2013: a year in review

2013 came in fast (kinda in a blur) maybe because there were too many things going on. It was definitely a busy year. It has its share of challenges, triumphs and tears. But looking back, I am thankful to all of these because they made me strong, they made me appreciate life, they made me re-think my actions and made me better, a better person, a better mother, a better leader.

As a mother:
A milestone this year was that my son was awarded 3rd Honor in their class of Grade 1 students. It came as a surprise to me because I didn't know. What the teachers told me is to get him a nice polo for the Recognition Rites for the school year 2012-2013. I was expecting just a special award, a best in Math or something but not this... the nights and weekends of studying paid off and I am just so proud of my little guy for such an achievement at a young age of 6 years old.

in my Career:
I did't consider my promotion to Supervisor to be that special because i worked my ass for it for more than 5 years, double hat and OIC and all. I applied for it, got rejected, and I had to prove my worth. They say when you want it that much and waited way too long... its like the excitement and sparks dies with it in time. Don't get me wrong I was happy to be finally recognized, but at the back of my mind... I was saying "its about time damn it!" unfortunately my antagonist was no longer in the company to witness that promotion. But after 2 years in this position, I finally felt genuinely happy for my promotion to Sr. Supervisor. Because I did not apply for it, I was not rejected, I was recognized for my efforts and hard work... genuinely thankful for the trust and confidence that I can do the job.

in my Married Life:
When I was a kid, I thought when I get married, I'll have that perfect house with a white picket fence. I still want that. But I am not having it, not now...Because they said that marriage is a work in progress and full of compromise. And I believe that. And this year, that dream house of mine, though not with picket fence, but instead a high rise condo, will be a reality... in 6 years. I have waited this long... what is 6 more years right? But I am gonna have that white picket fence in Batangas one day... just in time for retirement :) I am just happy that we started this investment and not waited for another year to pass us by. I am just too excited and I wish I can fast forward to 2019.

As the new year comes closer... new challenges are already in my view..but I am a gladiator in heels who is infinite, powerful and fun-loving and I trust in God that I will carry on until the next 2014 year in review.

God Bless us all in 2014!

xoxo,
S

Typhoon Yolanda Victims still need your help

Today when i opened my email, I saw an email from UNICEF, its a Thank you email. I know it has been almost 2 months after Yoland has devastated the Visayas region but they still need our help. Let's stop complaining about our government and start helping. We don't achieve anything by pointing fingers and blaming others. If you want to make a change and see change... start doing it in your own way. big or small. it counts.

Visit http://www.unicef.ph/ and donate.

Children affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) need your help NOW.

On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ravaged the central part of the Philippines, affecting an estimated 14 million people; 6 million of them are children. They urgently need access to safe water, hygiene supplies, food, shelter and a safe environment to recover.

Our resources are stretched from responding to three emergencies in a row within two months: armed conflict in Zamboanga, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol--and now, super typhoon Yolanda. We urgently need your help so we can aid those who are severely affected by this latest disaster. - Unicef Philippines Website.

SEND YOUR HELP NOW. Lets make them feel that there is hope this New Year.

XOXO,

S

2013 Annual Birthday and Christimas Wishlist

Its Friday.. Thank God It's Friday!! and as i listened to the radio earlier today, I realized that its the 22nd of November. Exactly 1 month before my birthday... And thought to do my annual blog tradition today :) As i list down my Birthday and Christmas wish list for 2013, I remember that last year's List was a sweet success (#PostcardsAroundtheWorld). So many friends and family members are scattered all over the world... and thanks to social network sites... they read my wishes and they made them come true... I still feel giddy thinking about it even up to now (even after a year has gone by).

Hubby said that gifts should not be expected and should not be asked... (since I am pressuring him to get me that wish #1 haha!) but I said, I'm not asking or expecting... these are just the things to help out those (family and friends) who are planning to give me something but don't know what to give. This saves them time and they need not wreck their brains out in figuring what I will like for my birthday and Christmas.. I'm efficient that way.. haha! But really, with or without gifts... its the thought that counts.. And hey, tradition is tradition.. (my blog tradition anyway) whether I get it or not, I know I'll still have a happy birthday and a merry Christmas :)

So (drum roll in the background)  in no particular Order, My 2013 Birthday and Christmas Wishlist are:


1. Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses (Gold/ Gradient Brown) (size:M) (ehem! hope my hubby's reading this haha! But he knows... he knows!) (UPDATE: Its in transit!! will get it in February when my MIL visits from the states :) - your the best hubby!)

2. Waffle Maker

3. S View for Galaxy Note 3 (Purple, Teal, Old Rose) - i got the purple one (thanks to myself! haha!) NEW UPDATE: My MIL got me the pink one :) yejhey! Thank you Mama Ems!

4. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's Moroccan Mint Tea or Genmaicha Green Tea (UPDATE: Thanks Abi!! it was a surprise when i saw this on my table! Love you!!)

5.Gym Bag - that does not look like one :) just like this Fred Perry and it doubles up as a luggage for an overnight or weekend stay too.

 

6. Victoria Secret Cologne / Body Mist - (No colognes and perfumes - my boys have allergic rhinitis)

7. Pandora Charm Bracelet

8. Ticket to 2014 F1 Race in SG (kahit Walkabout lang) on 19, 20, 21 September 2014

Getting our F1 Tickets back in 2011 with my 5 year old Andre

9. Get Pregnant (preferably baby girl)

10. Donate to UNICEF Champions for Children  - Because the children are our future and aside from education, good nutrition is what they need now to survive. HELP NOW!

And that wraps up my Birthday and Christmas Wishlist this year :) Happy Birthday to me and Merry Christmas to all!!!

xoxo,

S

My Phoblet called Samsung Note 3

I got a new phone because my son kind of did something to it that it won't charge anymore after he used it. My 7 year old calls it my phone tablet, my IT hubby says it is a phoblet. And I guess it is. My Phoblet is the new Samsung Note3, courtesy of the retention program of my telecom provider. Its my 10th year with them so I guess its time to celebrate with a fab phone, tablet, Phoblet. (oh and I got promoted recently too.. so double celebration!)

At first I said I will use it during meetings to take down notes… since it’s a Note (and i expect more meetings that comes with that new position title on my email signature haha! ) . But after a day of testing it, I think I will stick with the good old notebook for this particular purpose. The Note3 is still too small for these long meetings.

However, I discovered 3 distinct features that I uber love.

1. The Scrapbook. Doodling on pages of the websites that I find interesting and NOTE-worthy. I’m having fun using it. My current project is for the #OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) Theme of our company Christmas party. I have this MNG dress given by my MIL (mother-in-Law) recently and I thought of wearing it in this event… I don’t usually dress up on day-to-day basis but Christmas party we need to make an extra effort (hey its just once in a year you know..).

 

With the help of the Scrapbook and Pinterest, I get ideas on what look do I want for the event.. shoes, belts, accessories, Hair, bags, tights or no tights? (haha!) add notes to self on where to buy, brand etc. And the most important thing is the convenience that I bring this scrapbook anywhere I go and can refer to it anytime.

 

2. Story Album. A pre-set layout where you can save your photos, create captions and order album prints. I actually just discovered it a few days ago and had my first crack of it during my officemate’s Birthday Tea Party. Though slide shows can only be seen (with music) using the phoblet, you can share the layout in jpeg or in pdf and send via email or upload in social media.

3. Sound & Shot. Though I have not tried this yet (I’m still waiting for the perfect time to take this shot) I think it’s an awesome way to take photos and I can’t wait to try it out.
Will definitely post it when i get the chance :)


Making memories with these gadgets are so fabulous... Create and post :)

xoxo,

S

 

8th Year Anniversary

Does this mean we have surpass the 7 year itch without a glitch? Will 8 be our lucky number? Is it  the start of infinity and beyond?

I hope so and I'd like to believe that in this world of uncertainty, our love is our saving grace (with God's grace of course). It's not all bed of roses... I was once asked if we ever had a fight or have a misunderstanding. Like normal couple,  We have our fair share of issues but we always compromise. I sometimes give in just for the sake of... 'putting an end to it' but I'm glad that I don't need to put out my non-negotiable card. Not yet... but i hope I would never have to in the future.

I'd say I'm a lucky girl to have found a person that loves me just the way I am (plus size with post pregnancy weight) and luckier to have wonderful in-laws :-) And on this 8th year anniversary... I finally (almost within reach ) my favorite wedding anniversary gift so far.. (again we compromised) We will be signing off on our very own condo unit. But I really dreamed of a house in a lot... so we compromised (as i have said), I'm getting my house in his lot in Batangas when we retire :-) but for now, we'll work our ass off to pay for our 3-bedroom Condo Unit in the metro. 

As i search my blog, i have not posted any of our wedding photos... so I'll do that now. Enjoy!

Yes, I was crying the entire walk down the aisle... good thing Caleruega is a chapel . I was saying to myself, hold it, hold it, don't cry... i was having a chest pain holding it off...but it was out of control i just had to let it out. Still makes me laugh every time the memory crosses my mind ....what a cry baby!

meeting my parents midway (see the rain outside? that's Typhoon Jolina)

finally saw my groom for the first time that day

I am a cry baby...and its tears of happiness.. and Fr. Dexter Mojares was funny too

Mr. & Mrs

The Entourage 

My little flower girls

As candid as it gets

The entourage (Take 2)

Time for some Wedding portrait poses

Thanks for that light... a sunset improvise 

Hello Guard??? PhotoBomb! hahaha!

The official Wedding Portrait 

Now lets get out of here and Party!!

Spread the Love,

XOXO

S

Totally Unique Thoughts: The Note from The Universe

Have you discovered the Note from THE UNIVERSE?

I was intrigued when I came about a twitter exchange about person A reading similar messages all over twitterverse and person B said that she got it from TUT.. A Note from the Universe. So i went to search on what this is about.... The website explains that TUT (Totally Unique Thoughts) believes that everyone's special, that every life is meaningful, and that we're all here to learn that dreams do come true. We also believe that "thoughts become things," and that imagination is the gift that can bring love, health, abundance, and happiness into our lives. 

Hmmmm.. thoughts become things... reminds me of Henry Ford: 'If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.'

Look at this photo and tell me what is the first feeling that comes to your mind?

Everyone needs to be motivated and words are more powerful than actions...right? I have been receiving, my inspirational TUT for almost 2 weeks now and it has given me quite a good perspective. I've always describe myself as positive and optimistic.. I am Miss Bright Side as I wrote on my twitter Bio and i think it has greatly help me, not masking my true feelings, but dealing with the challenges in my life. 

In the past 12 months, I have learned that I have an immune-mediated disease called Psoriasis which is a lifelong condition without cure. (oh my gee!! NO CURE! wouldn't that devastate you? ) I lost my father on his birthday at the beginning of this year (He was only 67 years old, too young to die right?)  But I was able to cope up with it because of my attitude towards life. I choose to compartmentalize my emotions and not dwell on the negative but look at the positive side of things. Its  hard (of course it is) but you just have to think that life has to go on and these events in your life does not have to define who you are. It's how you deal with them that defines you. So what am i saying here? I'm saying that your attitude towards a thing or an event will have an effect on how you decide. It may be positive or negative. And we are given our own will to choose. Its up to us to choose the right one. 

And these weekly reminder of how I should look at life helps gain back that positive perspective that sometimes I forget because of the numerous things you have to think about to survive life...

Sharing with you my TUT for the week:

Usually, the best way to find the yellow brick road of your life, Shenski, is to start out on the dusty, dirt one.

And then let yourself become so preoccupied in making the best of it, having fun, and challenging yourself that you actually stop paying attention to the path.

Until, one day, not so long from now, with a new best friend, wearing cool clothes, feeling awesome, a teeny tiny bit taller, fresh from a WOW vacation, looking for the path you just left, you'll notice that it's 24 carats... baby.

And you'll wonder for a long, long time, sipping on some exotic fruit drink, when the transformation actually took place... 

Tripping,    The Universe

Learn more about the TUT, visit their website and subscribe to get a doze of positive juice in your life. everyday. (http://www.tut.com/)

xoxo,

S

TWG Tea Salon Experience

As Tea Lovers, Keevee and I often exchange notes on our different tea experience. Once we did a Mini- Tea -Party at the office, where I brought my Japanese Tea Set and had tea during an afternoon break at our pantry with matching pastry (i think its Dew Berry if I'm not mistaken). She had mention to me about the TWG Tea Salon at Greenbelt Makati which I always passby whenever i'm in the area but never really got myself to enter the store... maybe because I was intimidated by the crowd. But agreed we'll try it out someday. And that someday came sooner when I had to join a meeting with her client for a possible long term contract deal. And so it was planned that we will stop by Rockwell, where they have another branch, before going back to the office.

The meeting went smoothly than we have expected... (we expected the worst!) and to our delight, the possible long term deal became a reality and so i was more than fitting to celebrate our closed deal with tea-time. It was Lunch time and I was expecting the place to be crowded just like in their Greenbelt branch, but it was almost empty except for 3 tables that were occupied.

A display of mouth watering french macarons greeted us at the entrance, they look so delicious that I felt like I was in a trance (reliving that first bite of a Laduree macaron). Keevee and I are just so excited when we were greeted by the hostess and was escorted in our table. I was impressed with the customer service (offered to get another chair for our bags to sit, pulling of the chair and the table attendants are very courteous) which I should expect since they are selling "world’s finest luxury tea brand".

French Macarons lined up at the entrance

The Wellness Group Tea Company, usually shortened to TWG Tea, is a Singapore-based tea company. It began in 2008 and primarily sells tea and light snacks.

And so we were given the menu and i was overwhelmed with the choices... they're could have been 1000 different flavors of tea in that menu. So we asked for the best seller... we were give a lot of choices and had the chance to smell the tea leaves as our attendant patiently explain to us what constitutes that particular tea... So I settled for the Happy Hour Tea ( P195 ) and Keevee got the Happy Birthday Tea (P195) .. which i guess was just appropriate being this is what our state of mind was at that time (HAPPY!).

Way toooooo many to Teas to choose from

Keevee and her Happy Birthday Tea

Me, waiting for my Happy Hour Tea

Can I take you home Mrs. Potts?

And then we ordered the macarons (P55 a piece), we chose Napoleon Tea & Caramel, Camelot Tea & Praline, Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya and the Earl Grey Fortune & Chocolate. And to my horror, the Earl Grey Fortune & Chocolate was not just as hard as a cookie that my knife can't even cut it without flying to the next table (i had to use fork and force to slice it) but it tasted like a bark (maybe because it smelled like dried leaves too so I immediately associated it with a tree). The Napoleon Tea & Caramel wasn't as bad (maybe because of the caramel) but its as hard as a cookie as well. Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya was not as hard as the first two but it didn't have a distinct taste either, it was okay. The only one that we liked was the Camelot Tea & Praline it was not hard but it was not soft either, it was again okay. I think the Praline saved this one.

Looks can be deceiving.. This is true even to a French Macaron

Over-all, I had to say, the Tea tastes good but the price its just too much for commoners like me. And I was expecting that when additional hot water is added to the pot, we'll be able to enjoy a second round but I was wrong. No second round here... you need to order another pot. And try other pastries, they might taste better that the stone-like french macaron.

xoxo,
S

The Burger Bar

I was invited to join a dinner with the hubby and his former boss + friends and the IT wives (being married to IT geeks). There's a place in Greenbelt 2 where they serve big burger single/double patties where you can make your own which they call "you're the Boss" or choose from the variety of their signature burgers which they call "The Tributes".

With its small space and laid back interiors, it has a friendly feel and easy going ambiance. And what surprises me is that they use DIY painted cans as condiments and tissue organizer/holder. How cute! (and eco friendly not to mention!)  They also use old jars as drinking glasses (see what I mean?) It was different and I'm loving the uniqueness of it all.

I ordered something safe. The one with garlic aioli  and bacon strip called the Piggy. But while we wait we ordered Onion Rings with Garlic powder as appetizer. (Don't forget to order Sauce #3 on the side, its good with the onion rings).

And about 15- 20 minutes the patties arrived... And we are all in awe and excited to taste our burgers..but we have to resist for a few more minutes (and keep our drooling saliva to ourselves) so take a snap at each other's orders.... so we can share them all to you.

The verdict is Satisfactory. Everyone agreed that this hobby of ours is a very expensive one but it was worth every bite and penny. Just need to watch out for your cholesterol level. (a friendly warning).

The Bleu

Onion-griddled double patty steak cut blend of sirloin and chuck, blue cheese sauce, fried crispy leeks, blue cheese crumble, caramelized onions, lollo rossa greens all on a brioche bun

Single Patty P 235.00 Double Patty P 345.00

The Cheeseburger

A single quarter-pounder house blend all-beef patty with American cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and sauce no. 3 on a sesame seed bun 

serving price: P195.00

The Double Cheeseburger

The house blend all-beef double patty on freshly cut toppings of lollo rossa greens, American cheddar, sliced tomatoes, onions, and sauce no. 3 all on a sesame seed bun

serving price P285.00

The Hangover Burger

Onion-griddled double patty big game blend of hanger and brisket, yellow cheddar, crisp prosciutto, fried egg, arugula, caramelized onions, BBQ sauce and house aioli all on a sesame seed bun

Single Patty P 285.00 Double Patty P 370.00

Double Patty

Single Patty

The Lamb Burger

A 6.5oz. house-ground lamb shoulder patty, feta cheese, harissa, sliced cucumber, yoghurt, pickled red onions, house-made aioli all on a bricohe bun 

serving price P 385.00

The Piggy

Double patty beef bomb blend of chuck and short rib, mozzarella, fried bacon strips, house-made bacon jam, lollo rossa greens, garlic aioli all on a sesame seed bun

Single Patty 245.00 Double Patty 345.00

For combo meals (Add on Fries & Drinks) are Rated GP (P85) and Rated 18 (P105 or P190) 

The Rising Shroom

Mustard-fried double patty steak cut blend of sirloin and chuck, fried oyster mushroom tempura, white truffle creamed cheese and sauteed mushrooms all on a kaiser roll 

Single Patty 280.00 Double Patty 375.00

The Bar Burger

A double patty big game blend of hanger and brisket, smoked scamorza and gorgonzola cheeses, fresh prosciutto, watercress spiked with sriracha aioli, crowned with crispy onions rings all on a brioche bun -

Single Patty 290.00 Double Patty 395.00

TIP:

Call to make reservations if its a planned dinner/lunch to save time on waiting in line.

BurgerBarGreenbelt 2
G/F Greenbelt 2, Esperanza St cor Greenbelt Dr Ayala Center, Makati 

(02) 625-2792

Bon Appetit!

xoxo,
S