Changes and Baby Names

Everything seems normal and busy (at work that is). But physically, everything is changing little by little. I can feel (and see) my belly is getting bigger (slowly), from a booby size of 34B, I’m now a 38B. Now I can say that pregnancy is the best way to escape a breast enlargement surgery (hehehe!) Nowadays, I’m so lazy and so sleepy during mornings, which Adrian hates because he is always late for work almost everyday for the past 2 weeks. But the good thing is that I have yet to experience morning sickness (oh no! not that I’m wishing for it). I’m also not craving for any particular food yet. So thank God! Though I have yet to visit an OBGYN. But we’ll have to schedule it after this long weekend since we are going to Batangas this coming All Soul’s and All Saint’s Day. For now, I’m watching what I eat ... more folic acid as advised by some bloggers and friends to help prevent birth defects called NTDs (neural tube defects).

Anyway, I already told my mom that we’re having a baby when she visited us last Sunday at our home. She was so thrilled and hugged me tightly and of course here comes the tons of advises and the do’s and don’ts. I can see in her eyes that she’s very excited for her first grandchild.

On the side of my in-laws... Mama Ems already got a name for our baby. If it’s a girl, she wants the name to be Ashley. No name yet if it’s a boy. Since my mother in law had 3 boys, she wanted all her first-born grandchildren to be girls. Adrian’s elder brother and younger brother both had girls as their first-born ... lets see if mine will follow the trend. But personally, I want my baby girl named Arwen and my baby boy Andre. Adrian wants Andre too and Andrea if it’s a girl.

Well, whatever the gender is... I just want a healthy and happy baby.

Positive!

After being delayed for 8 days, I decided to buy a pregnancy test. As you can see in the picture, double purple lines means positive. I’m happy to announce that we’re havin’ a baby! Yes, it’s confirmed! In 9 months time we are going to have our little bundle of joy.

A lot of thoughts came rushing to my head as reality of being a mother soon sinks in. It’s like I’m getting married again... anxiety and excitement came rushing in again. A lot of friends and officemates were congratulating me... and already calling me "mommy". Those who already have kids in the office (Winnie and Charles specifically) were very supportive and giving me tips and the do’s and don’ts.

I haven’t told my mom yet. I want to say it to her in person so I can see her reaction. This is going to be the first grandchild in my family and I so excited to share to them this good news.

I just pray that I’ll get through this (the nine months and the labor and all)... no out of this world requests, no outrageous stuff during my "paglilihi". I need all the prayers I can get.

discovery of a great meal

Hoisin Pork and Veggies

We tried another meal from our new Good Housekeeping recipe booklet. And we have discovered an easy to cook meal which is by the way very delicious. This time it tasted great! Coz we didn't experiment on it :) hehehe! So we decided to try more meals from this recipe booklet. I can't wait to cook that herbed chicken fingers soon. Oh before I forget, Adrian was the one who cooked this meal, I just help in the prep ... I knew it! He is a better cook than me. I think I may be able to persuade him to cook the herbed chichen for me [*evil grin*]

Anyway, here's how we or I should say he did it. And follow the instructions, ok? :) hehe!

PREP Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes. Yield 4-6 Servings.

Marinate 1/2 kilo sliced pork in 1/2 cup oyster sauce. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a skillet and brown the pork. Add water and cook until tender. Add 1/2 cup sliced baby corn, 1 small can sliced button mushrooms, 1 cubed carrot, 1/2 cup sitsaro and 1/2 cup hoisin sause. Add more water, if needed. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons sesame oil.

Enjoy your meal.. I know I did.

*The sesame oil adds more flavor and gives a very delicious smell to this meal so don't use any substitute.

my cookin' experience

Honestly, I am no cook. I'm so jealous of those who can naturally cook without the help of a cook book. Though cooking is not a my favorite pastime (eating actually is a hard habit to break)I wanted to really learn how to do different kinds of meals. But since I have yet to acquire a cooking skill, I would need some help from Mr. Cook Book.

While I was with Baet at Robinson's department store last Wednesday, I saw this compilation of easy everyday meals from Good Housekeeping. And I told her that I want to have that so I can cook for Adrian this coming weekend. And we I arrived at the office the next day. I saw the cook book in my table with a post-it which reads "as promised, Baet". I was so thrilled and thankful for the gift. So I decided that this weekend, I'll cook something from this book. As I browsed through it, I saw a lot of meals that I want to try my hands on... Gambas, herbed chicken fingers, hoisin pork and vegetables, chicken aloha, beef with oyster... ang dami talaga. But of course, I have to make these one at a time.

I was so excited to head to the grocery to buy the ingredients that I need and also our food supply for the rest of the week. I met with Adrian at SM Supermarket in Makati after work. I've always imagined myself, at the grocery with a shopping list, a push cart and a husband beside me, choosing the things that we'll buy together, discussing if we really need to buy it of not... its kinda fun actually. Convincing him to buy something that I want or craving for that is not necessarily important. And what a triumphant feeling it is if he finally gives in to me. Yup, my husband look so cute if he thinks he has no choice but to say yes to my plea (of course I used my tender loving convincing power).

Anyway, so it’s Saturday. Woke up late up late again (10am). After breakfast we headed to the wet market to buy some seafood and meat and veggies too. I was planning to do Gambas, but no shrimp was for sale at the market so what we bought was blue marlin, my ever favorite tilapia, pork and some veggies. So what happened to my gambas? It became a Blue Marlin with oyster sauce. I marinated the fish in salt, pepper, some Italian seasoning and lemon. Which in the end, I regret that I agreed with Adrian on adding the lemon in the marinade because it overpowers the taste of the oyster sauce. But it was edible enough to be eaten by both of us. We even ate everything... or maybe we are just too hungry to notice the taste. haha!

morning sickness

I woke up today, feeling not in the mood of getting out of bed. I'm even too sleepy to bring myself to open my eyes. Does that made any sense? I'm awake (mentally) but my body is not cooperating. I decided to call in sick. After a call from a phone banker of HSBC, friends sending text messages to me which I reply with one eye open and semi-consciously. I can no longer bring myself to sleep. I grab Nicolas Sparks’ novel (True Believer) and finished the last two chapters before getting up.

So why am I home? Alone. Feeling so lazy and sleepy. Erwin say’s its morning sickness; Emmy says I might be pregnant. And same comment came from Baet. She was so sure that I am. She even sent me the name of her sister’s OBGYN and her consultation fees. But the question is ... am I? We’ll I’m already 2 days delayed. I’ve never been delayed. I’m as regular as the morning paper... well maybe 99% regular. Sometimes there are months that I’m a day or two delayed. But I was not sexually active then. Now since I’m married that’s another story...

I’m both excited and anxious. But I need to know for sure right? They say that I should buy a pregnancy test kit first to be sure. Winnie, who has been here and done that, said I should wait for 10 days before doing the test, just to be sure that I’m not just delay and no in between menstruation. I've decided to wait. Let’s see on the 21st if I’m preggy or not. For now, I’m watching what I eat... just in case. No more coffee and sodas for me now, no more alcohol (I’ll surely miss my doze of vodka ice), no more junk foods. I should be eating healthy greens and fruits. And what I really must do is to go back to the gym so I won’t add more extra pounds to what I'm gaining right now.. with or with out pregnancy.

The Corrs' HOME

My beloved Irish band, The Corrs has released their new album "HOME" last September 26. And yesterday, I asked my hubby to get me a copy. I miss hearing and watching them sing (live). I wish they’d have another tour and this time include my country in their itinerary.

The album composes of traditional Irish songs but were given new arrangements. Two of the tracks in the album were sung by Andrea in Gaelic language ("Buachaill On Eirne" & "Brid Og Ni Mhaille") and 3 instrumentals ("Old Hag", "Haste To The Wedding", "Return To Fingall"). Home is compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr (their mother). And as a trivia, this album was released exactly 10 years after their very first ablum "Forgiven not Forgotten" was released.

The album has a big difference from other albums that they already released … no pop-rock like songs here. I’d say a mixture of traditional and contemporary is the overall sound of the album. Slow but with nice beat and rythmn. A great background music while on a comfy drive on the country side. Also the instrumentals are great! Of corrs its a must have for all fans. But if you are not into Irish songs, you might want to pass on this one first.

My favorite songs on this album are Heart Like A Wheel, Buachaill On Eirne (Boy of Ireland) and Haste To The Wedding.

Lottery Winner

What will be the first thing you'll spend or buy if you won the lottery? Doesn't matter where...I guess most countries do have lotteries. Have you ever thought of that? I came about thinking this while I was in line to place my bet. I don't regularly bet on lotto but whenever the pot money goes as high as 30M, now its 70M (1.25M$), Adrian and I bet on it. Just to see how lucky we are..

I know I asked Adrian this question before and he said, he’d visit his parents in the States. Money on the bank is a very big factor if you want to get a travel visa to the US. And a lot of luck too if you are applying on your own efforts.

So how about me? We'll sorry to say that it will not be on a shopping spree... but I'll spend on traveling the world. Maybe not all at once (that will be expensive and I’ll be living in a rot when I get back), but will definitely save some percentage of my winning money to do this. I recall, a friend told me that learning through books can sometimes be boring but learning through traveling is the most exciting classroom a person could ever experience.

It's true, I've been to a few Asian neighboring countries and it really is a great way to learn about different cultures, and their people and experiencing it first hand is an incredible experience. An experience that will always be with me forever.

What about you?

the shower turban

Ever since we got married, Adrian and I always shower together in the morning. Not only because we want to but also its more convenient and saves us time since we are always on a rush to go to work. Yesterday morning, I couldn't stop laughing and had to take this picture while getting ready for work. With my medium length hair, I always cover my wet hair with a towel so that I won't get soaked while putting on body butter, facial sun block etc. Then, all of a sudden, Adrian asks me, how do you do that? covering your hair with a towel like a turban. I was laughing so hard because he cannot do it the way it should be done. So I took his towel and twisted the towel on his head.Hahahah! he look so cute!

The evening afterwards, we decided to have a movie marathon. We watched the Transporter 2 (with handsome Rob, as he was called in the movie Italian Job) and the 40 Year Old Virgin. Both are very good movies to watch. An action film with great unbelievable stunts and fantastic fight scenes. I personally love Frank's new Audi. And what better movie to end a stressful day at the office but with a comedy about a 40 year old virgin. No bigtime movie actors here but it sure was a great film to watch if you want to have a good laugh.

See the Obvious?

Have you noticed the obvious? Yup, I’ve once again changed my blog template. The old one seems boring already with the clean white background… so now, I decided to go polka dots :) green is not really my favorite color (I know it’s Claude’s) but green is so refreshing and relaxing in the eyes and there aren’t that many cutie design at blogger.com. And I’m also too lazy to check out some free blogskins on the net. So let’s just say I’ll settle for this one at the moment.

So why changed my blog title as well? Obviously again, as a true fan of the Corrs, I’ve again used one of their song title... Borrowed Heaven form the album of the same title. So why Borrowed Heaven? It’s because I am in Heaven. My new role as a wife to the love of my life, is heaven everyday. Every time I wake up and see him sleeping soundly beside me, that’s heaven for me. Every time we eat, cook, laugh and shower together (heheheh!) all of these and more makes me feel in heaven. But then why Borrowed? It’s because of Kimchi’s "makes you think" email that says:

"Everything in life is temporary so if things are good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. If things are bad, don't worry because it won't last forever either" –Mr. Ube.

It made me realize that ... yes, the heaven that I’m experiencing right now is just temporary and everything has its end. And so now I live each day as my last borrowed heaven.

my couch potato season now begins

It’s the season of new seasons. WHAT?! Yup, it’s the time of the year when new seasons of my favorite TV series are back after their summer hiatus on the tube. I’m so glad that www.tvtorrent.info is available on line because I’m updated on my favorite TV shows in the States. It usually takes 6 months or more after the new season started for the local TV stations to show the new season. And I can’t surely wait that long.

So for those fanatics of my favorite shows on earth, Charmed and Alias, here is a peek of what the premier episode was all about...

Charmed and Still Kicking

Their last season ender showed that the charmed ones orchestrated their own (fake) death so that the FBI would stop following them. Now the 8th season starts with a funeral for the sisters where they have altered their appearances. At first even they themselves are confused who’s who. So when Wyatt doesn’t recognized the new look of Piper, Phoebe decided to make a spell that will give them permanent new identities to the outside world but will still look the same to those within the family.

Together with new identities comes with new names, the sisters are now the cousins of the presumed dead charmed ones. Paige is Joe Benette, Piper is Jenny Bennett and Julie Bennette is Phoebe, while Leo is Louis.

New life means new love for Phoebe, this time she is paired with Dex Lawson (Jason Lewis of Sex and the City). She first noticed her at the funeral and also had a premonition that she will marry him. While, Piper, being the eldest, remains paranoid that the demons will find out the sisters are still alive. Paige on the other hand can't escape her Whitelighter instincts and answers a call of a new charge - a young witch named Billie that will soon be doing all the witch-vanquishing demon stuff for the charmed ones.

Exciting?! Yes! New people new roles are always welcome to spice up the lives of these three gorgeous witches. Though I have read that they’ll be reducing the airtime of Leo to cut costs so that they can get more guests. The cost cutting is also the reason why Dorian Gregory who plays Darryl is no longer on the show. I just hope that the storylines will be more exciting than ever so that this series will still be on air for another 5 or more years... I want to see if Wyatt stays good or turns evil.

Photos courtesy of WB.

ALIAS: Twisted.Death.Pregnancy

Ever since the report came out of Jennifer Garner’s pregnancy, I have been wondering what will happened to the series. How will she do her stunts, will she be in hiatus while pregnant? If she’ll be in hiatus who will replace her? But all these were answered on the premier episode of the new 5th season.

Season 4 finale left us hanging and glued on our seats. Syd and Vaughn are planning to elope. Vaughn confesses that he’s not what Syd think he is. Then, a car accident. Will Vaughn survive? After watching the season premier, I felt some kind of a deja vu when Vaughn survived the accident (just like what they did with Syd’s character in season 2 finale) but not for long. But this is television and JJ Abrams -- the mighty producer can resurrect a character from the dead if they want to. I really do hope they will. I love Vaughn’s character and now since a new twist was born, which was him being a double agent. Vaughn’s real name is Andre Michaux. Just makes you wonder if life truly repeats itself... (Jack and Irina remember?) And a little Sydney is now in the picture since Syd is having Vaughn’s child. This means that they’ll be showing more of her tummy-bearing child in future episodes. For the premier episode camera is always focused on her face and her back. Never on the side and if they show her side angel, its covered with either a bag or a shawl. I also missed Nadia on the premier since she was comatose at the season ender due to the exposure to Rambaldi’s device. I hope she’ll return for this season.. I love to see her and Weiss’ relationship blossom.

Speaking of Rambaldi...I’m glad that their hunt for these devices are now over.. but now they have a new mission... to recover The Prophet five documents.

Photos courtesy of ABC

Celebrating the First Monthsary

We are 1 month old! Yes, we are celebrating our first month as husband and wife. And so far so good… we haven’t fought or throw things at each other yet… (not that I’m wishing for it.. oh gosh please no!) . It has been a fulfilling and nourishing married life for the past month. And to celebrate we had dinner at Friday’s. And since we are both gaining weight (again!) we just ordered a French onion soup, a grilled chicken cesar salad and a cajun chicken fillet fingers.

We passed by powerbooks afterwards and I saw the book that Maya has been looking for, (P.S. I Love You by: Cecelia Ahern) so I bought it for her and after lurking for a while at tower records, I saw this DVD copy of The Notebook – one of my favorite movies that made me cry a bucket of tears. A good deal for just P299. So I asked Adrian if I could buy it, and told him that this can be his gift to me for our monthsary. So as soon as he said yes, I walk to the cashier and flashed my credit card ready for a swipe. I can’t wait to watch it.. now I have 2 DVD from Nicholas Sparks’ novel, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook... every girl loves a great love story.