the black car ...

... gone in 90 minutes.

My 42-month old Honda City A/T car was just posted three days ago at our company's classified ads portal, and it was immediately bought by an ex-colleague last Friday. Though I know I am bound to let go of the car eventually, but it never occurred to me that it would be negotiated, paid and taken in less than 90 minutes that day. It happened so fast! Surprsingly fast. I was not even prepared to let go of my car, and the husband and I haven't even formally said our good-byes to her.

The buyer loved what he saw and offered outright cash payment. We went to the nearest BPI bank (which is just 3-minutes away from my office), and transferred the payment to my account. Yes, transferred the payment without even executing deed of sale. Very trusting buyer!

Hence, after our 15-minute bank visit, I immediately cleared my personal belongings, sadly stashed my things inside a big plastic bag, handed the car keys and legal documents to the new owner and unceremoniously signed the Deed of Sale. Lastly, using my camera phone, took some pictures of the car and bid my short farewell to her. Then the car was gone approximately within 90-minutes.

Suddenly, I was left with a heavy and sad heart as it leaves the parking area. It pains me seeing the black car driven by a stranger. When I went to work that morning, it never occurred to me that it would be my last day to ride or drive this baby. Never did it crossed my mind that it'll be my last time to sing and laugh inside it. My black Honda car ... my refuge and comfort zone from the city madness for the past three years.

By lunchtime, the husband called me and with a sad voice it dawned to him that the black car already gone. Call it delayed reaction, but he too felt a big part of us already gone... gone forever. But as a consolation, the husband told me the car served its purpose. It was used well. Lovingly cared by the family. And it was sold at the right time, at a right price. And it's about time to move on ...

Tory Burch Madness

As I browse the web for possible sleep number bed for big brother Ico, I was inspired to browse Tory Burch's website. Since some of my friends adores and tells me how comfy Tory Burch Reva flats were, thus, I thinking of getting one for myself as possible preggo shoes for me.

But, lo and behold ... instead of checking out the reva flats, I found myself browsing Tory Burch handbags/tote collection. You see, I am more of a bag hag than a shoe person. And the Tory Burch bags really irresistible not to mention reasonable! I simply adore the bags below and I am thinking of getting one for myself soon. LOL.

1. Tory Burch Logo Clutch : my priority choice. Ideal for parties, or even day and night use. Simple, elegant yet very girly.

2. Tory Burch Nicole East West Bag : I love big bags and I think this will be ideal for my usual office use.

3. Tory Burch Audrie Tote in Black : Just like Item 2 above, this will be perfect for my everyday office use.

Now I am even more excited to order these bags online. I am hoping my paypal money will be enough to cover my Tory Burch cravings. If not possible, any idea where in HK I can find the Tory Burch store?

Real Deal Promo Re-booking

It's frustrating that the global swine flu scare hampers all our travel plans, but this may sound good news to others who availed the Real Deal Promo like me. I received an email correspondence from PAL Wecare regarding my request for possible cancellation or re-booking of flight for HK this June. Please read on ...

Dear Ms. Soriano,

Please be advised that Philippine Airlines will permit rebooking only for tickets purchased from the Real Deal promotion, without penalty. Refunding, rerouting, upgrading to a higher fare type and endorsing the tickets to other airlines, however, is not permitted.New travel dates must still be within the prescribed travel period of the Real Deal promotion:

Roundtrip tickets for Regional flights within Asia, except Australia, the outbound travel date must be on or within June 1, 2009 to October 15, 2009. The inbound (return) travel must not be more than 8 days from the date of the outbound travel.One-way tickets for Transpacific (US/Canada) flights, the outbound travel date must be on or within June 1, 2009 to December 25, 2009.

Roundtrip tickets for Transpacific and Australia flights, the outbound travel date must be on or within September 1, 2009 to December 25, 2009. The inbound travel must not be more than 21 days from the date of the outbound travel.

Please be advised that No-Show and Non-User’s Fee will be collected, if applicable. Confirmation of seats will be subject to seat availability.For further assistance and details, kindly contact our 24/7 Reservations hotline at (632)855-8888, E-ticket hotline at (632)855-1000 or visit any Philippine Airlines ticket office within your location. For a complete list of our ticket offices, kindly log-on to www.philippineairlines.comand select CONTACT US at the lower portion of the home page.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Philippine Airlines
rd/

Given the recently released promo mechanics above, I am definitely sure that we won't be pushing our travel this coming June. Now I am torn with possible re-booking schedule. What month would it be safe to travel? Will the H1N1 scare be over by August or September? Really not sure. But I guess it will be worth trying than totally cancelling our travel plans for this year.

Summer Get-away at Tagaytay Highlands

As I've posted here, the Mommy Bloggers enjoyed their summer get-away at Tagaytay Highlands. It was a day filled with so much fun and laughter as Mommies, Daddies and kids enjoyed the activities prepared for them. Daddies gamely played the basketball game, kids enjoyed the animal farm and swimming pool, while the Mommies ... busy eating, taking pictures and talking. It was indeed a perfect summer get-away for everyone.

The pretty Mommy Bloggers


Enjoying the pool swim under the summer heat

Kids doing the jump shots

With the success of the Mommy Bloggers first summer get away, I am hoping that we can do this as a yearly tradition. It may not be same activity as what we just did in Tagaytay Highlands, but probably explore a new bonding options like engaging to sports fest or rv camping options with the kids. Awesome idea, don't you think so?

birthday wish

Exactly 30 days from now, I'll be celebrating my x birthday.

You see, as early as now, I am thinking of possible birthday gift for myself. Yes, I always make it a point to have a nice gift as my yearly reward. Call me OA, but birthday gift/celebration is much more big event for the husband and me compared to Christmas or Mother's/Father's Day gift. Hehehe. I don't know why, but I think this has become our "unspoken" practice at home.

Anyway, since I've carefully planned my birthday gift, I am thinking of two options now. Either I give myself the once in a lifetime opportunity to own this or change my old unit to this . Of course, all my gift options already presented to husband since it would require much of his assistance.LOL.

For the first option, I've presented an irresistible deal to him. Whatever the cost, will split 50/50. Not bad eh? Moreover, I feel bad buying this out of my own pocket. It's too much. A mortal sin! LOL. Given that the economy is bad, and almost everyone can feel the economic crunch ... I need to do my share. And of course the husband will not dare spend so much on this luxury item. It's against his principles too. LOL. (Honestly, I cannot afford to buy this on my own! Bwhahaha!)

For the 2nd option, which I think the husband would lovingly agree to it ... sell my old unit and upgrade to this. Downpayment for this will be coming from my old unit and the husband. Syempre dagdag pa din sya! Hehehe. Monthly amortization, shared (?) Hmmm...haven't discussed this portion fully but I think he will agree. Besides, he want to drive this baby. It's a man's car daw!! (now made me think, kanya ata ito gift na ito!?! LOL)

Anyway, no definite decision yet. I've got 30 days more to decide and talk to the husband. Need to present him the risk-benefit analysis of the two options. Hehehe! So, really goodbye to my birthday party na talaga. (shucks, I'm dreaming pa naman to have a grand celebration since I am preggo. Catered food, with live band, and with Bizu catering for dessert .. yummy! All party plans gone.

Let's wait and see ...

C&P Ultimate Challenge Event

The C&P Ultimate Challenge for our local and foreign partners was held at MMLDC Antipolo last Friday, May 8. Despite the "Emong" storm day before the event, surprisingly, the weather cooperated with us. We were able to execute all the outdoor games including the spider web, egg drop and zip line. I am so thankful that we were blessed with good weather, cooperative clients and very supportive marketing team. Perfect formula for a successful event. All in all, everyone had a great time not only with the mental and physical challenges prepared for the clients, but this even continued until the awarding/fellowship night.

The Ultimate Challenge Participants:
From the country managers, sales sheads, technical managers, sales people .. everyone was a good sport.






The C&P Team : Ladies driven with priorities and goal.

The BBiz C&P Team Fellowship Night

Kudos to BBiz Marketing Team for another successful event for the C&P Team. Now, I look forward to another "kakaiba" summer event party next year. And hopefully do something different and grand for our premiere clients this time. Well, that is if budget would not be a problem. I am sure we might consider bringing our clients to first-class resort like Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa in Florida. Oh well, who knows ... maybe next year. I am sure this will be something totally different.

still undecided ...

... for our Hongkong travel this coming June.

Since I will be bringing the entire family to celebrate my birthday in HK, now I am unsure if I will push thru with our travel plans. With all the H1N1 (swine flu) virus scare, I am now hesitant to confirm my hotel reservations. News about the swine flu scare already found in Causeway Bay and with this, I am now having second thoughts of pursuing our trip.

Thus for now, I am holding off our reservations for our hotel. Our plan is to stay two nights at Tsimshatsui, Kowloon area so we can be close to the shopping district like Ocean Terminal and Victoria Harbour. I am torn getting an accommodation amongst: Hotel Nikko HK, Kowloon Hotel or Marriot Renaissance Hotel. Got great deals from these hotels with superior rooms ranging from HK$800-$900 per night only.

For our last night, as a special treat to the kids, we are tentatively booked at Disney Hollywood Hotel. This will be our 2nd time stay here and since then, we love the hotel so much. Very hip and appealing to kids. Plus add the fact that it is cheaper than the Disneyland Hotel. With a two-day Disneyland pass, I am sure staying here will surely be worth it.

So with all these HK travel plans, I am hoping (and praying) that the H1N1 virus be over soon. If the case persists for the next three weeks, I am definitely letting go of our HK trip. Sadly, I cannot re-book or refund our air tickets. Since I got our tickets from PAL's great deal sale, the tickets purchased are non-refundable or non re-bookable. This is the sad part.

Anyway, still hoping for the best ...

8 Things

Tagged by MM.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
* family travel to Hongkong by June.
* business travel to Singapore by June.
* MBAPs Summer Outing by May 16 at Tagaytay Highlands
* family summer outing at Bolinao, Pangasinan by May.
* summer event dubbed as Ultimate Challenge for clients by May 8
* knowing my baby's gender my 5th month
* my full-term pregnancy
* shopping for the new baby :-)

8 Things I did Yesterday :
* meeting with the team for the summer event.
* sent email correspondences
* bank duties.
* surf the net for possible HK hotel accommodation.
* checked online for BPA-free bottles
* gave Samantha her night bath
* ate truffles while blogging at 10pm. hehehe!
* watched CSI series until midnight.

8 Things I wish I could do:
* learn to bake cakes and pastries
* learn new language : Japanese or Chinese
* be serious with dieting.
* get a new exercise equipment for myself and the husband.
* earn more moolah for more travel and bags (hehehe!)
* learn to use DSLR camera and learn photography.
* more family and bonding time with Sam and Ico
* more sleep! I love to sleep lately.

8 shows I watch:
* CSI: Vegas
* CSI: New York
* Dr. House
* Grey's Anatomy
* National Geographic Series
* May Bukas Pa
* Tayong Dalawa
* Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN) --- obvious ba Kapamilya ako! LOL.

8 People I tag:
* Joy
* Jane
* Jody
* Peachy
* Thea
* Kathy
* Aggie
* Apols

she loves ...

midnight snack.

The husband would always happily oblige to little bratinella's wish for take home goodies. Just this Friday, she asked for her favorite pepperoni pizza from Domino's. And last night, the little girl again asked for her favoirte pork siomai from Jade Palace. She's unbelievable! Sam can easily gobble down 2 orders of pork siomai (8 pcs) by herself! And this together with her new found love beef brisket wanton as well. Truly a monster midnight snack. I wonder if I need to reconsider getting her an Anoretix for the next years to come. What do you think?

Samantha, the midnight snack monster!

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing tag snagged from one of my MBAP friends, Peachy.

1. What are your current obsessions? - bags and bags.
2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? - my leggings bought from Bangkok.
3. What’s for dinner? - Sinigang na Hipon (shrimp) and Fried Liempo
4. Last thing you bought? - white maternity shorts from Gingersnaps
5. What are you listening to? - No Air from Jordin Sparks
6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? - Hestia : Goddess of Hearth and Home
7. Favorite holiday spots? - all year round, Hongkong!
8. Reading right now? - Nope. Blogging.
9. 4 words to describe yourself. -one happy, preggo mommy.
10. Guilty pleasure? - shopping.
11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? - the husband.
12. Planning to travel to next? - all booked. Hongkong.
13. Best thing you ate or drank lately? - chocolate truffles from Truffles Shang-rila.
14. When did you last get tipsy? - December 2008, company party.
15. Care to share some wisdom? - Carpe Diem! Seize the day ... make the best of the present moment. Same as : "Hakuna Matata!" No worries. :)
16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you? - Despite all the odds, I have a very good and repsonsible son. I've raised my son very well.