I finally convinced the husband to spend for himself, lol!, as he deserves something great. He has a set budget already and have been thinking to get some of his options: new home theater system, wii, xbox 360 or an iPhone. Glad he chose the iPhone. A good friend offered to get it from the US and bring it with her in time for her arrival on friday here in Manila. I’m pretty excited so I am even going to pick her up in the airport. Got it at a very good deal compared to prices here in Manila. And glad that he agreed to get the 32g of the 3gs so we can load more movies and songs from iTunes!  Do you notice that I’m the one more excited about this new gadget? lol!

It’s indeed a great 2009…

We moved to the new house, a realization of a dream!
The husband did very well with his job. Kudos to him!  He ended the year with flying colors! 
I had a good number and quality accounts for my business.
The kids were safe and healthy despite having flu once in a while.
We had a number of celebrations with friends.
We had two out-of-the-country trips (HK and Guam).

And most of all, our family is complete and united. There are so many things to remember for 2009 and I just can’t count them in my fingers.  Life is happiness!!! 

Now, I claim that 2010 would even be better!!!

Have a fantastic new year everyone!!!

Today is monday and tons of work are awaiting on my desk. It’s the ber months so I am expecting to be doubly busy. Also, I need to make a research about short term health insurance NC for my aunt who is based in North Carolina as she is asking for my help regarding it. But before I get back to work, I would like to share the good news that the husband lost 10lbs already in just 6 days!!! Thanks to South Beach Diet! He started Monday of last week. He actually told me not to ask him anymore about it and just go and order it so he won’t have a choice if his food would be delivered already in the office. He weighed last saturday and was very happy to see the results! He is still on his way to lose more pounds but I think he is getting there! I plan to keep him on 1st phase of this diet for atleast a month! Gladly, he is happy as well with the food and starting to make conscious effort to follow the regimen.

It’s a brand new day. Although I am still sleepy but I am glad that I got some Medifast coupons online this morning. It’s a great treat for me! Husband is now seriously taking his diet plan so I should also support him or say the least follow? Will see how it is progressing on him and I might start with my diet plan as well by next week. Need to get fit before we hit the beach again this November!

we spent most of the days lounging around the house.  I did a number of cooking after I went to the market last saturday.  Then I finished some writing assignments as well so I was glued to the internet.  I must admit, I also did some online shopping since Christmas is also just around the corner.  I’m due to shop this week for the parties we would be attending in 2 weeks time including the MBAP advance christmas party.  I am also still due to post the wishlists of the kids. 

But over the long weekend, the husband and I did some talking as well regarding our plans.  We sat down to review our starting objectives for the year and checked as to how we have fair with our goals as of this time.  We are happy to know that we are on the right track.  In fact, looks like we would really manage to get ourselves a nice christmas gift for the family.  We also have made initial plans for the year and even two years form now.  Well, aside from including travel plans, we are also toying with the idea of the husband taking an Online masters degree. His friend was actually taking one through Gonzaga University, which has been ranked as one of the best universities in the US, ranking numer 3 actually based on US News and World Report. It has also received recognitions by the Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine since it offers several masters degrees online without sacrificing the quality of education. They are known to be a premier choice for online programs since they value the time of professionals who cannot really attend physically to school because of professional and personal commitments.  Given these information, husband is highly considering taking on some masters degree online.  Got to do some more research about it.

Yes, the husband is moving office, not to a new company but to a new office building.  Their office is moving much farther to our place now.  The husband is asking me to reseach on designs of office furniture since the mancom members were given free hand to decide on what they want for their individual rooms. He said he would have a bigger room this time, almost double the size on what he currently has on their office so he wants to have a separate reception area inside.  I actually emailed him already this morning few layouts and styles I have seen online. They are quite appropriate for a bigger space. I am recommending a small conference table so he could already conduct some his team meetings inside the room.  He’s pretty excited with this move.

of the husband went very well. We checked-in last wednesday in St. Lukes and stayed there until thursday afternoon. We were given a nice suite. It was indeed for an executive. Aw! Too bad that I forgot to bring my camera. I wasn’t able to take a picture of the room complete with amenities. The room also has a free wi-fi!

The husband passed all tests in flying colors. Nothing to be worried about. Thank God! I’m very happy with the results since he’s very much healthy. Though of course he was asked to lose weight. He would go back again next week to get the official results.

Now, we gotta be working really to shed off those extra pounds.

Me, I spent quality time with the husband and the kids as I didn’t have any events and we just didn’t plan anything over the weekend. We just enjoyed lazing around the bedroom, quickly went to the mall last saturday so kids can play and buy few sale items.  We heard mass yesterday, run few miles around the village, then footspa and massage last night.

But I think I also gained 5lbs just over the weekend. I cooked a lot and also ate a lot. Bad!  Prepared Beef Tenderloin Chinese Style last saturday and pan-fried cream dory in light soy sauce yesterday. Yes, it was chinese cooking over the weekend! Also prepared banana cake and boiled sweet corn for merienda. We also had some left over chocolate cake and ice cream so all we had to do was eat while doing some DVD marathons.

The husband decided to have his executive medical check-up this week so today is the official start of his cleansing diet. Aside from colon cleanse reviews I have given him, he also would like to try other diets that he was able to research over the net. But of course all of it should still be consulted to his doctor. We would be checking in St Lukes Hospital this wednesday till thursday. I am going to camp with him in the room. I wish, they are going to give him a nicer room!  

Here’s to hoping that husband is fit and healthy aside from being slightly overweight!  gee!  :-<

was a good one.  Thanks to his friends who are mostly former officemates who joined us for his birthday celebration.  Thanks also to the good weather.  It was worth it to do the party outdoor.  I had to make sure that we sprayed on some citronella oils within the perimeters since mosquitoes and all other insects are not at all invited.  We had it catered again by Josiah’s (our fave) and as per his request, he wants mongolian grill to be part of the menu.  Guests mostly came between 7pm-8pm.  We had a good number of guests, almost everyone he was expecting arrived.  I can tell that the husband is a well-loved individual even if he has not been with the company for almost a year now.  

After a sumptuous dinner, we trooped inside the house because it was air-conditioned.  They played poker until like 230am!  Everyone had fun!  And so as the husband since he also got nice presents from friends, including the new poker set, which they used right away!  It’s a better set than what we have currently.  I’m sure the husband would get more hooked on this game.

More than anything, it was with the company of good friends which made it really special for his  birthday celebration.

of the husband has been sold last thursday to a supplier friend.  Without so much ado, deal has been done!  I was suprised to see that it is being brought to my friend’s car already.  This is the reason why we trooped to Shangrila Mall yesterday to check out a new home theater system for the room.  But we still didn’t arrive at the final decision.  I am pretty sure though that the husband will get his new one before his birthday arrives.  He was telling me that it would be his gift for himself.  So what about me?  Hahaha! He still hasn’t given me the “major gift!”  Hmm, I know its coming soon.  Just have to wait for few more weeks.  Anyway, he is also considering to check and get a new XBox as well.  I’m sure he won’t just be the happy camper to have that in case, but the kids and my nephews as well. 

yes, is the husband.  Did you know that he ultimately worked to have our cable TV be installed (soon) since he has been missing a lot of the NBA games?  So even without a facility in our area, he braved himself to knock on our neighbors doors and ask them to sign a petition letter for a cable TV facility be installed in  our street.  Good thing, mostly cooperated.  So today, it is a happy thought that the cables were being lined up already in the street and the lineman said they would install in our individual household already by tomorrow.  And to prove to you how addicted my husband to basketball, look at his picture below last weekend trying to put up the ring he bought from Pampanga!  Yes, trooped all the way there just to get this and despite the rain last sunday, he was never bothered about it.  He insisted to the workers that it should be up by then.  But because of bad weather for the past few days, too bad, he wasn’t able to play on his arena yet!  For the meantime, like today, I am using that court as my birthday venue!  I have requested a tent to be put up today. Will post pictures soon….

The summer is almost over but my husband’s friend has been inviting us to a nearby paintball arena. So I guess we are finally taking his offer to come this weekend. The husband is preparing so he asked me to check gears for the said game. He wants me to check paintball gun package available in the mall. But instead, his friend told me to check first online on what items are necessary in playing this game. He hovered me to ZephyrPaintball.com. Now, I’m thinking to just order from them since they offer very low prices and even free shipping. But I don’t think it can arrive on time for the game this saturday. So I better hit the mall to get some initially for our use this weekend. But if this would be a regular thing already, I am thinking to order the following paintball starter package. Likely, this company offers the best deal when it comes to paintball accessories cause they hav been in the business for almost 6 years already. They carry almost all gears and accessories needed for paintball game, where most of the avid players are getting. Aside from that, they have a variety of brands available. Well, I can’t imagine that this sports game could also be expensive. But atleast there is Zephyr to offer the best deals if my husband gets hooked.

Aside from giving him an advance christmas gift of the DSLR, i really believe that he deserves something big this year for all the effort to provide for the family.  He has really been a very good husband and a good father to the kids.  With the career movement he did for the family, I just want to thank him for all his kindness.  I was thinking to give him a nice gift which I know he really likes. I had an option to get Suunto watches but I settled for the classic.

He was smiling from ear to ear when I gave it last Christmas eve.  It is my joy to see him happy.  

As to what he gave me last christmas, I will post it soon.  

for the husband is an early christmas present…

We bought a Nikon D60 last saturday after coming from a party in TGI’s Friday in Bonifacio High Street.  Without thinking again, I immediately puchased the dslr that’s within my budget.  I also don’t have the patience to go to Hidalgo in Manila so I opted for what Abie suggested for a store in Pasong Tamo named JT Photo World. I was also informed by most of the wedding photographers that they do get their cameras, lenses and even printouts from this store.

At first, the husband was hesitant to get one but I told him that it would be one of my christmas gifts for him so we better get it already. Rates are actually not so different from the Hidalgo stores. I didn’t have to get a 0% cash advance from my credit card since JT Photo World accepts card purchases.  This is good because we are actually saving up for miles points.  

Also got the a tamrac bag for the camera.  

The camera was “sulit” for our quick getaway from sunday till yesterday. The husband is learning the ways of the cam but he was all happy to get one. It actually didn’t leave his shoulders most of the time. He never bothered to use our sony point-and-shoot digital camera.

Will post his shots soon, after I figure out how!  lol!

The husband hasn’t divulged to me yet all the details of the MBAP dads’ talk last night, while having their one-bottle of beer each.  I was asking him about the reason behind all the big laughs. Well, he just mentioned that they just talked about good old boys stuff.  He said they also talked about DSLR and discussed about options in brands, lenses and even memory cards. He is now convinced to really get one. We just need to find the right choice for us. He said that he also enjoyed the company of everyone and was even telling me to always bring him already for MBAP get-togethers!  So what did all the husbands say to you, MBAP moms?

Hubby and I were discussing last night if we are pushing through for the plan to go to the US this year. With his new job, new responsibility, he still cannot give me a definite answer. Of course, I would still love to go since I have turned down a lot of opportunities as well for December, considering it’s the peak months for weddings. Although I am still hopeful that we can go and we would know by October as what he promised me, I already checked out the airline rates and I was suprised for the amount we have to prepare in case we are pushing through. Now, I can see his point that we can just push through in construction of the dream house within the year and would just reschedule the US trip either next year. The cost of the trip for the whole family could probably be the amount we need already to buy most of our new furnitures for the new house. We plan to leave mid-December and I’m suprised that airline rate is almost at $1.5K per person inclusive of taxes. Kids rates are not lower than $1.2K. And of course, I wouldn’t settle without a shopping money. If we decide to go next year instead, we would time it to a US conference in New York City Dicky has to attend. Hmm, makes me think that it could be a better idea since I also want to go to New York. I want to stay longer for a vacation so would like to go to east cost and west coast. I know we can just use NYC Bus Charters in touring New York so it would be easy for us especially if we are bringing the kids. Since these charters are very clean, and well maintained. They also provide safe, courteous and experienced drivers in such a luxury charter coach. They also have been known to be always on time. We can just hop the bus if we want to go to tourist areas in New York as well as amusement parks which would definitely be the kids favorite.

Well as of today, we are at status quo for the decision to go to the US for the holidays. I hope we can arrive at the final decision in time.

The above picture was taken last thursday during Dicky’s induction as one of the new members of Rotary Club of Paseo de Roxas Makati. He was also elected as the new club secretary for year 2008-2009. I was telling him that we are both cut to become a secretary in our associations. I am actually the current secretary also of the Philippine Association of Wedding Planners (PAWP). The role makes us busy during meetings.

But notice my figure at this time?   I hate it as I have been forgetting to watch out my food intake lately.  Gee, I have big arms!  And I’m so lazy to go back to the gym.  In fact, I already discontinued my gym membership.  It’s so hard to diet!  Need to go so as I will be part of a wedding entourage on my cousin’s January wedding.  How could I manage to diet if Christmas is still coming up?  Hay!  Hmm, would i try to check out using Leptovox? Let’s see first what the airclimber I bought online would do to my body.  Can’t wait to get hold of my loots from ebay!

enjoying the long weekend.  Happy holiday monday to all!  Tomorrow, it is still holiday for the whole family.  Dicky and Margaux still don’t have work and school respectively.  We should have gone for a quick getaway.  But I just love to be carefree these days.  Malling is our everyday agenda.  Watching movie tonight with the hubby and will have a relaxing massage therapy after at our favorite Suriya Spa. Still part of his first salary treat for me. And while waiting for the kids to take on their nap so hubby and I can already leave, I found a cool site which i posted here. Take a peek!

for DNA testing! Hahaha! My kids are 100% look-alike of my husband, Dicky. No doubt! And he’s one proud daddy about it. Well, can’t complain further. My kids truly got their daddy’s features and even his mannerisms and antics. I think they have inherited that as well.  

I hope when the time comes that we would be bless with a baby boy, he would look like me this time!  I really wish!

With Dicky’s new movement for job, we are now thinking to sell Black Beauty. She is my chevy black optra. Dicky will be given a service SUV from his new company so we won’t be needing 3 cars! He would actually hand me his CRV instead. But we are also considering selling both the chevy and the CRV to buy a brand new car! I can’t get over getting a Toyota Fortuner! I wonder though how much is the insurance for this kind of brand new vehicle. I wish there is something like American Car Quotes in the country, which you can actually give you variety of options for insurance policies that would suit your need in just one sitting. Only one form to fill out and all information will be sent to companies that can match your insurance need. What a hassle-free process.

American Car Quotes would definitely give you the best cost possible for any insurance requirement. Of course, this is one of the main concern most of the time, getting the lowest cost possible. But you also do not want to compromise your safety for anything else that is why this is essential in choosing the right policy, which can also be handled by American Car Quotes. I really wish there could be something available like this here, especially when our need for it arises.  But for the meantime, we are still considering options whether to buy a new car or push through in building the dreamhouse already this year.  Let’s see after few months!

Thanks to Jacqui (congrats also for being the OIC now!) for arranging a despedida party for my husband, Dicky. Most of the Bayan Business Personnel from the bosses to the AMs, were there. Of course, I was there too. Dicky brought me along. Buti na lang! lol! (cause, they were planning some naughty thing for him!) Since I was there, it was all wholesome!  

The party was held at “I love 80’s cafe” in  Ortigas, near the MC Home Depot.  Dicky was actually given some honoring by his colleagues both from Bayan and also from their clients.  They invited most of the partners that their group is handling.  All of them said good words about him.  Sad that he was leaving and surely be missed but they were also happy and very supportive of his decision.  

Some pictures…

And I was also asked to do an honoring for him and a (body shot!) Yay!

I’m sure Dicky would also miss his whole team, who actually won as the Best Sales Team for the Bayan Business Division. 

(Picture above was featured in The Philippine Star last Monday, July28 under Business Section)

Caption:  

“Channels and Partners Team – Best Sales Team, Bayan Business Division

The Bayan Business Channels an Partners, headed by Roderick Liwanag, scored 113.92% EBITDA achievement over target with 84% AR performance.” 

He starts officially in another company by Friday, August 1.  A whole new responsibility!

Would like to share Margaux’s CheongSam costume last thursday for their Book Day Asia activity. They were requested to come in asian countries costume. It was so easy to get the cheongsam so that’s the best I could get, which I also bought from Singapore.

She has really been enjoying school so far and I’m one happy mom. And with Dicky being on leave since last week, I am also on leave for picking her up everyday, just simple blessings!

And I have been enjoying the fact that Dicky is around most of time. We can just lounge around and play with the kids together. But this won’t last. In fact, by Friday, he is back to work so we are taking advantage of his free time for pampering. Last night, we had a footspa. Today, we are heading to Suriya Spa for a massage! And he even wants to have a facial. Will see if that can still be squeezed in our time. He said he read some new acne treatments available from this new facial salon. It’s not that we need it, we just want to try the new facial salon near our place.