Calling a baby, any baby ugly is so tasteless. If you can’t help it, just keep it to yourself specially if you are not all that gorgeous.
People may tell me to lighten up, that’s its just a joke and just to inject some humor to a review but somehow jokes like that worries me. If that’s how we “lighten things up” then I ‘d rather be dark and brooding.
I mean if you can’t see beauty in an innocent little baby then that scares me with how your mind works.
There's a difference between being honest and being mean.
I think adults making fun of babies and kids is the worst form of being a meanie and a bully.
I feel bad for the parents of that baby they say is ugly. I’m not even a parent yet but it bothers me to hear remarks like that.
Can you just imagine what the parents of that baby will feel when they read that or hear that from someone else?
As a nurse, during hospital duties, I see babies with deformities or many tubes and wires attached to their bodies but whenever I see their parents cooing and cuddling them, I realize all they see is their beautiful baby, nothing else.
All babies are beautiful, not just for the physical attributes but what they represent: innocence and a world of possibilities.
Its mean people and bullies who are ugly.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Something a wee more special this Christmas
Rubies. The stone of fire and passion.
One of the most beautiful and feminine stones, Ruby represents beauty, power and femininity.
Just like Diamonds, prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated. Cut and carat (weight) are also an important factor in determining the price.
(Image from Wikipedia)
Naturally occurring Ruby crystals are now available in my Charmed Life shop. This is more of the pink-grey variety not used as a fine jewelry. But I personally think, the inclusions actually add character and the color is just as charming and lovely.
Prices depend on mm size and gram weight. For more information, please email charmed_life_by_isa@yahoo.com
9mm, 39 grams
One of the most beautiful and feminine stones, Ruby represents beauty, power and femininity.
Just like Diamonds, prices of rubies are primarily determined by color. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality. After color follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated. Cut and carat (weight) are also an important factor in determining the price.
Naturally occurring Ruby crystals are now available in my Charmed Life shop. This is more of the pink-grey variety not used as a fine jewelry. But I personally think, the inclusions actually add character and the color is just as charming and lovely.
Prices depend on mm size and gram weight. For more information, please email charmed_life_by_isa@yahoo.com
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Proud Ate
My little brother's 9 artworks have been published in Artsonia and been chosen to exhibit in Illinois State Fair. He uses different mediums and supplies such as tins, ceramics, plaster and many more to create his art.
These are just some of his work from middle school:
I do believe this one is my adorable nephew Zekie, hehe.
This one's really simple but I just love the solid colors and the happy vibe, so festive!
I'm so proud of you Kuya Josh! I love you so much. Being so far away from you is one of the hardest things. Be a good boy and take care of Mama and Papa well. As the only man in the family aside from Papa, you are in charge. Set a good example to your "minions." =))
Happy birthday! =*
These are just some of his work from middle school:
I do believe this one is my adorable nephew Zekie, hehe.
This one's really simple but I just love the solid colors and the happy vibe, so festive!
I'm so proud of you Kuya Josh! I love you so much. Being so far away from you is one of the hardest things. Be a good boy and take care of Mama and Papa well. As the only man in the family aside from Papa, you are in charge. Set a good example to your "minions." =))
Happy birthday! =*
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
"It's All According to Whom"
I must admit I had been following this certain local gossip blog that talks about celebrities and personalities without giving up their names for some months now.
It’s actually a very clever site since no names are named, no pictures are posted, no blatant giveaways of the people being talked about, the writer actually gets away with the most notorious write ups of well-known people. You only get to guess the blind item with the readers’ comments that are as cleverly veiled.
Sometimes, I do feel bad for the people being written about but somehow, the brain junk food became a daily guilty pleasure for me; if not merely for reading the juicy stuff but for the addicting guessing game.
But really, how far and deep can you get into a game?
I remember some years ago accompanying Paolo to his photo shoot for a corporate print ad.
I saw this familiar girl as one of the staff of the ad agency handling the project.
Figuring out she was a Sienan therefore a former schoolmate in grade school; I gave her a friendly smile. She went up to me and we started chatting. I couldn’t for the life of me at that time remember her name although I knew she was from a younger batch. So we started exchanging pleasantries and small talk when her colleague came up to her to ask for something. She turned to me to introduce us and nonchalantly said,
“Si Isabel, ex-girlfriend ng Kuya ko.”
I almost choked on my own spit and breath upon hearing that.
All I could muster up was a weak “ha?”
I was utterly annoyed and shocked not merely because of the rude introduction (I was after all with my then future-husband and the star “mowdil”), but also of such untruth.
Sure, I did entertain some prospects in the past but I pride myself on saying I never gave away my yes so easily. In fact, though I may be an early-bloomer then physically which may have given people who didn’t know me the wrong notion; I was actually branded too many times as a nerd by people who did know me.
Save for one unremarkable relationship in College before Paolo, I never had boyfriends. My family takes relationships so seriously; we never got around having “secret boyfriends.”
Men were only branded as boyfriends if they are somebody we see ourselves marrying. Now that’s a scary thought, yes even for girls.
So two of my sisters married their first boyfriends. That’s how serious it was for us.
Turned out her brother was this little boy who had nice smiling eyes. He used to give me homemade cards and paper weights way, way back in FIFTH GRADE, during that time when I love you’s were uttered to mean “I have a crush on you.”
Now I remember, I did sat with him on the red tables in our grade school dining area…but goodness, I never thought such a hoydenish act branded him the title and I, a colorful fifth-grader past I couldn’t even recall.
I mean Grade five?! There were no cellphones or even pagers for students during that time to even communicate and maintain a fifth-grader relationship.
Goodness gracious. Now what concerned me about this little fiasco was the fact that the sister was so confident enough to call that out in my face. Thinking about it now, I realize she wasn’t being rude, in her heart she thought that was the truth.
She’s younger and was in 4th grade then, after all an 8-year-old wouldn’t know much about the sophisticated courtship of fifth-graders. :/
Now it makes me think about the grey areas and relativity of truth. We only see something from the angle it is revealed to us or opinions of others passed on as facts. Oftentimes we fall to the trap of thinking that perception IS truth.
But really, we see something not for what it is but for what we are.
Going back to the gossip column I was talking about, it makes me cringe to read the obnoxious comments by various anonymous readers who make it seem like what they know based from a classmate of a colleague’s sister’s friend as a truth and nothing but. Yes siree, that’s enough to make them a credible source.
But what makes me cringe even more is thinking how many more stories floating around about anyone that has been passed on first as an opinion and now as an anecdote. We can never really know.
There is only one truth and many variations stemming out because of different perceptions and opinions.
The sad thing is, everyone may not know that truth but everyone has an opinion.
"It is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is a proper judge of it”. –Oscar Wilde
It’s actually a very clever site since no names are named, no pictures are posted, no blatant giveaways of the people being talked about, the writer actually gets away with the most notorious write ups of well-known people. You only get to guess the blind item with the readers’ comments that are as cleverly veiled.
Sometimes, I do feel bad for the people being written about but somehow, the brain junk food became a daily guilty pleasure for me; if not merely for reading the juicy stuff but for the addicting guessing game.
But really, how far and deep can you get into a game?
I remember some years ago accompanying Paolo to his photo shoot for a corporate print ad.
I saw this familiar girl as one of the staff of the ad agency handling the project.
Figuring out she was a Sienan therefore a former schoolmate in grade school; I gave her a friendly smile. She went up to me and we started chatting. I couldn’t for the life of me at that time remember her name although I knew she was from a younger batch. So we started exchanging pleasantries and small talk when her colleague came up to her to ask for something. She turned to me to introduce us and nonchalantly said,
“Si Isabel, ex-girlfriend ng Kuya ko.”
I almost choked on my own spit and breath upon hearing that.
All I could muster up was a weak “ha?”
I was utterly annoyed and shocked not merely because of the rude introduction (I was after all with my then future-husband and the star “mowdil”), but also of such untruth.
Sure, I did entertain some prospects in the past but I pride myself on saying I never gave away my yes so easily. In fact, though I may be an early-bloomer then physically which may have given people who didn’t know me the wrong notion; I was actually branded too many times as a nerd by people who did know me.
Save for one unremarkable relationship in College before Paolo, I never had boyfriends. My family takes relationships so seriously; we never got around having “secret boyfriends.”
Men were only branded as boyfriends if they are somebody we see ourselves marrying. Now that’s a scary thought, yes even for girls.
So two of my sisters married their first boyfriends. That’s how serious it was for us.
Turned out her brother was this little boy who had nice smiling eyes. He used to give me homemade cards and paper weights way, way back in FIFTH GRADE, during that time when I love you’s were uttered to mean “I have a crush on you.”
Now I remember, I did sat with him on the red tables in our grade school dining area…but goodness, I never thought such a hoydenish act branded him the title and I, a colorful fifth-grader past I couldn’t even recall.
I mean Grade five?! There were no cellphones or even pagers for students during that time to even communicate and maintain a fifth-grader relationship.
Goodness gracious. Now what concerned me about this little fiasco was the fact that the sister was so confident enough to call that out in my face. Thinking about it now, I realize she wasn’t being rude, in her heart she thought that was the truth.
She’s younger and was in 4th grade then, after all an 8-year-old wouldn’t know much about the sophisticated courtship of fifth-graders. :/
Now it makes me think about the grey areas and relativity of truth. We only see something from the angle it is revealed to us or opinions of others passed on as facts. Oftentimes we fall to the trap of thinking that perception IS truth.
But really, we see something not for what it is but for what we are.
Going back to the gossip column I was talking about, it makes me cringe to read the obnoxious comments by various anonymous readers who make it seem like what they know based from a classmate of a colleague’s sister’s friend as a truth and nothing but. Yes siree, that’s enough to make them a credible source.
But what makes me cringe even more is thinking how many more stories floating around about anyone that has been passed on first as an opinion and now as an anecdote. We can never really know.
There is only one truth and many variations stemming out because of different perceptions and opinions.
The sad thing is, everyone may not know that truth but everyone has an opinion.
"It is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is a proper judge of it”. –Oscar Wilde
Monday, October 24, 2011
It's all about food.
Last week, I suddenly craved for good old smoked ribs, particularly the ones from my Bro-in-law, Kerwin's Mall BQ in Illinois.
I love their recipe because it tastes so simple and straightforward, just basically all about good cooking.
Pao absolutely loves the smoked flavor and we both don't like a lot of sauce on our ribs so Mall BQ's ribs are the best ribs we've had so far.
I really sound like an ad voice over but it's really that good maybe also because we get the best and the first dibs from Kuya Kerwin himself. =)
Anyway, So last week I had this strong craving for some smoked ribs. I really don't know where to find a similar taste like Mall BQ's because all the Smoked Ribs I've tasted so far in Manila were all smothered with thick, sweet sauce (What's up with that?).
After driving around for sometime, Pao and I decided to try out 145° Fahrenheit in IL Terrazo Mall at Tomas Morato.
Their ad says they are "French inspired Neo-American steakhouse that combines excellent food and polished service all in a comfortable atmosphere."
We had the usual soup and salad before the main meal and I can say I really, really liked the house salad as well as the Pumpkin soup, I was tempted to ask for more but had to restrain myself to make some room for my smoked Ribs.
As usual, just as I expected, my BBQ ribs were smothered in thick and sweet sauce. *Sigh.
It was good although not the taste that I was looking for. =/ They have big portions though and I love how the side veggies are perfectly cooked---something that's often overlooked in other restaurants.
Pao's Lamb shank was actually better. I love how the Lamb is perfectly cooked and was delicately flavored, something a Lamb lover appreciates.
For more info about 145° Fahrenheit click here and for the menu, click here.
***********************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my most fab sister, Tiffany! =* Cheers to another year of adventures, laughters, lessons and Chanel! I love you!
I love their recipe because it tastes so simple and straightforward, just basically all about good cooking.
Pao absolutely loves the smoked flavor and we both don't like a lot of sauce on our ribs so Mall BQ's ribs are the best ribs we've had so far.
I really sound like an ad voice over but it's really that good maybe also because we get the best and the first dibs from Kuya Kerwin himself. =)
Anyway, So last week I had this strong craving for some smoked ribs. I really don't know where to find a similar taste like Mall BQ's because all the Smoked Ribs I've tasted so far in Manila were all smothered with thick, sweet sauce (What's up with that?).
After driving around for sometime, Pao and I decided to try out 145° Fahrenheit in IL Terrazo Mall at Tomas Morato.
Their ad says they are "French inspired Neo-American steakhouse that combines excellent food and polished service all in a comfortable atmosphere."
We had the usual soup and salad before the main meal and I can say I really, really liked the house salad as well as the Pumpkin soup, I was tempted to ask for more but had to restrain myself to make some room for my smoked Ribs.
As usual, just as I expected, my BBQ ribs were smothered in thick and sweet sauce. *Sigh.
It was good although not the taste that I was looking for. =/ They have big portions though and I love how the side veggies are perfectly cooked---something that's often overlooked in other restaurants.
Pao's Lamb shank was actually better. I love how the Lamb is perfectly cooked and was delicately flavored, something a Lamb lover appreciates.
For more info about 145° Fahrenheit click here and for the menu, click here.
***********************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my most fab sister, Tiffany! =* Cheers to another year of adventures, laughters, lessons and Chanel! I love you!
Panawagan po
Seeing my cousins and siblings gallivanting around Illinois during my favorite season (Fall) makes me so jealous. I love apple-picking, visiting a pumpkin patch, the colder (but tolerable) weather, Halloween and just overall the colors, the scents and flavors of fall.
Seeing all their fall pictures makes me crave for candy apples.
I know it's easy to make for some people but I'm craving for a particular one being sold in Westbrook Market back in Downers Grove. *Sigh. Please, please, please, PAGING MY FAMILY AND RELATIVES IN ILLINOIS please send me Green Candy apples from Westbrook, the ones smothered with just caramel and nuts, nothing more.
Thankyouverymuch.
Seeing all their fall pictures makes me crave for candy apples.
I know it's easy to make for some people but I'm craving for a particular one being sold in Westbrook Market back in Downers Grove. *Sigh. Please, please, please, PAGING MY FAMILY AND RELATIVES IN ILLINOIS please send me Green Candy apples from Westbrook, the ones smothered with just caramel and nuts, nothing more.
Thankyouverymuch.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone.
Rest well, Sonny.
Sadness always comes when we hear of people passing away, more so with young people who meets death early on. More than leaving memories that will never be enough, they leave people and their own little world behind.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. So live life everyday, and make each moment count. Life is too short and beautiful to live in regrets and resentment.
I only go by one rule that guides me in life and achieving my dreams: To be the kind of person I am happy to spend the rest of my life with.
Today I am more reminded of my little dogma in life. We don't really know how long the rest of our lives are. May it be 5 short days or 80 long years, I want to be that person that I am happy to live with and that person that makes her life count.
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Sadness always comes when we hear of people passing away, more so with young people who meets death early on. More than leaving memories that will never be enough, they leave people and their own little world behind.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone. So live life everyday, and make each moment count. Life is too short and beautiful to live in regrets and resentment.
I only go by one rule that guides me in life and achieving my dreams: To be the kind of person I am happy to spend the rest of my life with.
Today I am more reminded of my little dogma in life. We don't really know how long the rest of our lives are. May it be 5 short days or 80 long years, I want to be that person that I am happy to live with and that person that makes her life count.
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Organic Soaps
Lately I'm more maarte than usual, that's the only difference I noticed since I got pregnant. =) I'm enjoying dressing up and primping myself while growing bigger by the day.
Since I got pregnant I changed to using Organic soaps. More than the benefits of using something organic and helping mother earth, using organic soaps for some reason makes my baths feel more luxurious and feminine.
So now, I've been hoarding on a lot of handmade soaps. I don't really have a sensitive skin but I've noticed switching to these soaps make my skin so much softer without that tight feeling. I've researched about the difference of using commercial soaps and organic soaps and found out that commercial soaps are almost the same with detergent soaps--they only add moisturizers and scents.
I love, love, love Lush Products, although a bit pricey, I find their soaps really worth the money. The soaps don't lather well but Lush products are quite packed with the moisturizing and organic ingredients. My favorites so far are the Sultana of Soaps and one of their popluar products, Honey, I washed the Kids. This is my favorite scent ever. It didn't smell so good while I was trying it out in the Store probably because of the other strong scents mingling inside the Lush shop (you know this if you pass by any of their stores) but once you lather with this soap in the shower, it's just so amazing.
Since I got pregnant I've also been using Creamy soaps with Cocoa butter such as their Lemslip, A Ring of Roses and body scrub Sugar Babe. I also love their scrub body butters particularly the Aqua Mirabilis.
I really have to restrain myself from hoarding more soaps since organic soaps expire after some time. But once you start, it's hard to stop. It's just so addicting to try out everything! I have so many soaps in my bathroom right now, it's crazy.
After researching about local organic soap brands, I came upon the brand Embodyment. There are a lot of good local brands such as Ilog Maria. I love the Ilog Maria soaps but only get to buy these stuff when I'm in Tagaytay.
I have yet to try the Embodyment soaps that I ordered online. They all smell so yummy too.
So many soaps, so little time! These are just few of my unopened ones since most of them are now sitting in my shower. =)
Since I got pregnant I changed to using Organic soaps. More than the benefits of using something organic and helping mother earth, using organic soaps for some reason makes my baths feel more luxurious and feminine.
So now, I've been hoarding on a lot of handmade soaps. I don't really have a sensitive skin but I've noticed switching to these soaps make my skin so much softer without that tight feeling. I've researched about the difference of using commercial soaps and organic soaps and found out that commercial soaps are almost the same with detergent soaps--they only add moisturizers and scents.
I love, love, love Lush Products, although a bit pricey, I find their soaps really worth the money. The soaps don't lather well but Lush products are quite packed with the moisturizing and organic ingredients. My favorites so far are the Sultana of Soaps and one of their popluar products, Honey, I washed the Kids. This is my favorite scent ever. It didn't smell so good while I was trying it out in the Store probably because of the other strong scents mingling inside the Lush shop (you know this if you pass by any of their stores) but once you lather with this soap in the shower, it's just so amazing.
Since I got pregnant I've also been using Creamy soaps with Cocoa butter such as their Lemslip, A Ring of Roses and body scrub Sugar Babe. I also love their scrub body butters particularly the Aqua Mirabilis.
I really have to restrain myself from hoarding more soaps since organic soaps expire after some time. But once you start, it's hard to stop. It's just so addicting to try out everything! I have so many soaps in my bathroom right now, it's crazy.
After researching about local organic soap brands, I came upon the brand Embodyment. There are a lot of good local brands such as Ilog Maria. I love the Ilog Maria soaps but only get to buy these stuff when I'm in Tagaytay.
I have yet to try the Embodyment soaps that I ordered online. They all smell so yummy too.
So many soaps, so little time! These are just few of my unopened ones since most of them are now sitting in my shower. =)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Homecooked Wednesdays
The lack of updates is due to me running around my little world the past week. I had to man a few repairs and construction being made in the house, help out a cousin who is a minor (I'm the guardian) work on some things while slowly easing my way back to my normal workload in my shop. Whew.
When we were just dating, we used to call Wednesdays as Isabel's day and made sure we go out somewhere a bit more fancy than the usual. Now, because of Pao's heavy schedule, we only have late dinners so most of the days of the week are spent having dinner somewhere to spend some quality time. We rarely eat at home so now I make sure Wednesdays are for home-cooked meals.
Last Wednesday, I suddenly craved for my mama's Binagoongang Pork with eggplant. So I decided to make my own. It was my first attempt and I'm happy to report, it was a success!
Use 1 kilo of Pork chopped into cubes and cooked with 3 cups of water and a cup of vinegar, add bayleaf and whole peppercorns. Wait until the meat is tender.
In a saucepan, I always use EVOO for my cooking oil and sauté the pork with 2 cloves of chopped garlic and a head of onion. Add 3/4 cup of Shrimp paste and 2 heads of medium-sized tomatoes. Add some water/vinegar from where the pork boiled until tender. Add some spices, depending on your preferences although I found out I like it a bit spicy so I add siling labuyo, Morton spices, a bit of sugar. Slice the eggplants and add.
I found out the taste really depends on the Shrimp paste you are going to use. Also make sure the pork is really tender--it makes all the difference! =)
When we were just dating, we used to call Wednesdays as Isabel's day and made sure we go out somewhere a bit more fancy than the usual. Now, because of Pao's heavy schedule, we only have late dinners so most of the days of the week are spent having dinner somewhere to spend some quality time. We rarely eat at home so now I make sure Wednesdays are for home-cooked meals.
Last Wednesday, I suddenly craved for my mama's Binagoongang Pork with eggplant. So I decided to make my own. It was my first attempt and I'm happy to report, it was a success!
Use 1 kilo of Pork chopped into cubes and cooked with 3 cups of water and a cup of vinegar, add bayleaf and whole peppercorns. Wait until the meat is tender.
In a saucepan, I always use EVOO for my cooking oil and sauté the pork with 2 cloves of chopped garlic and a head of onion. Add 3/4 cup of Shrimp paste and 2 heads of medium-sized tomatoes. Add some water/vinegar from where the pork boiled until tender. Add some spices, depending on your preferences although I found out I like it a bit spicy so I add siling labuyo, Morton spices, a bit of sugar. Slice the eggplants and add.
I found out the taste really depends on the Shrimp paste you are going to use. Also make sure the pork is really tender--it makes all the difference! =)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Oh baby, the places you will go...
Last week, we woke up very early Saturday morning. It was the day we will find out about what we are having as our first child.
This is me all spiffed up. I didn't know that me wanting to wear a blue dress that day was actually a sign! ;)
I lost another 2 pounds upon check up. Although my OB wasn't too concerned about it since the baby is growing on time. Goodness I lost so much weight since the beginning of my pregnancy! Surprisingly, I don't have the same appetite as before. I was expecting I'll be more voracious but no.
We were the first couple at my Doctor's clinic! Yay!
It didn't take too long to see what we are having. The little peanut proudly showed Mama and Papa that he is no doubt, a boy!
Paolo and I were just bubbling with joy the whole time, laughing for no apparent reason while just looking at the screen and seeing our baby move. I looked at my husband and saw his face lit up upon hearing "It's a boy!"
It didn't sink in at first but after a while...I got nervous. I was expecting that we were having a girl and for a while, I felt a bit lost. I was so confident before specially when people warn me about the first time having kids.
I'm so used to taking care of baby girls. I took care of my two nieces, a newborn Cheska and even spent one summer in Chicago during my school break babysitting a baby girl.
I thought of my brother Josh but its been a long time and I was also young when he was born. My relationship with him is more of a "barkada."
It will also be the first time in Pao's side that they are having a boy for a first child.
It is very exciting and new yet a bit scary now that it has sunk in. It is only now that we realize that oh my, we are really having a baby and a baby boy at that.
They say raising a baby boy is much easier than raising a girl. Maybe because of the cleaning up and dressing up part, people are more relaxed with boys. But now I'm thinking how do you find the balance with raising a man?
How do you comfort a boy without coddling him? How do you raise a strong boy yet a sensitive one? How do I teach him to soar his wings yet remain grounded?
I'm getting ahead of myself! For now, I will just enjoy and look forward to a little baby and trust that we will learn along the way.
This is me all spiffed up. I didn't know that me wanting to wear a blue dress that day was actually a sign! ;)
I lost another 2 pounds upon check up. Although my OB wasn't too concerned about it since the baby is growing on time. Goodness I lost so much weight since the beginning of my pregnancy! Surprisingly, I don't have the same appetite as before. I was expecting I'll be more voracious but no.
We were the first couple at my Doctor's clinic! Yay!
It didn't take too long to see what we are having. The little peanut proudly showed Mama and Papa that he is no doubt, a boy!
Paolo and I were just bubbling with joy the whole time, laughing for no apparent reason while just looking at the screen and seeing our baby move. I looked at my husband and saw his face lit up upon hearing "It's a boy!"
It didn't sink in at first but after a while...I got nervous. I was expecting that we were having a girl and for a while, I felt a bit lost. I was so confident before specially when people warn me about the first time having kids.
I'm so used to taking care of baby girls. I took care of my two nieces, a newborn Cheska and even spent one summer in Chicago during my school break babysitting a baby girl.
I thought of my brother Josh but its been a long time and I was also young when he was born. My relationship with him is more of a "barkada."
It will also be the first time in Pao's side that they are having a boy for a first child.
It is very exciting and new yet a bit scary now that it has sunk in. It is only now that we realize that oh my, we are really having a baby and a baby boy at that.
They say raising a baby boy is much easier than raising a girl. Maybe because of the cleaning up and dressing up part, people are more relaxed with boys. But now I'm thinking how do you find the balance with raising a man?
How do you comfort a boy without coddling him? How do you raise a strong boy yet a sensitive one? How do I teach him to soar his wings yet remain grounded?
I'm getting ahead of myself! For now, I will just enjoy and look forward to a little baby and trust that we will learn along the way.
Monday, September 26, 2011
I love weddings!
Meet one of my beautiful Charmed Life brides, Jane. I made a complete line for her wedding including a bridal Rosary, a wedding cord, the entourage gifts and the gifts for the guests.
Here's a photo of her in her Veejay Floresca gown holding a Charmed Life crystal bridal Rosary. It just makes everything more sentimental and traditional doesn't it? =)
Here's a photo of her in her Veejay Floresca gown holding a Charmed Life crystal bridal Rosary. It just makes everything more sentimental and traditional doesn't it? =)
Today started out bad for me. My business phone suddenly zonked out last night. It was a Nokia E71 and it really served me well but since it was my business phone and was very much used and abused, I guess last night was its time to say goodbye. T_T
I panicked this morning because I really can't function without my business line. Unlike my personal phone which is an Iphone4 that I use for browsing the net, killing time while waiting, talking with Pao, family and people I know personally, my business phone pretty much orchestrates everything that needs to be done. Plus I can't use my Iphone 4 for the meantime since it only uses a micro sim.
So this morning, I had to brave the rains and find a replacement phone--fast.
I searched online early morning for an affordable QWERTY phone (I can't text anymore with a non QWERTY keypad). I found Nokia C3 which is really cute and quite similar to my old phone.
By 11.30 am, I already have my replacement phone. I didn't have time to check it anymore in the mall after buying it but when I got home and tried to navigate my new C3, I got pleasantly surprised.
I think its a phone meant for a younger crowd so that means its up for heavy texting and calling. I also like that it has wi-fi capability. Although it looks and feels a bit plastic-y I'm quite enjoying migrating my old contacts and copying important messages without any glitch and the best part is its really affordable! =D
I loved the Nokia E series phones which are really business phones but I thought the Nokia C3 will do just fine since I don't really need fancy features--my business phone is for heavy texting and calling so I just need a QWERTY keypad and a long battery life. I can use my other phone to keep me entertained. =)
So if you are looking for a simple phone with a nice design, basic capabilities and and you are not a phone snob (its relatively an old model since it came out last year), Nokia C3 is a nice option.
I'm quite enjoying my new business phone, I wonder though how long it'll put up with my abuse. :/
I panicked this morning because I really can't function without my business line. Unlike my personal phone which is an Iphone4 that I use for browsing the net, killing time while waiting, talking with Pao, family and people I know personally, my business phone pretty much orchestrates everything that needs to be done. Plus I can't use my Iphone 4 for the meantime since it only uses a micro sim.
So this morning, I had to brave the rains and find a replacement phone--fast.
I searched online early morning for an affordable QWERTY phone (I can't text anymore with a non QWERTY keypad). I found Nokia C3 which is really cute and quite similar to my old phone.
By 11.30 am, I already have my replacement phone. I didn't have time to check it anymore in the mall after buying it but when I got home and tried to navigate my new C3, I got pleasantly surprised.
I think its a phone meant for a younger crowd so that means its up for heavy texting and calling. I also like that it has wi-fi capability. Although it looks and feels a bit plastic-y I'm quite enjoying migrating my old contacts and copying important messages without any glitch and the best part is its really affordable! =D
I loved the Nokia E series phones which are really business phones but I thought the Nokia C3 will do just fine since I don't really need fancy features--my business phone is for heavy texting and calling so I just need a QWERTY keypad and a long battery life. I can use my other phone to keep me entertained. =)
So if you are looking for a simple phone with a nice design, basic capabilities and and you are not a phone snob (its relatively an old model since it came out last year), Nokia C3 is a nice option.
I'm quite enjoying my new business phone, I wonder though how long it'll put up with my abuse. :/
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
On to less serious stuff: My beauty haul for the week.
I've been busy the past few days but still had to keep it light and slow down when things get a bit more frantic than usual.
Our little niece Trish (from the Yason side) stayed with us over the weekend. We had fun and Pao was actually very happy to have spent time with Trish exclusively for the first time the whole weekend.
The first few days of the week was spent tidying and rearranging things in the house, I wasn't able to write a few entries. I guess I'm nesting since most of my time right now is spent preparing the house and cleaning up. I'm becoming my mother, I'm now a neat-freak who loves to redecorate all the time.
On down days when I have no choice but to take things easy and rest, I find myself watching youtube a lot. I've noticed I've been really into make-up tutorials and watching beauty hauls that got me into buying new stuff this week that I've watched from their reviews.
I decided I'll make a mini beauty haul myself =)
Tandadadan...
As I've said in my previous post, I'm forcing myself to focus on other things (girly things) to prevent myself from researching and worrying to much. (Two things you often do when you have nothing else to do but rest!) I've been switching to organic bath products while I'm pregnant and decided to get a few things from Lush this week.
I went and got myself the Sultana of Soaps which I love, the Lemslip soap (too lemon-y for me), the Sugar Babe Sugar Body scrub (I have yet to try), the Lip Sugar scrub (a total waste of money--I could have made my own scrub), and their Imperialis face moisturizer. I've never had a break-out before and my skin is the least of my concerns but since my second month, I've broken out so much.
My skin breaking out is something new and I've never even had this when I was a teenager. I'm hoping Imperialis works out for me...so far so good.
I'm sad that I've almost finished my Mac Wonderwoman Marquise'd nude lipstick so I went out to look for a new replacement. I found two from Revlon which is from their Colorburst line. I love Revlon Colorburst line. I have 6 tubes and counting and already went through two tubes. This time, I picked up Soft Nude which speaks for itself and a new shade: Petal which I really, really love. It's a soft pink nude that works well with my warm/medium complexion.
I got a Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in Pink 180. I don't like it though as much. It's too sticky for me. The SA was just able to convince me that it would look nice with my color. I don't have a complaint with the pigment though, I just don't like the consistency.
I also got the Coralista from Benefit from my sweet H.S. schoolmate Cierre who resells make-up not available locally.
I love it! I love the brush, the scent and the shade as well as the packaging. The shade actually looked a bit bright for me in the box but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was sheer once applied on my face. It's a warm color and it gives you a healthy glow.
Another must-have is a Kabuki brush that I've been meaning to buy for the longest time, I got one from Suesh which is about 1/3 of the price of Mac brushes. I'm not new to using Suesh brushes and applicators. I have other high-end applicators and Suesh's quality is similar if not the same.
I think I got a little more than the usual this week! Beauty hauls are so much fun to watch in youtube. Be careful though because you might end up buying more than you actualy need!
I really think I'm more maarte than usual and Pao have noticed my lips are brighter than usual even inside the house hehe. I guess I'm just trying to have fun right now than just be miserable with all the nausea, morning sickness and whatnots. =)
Our little niece Trish (from the Yason side) stayed with us over the weekend. We had fun and Pao was actually very happy to have spent time with Trish exclusively for the first time the whole weekend.
The first few days of the week was spent tidying and rearranging things in the house, I wasn't able to write a few entries. I guess I'm nesting since most of my time right now is spent preparing the house and cleaning up. I'm becoming my mother, I'm now a neat-freak who loves to redecorate all the time.
On down days when I have no choice but to take things easy and rest, I find myself watching youtube a lot. I've noticed I've been really into make-up tutorials and watching beauty hauls that got me into buying new stuff this week that I've watched from their reviews.
I decided I'll make a mini beauty haul myself =)
Tandadadan...
As I've said in my previous post, I'm forcing myself to focus on other things (girly things) to prevent myself from researching and worrying to much. (Two things you often do when you have nothing else to do but rest!) I've been switching to organic bath products while I'm pregnant and decided to get a few things from Lush this week.
I went and got myself the Sultana of Soaps which I love, the Lemslip soap (too lemon-y for me), the Sugar Babe Sugar Body scrub (I have yet to try), the Lip Sugar scrub (a total waste of money--I could have made my own scrub), and their Imperialis face moisturizer. I've never had a break-out before and my skin is the least of my concerns but since my second month, I've broken out so much.
My skin breaking out is something new and I've never even had this when I was a teenager. I'm hoping Imperialis works out for me...so far so good.
I'm sad that I've almost finished my Mac Wonderwoman Marquise'd nude lipstick so I went out to look for a new replacement. I found two from Revlon which is from their Colorburst line. I love Revlon Colorburst line. I have 6 tubes and counting and already went through two tubes. This time, I picked up Soft Nude which speaks for itself and a new shade: Petal which I really, really love. It's a soft pink nude that works well with my warm/medium complexion.
I got a Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in Pink 180. I don't like it though as much. It's too sticky for me. The SA was just able to convince me that it would look nice with my color. I don't have a complaint with the pigment though, I just don't like the consistency.
I also got the Coralista from Benefit from my sweet H.S. schoolmate Cierre who resells make-up not available locally.
I love it! I love the brush, the scent and the shade as well as the packaging. The shade actually looked a bit bright for me in the box but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was sheer once applied on my face. It's a warm color and it gives you a healthy glow.
Another must-have is a Kabuki brush that I've been meaning to buy for the longest time, I got one from Suesh which is about 1/3 of the price of Mac brushes. I'm not new to using Suesh brushes and applicators. I have other high-end applicators and Suesh's quality is similar if not the same.
I think I got a little more than the usual this week! Beauty hauls are so much fun to watch in youtube. Be careful though because you might end up buying more than you actualy need!
I really think I'm more maarte than usual and Pao have noticed my lips are brighter than usual even inside the house hehe. I guess I'm just trying to have fun right now than just be miserable with all the nausea, morning sickness and whatnots. =)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Do you delete friends on facebook?
Truth be told, I was a bit reluctant making my big announcement on facebook. It dawned to me finally that it is supposed to be my personal network of friends and family--why then suddenly I felt like I am announcing it to the world?!
I was talking to my best friend and we got around talking about how more personal facebook is for us. We never got around having more than 600 friends which I believe is a small number now in fb.
I find that a bit ironic since I keep a public blog but what some people don’t know is that bloggers choose what to reveal. Unlike the threat of having your facebook posts as annoying spam on the newsfeed, Blogs are seeked out by readers.
In essence, it’s the same in fb but the difference is people know you. You are seeked out as a person and not by the subject you are writing.
I write mainly for fun and though I give a glimpse of my personal life every now and then, what I write is definitely only an edited fraction of the sum of my everyday existence.
Anyway, going to my facebook account, I noticed I only have about 500+ friends in my more than two years of actively using fb. I rarely invite contacts and still have to wade through my friend requests. But still, I wondered do I really have 500++ friends in real life?!
This is one of the reasons why I keep a separate business fb account. I wanted to keep my account as personal as possible.
In this time and age of voyeurism, sometimes its hard to set standards in “making friends” in an online network.Its a personal thing, yes but one must admit the number of followers you get on Tweeter, the number of friends and likes you get in facebook are starting to account so much more than they should.
One afternoon, I finally decided that I was going to start tidying up my fb account. I realized fb for me is not a collection of people; I want it as much as possible to reflect my real social graph. I really just have a small criterion on being “friends” with people in fb: If we at one point in our lives had some sort of link—and a happy one at that.
I for one wouldn’t feel offended if one removes me from her/his list provided I really don’t have a present relationship with her/him anyway.
It wasn’t really anything personal when I started trimming down friends, but I suppose somebody you haven’t talked with in years or someone who couldn’t even greet you on something as momentous in your life like getting married or having a baby or something that only happens once a year such as a birthday don’t bode well as a “friend” for me in real life. Why then should it be any different in my online world?
Unless of course we go back to the subject of voyeurism—we only want to know and see what others are up to or the other way around: we want people to know and see what we are up to.
I must admit I’m guilty of not being a good “fb friend.” Life gets in the way of fb-ing all the time but at the end of the day, building a social graph is not a game of accumulating the most number of friends and followers. Building such an impersonal group only threatens to dilute the value of the network that we hoped would bring us closer together in the first place.
What do you think?
I was talking to my best friend and we got around talking about how more personal facebook is for us. We never got around having more than 600 friends which I believe is a small number now in fb.
I find that a bit ironic since I keep a public blog but what some people don’t know is that bloggers choose what to reveal. Unlike the threat of having your facebook posts as annoying spam on the newsfeed, Blogs are seeked out by readers.
In essence, it’s the same in fb but the difference is people know you. You are seeked out as a person and not by the subject you are writing.
I write mainly for fun and though I give a glimpse of my personal life every now and then, what I write is definitely only an edited fraction of the sum of my everyday existence.
Anyway, going to my facebook account, I noticed I only have about 500+ friends in my more than two years of actively using fb. I rarely invite contacts and still have to wade through my friend requests. But still, I wondered do I really have 500++ friends in real life?!
This is one of the reasons why I keep a separate business fb account. I wanted to keep my account as personal as possible.
In this time and age of voyeurism, sometimes its hard to set standards in “making friends” in an online network.Its a personal thing, yes but one must admit the number of followers you get on Tweeter, the number of friends and likes you get in facebook are starting to account so much more than they should.
One afternoon, I finally decided that I was going to start tidying up my fb account. I realized fb for me is not a collection of people; I want it as much as possible to reflect my real social graph. I really just have a small criterion on being “friends” with people in fb: If we at one point in our lives had some sort of link—and a happy one at that.
I for one wouldn’t feel offended if one removes me from her/his list provided I really don’t have a present relationship with her/him anyway.
It wasn’t really anything personal when I started trimming down friends, but I suppose somebody you haven’t talked with in years or someone who couldn’t even greet you on something as momentous in your life like getting married or having a baby or something that only happens once a year such as a birthday don’t bode well as a “friend” for me in real life. Why then should it be any different in my online world?
Unless of course we go back to the subject of voyeurism—we only want to know and see what others are up to or the other way around: we want people to know and see what we are up to.
I must admit I’m guilty of not being a good “fb friend.” Life gets in the way of fb-ing all the time but at the end of the day, building a social graph is not a game of accumulating the most number of friends and followers. Building such an impersonal group only threatens to dilute the value of the network that we hoped would bring us closer together in the first place.
What do you think?
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