juls random thoughts

I've been out of the loop for so long. My last post before this was almost half a month ago. Sad to say, I don't think I'll be back now as I am still so busy in the office. And tomorrow I'll be leaving for Beijing, China and will stay there until sunday. I am partly excited for the trip as it is my first time to go there. I can't wait to see Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Olympics countdown clock and hopefully The Great wall of China. I also can't wait to taste authentic chinese food. I'm really hoping for the best for this trip.

Well, that's it for now.

I haven't blogged for a while. Either I am so tamad or busy with a lot of things but not to worry because I make sure that I still bloghop though di man ako nakakapag-leave parati ng message sa cbox. Same as Quel, I'll try to do a summary here muna so I will not forget:

- pending tags from Em, Mia and Tet. promise po, gagawin ko talaga eto.
- my intelligent conversation with kurt regarding where do his food go and why do the tummy make weird noise plus his $1M question na paano sya makakabalik sa tummy ko. LOL!
- long weekend in Zambales. the resort being the same place where Maging Sino Ka Man book 1 and Marimar was shoot. kurt's experience in sleeping in tents. my long drive, most especially the Subic-Clark-Tarlac highway
- my car's gasgas! again!
- the Duran Duran concert

So, what makes me busy this days aside from work and family. I am busy watching the back episode of Lobo! LOL! nasa episode 17 pa lang ako to think nasa 50+ na ngayon sa tv. and i even haven't started watching the new season of Prison Break! naiwan na ko ni hubby. and I try to study rin nga pala, although for the past two weeks parang mga 3 times ko lang yata nabuklat ang book ko. really bad me!

so that's it for now. ciao!

With a heavy heart, we’re now selling the CRV. Hubby and I both love his CRV, this is our second car as husband and wife, this is the second car that we spent our savings (mostly his). And now, we’re selling it. Why? As much as we don’t want to, we have to be practical. One, we don’t have our own house yet, so parking is a big issue – if we do not sell this, we’ll have three cars (my car, his new car and the CRV), add to that my FIL’s two cars, hubby’s SIL’s car and another car that his brother will buy (if we don’t sell the crv to him) so total of seven cars for one house to think the covered parking can only accommodate three cars, so that means four cars will be parked outside. Second, we won’t be using the CRV much now. Why? I can’t drive it as it is a manual car while hubby will prefer to drive his new car (kasi syempre bago and that’s his company car so better na yun ang laspagin nya di ba? And that car has free gasoline). Kumbaga, hubby will only be using the CRV when his car is on coding or when we need a bigger car or just for the fact that he has to use the CRV. Third, hubby is still paying for this for two more years so sobrang impractical to be paying for a car that he seldom use. Fourth, he’ll be spending for maintenance, insurance and registration on a car that he seldom use. Fifth, we can use the money for other reason. And sixth, we realize that it’s really about time that we sell it kasi mag 5 years na sya and when a vehicle reaches it’s fifth year, lalaki na lalo ang maintenance cost. The car won’t be far from us though as it’ll be hubby’s eldest brother who’ll buy it. He wants to buy the CRV ASAP kasi last year they sold their two cars and so far, isa pa lang ang nabili nila and they’re having a hard time coping with just one car so ayun, biglang napa-decide kami to sell it, though if it’s not that he’s brother wants it, we *might* not sell it as it is really dear to our hearts. Reason kasi why we don’t want to sell it are: One, how can we survive the rainy season if we’re both driving kotse eh dati pag tag-ulan, I don’t bring na my car, we just ride the CRV kasi yun mataas, hindi delikado sa baha. Second, paano na when we need an SUV – like punta kami sa rough road, etc. Third, wala na kaming bigger car and fourth, love namin pareho yung CRV lalo na yun folding table nya, perfect for picnics.

I know our reason not to sell it are so mababaw, kaya talaga the reason for selling it is for practicality. I actually had tears in my eyes when hubby informed me today that it’s final that we’re selling it. I can just imagine how confused will kurt is going to be kasi alam nyang sa min yun CRV tapos biglang si daddy2 na nya ang gagamit. Eh hubby told him pa na sa kanya na yung CRV. LOL! 3 years old pa lang eh may sarili nang kotse.

Ako po'y nanawagan kay Anabellee. You left a comment regarding this post. I actually tried to check your profile so I can email the list, unfortunately, I did not see any link to a blog or email address. So, Anabellee, if you're still a frequent visitor of my blog, please send me your contact info so I can send you the list of bank acquired properties that my brother is trying to dispose.

I changed my blog layout! isn't obvious? LOL!

I grew tired of my blog's look. I actually wanted to customize my header, unfortunately, I'm using my office laptop and I don't have my photoshop here so I just settled on choosing from the available templates in blogger.

I kinda like it but let me know if you think the last one is better ok?

See this post here? I attempted to do this for like five times! Well, it's my first time to use my cellphone for blogging. Medyo hirap pa ko to post after creating the entries. For whatever reason, nawawala sya while I try to put the cursor in publish post button. Oh well! in time I will learn and in time I will enjoy this more. At least now, I can read blogs using my phone, just need to practice actually writing one!

I've been to Hongkong once. I had that trip late last year. It was an official trip with my officemates for a SOX training. We extended our stay until saturday to have the chance to go around. We went to Victoria's Peak and our next itinerary is supposed to be shopping. However, since all of us four are first timers in HK, we were not able to enjoy shopping. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed each others company. Our bloopers, we have a lot of that! So, why all of a sudden I'm posting this?! Well, because I read about a HK trip here.

I have been for so long seeing the posts that my favorite bloggers have been doing regarding paid blogging. I sometimes end up reading even that because they have a way of making paid blogging interesting. Now, I think I want to join the bandwagon. I am so enticed with this. I love blogging so I decided to give it a try. So, what a first timer should do? research of course! and that is when I came across blogvertise.com. I heard from some of my favorite bloggers that this is the right place to go to start paid blogging. So paid blogging here I come!!

Saw this in Chelle's blog so I got curious.

Aquarius horoscope 2008 brings forth the positive changes in the career field for Aquarians. New avenues and opportunities would grow in the year ahead that would also bring much success. Travel is on the cards for Aquarius people according to the horoscope. The year 2008 would surely give you many travel stories to add to your travel journal. The professional front can witness a positive change for the people born under Aquarius zodiac sign. The stars talk of either a complete change of career course or even the job. The Aquarius horoscope 2008 calls for expansion in the career field till November 2008.
However the lack of flexibility can result in some losses in business. Apart from these minor losses, the year 2008 talks of only financial gains.

Unfortunately the Aquarius horoscope 2008 also talks of problems in marital relationships. These problems would be more pronounced in the month of July. After this there is a scope for betterment in love relationships, as the blocks or hurdles will get removed. A silent feeling of resentment may remain in the relationship, which should be guarded against.

Try to avoid any major controversies in the love relationships. Though Aquarius people who are single and not in a relationship may expect to meet someone interesting in the year 2008. The horoscope also talks of Aquarius people setting high goals for themselves and also working towards completing them. It further advises people born under this sign to not to give undue importance to frustrations and small failures in life.


Whew!! I like the first part, so happy about the travel thing and possitive professional change. Got scared lang sa second part about problems in marital relationship. I guess it least I was warned, to avoid any major controversies. Gosh! God bless us.

My brother works in a rural bank in Batangas and they have a lot of repossesed properties, mostly in Batangas but there are a few in Rizal, Cavite, Mindoro, Bulacan and Marikina. Of course these properties are cheaper as the bank really want to dispose them so they can convert it to cash that they can use. So, if you're interested, let me know so I can send you the list. In the past, there were really good properties sold such as overlooking lot in Nasugbu, Batangas. Type of properties are: house and lot, residential lots, agricultural lot.

Yipee!!! finally got all the necessary papers from my insurance. Now the ball is in Honda Makati's hands. They can now start with all the ordering and repairs. I just can't wait to finally have my car back.

Haaay... I fell in love late last month with this phone, Nokia N82. You see, I still have the old Nokia 6260. During that time, the in thing was the flip phones, actually medyo late na rin ako when I bought that but I love that phone. I never envied those who had newer model phones after that, wala akong pakialam sa new models that are 3G kasi for me, my phone still does its job, which for me are: for SMS, calls and take pictures. But then for some time na, nagloloko ang phone ko, as in it hangs up when I do SMS, when i use it to call the other line can't hear me so I've been thinking if it is the time to change phones. Ako na rin lang yata ang taong natitira with this phone but I dont mind, I'm actually happy kasi mine was matibay. My sister's, SIL's, nephew's 6260 all got busted and cannot be repaired anymore. So proud ako that mine's still working. So, sabi ko since I'll be replacing din, might as well look for a phone with these features which are important to me:
1. Basic call and text
2. Great for taking pictures (this is logical as a cameraphone can mostly likely capture moments kasi I always take it with me except when home)
3. Wifi functionality (I love to blog and browse other people's blog and given that there are a lot of free wifi spots now, this is a great functionality too)
and 4th, but not really a priority as this is provider specific, MobileTV capable.

I searched and searched the web for this. Basta best if I can have four features, better if i can have the first three and good enough if only the two. I was about to settle with SEK510i (which is good for the first 2 features) when I came across N82 and I know, this is the phone for me. Big factor talaga sa kin ang camera and this has wifi pa so really great. The 4th, I can live without it as I am also a Globe subscriber.

I am so tempted to buy na as this is available for installment in Avant, Greenbelt but I've decided to wait until the price goes down, anyway it was just released last November. BUT today, I passed by Avant again and saw the phone, haaay.... then came across pa these reviews from Juicelog and Symbian-freak. Now I don't know what to do.

It's two hours before New Year. I am taking the chance to greet everyone a very happy new year.

Happy New Year!!!! Welcome 2008.

I am optimistic of what the new year will bring. I am excited for the new chance, the new hope, new opportunities.

I pray to God that it will be a peaceful year for our country. That our family be healthy all the year through, more love and kindness.

Since I am so delayed in my posting, I will have this summary page again to remind me of what to write. I am just waiting for my phone's battery to completely charge then I'll post na my entries complete with pictures.

1. Christmas parties we attended
2. My Starbucks planner
3. Barney show
4. Christmas eve in Batangas
5. Christmas day in Manila

Wishful thinking. I thought after my weeklong training last week, I'll be able to blog and bloghop. I forgot that we need to do our christmas shopping, wrap the gifts, christmas parties, etc.

We had our second batch of christmas gifts shopping last weekend. First attempt on saturday in greenhills. Unfortunately, I was only able to buy one polo shirt. Why? kasi na-guilty akong iwan si kurt sa bahay on a weekend so sinama ko sila ng yaya. Kaso mo, he won't let me touch nor look at anything. As in he'll say No touch mama or No look mama. Kaya ayun. That sunday, we went to Divisoria with the hope of finishing everything. GRABE!! super dami tao. We expected that there'll be a lot of people but never expected that it will be that plenty. We were so tired and harassed na sa sobrang pagod eh we bought most of our gifts in one store.

The nights that followed was spent on wrapping gifts. Abuso sa dami! Since sunday night up to monday night, we wrapped 87 gifts!!! grabe noh! para kaming nagta-trabaho sa department store sa dami ng gifts na binalot. And, majority of that eh gifts pa lang ni hubby sa officemates nya, plus some gifts to my officemates. I still have to complete my gift wrapping for my officemates. Then wrap pa gifts to family and friends. Uber talaga! Good thing I enjoy wrapping gifts but I really never expected that hubby will give that plenty of gifts to officemates. Tapos, we only start with the wrapping really late na kasi busy din with parties and all.

Last night, hindi na kinaya ng katawan ko to wrap gifts kasi went home really late na from a dinner with the Bautista girls. We had dinner na lang instead of bridal shower for Aimee. We ate in Misato in Metrowalk.

Oh, and I went shopping din pala last night in Tiendesitas for some more gifts. Still a lot to buy based on my list and I intend to do it this lunch break.

Need to buy toys and gifts for my friends, the calipanga kids and couples as we'll have lunch tomorrow = )

Just to help me remember what I will post once I have more time to do blogging, I'm listing here the happenings:

1. the day before our anniversary
2. our wedding anniversary day
3. weekend anniv celebration
4. who i met in my training and where did i get this title
5. blogging everywhere
6. our christmas gift to kurt

That's it! Hopefully by friday, I can go back to my usual blogging schedule...

Just droppin' by. Been busy with a lot of stuff lately. About our anniversary, everything turned out really well! As in! really happy about the outcome. Miss posting on this blog and reading my fave blogs!

Dec. 1 2007, that was the date that I joined the rest of yuppies going crazy over Starbucks 2008 planner. I am a coffee drinker, but since there is a Figaro in our office I seldom go to Starbucks to buy my coffee for the day. I was also not interested with the planner as I had this the first year that they had this promo, and i never used that planner. But curiousity got the better side of me. When I saw how nice the planner is, I know I have to. I have to have it. So, starting that day, I am one of the hundreds of people falling in line in Starbucks, most especially last Tuesday, Dec. 4 until tomorrow because of the promo. On those few days, I already got 13 stickers! 11 more to go and I will finally have the coveted planner. It's soooo nice. More pics and info about it from Dessert comes first.

It's thanksgiving day in the US today. I am sad, although I experienced it twice in my life only (last year and 2005) I somehow miss this holiday.

I miss the Macy's thanksgiving parade, i miss the turkey, cranberry sauce, the pumpkin pie, and most of all, I will miss the Black Friday Sale!!!

whhhaaa.... i remember last year, ate and I went to Best Buy at 5am in the morning to buy my videocam. I remember being surprised to see the long line of people and I remember how funny I was because I went out of the car in the middle of the road because it's so traffic going inside the parking area. I remember ate and I hurrying up inside the store to make sure na hindi ako maubusan. We finished our electronics shopping muna before we had a good breakfast then went back shopping again.

this year, i am eyeing for the portable dvd. actually, i wanted to buy this na last year but francis won't let me. and that want wont go away as until now I still want to buy it. if i am in the US now, I will buy this. i went online to check for the black friday sale ads. and i saw a Sony - 8" 16:9 widescreen LCD portable DVD player for $169.99 from original price of $189.99.

Not really big savings but it still made me want to buy a portable dvd. hay...

Was browsing through my fave nawies blogs when I saw this tag and snagged it = )

1) What’s the brand of your wristwatch?
Anne Klein (formal), Fossil (casual), Nike (sporty), an unbranded cute white watch I bought in Target and another cute unbranded bangle watch I bought in HK

2) What’s the brand of your bracelet?
My faves - Charriol, others - no brand kasi yung mga cheapo bead bracelets lang then the formal ones are unbranded from inay pa

3) What’s the brand of your cell phone?
Nokia - i am ever so loyal

4) What’s the brand of your computer?
Office laptop is IBM T60 while my personal laptop is a white Sony Vaio

5) What’s the brand of your bags?
Nine West handbags and laptop bag(i love the laptop bag I bought), Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Lacoste (my fave), RL (another fave), Samsonite laptop bags, Kenneth Cole. I mostly bought my handbags now during my two trips in the US, the last one last year was the most that I bought. Only bag I bought here are my Lacoste bags as it is cheaper here. I also have pala the free bags from Clinique and Obagi, hehehehe...

6) What’s the brand of your undies?
Bench body, Soen, triumph

7) What’s the brand of your flip-flops?
Havaianas.

8 ) What’s the brand of your shoes?
My two boots from Nine West, Naturalizer sandals (sarap sa paa), Rockport office shoes, Liz Clairborne office shoes, Diesel casual snickers, other sandals that I bought in the US I can't remember na the brands kasi nabura na rin, Keds sandals, etc.

9) What’s the brand of your wallet?
Tibay ng Tommy ko na wallet, I bought in 2005 pa in the US pero until now ok pa rin. I bought na nga a replacement wallet when I had my US trip last year pero di ko pa nagamit until now

10) What’s the brand of your shirts?
Plain round necks that I use as inner shirts in the office are from Jockey, casual shirts I'm using right now are mostly stuff I bought in the US last year then puro polo shirts na from Kamiseta, Lacoste

11) What’s the brand of your TV?
Sony

12) What’s the brand of your cars?
Loyal Honda. Hubby drives Honda crv while ako, Honda city. Hubby will have another car this december pero di pa settled whether he'll get the Mazda 3 or the Honda civic

13) What’s the brand of your mp3 player?
Is IPOD video under this category? that's what I have which I very seldom use

14) What’s the brand of your make up?
Not a make-up person but I have Bare Escentuals bought from the US then my powder Body Shop, lip gloss nivea then other make-ups are from my sis in the US, different brands na. If i buy here, I always buy from Body Shop

15) What’s the brand of your shampoo and conditioner?
Garnier Fructis shampoo (last stock from my US purchases), loyal Creme Silk white conditioner user, Ilog Maria shampoo. I'm targeting to try Pantene after consuming my big bottle of Garnier Fructis

16) What’s the brand of your jeans?
if i buy here, i buy the local brands like Jag, Lee. Sa US, kung anong available na eksakto sa kin ang haba and maganda ang fit

17) What’s the brand of your laundry soap?
No idea. this is MIL's territory.