My Annual Birthday & Christmas Wishlist v.2011

wrapped it up and send it!

I usually post my Birthday & Christmas Wishlist a month before my birthday. But since these past few weeks have been like "hell's kitchen" in our office, I'm too tired to post and just want to sleep when I get home. But today, no more excuses missus! 

So here I am on my 7th year of blogging, I'm posting my wishlist...not as grand as it used to be.. I learned to aim for simple things... realistic and achievable :)


UPDATED!!

Books - Thank you to my CorpTeam Family for giving me my birthday gifts in advance..Love yah all!!

I love to read. And I'd love to have more time to read. But I am not wishing for more time because I know you won't be able to give me that... so I'll go for the material to be read. Hihi!

Even if I missed his 1^st ever (and might never happened again) book signing at Podium last month, I still want to read his books. I'm still missing the following titles from my collection: The Best of Me/ The Choice/ Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

I also love reading the courtroom and family drama of Jodi Picoult's Books. I miss reading it. So i'm including it on my wish list :) - I got the Tenth Circle too from my CorpTeam Family too!!

Flash Drives  (8GB / 16GB) - Thanks to my monito ( Larry ) & My CorpTeam Family (again!!) love love love!

You can never have too much of these little things. It has proved themselves to be very useful in the office, in long provincial drives, and for storing TV series and movies. I need to get another one of these so I can save those downloaded series that I share to Kitchie, Erben & Mary and may not need to bring my netbook all the time.

500GB/1TB /2TB External HDD  - Hubby promised to get me this..after Christmas when prices of these goes down :) ...for now its a raincheck :(

This I really really want, been planning to get myself one of these but some priorities needs to be prioritized so this has to be in my wishlist because the memory of my netbook is not enough to keep my TV series and my movies and my pictures etc...

Screen protector for HTC Desire S and iPod Touch 2^nd Gen

The HTC is for my phone the iPod Touch is for my son. He's been using both gadgets and always ends up with scratches and bite marks... so yes there are holes on them right now. So I need new ones and extra protectors for future use :)

Paul & Joe lipstick – in nude/ natural colors

Erben gave me this last year from my birthday and i love it! There wasn't a day since then that I was not wearing this lipstick (well there were days that don't wear it ...when I'm just in the house hehe!) ...that's why its almost ..near the end of its lifeline. And for this reason I am adding it to my wish list :)

Clip-on-Book light   -Hubby bought me this on one of his trip to Powerbooks *hugs & kisses to you*

 – saw one in Powerbooks when I was paying at the cashier...—hoping my hubby gets me one of these. I need it when I'm reading those Nicholas Sparks & Jodi Picoult books you know :)

The Spa GC - Thanks to my fab friend @kitchied for the fab gift! xoxo.

 Year in year out i need to get these stress out of my system and I am in my most relaxed state when my body is laying face-down in a bed with a whole :)

Knee-high boots - My Birthday Gift to myself :)

 Which I wish to use at our corporate Christmas party –Theme: Glam Rock & Roll..I'm size 7 don't forget :)- Party is on the 15th so send it in advance :)

Levi’s CURVE ID  Jeans

I have explored Levi's website and I took the quiz and the fit finder says I'm a Supreme Curve. Find out your curve too.. click here. 

Android Robot  - I can't wait to get my hands on my Android toy :) Thanks Sonny!!
I want. period. Don't ask why.

Day Off 

A free day where I can do whatever I want. Not be a mom. Not be a wife. Not be a Supervisor. Not be a daughter. Not be an Employee. Just Me. For 24 hours. Me Myself and I. 

And those are my Birthday and Christmas Wishlist for 2011.

Happy Birthday to me and all December Babies!!! What's on your list this year?

xoxo,

S

Slipper-y Went on Sale

You got mail. And this email brought good news... shopping sale news that its. Our sister company, Digitel, has partnered with retail stores for this season of shopping ... i mean gift giving...last week it was with Celine where they have a buy one take one deal for all shoes and bags... (if you guess that i bought bags and shoes.. you are right!) I bought one bag for me and one bag for my mom... and 2 flat shoes for me :)

This week, its with all-flip-flops a.k.a. Havaianas... and its a 2-day sale up to70% off on their products... And so I took this opportunity to get myself a new Havaianas ... also bought one of my goddaughter, my niece-in-law and sister-in-law and of course my mom on day 1 :) and on day 2 i went back to get my hubby 2 pairs of slippers. But it was unfortunate that there's not enough slippers for boys/toddler... mostly its for girls and 1-2 year old babies.

After paying my slippers, the person who was checking the receipts at the exit, said that I was lucky to get a limited edition crystal sunny slippers... really?? it is? It was actually the first slippers I saw and I just took it for safe keeping without even looking at the size.. it was pure luck because it was exactly my size. : )

my day 2 purchases

my limited edition Crystal Sunny Slipper

the first batch of slippers

the slippers I bought for Hubby :)

The only problem is...you get to have the same shoes as everybody else.

me and Kitchie with our shopping bags

I was a happy shopper since I end up buying 10 pairs of slippers...There are sure lots of slippers under the Christmas tree this season.


xoxo.
 S.

The Journey Before Ever After

one of my SB breaks with BEA

Unlike most books that I have purchased straight from the shelf of a bookstore, I believe that Samantha Sotto's novel, Before Ever After, took quite a journey with me.

Let's start from the very beginning.

In one of our coaching sessions, my former boss and mentor, Ms. O, told me about a mother who turned her back on her corporate career, to follow her dreams. She wrote her book in a cafe near the school of her kids while she waited for them to finish their classes. Fast forward. And now her book is internationally published because she followed the chickens...(you know what I mean if you read the book already).

Ms. O never mentioned the name, I had the feeling that that story is the story of Samantha Sotto, when I saw a link on Facebook about a Pinay who has written a novel which Crown/Random House will publish. I may be wrong...(but who cares?!) All I know is that I was proud of her, of what she had accomplished. She is a Filipino making her mark for the world to see and acknowledge.

And so I did some googling and stumbled into her very nice website and twitter account. I followed her. I learned that she will be at the Book fair in SMX, but it was a Sunday and since its family day, I was not able to go. But I wanted to. It would be my first time to meet an internationally published author. It was not meant to be...at that time. But I know that fate was in my favor because I learned that she'll have a book signing in Singapore on the weekend of September (25) and I happened to be there with my family to watch the SG F1 Night Race.

Our trip to Singapore was a full packed 5-day vacation but I was able to squeeze in a few hours trip to ION Orchard where the book signing will take place. We arrived there early, no Samantha in sight, just a pile of her books ready to be purchased, a chair and a table. So we decided to have a late lunch instead. When I returned to Prologue Book Store, there was already a line of fans, friends and family awaiting for their copies to be signed. As I fall in line, I was giddy and nervous like I was about to meet a celebrity. I can't even take a decent photo of Samantha and the woman before me because my hand was shaking... I tried like 3 times but to no avail...good thing Samantha's hubby was ready to help and he took the picture instead.  He also took the picture of us. Funny because I really felt like a fan. Placing my twitter name on the piece of paper below my name hoping that she would recall and remember our twitter exchanges. Based on our small chit chat, seems like she did remember me....but if she didn't... she was very convincing that she did (haha! but I don't blame her if she really didn't remember me). What's important was I was able to meet her in person (finally after the failed attempt in SMX) and got my book autographed. It really made my day.

With the author Samantha Sotto at Prologue Book Store in ION Orchard, Singapore

my autographed BEA. Follow the chickens!

I have already written so much but I haven't said anything about the book yet. This was suppose to be a book review post...Oh well, all I can say is that I enjoyed each and every character that came alive in this book. Brad, Simon, Dex, Rose, Jonathan, Paolo, Shelley & of course Max. The stories within the story made my imagination worked at its wildest...and the lesson of love, forgiveness and an idea of a great marriage proposal made me love this book even more. And the Epilogue made me think. :) But I am a romantic so I'll keep it at that.

But I prefer the epilogue contains the secret recipe of the Baked Eggs & Cheese. Really.

And with that, I will follow the chickens! You should too but buy the book first :) 2nd printing is now out and available in NBS :)

xoxo.

follow Samantha Sotto on twitter @samanthasotto and visit her website and experience the happy campers.

P.S. Would't it be great if this becomes a movie :) Just thinking aloud... that would be awesome don't you think?

Discovering McCormick Grill Mates

Ever since my hubby bought me a grill pan for our (6th) anniversary I can't stop using it. It was intended for our weekend pancakes and bacon breakfastival every Sunday. But now it has been doing several real-grilling jobs. Thanks to McCormick.

Several months back (no grill pan yet), I discovered McCormick's Cajun Marinade. I tried it with chicken and pork chops and it was very good and tasty. And now I tried their Hickory Smoked Barbeque Marinade and it was heaven! I literally said "Ahhmmmsarap" (Delicisous!)

And its so easy to do:

• 1/2 kilo Meat or Chicken

• 1 pack of McCormick Grill Mates Barbeque Marinade (choose from the variety of Cajun, Hickory Smoked, PepperSteak etc.)

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tablespoon (Virgin) Olive Oil (though in the pack they suggest to use vegetable oil)

Marinade for at least 30 minutes or overnight (which is better and recommended). Then bring to Grill and Enjoy. Such an easy peasy, right?

Cajun Pork Chops with veggies

Hickory Smoked Spareribs in grilling action

brush  (just a right) amount of this before serving it

Tomorrow, will cook the PepperStreak Spareribs :)

Bon Appétit

XOXO,
S

Black Eyed Peas in Manila

They say opportunity only knocks once. And when I learned that our corporate HR are selling BEP tickets at a discounted price, I didn't waste any time to ask Hubby if he wants to watch the concert. And so I reserved 2 tix. When the tix arrived, I was so excited I was already calculating in my head what time I should leave at home--(because the same day is the UN program of my little guy at preschool), what to wear (really?? haha!) and how to get there... yes I am that OC.

Got to Mall of Asia around 6pm (took the train by the way) and I'm glad I did because I don't know where the concert grounds is located, thus I had a lot of time to find it. Lines were not yet that long when I got there. So i waited for hubby to arrived since he came from the work. While waiting I was busy people watching and to be honest, I was expecting a different crowd... but what I saw were well dressed people, working class, even foxy ladies in Chanel bags and high heels :) It just proves that BEP's Music is for everyone who loves music and loves to dance and party!!

As hubby and I walked to the entrance of the Silver Section, I saw the BOYS of Magic.. Slick Rick, Sam YG and TonyTony of Boys Night Out... as I walked passed them, I found myself waving at them and saying out loud " Hey Guys... didn't know you are broadcasting from here"... they were friendly enough to wave back and replied "yeah"... Then I stopped and asked my hubby can he take a picture of me with them. And we walked back and asked the boys if I can have my picture taken with them.. they all replied "sure sure and wave for me to come closer to the booth...They're great and friendly ..yeah men!!!  @_slickrick even replied to me when I twitted the picture below.. sweet!

The Concert started late (it was past 9pm already) but as soon as the music started, the crowd went wild and started shouting, waving their hands on air and started dancing... It was so much fun! Like a dance party but instead of a DJ playing the record/CD, the artists themselves are singing. It was so worth it!

We are too far from the stage but the wide screen will do... I just had to get a picture with Fergie as my background :) Thats a butt cheeks shorts on her... and the camera guy focus on it several times everytime she turns around.. LOL!

 ...and the concert ended with a great fireworks display :)

... Hubby and I are hungry.. its already 11:30pm ... Thanks BEP for a wonderful concert .. truly one of the most memorable concert I have been to. Hope you guys get back together after the haitus.

One of my favorite part of the concert was this ... Fergie's solo in a cute baby doll dress which twinkles like a star (seriously, she asked for total darkness on stage and her dress began to twinkle with lights)...here she sings.. Big Girls Don't Cry.. which I love so much ...so you can hear me singing in the background (haha!) More videos here.. bad audio though. Black Eyed Peas Live in Manila and Black Eyed Peas Manila Concert Part 2

Again... Thank you Black Eyed Peas for visiting Manila. Enjoy the Adobo :)

XOXO.
S

Women and Love

Before You Can Attract A Good Man's Love, You First Have to Truly LOVE Good Men. This is the subject title of the email that my friend Maya shared to me via email. She thought I could share it to some friends. But I'd rather post it here so that, one day, when a woman in need of Love searched the internet about it, she'll come across this post and learn a thing or two.

by Aileen Santos on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 8:50 am.

Because they've been hurt too many times, many women have unconsciously set up a barrier between themselves & men. And although they do believe they want to have a relationship with a man, the problem often lies in the unconscious truth that... they don't really like men very much.

It sounds crazy when I put it this way. But it's what's actually happening, if you really think about it.

It's like that scene in Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

"Men are Evil!" Anya told Xander vehemently, then after a beat she asked: "Will you go out with me?"

 Today the media -- tv shows, advertisements, easily accessible porn -- and many women are giving men EXTREMELY mixed messages through their words, actions, and examples:

"Women can do whatever men can do, so we don't need you." WITH "Where are the real men when you need them?"

"Men are clueless and stupid and need women to fix them up." WITH "I need a man to lead me."

"Men don't need to pursue us anymore, these are modern times, we women can pursue them." WITH "How come men don't know how to commit?"

"Men don't need to earn our love anymore, we'll sleep with them for free, they don't even need to remember my name." WITH "I just want a man who truly loves me for who I am, and stay long enough to grow old with me."

Isn't it any wonder that even Good Men are now confused?

Although Men are biologically & psychologically designed to be Providers, Protectors, Leaders & Warriors, society has been telling them that we no longer need them to provide for us, we don't need them to lead us, we don't need them to grow in character and be strong for us - we don't even need them to respect us.

We have essentially taken away their identity. And Women have also suffered in the process.

The good news is, the solution lies within the same problem.

Because Men were DESIGNED to respond to Women. ;-)

When a man behaves in a certain way towards women, it's because the women in his life have trained him to believe that "it's what works." That behavior could be good, or bad. Either way, it was inspired by women and reinforced by women.

"Behind every successful man is a woman."

This quote implies that it's a woman's influence that inspires a man towards success & greatness.

I agree with this... which is why I know the opposite is also true:

"Behind every unmotivated & dejected man... is also a woman."

If there are men in your life who are jerks... you have to truly be honest with yourself and find out how you are (unconsciously) giving them "permission" to be that way. Because once you become aware of this, you can start changing this.

Whatever kind of behavior a man is used to doing right now -- as long as he is a Good Man at heart -- the important women in his life can always influence him in the way he was designed to go: towards being a Protector, Provider, Leader, and Warrior once again.

This is why the world is in NEED of Fabulous Women who could reignite men's hearts, and inspire them to reclaim their place in the world.

- Women who will naturally inspire men to respect & value them, because they clearly respect & value themselves.

- Women who will inspire men to step up as leaders, because they know how to support their challenging journey towards leadership.

- Women who will naturally invite men to pursue them and build strength of character as they do, because character is what they also value most in men.

- Women who will love men as they are -- human beings who don't have everything figured out yet, just like them -- and inspire them to be greater versions of who they are because of their gentle & loving acceptance.

Some women can keep on blaming men, and demand that they shape up without them having to do anything different.

But that's exactly the definition of insanity:

Doing the exact same thing you've done before, and expecting a different result.

Dear Women, let's be more Fabulous from now on.

Because when we do, EVERYONE wins.

:-)

Aileen Santos is a Relationship Coach based in Manila, Philippines. She is on facebook. Like her. http://www.facebook.com/coachaileensantos 

xoxo.

S