermined. Meaning, too early to tell!

But Kuya took this chance and lovingly told me, the earlier I am aware of his wishlist, the better l can plan out and save up for his gift. Very witty! He actually itemized to me his wishlists for Christmas.

1. Since his computer kinda old and been slow lately, he's asking for new computer desktop with higher memory and RAM capacity. Complete with new version of viewsonic monitor for his online games and videos.
2. new PS3 that he's been eyeing for months now.
3. MAC book --- Very expensive toy for his age! But I was surprised that he was able to plan out how to get this gift! He told me he's thinking of asking cash gifts from his aunts ($100 each), lolo and lola's, his dad, from me and hubby. He computed how he can get $1K to buy his MAC book by asking us rolled-into-one gift for christmas, birthday and graduation gift.

Hmmm...still not sure about gift number 3. I still find it very expensive for his age! I am thinking of giving him hubby's old Compaq laptop and get MAC book for hubby instead! Since he's transferring bi-monthly from my place to his dad's place, think it is unwise to give him the MAC book. It's too much! Even if he can pool $1K to buy MAC, still a no-no.

Anyhow, since these are just wishes ... there are no guarantees it will be granted, right? He needs to work hard, get good grades and and show some responsibility to earn the gift. And probably (just probably) one of his wishes may do come true. Hehehe!

In search for a new laptop luggage

As I blogged here, I already got my newly issued IBM T61 laptop two months ago. I was extremely happy when I got my new baby since my old IBM Think Pad laptop needs immediate replacement.

Don’t get me wrong, I so love my old IBM Think Pad. I got this about five years ago and it served its purpose very well. Really reliable and durable! It withstood several accidents and it never bogged down. But sadly, due to limited memory capacity, I need to upgrade my laptop to a much higher version.

Thus, with the new IBM Lenovo Think Pad T61 I got, I am in search of the perfect luggage to hold this delicate baby. I am thinking of getting durable bag like Samsonite and Victorinox, and I just found the perfect web site for my luggage needs. Thanks to luggagesource.com, finding the affordable and stylish laptop bag is just within the reach. Do check it out… it offers great discount prices and speedy delivery.

Diet Blues 3: need to stop diet plans?

Too soon to concede? With one week to go before my birthday, I don't think I can do the impossible! That is, losing 115lbs from my current weight now. I know I failed with hubby's challenge, and I hate myself for being lazy and stubborn for not completing my diet.

1. I've got no discipline with my exercise routine! I never challenged nor exerted extra effort to complete my twice a week jogging routine. I am happy with my usual jogging pace, never increasing or pushing my body to the limit.

2. No drastic change on my food intake. I still eat one cup of rice for lunch and dinner, and still skipping breakfast meals! Very bad. Late night food delivery decreased, but replaced with chips and cookies instead.

3. Soda intake remains the same. Instead of Coke light or regular, fell in love with Coke Zero!

4. Fruit intake was not religiously practiced.

Hence, I am still at my original weight...back at ground zero.

Because of this, it made me think of immediate measures to win our bet. I am thinking of taking Phentermine pills or commonly known as diet pills to lose weight. Or even go to drastic solution of doing liposuction treatment to shed off the unwanted 15lbs immediately. Quick remedy, eh? But honestly, I am too chicken to subject myself for any surgical procedures. I am hell-scared to try it! The diet pills may be the best option, but I don't think this will beat my one week window.

Besides, I need to stop any diet plans for now. It seems I have a thyro-glossal problem since the doctors found a lump (or cyst) on my throat. This needs to be removed immediately. I am still in the process of completing all my lab tests and CT scans so I can have my biopsy late this week. Hopefully no scary or malignant cyst can be found. And I am hoping this is just a normal procedure. Well, this is another story. Will just post about this next time.

Thus for now, the diet can wait... need to ensure I am healthy before I can go back to my diet plans! :)

online shopping for Sam ... again!

Did some online shopping last night ... woohoohoo! finally, was able to get good sale items (with stocks available!) from Old Navy! Surprisingly, it was hubby who told me to check out the online stores because of an on-going Memorial Sale in the US (don't ask me what type of holiday ito! basta, may sale! bwahaha!). He found out yesterday morning while browsing for a reliable and good pocket watch for his Japanese boss, and buying telco-equipment at ebay for their company use. Oh di ba, he happily shared with me pa the good news! Hahaha!

Anyway, after two hours of browsing and checking ... got these items for Sam.

All these items will be shipped to hubby's aunt at NY by tomorrow night. Yipppeee! Wait ko na lang sya kelan sked nya umuwi Manila. Hahaha! I can't imagine how she will fit these items (and my Strawberry Shortcake party packs) inside her balikbayan box! Ayan..na BI na ni Peachy online shopping! lol.

Btw, do check out the site. They offer 4 stores with 1 check out service. For as low as $7 shipping rate, you can buy items from Old Navy, Gap, Piperlime and Banana Republic stores. Galing!! :) Really good news, happy shopping dear Mommies!!

home tools

Despite moving in to our new house two years ago, the house construction is still far from over. There are days we feel that the house needs some re-modeling or improvements especially the garden and lanai area. After the house was constructed, our funds were almost depleted and we cannot afford to start another house project. Not this soon, yet! Hence, I lovingly suggested to hubby to reconsider doing small home improvements by starting slowly in our lanai garden. With the high cost of materials and labor, I think it is wise to invest on festool to start our lanai project. This way, we can do minor renovations on or own without outsourcing labor from pricey home contractors. Nice idea, right? Just hope hubby can finish the job before our daughter's birthday. It will be lovely to have a new lanai for her party area.

need acne treatments

Lately, I am having problems searching for the right acne treatments for my son Ico who is now on his pre-teens stage. I've tried buying several on the shelf medications such as Ponds, Eskinol for Men and Celateque but the acne problem still persists. Much to be blamed on his love for oily food like chicken skin, peanuts and chocolates, late night sleeping habits and laziness to start a cleansing regimen. As my son would always say, using facial soap and visiting a dermatologists too sissy for big boys such as him! Aaahh... boys! I can't wait he becomes conscious of his looks by the time he's a teenager... and that would be two years from now! I bet, the sissy facial regimen as he claims shall now be basic and neccessary good grooming ritual!

The World is Mine.

Those who own the world see it differently. What most consider conventional contradictions, they see as a seamless fusion. Bold yet refined. Rugged yet stylish. Brimming with power, yet safe as home. A symbol of strength, yet a vision of beauty. Teeming with cutting-edge technology, yet interfaces effortlessly with its master. A luxury SUV unlike any other - the new Toyota Fortuner.

Very nice caption ... it gives you sense of power and control. Makes you proud and fortunate (kaya nga fortuner brand name nya, bwahahaha!) of owning one. And we are happy to say, we are now proud parents of this car. The dream of owning big, family SUV car ... finally a dream come true!

The car was released today at 240pm from Toyota, Ortigas. Since hubby was needed back at his office, he allowed (and trusted!) me to drive the car from the casa to our house. As in alone ha!! It was my first time to drive SUV...as in ever, in my entire life!! Hence despite the cold aircon of the car, my palms and feet were sweaty! As in praning the entire drive! Naka-hazard pa ako nyan on my way home! lol.

Look at our pictures below, di naman kami mukhang excited sa casa kanina noh?!?!

Our new baby arrived safely at half past three. Fits just perfect inside our garage. Real beauty!

No travel plans yet for "break-in" this Lenten Season. Probably next weekend na lang...if di na traffic! :)

So ... no more bags, watch, shoes and shopping galore for me for the next couple of years. Less starbucks coffee, extravagant travel plans and expensive dining na rin siguro! Hahaha! With the new baby, need to be a responsible parent, you know! Ako taya paying the monthly dues for this car...kaya, the world is really mine! nyahahaha!

I hope we really made the right choice ... well, I believe it was really a good decision.

something big is coming...

The past two weeks can be described as hell-week for hubby and me. Nope, it is not about the family or work-related concerns... but, we've been very busy with financial planning, careful selection, getting reviews from families and friends and ... more of negotiating!

Thus, after the two-week stressful exercise ... we've finally made the choice! (believe me, really had a hard time choosing! I was soooo mentally stressed! Ang sakit sa ulo!?!)

So guys...this is it!!! The something big … is a BIG EXPENSE.

Had a difficult time choosing between this and this … both real beauty. Strong, powerful, rugged at the same time stylish…very manly and I simply love it.

Early morning today … we sealed our fate.

Tomorrow the new baby will be home. :)