not yet over ...

with my holiday shopping.

Despite getting two cases of wine and ordering gift baskets for my colleagues, I still need to get few gift items for my sales team. Aside from my Bayan-colleagues, I need to get gifts for our valued-clients too such as the promotional items I saw online. Diaries, desk calendars, laptop bags, notepads and pens that bears our company name and logo.

So what I have shopped so far? I am done with all the kids gift. For our cousins, nieces and nephews as well as our inaanaks. Thanks to my early toy shopping frenzy at Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale. Aside from wines and gift baskets for hubby's colleagues, I already pre-ordered brownies from Becky's. All waiting to be distributed on the 16th or as soon as the personalized gift tags available from Adworks.

I also went to Divisoria and 168 Mall yesterday and was able to get gifts for Sam's classmates, gifts for the family, helpers and drivers. Despite the horrendous traffic and people at Divisoria, I was able to successfully buy give-aways, table centerpieces, chinese lanterns and tokens for our upcoming Chinese-themed party too. I also got nice blouses again from Juana, my fave shop at 168 Mall.

But, I still need to get gifts for my immediate family. For my in-laws and also gifts for hubby and Ico. Plus small gift items for Samantha since she accidentally found her gift from Santa. And of course, gifts for our kris-kringle. I am hoping I'll complete my Christmas list shopping by 2nd week of December. Despite the holiday rush, I just love the last mintue shoppping. The traffic, the jam-packed malls, and all the Christmas frenzy shopping ... crazy, but it gives me a different kind of rush. lol. How about you, are you done with all your Christmas shopping?

GIFT Class

Not sure if I've posted before about Sam's GIFT class. Every other Friday, the nursery students dedicate 1.5 hours for GIFT class activity. This is a non-academic related class, but instead it teaches extra-curricular activities like sports, arts and crafts. Last quarter, they had gymnastics. And for this quarter, swimming class. Really cool, huh?! It teaches students not to be academically smart, but it enhances self-confidence and develop their love for outdoor activities. It molds the student to be a well-rounded individual: academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. True Paulinian values.

For the swimming class, each student were asked to bring the ff swimming gear: goggles, swimming cap, one-piece bathing suit (mind you, sexy 2-piece suits a NO-NO!). They should also be accompanied by parents or yaya. The companions are allowed to stay at the sideline to watch, while the swim teachers takes care of each student.

Nursery students excitedly preparing for the swimming class

Samantha with the aid of swim teachers ... learning how to swim


Fun time in the pool

somebody's been very busy

Yes, somebody's been very busy now ... and that is, the little bratinella. Busy as bee with her new Dora V-tech toy. She accidentally found all the TK shopping loots inside the guest room, under the bed. Still unwrapped. Darn! Santa's not careful to hide all the Christmas toys. lol.

Anyway, the overly excited girl begged to open her toy. With all the pleas and shower of kissses, I naturally gave in. How can I resist all those pleas and pleading eyes? Hahaha. Thus, the supposedly Christmas present was opened in no time. Which makes the little girl blissfully happy and busy the entire wekeend.

Now I need to replace this gift. Need to buy her another present for her to open on Christmas eve. I need to check online possible gift options for Sam. Aside from checking toys online, need to find slim 10 for myself. Need to trim down my present weight to prepare my body for all the holiday festivities. With all the parties, eating and drinking, I am sure I'll gain weight if I don't watch my diet soon. Can't afford to gain extra pounds, you know. :)

bath time investments

Taking a shower is always the same as … taking a shower. And the experience associated with taking a bath or a shower varies in different levels. One can say that as long as the essential (cleaning ones’ self) is there, taking a bath will always be the same.

But as the saying goes … “its not the end goal, but rather the journey” somehow holds true even when taking a bath. As for this writer, the experience of taking a bath is a function of the shower faucet being used. shower faucets varies in different nozzles and the manner of how the water hits one’s self determines the “pleasure” of taking a bath.

Some would want it like a “drizzle” on one’s skin. Others would want it as “hard” as it comes. But whatever the peculiarities, it all boils down to the shower faucets being used. One can argue that shower faucets cost a bundle and that is why the cheap ones are more preferred. But you have to remember that you take a bath “everyday” … and that certainly make it sensible to invest on these shower faucets.

in search of luggage

As I’ve blogged here, hubby is scheduled to leave for Macau two weeks from now. Aside from his present passport problem, I found out that one of our travel luggages is missing. You see we have Delsey luggage sets in varying sizes. The smaller size, which is ideal for short trips nowhere to be found! I’ve asked our helpers to bring out all our travel luggage to have it cleaned, and search for the bag. But in spite of the house search, the Delsey bags cannot be found. As far as I remember, it was hubby who last used this luggage from his business meeting in Cebu. Hmmm… where could it be? Partly I have this feeling that the luggage was borrowed by Mom. I am just not sure if she mistakenly took the delsey luggage over the travel bag she borrowed months back. Knowing my mom, this might be the perfect reason why the travel bag is missing. I just hope and pray that my gut-feel is correct. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to buy another small luggage for our short business travels. And it is really a must have for us especially in our line of work wherein we constantly attends out of town workshops, seminars and meetings at work.

outfit test

What This Outfit Says About You

You are a stylish example for all. You are very put together. You are glamourous and modern. You're the type of person who starts trends. Besides wearing the right thing, you often say and do the right thing. You are the perfect mix of wit and poise. Your high end fashion designer match: Michael Kors Your must have accessory: A gold watch

The Outfit Test

PAL Swingaround Promo

My hands are shaking, my eyes gleaming in excitement when I saw Philippine Airlines Swingaround Promo early this evening from the Philippine Star. Imagine travelling to great destinations at a great prices! I am sooo excited!!

Very timely promo indeed. As I've posted few weeks back, hubby and I are saving up for a "big" travel next year. We have no confirmed destination yet but we are planning to go abroad for honeymoon --- to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary on February. Thus, I was surprised with the Swingaround Promo of PAL. Imagine traveling to Guam at $229++, Honolulu $404++, HongKong at $117++, Sydney at $671++ and more US & Asian destinations at an amazing price. (note: I didn't bother to list other travel destinations since I am very particular with Guam or Honolulu only. lol!)

Anyway, the price provided above are based on twin-sharing accommodation. Travel dates are subject to availability. And of course, surcharges, fees not included. The Swingaround Promo includes the ff:

*RT Fiesta Class airfare from Manila

*RT airport transfer and daily breakfast in most destinations
*Hotel accommodaton
*City tour in Bangkok, Hongkong, Honolulu, Macau and Tokyo only.

The catch: Validity, departure dates and ticketing deadlines vary. These were not mentioned on the ad. So I painstakingly called PAL reservations number for confirmation. No luck. I've been put on hold for more than 45 minutes and I lost my patience. Kakakinis!! Just when I am sooo excited to book for our trip.

Nevertheless out of frustration, I've checked the website for the validity of the promo. Again, no luck to avail the promo for 2009. Travel must be completed on or before December 15. Darn!! I really so wish that I can get promo for our travel next year!! I hate this promo! (yes, I am sooo bitter about it.) I am dead-set to book for Hawaii 3rd week of January to coincide with hubby's annual Pacific Telecom Council (PTC) meeting on January 18-21. Aaargghhh... I so want to go to Hawaii!! But I want to go on a promo fare. I don't want to pay $850 for my airfare alone. Too much!! And if I bring Sam along, that would be $1700++ for both of us. Imagine, how many LV and Chanel bags I can buy with this amount.

Still very much frustrated...I wish PAL would extend the promo for next year. I've been dreaming to go on a beach vacation in Waikiki. I want to enjoy the sun, sand, and wear my skimpy bikini suit!lol. Well of course I need to prep myself by seriously considering take diet pills . Hahaha! Anyway, really wishing and hoping.