SINO'NG BABY MO?

I'm J's baby sa aming Kris Kringle!




Eksena sa aming condo before the Q Xmas Party...

A: Asan na gift mo sa Baby mo?
J: Next week na lang, bigyan ko ng GC.
A: Kawawa naman yun, walang makukuha tonight. Ano'ng wish niya?
J: Twilight...(Lying)
A: Give me your Baby's wish list. I'll go to Shangrila and shop for you.
J: Hwag ka nga makialam!
A's Thought Bubble: Hwag makialam?! That's so not us!
A: Aha! Ako baby mo noh!
J: (In denial)


Eksena sa Q Party - Revelation Time...

D was carrying a Royce bag (one of my wishes).
A's Thought Bubble: Ah, Si D pala ang Mommy ko!

Revelation 1: D's Baby is J!
A's Thought Bubble: Oh! J and I wished for the same thing!

Revelation 2: Confirmed: I'm J's Baby!
At pinatago pala niya kay L ang gifts(yes, more than one, he got everything on my wish list!) kaya wala siyang dala.


SURVEY

Ang mga pangyayaring ito ay:

A) Itinadhana. Ganyan talaga pag soul mates.
B) We're so cheesy talaga!
C) Super baduy!
D) All of the above

GHOSTS

It's Halloween. But I won't be writing about ghosts of the supernatural kind. Rather, of the emotional type. And somehow, I'm not sure which one's scarier.

I can't exactly tell when it happened -- but it did! A few years back, I've finally exorcised the ghost of J's girlfriend past.

I have to admit it took me awhile. During our first years as boyfriend and girlfriend, I was often haunted by the history they shared. And it didn't help that she moved into the same Network where J and I work! (Someone told me that move of hers was "scary" -- ex-GF weird scary! LOL!)

Throughout the "hauntings," J would tell me, "Gumagawa ka ng sarili mong multo."

And I guess one day I finally saw the light in his words. True, the horror was just all in my head.

She was part of his past which I needed to accept. And her move to the same Network was "trabaho lang, walang personalan." She never bugged us, not once (she has resigned BTW).

So one day, I finally laid the ghost of his past to rest. Because the truth is, "What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now."

Photo: J's. It's Baguio's White Haunted House (aka Laperal House / Addams Family Summer House) in front of PNKY (where we stayed one time!). Boo!

LOVE: 40 WAYS TO MAKE YOURS LAST...

Here's what couples should be doing according to Glamour magazine (Aug2009)...

Once a week
> Fight (a little).
> Have sex (obviously). But also...
> Have generous sex.
> And have before-work sex.
> Compliment each other.
> Shower together.
> Get into bed and...sleep
> Let something go.
> Laugh so hard.

Us: 8 of 9 - CHECK!

Once a month
> Be do-gooders.
> Do something scary. (But J's fearless!)
> Talk about money
> Brag publicly about him.
> Declare something "this stays in Vegas."
> Be the man.
> Disappear together.
> Disappear alone.
> Go to a party! And mingle separately.
> Have sex some way you've never had it before.

Us: 8 1/2 of 10 - CHECK!

Once a year
> Build a doghouse or whatever team project.
> Get something that'll grow with your love.
> Say the tough thing.
> Cancel Valentine's Day and invent your own lovey-dovey holiday. (We don't do Valentine. But we have our Daily Dates! Awww.)
> Fall apart.
> Don't get up. At least once a year.
> Talk birth control.
> Re-kiss your First Kiss.
> Write each other.
> Think back on all the reasons you fell for him.

Us: 8 of 10 - CHECK!

What's your score?

THE DESTINATION

It's the journey, not the destination. The cliche can't be more true with last night's movie date. We watched "Il Destinazione" -- one of the movies in the 8th Italian Film Festival. And our "journey" to the movie was far more satisfying than the destination (the film itself)!

The journey:
*We were first in line! Tickets for the 9:30pm screening were released at 8:30pm.
*After getting our tickets, we decided to go home to kill time (Ang saya to have that option!).
*The tickets were free!
*I was excited because it's been awhile since our last foreign Film Fest date.
*We left our home 9:15pm and we were in Shang by 9:25pm. The film started after 9:30pm (Ang saya!).

The destination:
*The movie was only 2 hours long but it felt like it ran for 10 hours! It was such a streeeeeeeeetch! People were actually leaving the cinema 30 minutes into the movie!

SWEET SURPRISE

After a not-so-good work day, guess what I found on my office chair?!



I got two boxes of my favorite ROYCE chocolates from J! So sweet! I could melt! The sweet surprise didn't change the office hitch but it did WONDERS to my mood.

Thank you, Baby!

ONDOY

These pair of rain boots (they are no Plueys!) got us through the Ondoy clean-up. My 3 year old niece said,"I like your boots, Tita A!" It was enough to make me LOL!Something I so needed to do through the devastating disaster.



Our family's Ondoy experience was heartbreaking -- the flood water was chest-deep inside my parents' home; the first floor of my brother's home was also submerged in water -- but yes, we still have so much to be thankful for. We're counting our blessings.

Thank you to...

*J for staying with me (and my family) all throughout the Ondoy ordeal

*all the kind and thoughtful messages (calls, text, email, Facebook messages) from family, friends, acquaintances

*the prayers from every one

*my Tita Belen, Tita Cita, cousins Ana and Jon, for sending helpers to assist us in the clean-up; for bringing my parents' and sister's wet clothes to Nueva Ecija for washing and drying

*my Tita Belen and Family (and House Help) for feeding us all throughout the clean-up

*my bosses (specially Ham) for allowing me to take one week off

*my officemates / friends (specially Lots, Nadia and Maricel) for taking on my load while I was on emergency leave

*my cousins Arlene and JM for the rides

*my Tita Es, Tito Rey, cousin Kris for the help (so generous!)

*my Tito Cesar, Tita Lil, cousin Cza for the relief goods & cleaning materials

*my cousins Ana, Jon and Mylene for the cleaning materials (Complete! May mga sako pa for all the garbage!), fresh towels and dry beddings

*to my cousin Pia for trying to go to Kingsville twice

*my cousin Pia (again!) and Tita Tens for volunteering to pick my Dad up from the airport

*the mekaniko who's working wonders on my parents' flooded car

*our Cleaning Team: Ate Hasmin, Aling Ineng, Aling Ising, and a Boy

*Jill and Isay for welcoming my brother and his family to their home for so many days

*to my client Jenny for postponing our Friday meeting (so kind!)

*Gladys for updating me whenever she could

*Gladys (again!) and the Moments staff for bringing smiles to our Cleaning Team's faces. Wednesday, they were kidding me about wanting to be televised as "volunteers." They got their wish Thursday! They were on TV by Saturday.

*GMA for releasing our 13th month pay earlier than usual

*Maricel for working on the HR assistance (such an angel!)

*the GMA Coop for the help they're extending to members via grocery GCs

*Ondoy for reminding all that we cannot hang on to material possessions. Only Love endures.

*THANK YOU, GOD, for keeping my loved ones safe.

The darkest hours come just before dawn. I'm looking forward to sunshine-y days!

FAQs

Could all the questions we get be proof that we’re not your usual couple?



FAQ1: Why don’t you want to have a baby?
Answer: See my “No Kidding” entry (May 2009). With all our reasons (excuses?), isn’t it obvious that we simply don’t like being Mom and Dad?

Bottom line: Freedom of Choice. We wouldn’t want to be parents just to make others happy. That would be unfair to me, to J, to the baby.

FAQ2: How about later?
Answer: Maybe.

We both made the choice in our early 20s. I’ve stood by it for a decade now. J – for almost 20 years. If one day we do have a change of heart, we’ll take responsibility for our actions. Again, bottom line is Freedom of Choice.

FAQ3: Do you dislike kids?
Answer: We love kids but we don’t want our own.

My personal conviction: to love and take care of existing kids. I see no lack of children. I see the lack of love given to children. Proof? Stories about abortion, orphans, parents who lack time for their children, abused kids, child labor, kids dying of hunger, etc.

I have a soft spot for unwanted babies. If you’re close to me you know that I’ve committed myself to one. And J shares in this commitment – made me love him more.

FAQ4: Isn’t being “childless by choice” selfish?
Answer: Judging people for their decisions is the easiest thing to do. So I’d say – whatever. I always hear about parents who have children to make sure someone takes care of them when they grow old. Now, isn’t THAT selfish?

The truth is we’re thinking about the child – we believe that s/he deserves a better world. We don’t want to gamble on his/her future.

I think people have children for all manner of reasons – sometimes out of a pure desire to nurture and witness life, sometimes out of an absence of choice, sometimes in order to hold on to a partner or create an heir, sometimes without thinking about it in any particular way. Not all the reasons to have children are the same, and not all of them are necessarily unselfish. Not all the reasons not to have children are the same, either, though. Nor are all those reasons necessarily selfish. (From “Eat, Pray Love,” 2006.)

FAQ5: Why did you buy a condo not a house and lot?
Answer: First, it’s what we can afford right now. Two, condo living perfectly fits our lifestyle and our life choices. There’s just the two of us. And we’re always on the go.

But we do plan to build our dream home – later. My parents gifted us with a lot in an exclusive Quezon City subdivision. We could build a family home there, something for all of us – J and me, my parents (although they have their own Antipolo home),my sis, my brother’s family (although they also have their own little home). The possibilities are endless. But I really want to build something for my immediate family – wherever. It doesn’t have to be in the QC lot.

SO(HO) HAPPY!

I've listed the things I'm loving about Soho Central (see my "Loving It!" entry). Today, I'm adding one more thing to my love list! See the "Philippine Star" article below.

Such great news! We're overjoyed with our investment! Our unit may have already appreciated in a matter of three months(turn over was only last June 2009)! VERY GOOD CHOICE indeed!


Shang Properties net income up 10% for 1H
The Philippine Star
Updated September 11, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Shang Properties, Inc., the real estate development arm of the Kuok Group in the Philippines, posted a 10 percent increase in its income for the first six months of the year. Net income rose from P400 million in 2008 to P447 million in 2009 despite the economic uncertainty that prevailed in the first half. The increase is attributable to higher lease incomes from both the Shangri-La Plaza mall and The Enterprise Center, totaling P777 million for the first six months.

In addition, sales of residential condominiums from the Company’s latest project, The St. Francis Shangri-La Place, continued at a fast pace. This P5 billion, twin tower 60-storey project, located within its 8.6 hectare property in Ortigas Center, is set for completion this year with only a few units remaining for sale.

In view of the company’s exemplary performance, SPI’s Board of Directors recently declared cash dividends in the amount of P 0.031 per share to stockholders of record as of Sept. 2, 2009. The dividend is to be paid on or before September 15, 2009. Including the dividend paid in March of this year, total dividends paid in 2009 now amount to P0.061 per share.

Other investments of the Kuok Group in the Philippines include the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts - - - Makati Shangri-La, Edsa Shangri-La, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa, as well as the Shangri-La at the Fort, which is currently under development.

Upcoming developments include the expansion of the Shangri-La Plaza mall as well as another residential project scheduled for groundbreaking this year.

One Soho Central owner said it perfectly, "This development will be a big boost for our ever-growing neighborhood. Property values will rise sooner than later! Your P2M studio unit at Soho Central should have already appreciated in value by now."

Status: JUMPING FOR JOY!





*jumping at The Peak, HK

MORE BLACK, RED AND WHITE

We're currently in search of black, red and white home furnishings and accents for the new condo.

Here are a few of what we've found...

We got two of these from Dimensione.


It's a stool/storage so we loved it instantly! Also from Dimensione.


It's a sofa / storage!
We got two -- one for the receiving area, another for the foot of the bed -- from SM Home World.


A retro-ish fan from True Value.


We've had this vintage-looking CD player for around three years now.


Do you know of places where we can get more of these?

Criteria:
*black, red or white
*pop art
*vintage or retro-looking (but brand new)
*space-saver
*multi-functional a plus

CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER

Two weeks ago, we felt like we won a kitchen and bath showcase with the two boxes of red, black and white home stuff from the US! Thanks to our dear Tito R, Tita E and my cousin K. Their family has always been very generous -- to all. No wonder they're so blessed.

Look!

HPV

Had my first HPV shot today.

You know what's so sweet about the "a bit painful" experience? One, J is paying for all three shots (Company Package: Php1,900 per shot x 3 shots). Two, he sat beside me during this morning's vaccination. I was the only woman in the clinic who had a date. Awww.

Doc: You can't get pregnant in the next six months.
Me: No problem, Doc, I'm on the pill.
Our thought bubble: No problem, Doc. We're childless by choice.


*photo from puppetgov.com

BACK-TO-BACK BDAYS

Our weekend was all about kids with S and E's back-to-back birthdays.



Our gift to dear little S: this super cute Strawberry Shortcake cake set (Php1,300 for a flat cake and Php840 for 24 pieces of cupcakes) from Kiddie Party.Com's Elaine and Eloisa Tan (Call 438-7702). We were so happy with my sis P's Hannah Montana cake last year so I got their services again. They're highly recommended!



S was so excited to see the cake, "Look, I have a Strawberry Shortcake!" Her wide eyes and big smile were enough "thank you" for me. But she even hugged and kissed us, and said "Thank you. I love you Tita A and Tito J." Awww.

For E, who has more than enough toys, clothes and books, we decided to give something more personal -- a dozen bags of Flat Tops! We learned it's her favorite, nag-aagawan pa sila ni Mommy niya.



Ate P's text message: E was so excited! "Look Mom! Our favorite! We're rich!" Hahaha!

She's really the cutest!

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

If you've been following my blog, you know how much we love adobo and kebabs. We've been trying out the new neighborhood's goodies and we're loving them so far!

Max's pork adobo is new on the menu. And we love it! It's the more affordable version of Fely J's. If Fely J's adobo gets 5 stars, Max's gets 4. Branch: Shangrila Mall's Garden Court

>>picture to follow

Binalot's adobo is good too. For less than Php100, it's an OK lutong-bahay version of this Filipino classic. For adobo addicts (like us), the bonus is that they even have Adobo Rice (yum!). Branch: Shangrila's Garden Court

>>picture to follow

C2's adobo, on the other hand, was a disappointment. It was bland. Kulang sa pepper. Kulang sa timpla. Branch: 6F Shangrila Mall

>>picture to follow

Persia Grill was a revelation! We're glad we tried it despite the not-so-good ad (their Megamall mural). It's a notch down our favorite Behrouz but so much better than everything else we've tried, making it a winner!

I've been regularly ordering their Business Meal 1 (Php120): Beef Kebab with buttered rice, grilled tomato, and yogurt.



J has been very happy with their Business Meal 5 (around Php120 too): Shawarma Rice. Interesting huh? It's shawarma minus the pita bread.



Loving the new neighborhood!

PHONE PALS

We have twin phones, a red and black Nokia E63!

I was originally eyeing another model. But J has been long considering this. After hearing him talk about its features, I was convinced I should get the same unit (yeah, he's the most influential person in my life!). What sealed the deal for me: this is more affordable.



We're loving our phone -- you can text, call, email and surf, minus the price of an I-Phone or a Blackberry. The bonus: the phones match our condo's color palette. =)

New home. New phones. Hello to everything new!

LOVING IT!

Two days into our new home, here are some of the things I'm loving about Soho Central:

1) It's ours!
2) The real estate golden rule: “Location, location, location!” perfectly applies to SC
3) We're 300 steps away from Shangrila Mall / Edsa Central market (yes, the best of all worlds, ABCDE)
4) 500 steps away from the MRT station
5) 1,500 steps away from Megamall
6) The laundry shop is on the 40th floor
7) The gym, spa and pool are on the 4th floor
8) 24-hour security
9) The “lock and go” system is perfect for our lifestyle
10) The view from our unit -- Wack Wack's trees; the malls and billboards; we can see if traffic's heavy along EDSA; the city lights are lovely once night sets in

What do you love about your home?

IT'S SHAW TIME!

(Open curtains.) The long wait is over – we're finally home! In our very own home! (Cue in: Fireworks! Cartwheels! Confetti blast! Screams!)

Act I: Hitting a home run. To say we're overjoyed is an understatement. One major goal in our married life – accomplished! Tada!

Act II: Home is where the heart is. I can't even begin to describe how we are. J and I are dead tired from all the moving in (of the condo) and out (of the apartment) but guess what – no one's complaining. We're both in such a celebratory mood. We're just too happy! Our kisses even seem to be sweeter! (Cue in: tears of joy.)

Act III: The home stretch. Everything just fell into place days leading to our move. One, according to the feng shui calendar, September 4 and 5 are the lucky days for moving into a new house. Our contract on the QC apartment ends September 5 – so feng shui or not, we really should be out of there. Two, our September 4 shoot was canceled which means we could go on leave (Yahoo!). Three, our dear Tito C was able to book a truck for us for free (free!), for September 5. Four, September 7 was declared a holiday, giving us a four-day weekend, perfect for all the sorting out and cleaning up that had to be done. It allowed us to rest too!

How's it been so far? We're loving it! I guess, there really is no place like home.

RECIPES REUNION

J and I met up with my U.P. friends last Friday at one of our favorite restos, Recipes. Had the pork binagoongan, J had General's Chicken (as usual).

My college friends and I try to see each other at least twice a year. It's always fun seeing this bunch! Even J enjoys their company.

I'm always excited to know about what's new in their lives. But I also enjoy the "reunion regulars" -- topics we never fail to touch on over and over and over again. Regulars: the batch's controversial year book, our beloved batch mates (no details here), and RR.



Updates: someone just arrived from Europe, someone is flying to the US for a Study Grant, someone is now Asst. Vice President, two are celebrating their 10th year in their respective TV Networks, three are licensed na in their chosen professions (one is even Top 4 sa exam!), three are running their own businesses, six are great parents (some not in picture), three are based abroad, etc.

SIMPLE JOYS

One of my simple joys: Spanish bread. Loved it since I was a kid.

This week, we've dropped by Landmark Grocery in Trinoma twice for my fill of Fortune Bakeshop's Spanish breads (Php 7.25 each). Their Anniversary Promo: Buy 3, Get 1 Free! Happiness!

J, on the other hand, loves Megamelt's cheese ensaymada. Good thing there's a stall outside Landmark's supermarket. Another stall we frequent for his ensaymada fix: the stall in Gateway Mall's Food Court.

What are your simple joys?

Here are more of ours:
1. bookstore trips (we don't even have to buy anything)
2. last full show movie dates in our favorite Lazy Boy seats
3. looong walks (if the pedometer says 15,000 steps or more, we're ECSTATIC!)
4. every visit to the new home gives us a different kind of high
5. holding hands
6. our private jokes, banters, pun-ny and witty exchanges

PACKING LIKE CRAZY!

Yes, we've been packing like crazy! (That's "PA" not "FU" - LOL!)

All our free time has been dedicated to sorting out our stuff -- which ones will go to the scrap collector, which ones to Nueva Ecija, which ones to my parent's place, which ones to my brother's place, which ones to the new home. It is unbelievable how much stuff we've acquired in five years!

With each trip to the condo, we try to bring as much as we can. Thank God for Soho's helpful guards.

After leaving stuff in the new home we go back to the apartment to pack some more. I swear, it's never ending!

Thank God for the two long weekends coming up. I hope we get to finish everything before September sets in.

As for the "FU" -- Hallelujah we have time for that in between the "PAs"!

SO GAGA!

Had a blast over Lady Gaga's concert last night! Where does the woman get her energy?! I'm in awe!

While we, girls (watched with my cousins), were being Gaga-fied, my dear hubby patiently waited for me. I couldn't convince him to watch. Gave him the option to go home ahead of me. But no, he wants to be around the vicinity - to make sure I'm safe and all. So from 8-10:30pm, he surfed away in one of the cafes in the Big Dome area.


We were in the same row as this Gaga Fan! S/he even had his own Disco Stick! Bongga!

Gaga-fied!

Araneta was packed! We were seated in the Upper Box, except for C who watched with her fashionista friends from the front row.

HE KEEPS ME SANE

I believe that God blesses us with a partner that brings out the best in us. (If your partner brings out the worst in you, better think twice -- saan galing yan?! Hahaha!)

Scenario over the weekend...

Me: Non-stop worrying about the looong To Do List for our new home. Kept on talking about what we should accomplish, how we can't go beyond our budget, how tough it is to manage three households (current apartment, new home, my parents' place) etc. Kept on tossing and turning in bed!

J: Pinapagod mo sarili mo. Sa utak mo pa lang pagod na pagod ka na! Relax. We'll accomplish every thing a day at a time.

Then he hugged me.

I have to admit it's my first time to worry about moving into a new place. When my family moved homes (at least 3 times), all I had to worry about were my siblings. My parents only wanted me to make sure they're safe, that we're playing away from where the adults are (para di kami istorbo sa pag-aayos nila).

Now, I have to worry about the budget, how to keep our valuables safe, which ones to keep, which ones to dispose, which ones to sell, who to call/hire, schedules, etc.

ADULT MOMENT!

COVER GIRL

Aliw! This was a birthday poster made by our Department's Art Support Group. Pardon the grammatical errors and typos -- it's the thought that counts! Haha!

So true - J is one of my beauty secrets! =) One of the compliments I often receive is how I don't look married. Apparently, some people attach looking "harassed" and "stressed" to marriage. Thank God, I can't relate. My source of stress: work. But never J (Dear God, let it stay that way.).

NINOY & CORY

Millions of people out on the street. A shower of yellow confetti. The "Laban" sign. The visuals are too parallel, it doesn't seem like they happened nearly three decades apart. The images from Ninoy's and Cory's deaths are too identical, too compelling, nakakapanindig-balahibo.

An observer said it perfectly, “both Ninoy and Cory united the people against tyranny, oppression and corruption.” Another added, “That is their story that should be retold to all generations over and over again.”

What a couple, huh? Bow ako. This is the kind of partnership, the kind of marriage that would make even the most cynical believe in "soul mates."

I was too young to share the Filipino people's anger over the death of Ninoy. I was only 7 years old in 1983. But I do remember being moved and shedding tears over the images of the 1986 EDSA People Power. I'm no fan. I know they were not perfect leaders (who is?). But Ninoy and Cory have my utmost respect and admiration. I'm in awe of their love for each other, for each other's cause, love for the country and the Filipino.

Theirs is a marriage that took to heart the "Hindi ka nag-iisa" (You are not alone) slogan.

Maraming salamat, Ninoy and Cory. The Filipino people will forever be grateful.

BLACK, RED, WHITE

We're aiming for a Zen-Retro look for our new home. The color palette: black, red and white.

Here are some of our pegs for space-saving storage: wardrobe (black and red) and AV cabinet (mostly black). Even the sofa and bed must be able to function as storage.









And here are a few of our accent pieces: a red TEAC CD player / radio (this is one of the very few pieces from the apartment which made it to the condo); a Century fan (from True Value); stainless steel bath accessories (also from True Value).









We've found three shower curtains: one that's plain red (currently hanging), one from the Andy Warhol Home Collection (so excited to use this!) and a black Herringbone curtain (one of J's favorite pants/hat fabrics).

The Andy Warhol shower curtain will complement the pop art (visuals: J wants my picture!) he's planning for the wall. Have to find the perfect photo for this! Or I could have one professionally taken (hint, hint!). I swear, he's the only one who can tolerate (and appreciate) my kaartehan! Told you, he's so into me. =)