Bagyo: Milenyo

Its a weekend and I'm glad. Especially after the storm: Milenyo hit the country. I was not actually in the mood to go to work yesterday but because of the PMAP Conference ( our company is a sponsor and we have a booth that we have to man) I had no choice but to be in my best corporate attire (power dressing ito!) and face the ranging storm. 4 other officemates that were scheduled to man the booth with me have their own reasons why they can't make it to work. So I hand no choice but to attened to the booth myself. God Bless Charles (an officemate) who even if he resides in San Pedro, Laguna, didn't let me face the 350 delegates of the conference all alone. He arrived after about 15 minutes.

I didn't know what was going on out there since we were sheltered by Crown Plaza from the storm but when I was informed that a part of Robinson's Galleria's roof (a mall beside Crown Plaza) were damaged by the storm, its the only time that I realized that this storm is not just any kind of storm. I called my hubby and they were already being sent home. That was around 12nn when I called him. He was able to reach the hotel around 3:00pm. The usual 30 minutes ride from Makati to Ortigas became a 2 hour ride due to the heavy and bad traffic. When we left the hotel, we can't get a ride, Bus, MRT (was shutdown), taxi, FX.. any type of transportation is impossible.Too many people stranded and waiting to get a ride. You have to walk to be able to get to your destination. My imagination is already running ..seeing myself being lifted in a 10x10 truck of the Philippine Army that rescues stranded commuters. I shaked off the image in my mind and called my brother to pick us up. Another Thank God! That my brother is still in the country to pick us up (He'll be going back to Singapore tomorrow).

The storm Milenyo is no longer as strong as it was when this was taken (around 5 p.m.) but you'll see trees all bent and lying on the road.
This post is dedicated to all those who lost their friends and loved ones from the storm. Take care everyone.

PAGASA UPDATE: Typhoon"MILENYO" has slowed down for the past six hours as it continues to move away from the country. - issued at 11:45 a.m., 29 September 2006.

"A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

Bananas, containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose, combined with fiber, give an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the b ody converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

lesson learned

My ever-reliable eyeglasses for 4 years have been forced to resign due to a devastating accident that caused him to end his term. And its all my fault. I'm so sorry. The truth is, I sat on it. I usually place my eyeglasses in the nightstand but that night I just placed it somewhere in the bed.

Saturday morning (3 am), I was in complete oblivion when AJ started to cry(he was sleeping with us in our bed that night). After I fed and burped him, he went straight to sleep again like nothing happened. I sat at the edge of the bed then laid him on his back. It was then I realized that I was not wearing my glasses. I searched the bed and found it under the blanket (the same spot where I sat earlier), the bridge of the glasses was bent. Slowly, I tried to straighten it but it snapped into half instead. For about a minute I just looked at it in shock. I didn't dwell on it too much since I was still in sleeping mode. When I woke up, that's the time I realized that weekends are rest day of my eyes from wearing contact lenses. No eyeglasses would mean inconvenience because I have to clean and put on my contact lenses when I wake up and take it off if I take a nap and put it back on when I wake up. Hassle!!

I have to get a new pair pronto! And that's exactly what I did Monday after lunch. I dragged Mareng Rachel to the optical shop to scout for a new pair of glasses with one rule in mind, round face should wear angular frame. And from the piles and piles of glasses that was presented to us by the optometrist (from Ralph Lauren to Oakley to Armani brand of glasses) I settled with Marithe+Francois Girbaud (which was the cheapest ...hehehe!). I'm happy to have found the perfect pair for me.

Lesson learned: Never put eyeglasses on your bed. That's why they come with hard cases when you buy them.

no yoga yet filled with smiles

This weekend I planned to attened my first yoga class since I started going back to the gym last Sept 1. But whenever I wake up and see AJ's wide bright eyes smiling at me, I just tend to forget what I have to do and get lost in his gaze. I end up taking pictures and video of him.

Ever since AJ learned to roll over all by himself, tummy time has been his favorite playtime position. He loves to roll over and flashing his big smile whenever he is called, handsome Andre Jonah. I just have to capture this on video.

AJ's Baptism

Baby AJ is now a Catholic. Baptized last Sunday, Sept. 10 at Our Lady of Peace Shrine in Edsa. He was so behave while waiting for the ceremony to begin but after a few minutes of wearing his baptismal gown, he was so uncomfortable and was so irritable. He was crying all through out the ceremony. I so pity him because he was sweating already and even a bottle of milk can't pacify him. I so wanted to take off his clothes but of course I can't because the priest is not yet done with his speech... the 30 minutes ritual was like more than a hour to me. I was so anxious to remove AJ's baptismal clothing afterwards. Thus, he was already wearing his polo onesies when we had the pictorial with the godparents.

The reception was held at Max's Restaurant. When we got there everything was in place already. Food was very good and the attendants were very pleasant. Though I didn't enjoy the food that much because I was busy entertaining the guests and taking pictures of the guests with AJ. Dadin (my brother-in-law) was our official photographer and videographer. I have yet to get the copies of the pictures that he took. In the meantime, here are some photos that was taken from our cam.

AJ's Baptism Essentials

Ninang Rachel giving her blessings

The God Parents
L-R: Ezra, Maya,Rachel, Mommy Shiena, AJ, Daddy Adrian, Butch, Eric, Varian.
Erwin & Ellie are not in the picture, they are both in the US

the Proud Parents

Noah's Ark is the party theme

opening of gifts

Daddy & son bonding

AJ and cousin Brian

here.

More pics to enjoy

officially missing you

I had a hard time waking up today. Might be because of the medicine that I'm taking ( for my 2 week old cough). The doctor warned me that it has a drowsing effect or might be another Friday weekend blues ... Its already 6 o'clock and I'm going to be late if I stayed snuggled in bed for another second. But when I finally had the courage to get out of it, I saw AJ's wide eyes looking at me. My first and obvious instinct is to go to his side. He smiled. I said "Good Morning, I love you" and he gargled back which I imitated and he gargled back again. I wish I can understand what he is saying to me. Every time he give me gummy smiles when I imitate the sound that he makes, it really feels great! ... its like he understands what I'm saying. It seems like time flies so fast when I'm spending time with him, its 6:30 am and I no longer care whether I'll be late for work. All I know is that I to be with my son. I feel guilty whenever we arrived home from work and he's already asleep. I want to be with him when he's awake... play with him and let him know that mommy loves him even if I'm away most of the time. I'm afraid that when he grows up he'll be more attached to the people at home who he spends more time with than me.

Bottom line, I miss him and being late for work does not matter to me as long as I spend time with him while his awake. Want him to feel my love and give him my full attention. Others may not understand what I'm feeling right now. I don't need to explain to them. Time spent away from him is time wasted. I just miss my son, period. I even missed his first roll over last September 1.

Here are some photos of the first milestone I missed.

AJ's first rolled over last Sept 1 at 2 months and 3 weeks old.

Tifosi

What's with Schumi? the greatest F1 driver of all time? Scuderia Ferrari the best F1 Team?
For AJ's Dad, uncle ninong Dave, Tito Varian and Ninong Erwin.. YES (to all of the above). They are avid fans of F1 racing and seems like my son is closely to follow the bandwagon. But its ok, I enjoy watching F1 races as well. Though not a Ferrari Tifosa, I'm all for Mclaren ... since the time of Ayrton Senna

But since its the 21st century.. and times have changed (same with my preference), I'll go wherever Kimi "my love" Rikkonen takes me.. I'll even swallow my pride and become a "Cavallino rampante" tifosa if I have to.

my Kimi Raikonen/Finish Flag inspired Mclaren shirt

AJ's first Ferrari T-Shirt (first of many?)

Thanks to Ninong Erwin for our shirts!

the weekend that was

What a busy, tiring yet happy weekend it was! Let me recount the highlights:

Friday: After office, went straight to Nasugbu, Batangas with my hubby (minus, baby AJ - which made me miss him to death) to celebrate Abigail's 3rd Birthday (my niece-in-law). I bought her follow the color coloring books and crayons which she opened as soon as it was handed to her and started to color a minute after. It was so cute to see her color. When the picture does not have any similar colors in her crayola, she colors them all with the same thing...can you imagine a yellow colored Dora from head to foot? And tries to erase the colors that goes out of line. Every art work becomes a masterpiece when its done by a 3 year old.

Oh did I mention its our anniversary on Sunday? Anyway, there are more highlights after this but its too R18 to be posted here...hehehhe!

Saturday: From Nasugbu, we stopped over at Mahogany market in Tagaytay to buy some fruits and veggies. The piñas are so deliciously sweet and cheap ( 8 for P100), Ubod (for lumpia) only P25/kilo ( its usually P50 in Manila markets), Langka (P20/kilo), fresh buko for 10 pesos each (which sells at 15 pesos at the Talipapa), fresh lettuce for 30 pesos (1/4kilo) and passion fruit for P20 pesos (1kilo). This place is highly recommended for all. So if you'll be passing by Tagaytay.. do make a stop over at Mahogany Market. It's gonna be worth your time.

After Mahogany Market, our next stop was Cafe Lupe. Since its our 1st year anniversary tomorrow, we decided to celebrate it in advance since its our only chance to be alone.

The food was ok. They have Filipino/Illongo cuisines on the menu but their specialty are Mexican so we ordered for Tres Mexicans (a platter consists of buffalo wings, cheese quesadillas, beef taco and salsa) recommended by the attendant and beef fajitas. Loved the quesadillas and the taco (so cheesy!) though the beef on the taco was not ground beef (I like ground beef on my tacos). The buffalo wings were so spicy but relatively delicious. The fajitas are expensive compare to the fajitas at Mexicali and they only serve it with salsa, unlike at Mexicali, the fajitas comes with salsa, guacamole, cheese and sour cream. So if your craving for fajitas and on a budget, I highly recommend Mexicali over Cafe Lupe's anytime. But in fairness to Cafe Lupe, Adrian and I had satisfied stomachs when we left the resto and the attendants were pleasant and courteous.

We wanted to have coffee after our quick bite but since we are both full and can no longer accommodate even a small size cafe latte, we just pose for a souvenir photo with a mime who was standing outside starbucks.

Sunday: We woke up at 3am to pick up my brother from the airport. He's arriving from Singapore for a vacation and to attend AJ's christening next week. His flight was delayed so we waited until 5pm at the airport. Oh! its our anniversary and we forgot to greet each other..maybe because we were awaken by the alarm clock and not by our own body clock. We actually didn't do anything the whole day.. we just stayed at home and sleep the whole day...too tired to celebrate I guess.. It was nice though that we had a our time alone the day before.

Some pics of our road trip to Tagaytay.

Road Trip ito! Bebe and I leaving Nasugu, Batangas

me and my new sando (buy 1 at 50%OFF and take 1 pa! DEAL na ito!)

Eyes on the road, Be..

Making fun..mababangga na tayo!!!!(Joke! NR na man ang driver.)

Gutom na bebe ko (at Cafe Lupe)

whats in my mouth?

the mime at Starbucks

Wedding Anniversary

Paper wedding

The first wedding anniversary is known as paper wedding. Your first anniversary is special, it's the first of many anniversaries and celebrates the first year with your chosen life partner. It should also be the end of a period of adjustment for both partners, having spent all the seasons together in marriage you now have an understanding of future years to come.

Thanks to Abi, Janess, Ezra, Butch, Kimchi, Maya for your greetings.

Just do it!

Last Thursday, August 31 is the last day of the month-long sale at the Nike Women store. So I made it a point to visit the said store before the end of my lunch break (a privilege of someone who works inside the mall premises). I scanned through the whole store, looking for a shoe that will caught my attention. And as soon I held this Nike Recoupe, I was surprised by how lightweight it is..the color is perfect .. (white, silver, pink and lavender) Love it! I asked for my size (7) and they have (1 last pair). While the attendant retrieved the shoes, I saw this Free 7.0 (in lavender/purple). The sole got me curious because it has protruding round soles that stimulate the blood circulation in your feet (says the sales rep).

My shoes have arrived and it fits perfectly! though the attendant told me to purchase a bigger size so that my toes wont hurt when I'm actually using it. While she's on the way to get a bigger size (7.5), I asked for the same size of the Free 7.0 to try on. The Free 7.0 feels good on the feet but my feet looked bigger than usual so I opt for the Recoupe which does not only feels great.. it looked great on my feet as well.

Now I have more reasons to start my gym sessions. Following Nike's famous slogan..JUST DO it! I decided that afternoon that I'll start tomorrow. I'm so excited to wear my new pair of running shoes that I woke up very early ...(as in 5:00 am!) to be in the gym by 6:30am. I started with some stretches and went straight to the treadmill to test the effectiveness of my brand new shoes.(They say it helps your feet recouperate after a long run ~ thus getting the name Recoupe) And to my delight, I was already running for 15 minutes straight and my ankles and soles does not hurt a bit. I think I'm going to enjoy running this time. I ended my 30 minutes run and headed to the stepper machine for a cross-training workout. After another 30 minutes, I'm done and ready to hit the shower. But then I saw Kim (a former officemate) followed by Maya (also a former officemate) whom I seldom see these days. So I ended up at the cycling station for another 30 minutes to chat and get updated with the latest chicka on their (love) lives.

I lost a total of 300 calories that morning but I think I gained a thousand more after eating chicken joy for breakfast. Sorry, but I'm was so hungry after those above mention workout.. I promise to tolerate my hunger the next time.