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| Tuesday, 26-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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QUARTER TURNS
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For lack of anything really interesting to post, I tried looking for materials from my memory card and these are what I found...
 
 
...Jerry and Jake in different angles. I'm sure pagbibigyan ako ni Jerry when I say na kahit saang anggulo tingnan, cute si Jake.  
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| Saturday, 23-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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TABLE7
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Picture-perfect...
The sky is clear. The sun's rays are peeking through the branches of the fire tree. It is comfortably warm, not too humid. The splashing sound of the jet d' eau drowns the chatter of people.
Some are just strolling. Some are sitting by the lagoon. I see a couple walking their tot on strollers. There are kids enjoying their cotton candies. Some youngsters are running around excitedly.
A few tables from us, is a group of teens sipping tall refreshing glasses of fruit juice. They are texting some friends, I suppose, as one thumbs her Nokia 6260. Behind me are two male teens lazing and probably just killing time.
Jerry and I are sitting here al fresco with individual cups of Americano, admiring the picture-perfect view around us, just chilling and taking it all in....
Yes...all for P30 a cup. Sweet, huh!
So where is this at? See pic below...
Jerry pored over their menu. The verdict - ahem, not too pricey.
We actually looked more excited than this. The waiter who took
our shot spent ages focusing the digicam before pressing the button.
Hence, our "bitin na bitin" facial expressions... Boo.
Another good thing about this new place - it's just across
the Ayala Mall. Heeh!
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| Friday, 22-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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PEELING AWAY FROM LETHARGY
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This summer break, Matt enrolled in basketball training at his school, while Kyle joined art classes at the club. This has been ongoing since 1st week of April so the kids have been busy with their respective activities lately. When the kids are busy with something, we are busy as well bringing them to and from their classes and working around their schedules.
It is a given that having them around the house allows us great quality time with each other. However, encouraging them to pursue an activity of their choice on their free time helps them to develop their talents and to socialize as well.
Needless to say, enrolling them in summer classes is also an effective way of peeling them away from the computer, playstation and tv, things that have gotten most kids these days really inactive to the point of lethargy.
In my younger days, we didn't have art classes, summer basketball trainings or other sport for that matter. Or if there were, our parents just didn't think my siblings and I needed to attend. We were always out biking, running, playing taguan (hide-and-seek), habulan (cops and robbers), tumba-lata, Chinese garter, luksong-tinik, patintero, Dr. Quack Quack, teacher-teacheran, bahay-bahayan, pitik-bulag and a host of other local games too many to mention.
Gee, back then, we never ran out of things to do!
The HAPEE Team players showcasing their synchronized ballhandling skills to trainees...
Kyle (rightmost), concentrating on a masterpiece...
The view 180 degrees from where the art classes are being held...
My view from where I sit and read the newspaper as I wait for Kyle to finish his session...
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| Tuesday, 19-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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HAPPY 13TH!
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This Day I Married My Best Friend
This day I married my best friend
...the one I laugh with as we share life's wondrous zest,
as we find new enjoyments and experience all that's best.
...the one I live for because the world seems brighter
as our happy times are better and our burdens feel much lighter.
...the one I love with every fiber of my soul.
We used to feel vaguely incomplete, now together we are whole.
---unknown
Still going strong after 13 years!!!
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| Sunday, 17-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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Reconnecting / For Men Only / Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
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RECONNECTING...
One of the things I do miss about work (other than the remuneration every 15th and 30th, haha!) is the friends I've gained over the years. I'm glad that being a stay-at-home-mom affords me to meet up with them on occasions when they are free or are in town.
Last Friday was one of those days I reconnected with friends and/or former colleagues. It was a last minute call but I was just glad we were able to spend some time together. It was good reminiscing about the good but-not-so-old days as well as talking about anything under the sun â?? literally, as we were having coffee al fresco at my favorite coffee shop.
FOR MEN ONLY
After missing Jerry for two weeks, the boys tried to catch up on their favorite rerun of My Wife and Kids on Disney Channel. Check out how engrossed they were they didnâ??t even notice me taking their pictureâ?¦
â?¦and look whoâ??s in control of the remoteâ?¦
HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Every month, Matt and Kyle get their haircut in time for school inspection. However, since it is vacation time, we havenâ??t gotten around to scheduling the two for their monthly trim.
However, itâ??s a completely different story for Jake who has had his first cut days after his first birthday (as a matter of tradition). Now 1 month later, his head looks heavy with his semi-curly locks gone awry. I thought it best to have another DIY (do-it-yourself) session. And thatâ??s just what we did before sunset today â?? Jakeâ??s trim on the balcony.
And so there went the weekend...
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| Friday, 15-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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Gardening 101
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Since leaving the corporate world months back left me with more time to spare for my interests, I have dabbled in several things â?? planning for business expansion (retail), digital photography, photo editing, art appreciation and gardening. (I havenâ??t forayed into cooking yet. Iâ??m not necessarily proud of this one, but I keep putting off learning how to cook for as long as I could. Haha!)
As a beginner, the easiest way to start with gardening is to buy perennials. This loosely refers to flowering plants that bloom all year round. Start with those that are easy to care for like gumamela, sampaguita, bougainvillea, and kumintang, and not the more exotic expensive varieties. This was what I did a couple of months ago.
I bought several clay-looking plastic pots (more durable, lighter and easier to move around). I brought these pots to the gardening shop and filled each with plants that already had blooms. Voila! I now have an instant container garden.
My "babies" add color to my balcony
I have yet to find out which time is best for watering. Some gardening literature and websites say morning is best, some say afternoon. I water mine in the morning before the sun gets really hot.
Apart from watering, to maintain healthy blooming plants, I only need to put these under the sun, cultivate the soil as necessary and put slow-release fertilizers on the soil every month. Thatâ??s all there is to it. The steps arenâ??t too hard are they?
Oh yes, talking to these greens probably helps too. Just make sure the next-door neighbors donâ??t hear you.
This ornamental "sili" makes my coffee table look "HOT"
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| Wednesday, 13-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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ART ATTACK / RELATIVE-LY FUN
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ART ATTACK
Yesterday was a-buzz with activities. It was Kyle's first day in Art Class and I was there to give Kyle some support. He has the inclination to love art. It's just that he is reluctant to develop his interest because he doesn't want to commit mistakes.
After seeing the supplies we bought for him, which, by the way, cost us quite a sum (No wonder artworks are way expensive!), Kyle became more enthusiastic to involve himself in the course. He couldn't wait to get started with the projects.
I'm glad the course isn't just about art appreciation. The list of projects they were to complete for the summer includes watercolor, charcoal, and acrylic painting. And from the lesson they had yesterday, I'm beginning to learn art and the basics of drawing as well, and for free! Woo!
Kyle is in blue with his back against the camera
RELATIVE-LY FUN!
After an exchange of text messages between me and cousin, Mimi, we were finally able to set the time and venue for our impromptu get-together last night â?? 9 PM, Café Georg. Another cousin, Agnes, was in town for a speaking engagement. And the last time we all went out (excluding the grand clan reunion we had in 2003) was about 2 years ago, before Agnes and I got prego with our 3rd kid.
The four of us, Agnes, Mimi, Stella and I were like the subdued versions of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda of Sex and the City fame as our topics ranged from pap smears, spinal blocks, and epidurals. Hahaha! It was a fun-filled night as we tried to catch up on each other's lives. *grin*
Stella, Agnes, Mimi and I have just finished off sinfully decadent Charlie Brown slices.
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| Saturday, 9-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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A HOMECOMING
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After a 2-week US trip, Jerry is now back home. Thank God! It was timely that his Go-ku had a week of free accommodation to give away at our favorite Maribago Beach. We gladly chose Friday as our schedule for a night's stay at the beach with sis-in-law Mary and nephews, John and Juju. Highlight of the beach trip was Jakeâ??s first attempt to enjoy the sea and the pool. It was his first time to enjoy the sand as well, first by feeling it with his hands then tasting it! Ew! Save for the eating sand part, we captured these precious moments with pictures that I share with all of you.
 
The sky was overcast and the sun was kept partly hidden by grey clouds. However, this didnâ??t dampen our sunny moods as we all took to the beach at 730AM to wait for the tide. The sun's seeming absence was in fact a welcome treat as the whole day was comfortably warm without the scorching heat. The beach front was near-empty of tourists or guests when we got there. The rhythmic sound of lapping waves calmed our senses. As usual, Matt and Kyle were busy making sandcastles.
 
The whole day Saturday was a glorious day for relaxation and bonding time with the boys. It was just the perfect treat for Jerry's homecoming.
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| Saturday, 2-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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VACATION AT MIL'S
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*(Shangrila Mactan) Jake is sporting a new haircut courtesy of moi.*
Jerry's US flight and the househelp's emergency leave found me and the boys spending 2-weeks at Mom-in-law's (MIL) place. We didn't mind that we were all cooped up in a room in Ma. Luisa. The boys loved the idea of summer bumming with the cousins and were actually excited about the move. As for me, after attempting to keep house for a few days without help, it was a good break too from washing dishes, mopping floors, and scrubbing bathrooms. Ha-hah! Add to that the savings on food, utilities and laundry!
Freeloaders aren't we all? Hehehe...
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| Friday, 1-Apr-2005 00:00 |
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April Fools
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Today I was ready to post a very negative entry about something that happened. It actually had me in fits that I was about to do a drastic action to teach some guy a lesson. That will have to wait until I'm more calm and collected.
For now, I am posting a sweet note I received for April Fools day. If what you read below is the brainchild of a fool, then call me foolish for I'm head-over-heels in love with him.
Hi Nok!
April Fool's Day has always been a significant day in our lives! I remember today, roughly 15 years ago, when we started to share our food, our time, our stories, our office chairs... and a lot more! I never realized that on that day I was going to be with the person that would truly make me happy for the rest of my life.
We have gone through a lot of trials together. Succeeded in a lot... failed in a lot as well. But I really don't think they matter for as long as I am still holding your hand.
We have celebrated a lot of milestones, but somehow I know there is still a lot more to look forward to, 3 beautiful and bright (95 & 96..wala pa ang isa) kids, a condo with a pocket garden, a car, a giveaway European Vacation, a thriving business (Tee'licious...despite the many failed ones)!
Sometimes we think that we are just so different from each other. You tell really detailed stories while I just do the highlights. You like talk shows & make over shows while I like movies and sports. You're shy and silent while I love talking to people. Maybe that's why I love you so, because you make me whole, you make me complete, you show me the things that I don't see, the stuff that I can't do. I sure hope that I am the same for you!
Today, I dedicate the rest of my life for you and the kids. I may still make mistakes, but I sure am going to really make a difference for all of you. I'm looking forward to be home soon. I miss you and Matts, & Kyle & Jake. I miss our Home.
Happy April Fool's Day!
With love,
Jerry
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No offer yet. Still waiting 
