China Trip: Macau and Beijing

For the past weeks, I've been very busy checking out best value fare and tour packages in the web. My highschool friends decided it's about time for us to have our ME time, and the best place to go girl bonding ... CHINA! Yes, we are all excited to be travelling alone (note: no husband and kids) and have some real, clean fun. It'll be a simple trip to explore China for 4 days and 3 nights, particularly tour Beijing by August 27-30. Enjoy the sights of Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, walk at the Great Wall of China amd Temple of Heaven.

And for our shopping trip, ultimate destination ... Macau by May 28-31. Though I've been to Macau several times already, this coming trip will be a totally different one since we shall be doing our shopping time without restrictions (read: no husbands!) LOL. It'll be an ultimate store hopping at the Venetian. Bag and shoe-shopping galore! I totally heart. Anyway, with all of these travel plans, I am now busy searching for insurance online quote as our travel protection. With all of us women going on a trip solo, I am sure we need to be protected in a foreign land. What don't you think?

party updates

14 days to go ... and it will be Migo's big day. Baptism preparations almost done. Settled with suppliers and even paid partial payments. Food catered by Josiah's. Though we wanted to try Syracuse catering for our event since we heard good raves about them, unfortunately they are not available in our area. Too bad. Anyway, almost ready except for the cake and give-aways. I've already shortlisted my cake suppliers, and just waiting for the best quote. For the tokens ... well, unfortunately I haven't finalized anything yet. I have so many ideas in mind ...but due to budget constraints, need to be practical and choosy. Wish me luck to decide on my baptism tokens soon. If I can't find the right tokens ... might end up providing cupcakes from my cake suppliers. Simple yet very, very yummy. Very practical choice.

intermittent connectivity

I am hating my internet connectivity now! This is an understatement. The truth, I really, really hate my internet connectivity. For months now, I am having intermittent connectivity which is why I am having problems with my uploads, blogging and even online surfing. I can't even enjoy doing my online shopping! So frustrating, that even my cousin who called to share about her great finds at philadelphia inquirer jobs, I can't even browse or check the site. Very bad. Need to switch internet service provider asap.

perfect body bag

Never thought I am gonna get a body bag for myself. Well, I don't have plans to own one before ... but, when the little squirt arrived a few months ago, I've decided to get a nice body bag. The idea, is to have my hands free when travelling so I can easily hold the little boy and my shopping purchases! LOL. But seriously, I think it is more practical to own a body bag when you are out with the kids. Safe and convenient to use.

Do check out LV Bloomsbury PM in Damier print. Husband bought it again from his usual business trip, LV Hawaii. A lot cheaper compared to LV Manila or any LV store in Asia. Yes, the body bag in Damier print again ... can't get over the damier print still! Anyway, another lovely addition to my growing damier collection. Hehehe!

The package : from catalogues, boxes and bags from Hawaii

LV Bloomsbury PM in Damier Ebene

Stressful

...this is how I can describe my day today. Since I’ve been away for two months on a maternity leave, work piled on my desk and my inbox screaming with messages. I don’t know where I should start. Everything seems important. Everything needed yesterday. Very, very bad. I’ve been missing a lot of things lately, small project details and it is not good. If I continue to be like this, my life will be toxic and stressful. Will be needing tons of anti-ageing cream to do away those lines brought by stress from work. Luckily, I've found best anti aging product in the market. Oh well, enough complaining. Off to work as I need to get my groove back asap!

on hospital expenses

Notice how the hospital bill increased for the past five years? I was really surprised with our local hospital's charges when I was admitted for normal section delivery last November. I was shocked when the husband settled the final bill and compared it to my previous delivery. A hefty twenty percent increase! I just can't believe that the rates : procedures, labaratory exams, consults and including rooms increased this much from the time I was admitted four years ago. It's way too expensive! Though we have hospital insurance coverage from our work, but looking at their present rates ... still unbelievably high. There are even more restrictions when it comes to coverage. Because of this, my mom is having second thoughts if she would proceed wih her hemorrhoids treatment given the drastic price increase. Sadly, only half of her hospital bill will be shouldered by the healthcard ... and the rest, will be charged to her personal account. Of course, I forced her to proceed without thinking about the hospital expense, because money is nothing compared t the life be saved from early correction or diagnose to cure the problem. Don't you agree?

online loots

What's keepin' me busy lately? online loots. Hahaha! For the past weeks been busy checking out shoes for my little boy, boots for my little girl, bag for myself, baby bag for my use and of course, shoes for me. So far, was able to get these items:

Longchamp Le Pliage Eiffel Tower

Tory Burch Thong Sandals

Shopping online truly addicting, isn't it. My credit card took a bad beating this month from all my online purchases. From Balenciaga bags, RL to Tory Burch shoes ... endless shopping and I just can't stop! Save me from this insanity! LOL.

is it working?

I think so. After weeks of taking diet pills ... think I was able to shed off few pounds. Yes, 2 lbs less of my post preggo weight not bad, eh? I am losing weight slowly and gradually and I hope to continue this in the next months to come. Though I want quick weight loss pills, of course, that would be impossible. What do you expect? I just gave birth two months ago and I am still breastfeeding my baby. No crash diet as it will have an effect on my milk production. Thus, I have to take my diet pills religiously. So what do you think, does it work? Be honest. Hehehe!

baptism preparations update

Baptism preparations already in full swing. As a matter of fact, almost done and just waiting for the big day. And since I am on my last three weeks preparations before the actual big day. I've already covered most of the major items needed for the party. Until, there was a minor hitch last week on the baptism date.

After booking all the party suppliers, and settled fifty-percent downpayments, I've learned that our annual sales incentive trip will coincide with my original baptism sked of February 6. The team will celebrate at Phuket for three days from February 5-7. Wow, talk about perfect timing, eh? I almost fell on my chair when I received the call from our trip organizers. Now I am not sure if I should move my baby's baptism or stick to it!

At this point, haven't made any changes yet. I am still praying our trip to be re-scheduled to other dates. If not, I am pretty sure it will give me a bad headache re-scheduling and talking to party suppliers. And will badly need strivectin anti-ageing cream to remove all those wrinkles caused by my baptism party pressure. Hahaha!

the baptism invite

Before I proceed with my research on the best colon cleansing treatment available on the web for my aunt, allow me to share with you the draft baptism invite I got from Adworks.

Cutie, don't you think so? Though I love the overall theme, Baseball with red, black and white colors ... unfortunately, the invite doesn't look like appropriate for baptism, right? It seems the invite made to celebrate my son's 1st birthday instead. LOL. Well, aside from his actual physique quite big for his age at 2 months, the invite no longer suggests baby themed party but for tots already. Thus, I asked another invite-maker to provide me a different perspective of invite ... more of baby approach design this time. Now I am eager to see the layout. Can they make my little squirt look like a real baby? Hehehe! I sure hope so.

business role model

As I was about to search famous business entrepreneurs for my review, I came across a material about richard willich. A famous entrepreneur, philantrophist and patriot who came from South Chicago. As I was reading his humble beginnings, I admired his business acumen which led him to one of the famous businessman in America. He worked hard, successfuly climbed the corporate ladder and became the CEO of MDI Holdings, a multi milion dollar Florida based company focused on health care services. Immediately I showed this site to my son, Ico and asked him to read the humble beginnings of Richard Willich. Appreciate the kind of life he led, and let him be an inspiration to achieve his dreams and goals. Nothing is impossible ...even in America.

Happy Birthday, Ico!

Today marks the 14th Birthday of my eldest son, Ico. Yes I have a fourteen-year old son who happens to be the big brother of Samantha and Miguel. How time flies so fast! I can still clearly remember when I had to struggle taking care of Ico at a very young age. Raising a kid and studying at the same time. You can say I started mommyhood and matured in life early, and became not only responsible for myself but to my little boy as well. With big dreams for my son, I continued to study, stand on my own. Fought for him and became strong despite all the odds in my life.

And with great pride, I am happy to say I've raised a wonderful and responsible child. Very smart and bright kid. Big and gentle brother to Miguel and Samantha. On your 14th Birthday, I wish you all the best.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ICO! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

car loans

Received an email from my aunt based in Indiana requesting for car loan assistance. She's about to go home by end of January and she wanted a new vehicle ready by the time she arrives. She's requesting if possible if we can assist her to expedite her car loan. Though will try to talk to the loan officer, but I think the approval truly impossible, as of now. Though the cash downpayment already available, unfortunately the required documents not yet ready such as employment certification, ITRs and bank statements. It will be impossible to have th car ready in a matter of weeks time. Nevertheless, we are still pushing for the car's availability by mid-February. Anyway, the car prices remains the same even there will be delays in loan processing and approval. That's the positive side. Anyway, I am hoping everything will turn out well for my aunt. They've been waiting for this time to finally own their dream car.

graduating by march

Finally, my sister will be graduating from her nursing course this March. After four years, she'll finally wear the white scrubs and do what she loves most ... be of service to the people. And with her upcoming graduation, I am thinking of organizing a small party for the family to celebrate this new chapter of her life. Anyway, since my Mom wanted it to be a surprise party, she already asked me to prepare everything for the party from caterers, decors, party venue and even extending the graduation announcements to our family and friends. I just hope we can keep the party a secret until her graduation day.

travel plans

Before I search for possible Outer Banks vacation rentals for my aunt in North Carolina, allow me to share our travel plans for the family this year. Since we are still recovering from recession, and travel budget quite tight this time, the husband and I have decided to just go for two out of the country trips for the year.

First, to celebrate our 6th year anniversary, we chose to tour Tokyo, Japan this time. Travel period by end of March, just in time to catch the cherry blossom festival. Wouldn't miss Disneysea and Sanrio Land.

And second trip with the kids probably first week of June to celebrate my birthday. Last year, we went to Hongkong but this time, Singapore it is! It will be perfect time to visit with the opening of Universal Studios and of course, the Great Singapore Sale. LOL.

If budget still permits, I am still negotiating with the husband to do quick visit at my fave get-away place, Hongkong to bring the kids again at Disneyland. Yes, my fave place and I can't fathom the idea of omitting HK from our travel plans this year. Hahaha! Let's see and I do hope and pray to go here together with my siblings and their family.

LVOE dillema

As I've blogged earlier, the husband is off to Hawaii by next week. As much as I want to join him on his upcoming trip, I can't. Due to some financial reasons, I begged off. I've decided not worth joining since he will only be staying for 5-days only. I will be forced to tour Honolulu alone since he will be attending conference most of the time. Hence, as I normally do yearly everytime he goes here ... instead of spending for my airfare, I would ask the husband to bring home "nice" item for me. Hahaha! For me, Hawaii equates to a brand new LV bag for me. LOL!

Getting new LV item difficult for me this time, I am in dillema. I can't seem to find anything I want. But, since the husband is leaving and the LV bag prices really good here ... might as well take advantage! And now, can't decide which one to get. Oh, nothing major but I plan to ask the husband to get me something Damier Ebene again! LOL. Check out my wishlist below:

LV Bloomsbury PM -- body bag for travel at $870 ... very practical and feminine as well. Witho ur upcoming Japan trip, think this bag will be very useful. I can simply stash my celphone, passport, money inside without hassle. The PM size not that big nor too small to fit everything. I LVOE IT.

LV Keepall 50 (can't find pics in Ebene color)-- no strap priced at $970.00. Lovely to complete my Damier entourage when travelling, don't you think so?

LV Eva Clutch -- (Yes again!) at $550 I can't get this off my mind. I already had my Eva cluth last July from SNG but sold it after two months ... and still unused! Crazy eh! Well, I sold mine since I find it impractical to use. Too small for my frame. But, I can't get this baby out of my mind! Hahaha! I still want it!!

LV Insolite Wallet in Damier priced at $565.00 I like this wallet since it fits more card slots. Bigger and more practical to use since it can hold more cards and with plenty of room to stuff receipts. I wonder if LV will release Damier print with a twist of color. Perhaps Red, that will be a perfect combination! :)

Anyway, now I am in dillema. I just need to pick one and need to decide fast ... seven days to go and the husband is bound for Hawaii.

in need of suits

The husband will leave again for Hawaii a week from now to attend the annual Pacific Telecoms Council event. But before leaving for Hawaii, he's bound to Indonesia this coming Tuesday for a very important contract singing with their telecom partners. As always, the husband instructed me to prepare all his business suites as well as casual attires for all his meetings. Surprisingly, he also asked me to check out some tuxedos online since he will also be needing one for the corporate ball event. Hahaha, as if he can get the the suit within one week! Anyway, who knows ... probably the tuxedos might arrive on time. Otherwise he will be forced to wear his ever fave black suit for the event. Let's see.

best household appliance

Remember the Ondoy typhoon last September 28? It was one of the worst typhoon that ever hit our country as many people lost their property, homes and even lives because of this tragedy. However, after three months and holiday celebrations, people were abe to recover and move on.

Like us, though we were not so much but we also had our share of story to recover from that typhoon incident. We rented a temporary home to make our lives somehow comfortable especially I was pregnant that time. We bought new household appliance such as aircon, stove and small 14" inch TV.

Among all the new appliance I bought, the TV was the best investment I made. Though we missed buying the tv stand last time, the new TV was given and now used by our helpers for their entertainment. Of course, our helpers were very happy and thankful that Ondoy left them a souvenir ... the TV, which now they enjoy most of the time. I guess it was really indeed the best household appliance ever purchased, and the husband totally agrees.

Happy New Year!

The year 2009 proved to be a very fruitful and wonderful year for us. We were given so much blessings and we are so thankful because of these. We were blessed with good health, had a safe pregnancy despite my busy and on the go schedules, blessed with a new baby, new business venture for the husband, opportunity to travel (from work and personally), re-kindled my friendship with old classmates, did very, very well in our work, and of course, blessed with good friends and colleagues. The past year have been incredibly good to us. Can't ask for more.

For Year 2010, we hope and pray it would even be better and beautiful year for the husband and I. More blessings and productive one since it's my year ... Year of the Tiger! Roooaaaarrrr!!!

And to my family and friends out there : May the good Lord continue to bless you and your family with things that matter most in life - a gift of good health, happy home and peace of mind throughout the year.

Happy New Year!!