December Twenty Three Twenty Eleven

Our most special day.

A decision we made before God.

One of the best gifts for our child.

A gathering of both families.

A day full of love and happiness.

An unconventional celebration.

Our vows expressed with witnesses.

In sickness or in health.

Til' death do us part.

Thank you Lord for making this happen.

To You we return thy glory.

Sleep, Come To Me..

My eyes are really heavy right now but I still can't get myself to sleep. Perhaps I'm worried that I'm here, so comfortable lying in my bed as I use our wi-fi to create this post using my phone, while my other half is up there in the mountains with no cellular signal, sleeping in a tent, unsure of the current weather condition.

Honestly, I have nothing against outdoor camping. In fact, I am even proud that he found an activity which he thinks suits himself. But looking at a different perspective, mountaineering is somewhat similar to extreme games. You can never tell what you may encounter there and being miles above sea level, how could you ask for help if you're in trouble? Neither iMessage nor BBM works there..

Oh well. I sound a real pessimist now or maybe I just value life that much and I want to be carefree in any activities I engage with.

Lord, please calm my nerves and please keep my husband away from any harm. In Jesus name..

Gifts I truly Love

Thank you Lord for the blessings.. Hubby gave me a new pink Canon Powershot (our Nikon d3000's sibling) and I gave myself a new 32gig iPhone4 after the long wait (my year-end reward as a career Mom). I know Siri was just released but that's too much for me. I'm happy with my two new babies and they are both useful! 

Greetings!

I just want to post my greetings to all my readers around the globe (yes, I am overwhelmed with my Google Analytics stats!). May the good Lord bless you and your family abundantly and may we all live each day according to His plans.

Enjoy the feast and spread the love! 

Happy 10th month too to my little princess! xx

One Wish Came True

I'm so happy to have my baby Canon as a Christmas present this year from hubby! I so love it plus it's PINK!!!

He said, I can carry this camera anywhere I go. So helpful for impromptu gatherings!

I CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE! I REALLY LIKED IT! *teehee*

Thank you, be!

Foodspotting: 1521 Restaurant

This is where we spent our Christmas team lunch, one of the nearby restos in the office which offers Filipino cuisine. The year 1521 is very much significant to Philippine history. The resto's theme defines a simple yet elegant ambiance during that era, a modernize casa with a native touch. I love the homey feeling. There's this desire of wanting to take more photos because of the vintage style. 

Their menu is also interesting. We were offered  Dinamitang Sili for starters. It's like Jalapeño poppers.

I love anything with vinegar especially fresh veggies. I'd rather have it with ground pepper though than crushed.

Strawberry iced tea and Mango shake.

Vegetarian salad for our visitor, Swati. I forgot what it's called but she said it is spicy.

Pochero. They put fried potatoes instead of kamote.

I craved for Laing! This is so good! Greeny!

We also had the famous Crispy Pata (which was a blockbuster hit), Nilaga and Fish fillet with tofu. 

Mouth-watering Leche Flan. Vegetarians don't eat this because of its main ingredient, egg. We devoured it!

This is Nilasing na Saging. The first order we called it groggy banana and the second order which arrived 15minutes later is the real drunk banana. LOL

Mango crepe

Overall, the food is good and the staff were prompt in taking and serving our orders (except for the Nilasing na Saging ang Mango crepe). It's a comfort that we somehow owned the place for two hours. Everyone had a time to chat and to entertain our visitor who also came back to Sydney on that day. 

I'm holding something! :)

1521 Restaurant, Shaw Boulevard

547 Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Wack- Wack

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 794-0433

Pray and Help

I am appealing to those who read my blog to please help our fellow brothers and sisters in Mindanao. I am neither representing Philippine Red Cross nor an affiliate, however, this is my way of spreading information on different ways to donate. Thank you for reading this post and thank you for donating. 

***

Cash or Check Donations

Please send cash or check donations to the PRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

They accept cash donations for the Philippine Red Cross at any 7-11 store or Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop nationwide.

Bank Deposit

Bank accounts for Donations
Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482

Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2

Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042

Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090

All Check/Cash for the account of Philippine Red Cross (Swift Codes)
Banco De Oro
BNORPHMM

Bank of the Philippine Islands
BOPIPHMM

Metrobank
MBTCPHMM

Philippine National Bank
-PNBMPHMM

Unionbank of the Philippines
-UNPHPHMM


For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

In-Kind Donation

Local
Please send in-kind local donations to Philippine Red Cross - National Headquarters in Manila. We could also arrange for donation pick-up

International
1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PRC.
2. A letter of acceptance from PRC shall be sent back to the donor.
3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to Philippine Red Cross - National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 1018, Philippines.

The PRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods. Though we appreciate your generosity, PRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.


SMS and G-Cash

SMS
Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000


Email us: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

Call Hotline 143
or (+632) 527.0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 1018, Philippines
Email: prc@redcross.org.ph

http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

How far have you been in the Philippines?

It's funny that we are very much familiar with the names of the provinces nearby or up North and down South, but have we really explored our beloved country? There are indeed so much to see in the Philippines and I really wish I'd be given the opportunity to travel more. I just wish we Filipinos could appreciate how rich we are when it comes to natural resources. That's a fact.

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Thought Bubbles

Today...

..I had thought of giving the yummiest cookies for my closest friends, those with cute shapes and colorful sprinkles.
I'd like to keep it neat in an elegant jar, with a perfect Christmas ribbon on it.

.. I had thought of having a healthy breakfast buffet. Fresh juices, wheat breads and choices of fresh fruits.
I spoke with a friend earlier and little did I know that she's a vegan. I think this is the sign.
I will pledge to be a vegetarian come 2012, with high hopes.

.. I had thought of a pink and purple lace dress for my little girl, Daphne.
I'd like to pair her dress with a cute umbrella.
I hope to see a sunshiny weekend where I can organize an outdoor photo shoot for her.
I owe her so much activities.
With this passion and enthusiasm, how can I let this year pass without completing this promise to her. 

.. I had thought of a pink stone on my ring.
I've always wanted to have one but didn't have any.
The more vintage it looks, the better...and the bigger the stone, the merrier.
It will not be a part of my everyday outfit but rather an addition to my collectibles.

.. I had thought of writing a love letter for hubby.
I usually write little notes for him back in college.
Or maybe a short poem or a story?
Really I just want to write about anything.. especially one that I can put on the welcome page of my new diary.

If I get paid for writing, I'd definitely choose it as my career. 

.. I had thought of going to a place with grand Christmas lights and lantern displays.
I want to feel this season.
I love how these little lights can be so romantic at night. 

.. I had thought of getting myself a little camera.
 I find it difficult to go to places with a DSLR and a big camera bag strapped on my shoulders.
I can never settle for a camera phone whenever I wanted to document something.
I particularly chose Lumix.
 I heart it.

.. I had thought of finding that perfect dress for a meaningful event of my life.
It doesn't need to be a gown.
I am no figure conscious recently but I still want something that will look good on me.
I want to be pretty and dainty on that day.

.. I had thought of smelling and touching a fresh bouquet of pink roses.
I will surely be teary but definitely happy.
I need to be calm, just like the subtle color of these flowers.

photo credits: weheartit

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Someone just left me a drink. Thank you!

Register now and treat your friends.. Spread the freebies this Christmas! 

(click the photo)

Rustan's Beauty Source

Having issues with the beauty products you want but don't know what to buy? 

Check out Rustan's Beauty Source website! Click on the picture below. 

Is My Baby Teething?

This is one question I've been waiting to ask myself. Indeed an exciting idea but the whole experience is so much to endure by our little ones. Common signs of teething are red and swollen gums, red flushed cheeks, heavy drooling, sleepless at night, not feeding well, irritable and unsettled. They may also develop high temperature, and for some, even diarrhea.

Our babies have started developing their teeth when they were still in our womb. Teeth buds were formed in their gums, and now that their teeth have come out, that's what's causing their gums to be painful. Teeth rings are very much helpful. They would really want to bite on something to ease the pain. Sucking can cause more blood to rush to the swollen area, thus making their gums more sensitive and turning away from feeding bottles. 

This is the part when you worry the most because with Daphne, she refused to drink her milk and would rather sleep. She takes in water from time to time but is never enough to sustain her, so I really focused on her solids and exerted much effort to make sure she drinks her milk. You could imagine the noise in our room.

Here are some helpful things I believe we should have when baby teething occurs.

1. Teether - make sure it is clean before giving it to your baby. I bought this when she was still 4 months old. No particular brand in mind except that it should be BPA free.

Her teethers are always sterilized so not to invite more complications. 

2. Thermometer - doesn't matter if it's digital or not as long as it's working well and gives accurate figures. Keep out of reach from baby.

3. Paracetamol - this is what I gave Daphne when her fever went up to 38.8 degree Celsius on the first night. Always consult with baby's pediatrician before giving her any type of medicines. 

4. Some Mommies gave their kids teething gel. I tried natural honey and it helped a lot. You can use it while gently massaging baby's gums.

Note that they do not guarantee to prevent pain away 100% but it' worth having these important stuff at home. My baby's fever finally went down (but still unstable), so I will have a visit with her doctor today. The experts have the say so we should ALWAYS trust them when it comes to healthcare. 

Hello, December!

I started my first day of December with my two little traditions. 

Being one of those drinks which are offered for a limited time, I took the liberty to order my Peppermint Mocha frappé from Starbucks. I sometimes think that I have this weirdest tastebud because not all would like to have this minty taste in their coffee. Someone even told me before that it's like eating chocolate and toothpaste at the same time. Well, I've no problem with that. All I know is that peppermint mocha is on my checklist every Christmas season. If you try to Google a few medicinal facts about peppermint, you might be amazed that it has been found to enhance memory and a good help for insomnia. Interesting!

The peppermint sprinkles somehow look like snow flakes to me... and you don't have to agree. He he!

My second tradition is to start catching up with my best friends. 

Few more days from now, I'm pretty sure most of your weekends will be fully booked with much awaited class reunions, office Christmas parties and "barkada" gatherings. So before you get tagged with numerous invites in social networking sites, spend some time with a few chosen ones and make up with meaningful conversations.

I met up with my former colleagues, Lois and Rose. Admittedly, I try not to get too comfortable with girls at work but they definitely made a difference. With them, everything is spontaneous!

We barely get a chance to meet up since we started venturing into different fields but it doesn't make us any less being a FRIEND in the truest sense of the word. 

How did you start your December?

The Great Lifestyle Sale

Details 

The Great Lifestyle Sale is from November 30, 2011 to January 15, 2012.

Up to 70% OFF on selected items and brands.

Sale Hours: 11:00am to 11pm daily (Except on December 24 and 31, 11:00am to 8:00pm)

Brands on Sale include Bench, Kashieca, Human, Dimensione, Lyn Shoes and Accessories, La Senza Lingerie, Aldo, Charles & Keith, Pedro, The Face Shop, Mothercare, T and Celio.

Location 

3/​F Dimensione Bldg., Quadrant 5 Blk 6, Bonifacio High St., Taguig

2012 Planner

The year 2011 is about to take its final bow and tomorrow is the first day of the last month of this year. When you're caught up with a lot of errands, you'd probably not notice that the first year of a new decade is about to finish. Busy Christmas shoppers are everywhere most specially during weekends. You may be one of those who's sick searching for that free spot in the parking area, irritated because cabs are nowhere seen and malls take forever to pay in the cashier's area. No doubt, Christmas and New Year is just around the corner.

When we open a brand new year, this also means that a change of calendar is needed at home. And if you're one of those holistic followers of several coffee shops, a new planner is one thing that you most look forward to. You may even hear friends or colleagues asking you this: "How many stickers do you have?". 

The first planner I had was in 2008 courtesy of Starbucks. 

photo credits to: ourawesomeplanet

I wasn't really much in to collecting this stuff before. In fact, I only got interested getting this planner because one day this unknown generous guy gave his 6 stickers and I just continued filling the remaining ones. I realized my Mom collects planners from her friends who work in banks so why not giving it a try. Looking back on those old planners given to her, most of them were probably designed for CEO and Managers. Imagine a heavy, dark blue, metal edged, hard bound planners with a gold ribbon used as a bookmark - too formal and stiff.

Nowadays, isn't it nice to see that people are becoming more challenged to innovate? The trend, the market, the lifestyle - they carefully study all these aspects before they launch their brand. They know exactly where to hit you. They can make you a "convert" and eventually carry something you previously disregard. This of course has its pros and cons, but for me, I'm a "convert" and I would like to start a new year with my new planner. I'll be getting one for Mother dear, too. If you ask me why I'd like to have one, that is certainly because writing in paper is still incomparable.  

So far, here are my top picks.

www.belledejourpowerplanner.com/bdj/

www.coffeebean.com.ph

http://papemelroti.com

They're all beautiful and I can't wait to have one! Hope I can pick something that really suits me. *wink*