Marvin and May's Wedding

Jhen, Chie, The bride and groom, Ayie and Trid... Justin (my son -the coin bearer) is also there but we hid him behind Marvin (^_^) bad mother hehehe

Finally: I survive SAGADA

After 3 months of preparation, finally; we were able to conquer Sagada.

SAGADA

Later tonight, I will be on my way to SAGADA...Excited much. Will be posting a detailed blog re my much awaited adventure.

Incubus

Indeed Incubus is coming...

Dear God,

Please make my bucket list come true.

Just 1 picture with the whole band and a kiss from Mr. Boyd.

Amen.

RIO day with Justin

Yesterday, I decided to bring Justin at SM for a little Mom and Son moment. We ate at KFC, since he loves KFC  more than Jollibee which is odd, since most kids would beg for the bee instead of Col. Sanders. He drinks the chicken gravy like I do, I am guilty for setting a very bad example to him (I love to make it [gravy] as my appetizer and dessert.) We ordered the 2 piece fully loaded meal and a bucket of fries; I thought he will not finish the entire meal that is why I didn't order for myself but unfortunately, he did! What was left for me was the bucket of fries which I didn't like and a few slices of the chicken meat. After eating, we bought a bucket of popcorn and our ticket to watch RIO, it was a nice movie. Thou I am afraid that he will throw tantrums inside the cinema and beg to go out to play at the arcade, he did not, he was behave and watched the movie as if he understands every bit of it, thou I know, he didn't understand what the story was all about, I know he enjoyed it. After watching the movie he would reenact how Blue, the starring role in the movie would fly. After watching the movie, I bought him his favorite Disney Cars magazine and a book and we shared a papaya milk on our way home.

I just pray that our Mom-Son bonding will always happen, I miss his toddler days, he grows so fast. How I wish that JP would be able to provide for us so that I could stop working and take care of our son.

Going out of the country

Been thiniking really hard lately...

I've been searching how to get a VISA in the USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA or NEW ZELANAD. After being excited for awhile I'll contemplate; why do I want to go broad when I have everything here in Manila? My job pays me better than when I was in the CC industry, I'm enjoying my day shift and weekends off, I'm going to different places whenever I have field assignments, I can bond with my friends in the afternoon, sleep at night with Justin beside me, which didn't happen since he was born, but then when my anxiety attacks, I'll revert to my laptop and again study how to get VISA and it's even included in my bucket list. The last time I applied for a US Visa, I was denied but that didn't stop me from reapplying. I constantly tell JP to apply for a Canada VISA because he has advantage than me since he has relatives who are already Canadian citizens but he doesn't want to leave the Philippines. 

Why do I want to go abroad? To post pictures in my facebook account? make more money?

But I really want to go abroad, have a visa and at least travel.

Little Black Dress

When I was still slim, I never thought of having that special black dress that I could wear on special occasions until, I hit the 180lbs mark of the weighing scale, and since my job requires me to dress up I have to buy lots of dress and with the humps and bumps in my entire body which was the remembrance of my first pregnancy, I have to rely on black dresses to hide my friendly flabber.


I am always disappointed, irate and agitated everytime I hit the mall to find that one special black dress that will make me feel sexy, is always at lost and nowhere to be found. All I ever had was a black dress that usually kisses my body and again, my humps and bumps shows which I hate.


Are designer's tape measure ends in the number 24? Isn't it only fair that women whose figure is as big as mine deserve to have that "one black dress" that would perfectly complement our figure?

Another MILES-tone

Last night we were reciting the alphabet with my son Justin. It was a rough ride for him, he was confused with some of the letters, he was agitated and showed his frustrations every time I correct him.

Then came the fun part I showed him this letter :

and then Justin immediately said "Q" with confidence; and I asked "Q for?"

then he replied; Q for "CUTE". We tried not to laugh but we couldn't help it.

Cloud 9

Last March 2 was Justin's first airplane ride via Cebu Pacific bound to Iloilo.

He was super excited and was already shouting and screaming when we waited for the plane to take off. He thought we were just teasing him and the aircraft will never fly.

He was agitated at first but when the aircraft took off, he sat still and no one can touch him. I know he was nervous, so do I. He doesn't want to look at the windows and he demanded to close it and continue to hide behind my arms.

Iloilo

Me, Mom, Tonton and my son Justin will be in Iloilo tomorrow.

Will definitely post our adventure there. I am excited, super excited since this will be my Son's first vacation and Airplane ride!

Huha!

A Worth Reading

>ONE RED ROSE
>I Have Survived Essay Writing Contest!
>Third Place & Reader's Choice Winner
>Date Posted: 2/4/2005 8:00:55 PM
>Author: zirma guevarra

> "Hey Mommy, what are you staring at? Are you listening, Mom?"
>
> "I said, after watching Enteng Kabisote, let us pass by at Dad's
> favorite record store and buy him a new CD."
>
> "Shhhh... All right, Josh...," I whispered. "Mom heard you loud and
>clear,"
> I replied.
>
> Josh just turned 5 years old last December 25. Those five years of
> being a Mom to a very handsome, sweet and smart kid is probably the
> most exciting and fulfilling stage of my life.
>
> I'll be 28 years old this Feb. 14. At my age, I can recognize all the
> anime characters -- from Ghost Fighter to Ragnarok, to Lupin to Mask
> Ryder.
>
> Josh loves watching television and most of the time, I am his TV buddy.
>
> Whenever I would arrive home from work, he is always ready with his
> never-ending stories of what he did at school and what had happened to
> Mask Rider Ryuki.
>
> Some of my morning rituals, though repetitive, are never boring. I
> usually wake up at 5AM, take shower, prepare Josh's uniform, and make
> sure all his stuff are inside his bag including his baon.
>
> Then I would wake up his yaya and ask her to give Josh a bath, while I
> prepare myself for the office.
>
> In between putting on my blush-on and lipstick, I would always hear
> Josh giggling, yelling and making fun of his Yaya Ella.
>
> In most times, I would get jealous of Ella, they get along well.
>
> Josh is much like his dad, they are both makulit. At his young age,
> Josh loves listening to music and oftentimes mimics all rockers he
> sees on MTV.
>
> Before Josh disrupted my thoughts about the CD he wished to buy for
> his Dad, I was in a trance, pondering the first time I met Kelvin...
>
> It was Valentines Day of 1997 when I first laid eyes on him, it was
> also my 20th birthday then.
>
> I found myself sitting alone in one of the waiting sheds of the
> campus, when I noticed him walking directly to my direction.
>
> He was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt.
>
> Every stride he made toward my place made me nervous.
>
> His good looks and boyish features became too evident as he came closer.
>
> I was so conscious that I stood up and tried to walk away until he
> called out, "Mariz, wait!"
>
> I stood still, thinking, "how did this guy whom I never met before
> know my name?"
>
> As I turned my head and looked back, he smiled and uttered, "Happy
>Valentines".
>
> He then handed me a red rose.
>
> I smiled back, sat down and we talked.
>
> I learned that Kelvin was an admirer, who befriended one of my
> classmates to get to know me as well.
>
> He confessed that he, together with my classmates, really planned that
> particular day -- I found out it was the reason I sat alone, waiting
> without my usual tropa.
>
> We talked for almost an hour -- we were comfortable conversing. I
> learned that we were both on our junior year, he was taking up ECE
> while I, Business Ad. We both studied at PLM.
>
> Kelvin and I became very close -- he loved poetry and music; I liked
> cross stitching.
>
> He was always the first one to laugh whenever he delivered a joke. As
> for me, I often laughed at his jokes because he laughed like a
> gorilla.
>
> We became inseparable since the first time we met. Kelvin became the
> closest person to me aside from my family.
>
> On the eve of my graduation, after more than a year of friendship /
> courtship, he became my first boyfriend.
>
> In 1998, I graduated from college, and Kelvin was on his 5th year in ECE
>then.
>
> I remember during the graduation rites at PICC, Kelvin was hesitant to
> come and see me receive my diploma because that will also be the first
> time for him to meet my family. I forced him though. I introduced
> Kelvin to my family, oh, I could not forget that scenario. He was so
> nervous and pale.
>
> June of 1998, I was employed in one of the top corporations in
> Ortigas, while Kelvin was on his last year in Engineering.
>
> At that time, we saw to it that our relationship will not be tested by
> the temptations of the corporate world and tried our best to fight his
> insecurity of still "being a student".
>
> Every relationship, as they say, has its ups and downs. Kelvin started
> to show signs of jealousy and insecurity. We seldom went out on dates,
> he always had excuses.
>
> Behind all his aloofness, I knew then that he just did not want me to
> spend money on our dates.
>
> His pride was slowly tearing our relationship apart during those times.
> There were couple of nights I spent crying instead of resting. My
> co-workers were asking me to give up Kelvin, they insisted that life
> and love in college was different when starts working in the corporate
> world.
>
> October 26, 1998, Kelvin's birthday. I surprised him while he and his
> study group were busy finishing their case study on Microprocessor
> Clock Speed.
>
> I showed up wearing my old college uniform. He was shocked and he
> stared long at my old uniform, then he embraced me so hard that I
> raced for my breath.
>
> When he let go, I saw tears in his eyes. He kept repeating how much he
> loved me and that he was sorry for pushing me away.
>
> He confessed that, he was so jealous and insecure that he wanted me to
> find some other guy that could treat me out in any restaurant I
> wanted; buy me anything I pleased; or fetch me with nice cars; and
> shower me with gifts.
>
> Then I found myself crying for I never had known then how much I loved
> Kelvin, until I knew how sensitive he was.
>
> How he wished to give me the WORLD, when I only longed for a single red
>rose.
>
> February 14, 1999, on my 22nd birthday, he gave me one red rose; same
> as what he gave me when we first met two years before.
>
> And I swore then, that was the only thing I wished to receive.
>
> Thursday, April 1, 1999, Kelvin fetched me from work. He bragged all
> afternoon, he said he will graduate on the 30th, Friday.
>
> He kept on asking me to address him as Engineer Kelvin Regalado. I did.
>
> That night, we made love for the first time. It was passionate and
> unforgettable.
>
> April 18, 1999 , our 2nd anniversary, Kelvin composed this poem in front
>of me.
>
> Star shine's bright on a darkest night...
> being with you makes every thing right...
> here is my heart with love as pure as white...
> here are my arms that will hug with all my might...
> at the bottom of the lighthouse maybe the darkest,
> amidst fears and sorrows...
> I'll be abreast atop mountains and hills maybe the loneliest
> but if you find yourself there...
> close your eyes think of me... I'll be there, my dearest...
>
> Exactly a week before Kelvin's graduation, at around 5:30 in the
> afternoon, I received a message from my beeper, it was from his
> younger brother, Jethro.
>
> The message said, "Kuya is at PGH, emergency room".
>
> I hurriedly jumped into the first available taxi, I was literally
> crying a river.
>
> I was accustomed to be greeted with smiles by Kelvin's family, but
> that night was different. They were all crying, and I needed not any
> word from them to know what was happening.
>
> Jethro nonetheless, told me the whole story -- The police came to
> their house and brought them to the hospital because Kelvin was shot
> in a pawnshop hold-up incident and that his condition was critical.
>
> Jethro narrated that while Kelvin was pawning his necklace which he
> received from his aunt as an advanced graduation gift, two hold-uppers
> suddenly showed up and shot both guard and Kelvin.
>
> Jethro's last narration dropped like a bomb on my ears. Apparently,
> Kelvin told Jethro why he wanted to pawn the necklace.
>
> "Alam mo Jethro, ayos tong gift ni Tita, isasanla ko muna, para
> ipambili ko ng singsing, ako magreregalo kay Mariz sa graduation ko."
>
> April 24, 1999 , Kelvin died. Up to now I can't find the words to
> express how I felt then.
>
> April 30, 1999, all of us whom he'd touched, whom he'd shared jokes
> with; all those who had read his poems, who had heard his songs, were
> marching not toward PICC for his graduation, but to his funeral.
>
> It was the worst breakup.
>
> Two months after Kelvin died, I was diagnosed as pregnant. I cried and
> cried until tears rolled out empty.
>
> My family spoke no word, they pitied me. I thought they would kill me,
> be ashamed of me, but that did not happen.
>
> Both my family and Kelvin's supported me and showed how much they loved
>me.
>
> December 25, 1999 , instead of humming Christmas songs and crying over
> the thoughts of not celebrating it with Kelvin, I gave birth to a boy
> I named Josh.
>
> Since then, the happiness that Josh and I share is beyond what his dad
> would have planned for me.
>
> I am no longer particular with dates and time, I don't even wear a
> watch, and I just make each day with my kid a day to cherish.
>
> Each day at the office is an opportunity to give Josh a better life,
> education and future.
>
> It all started with one red rose.
>
> And until there is a rose, I will never be hopeless.
>
> "Hey mommy, are you crying?"
> "No son."
> "Magaling ba si Enteng?"
> "Di ka naman nanunuod, mommy eh."
> "Lika ka na, bili na tayo ng CD para ke Daddy."
> "Ayos, Mommy, tiyak mapapagalitan na naman si Daddy ni San Pedro dahil
> malakas na naman yun kung magpatugtog."
> "Di ba Mommy?"
> "Opo."

Cheesecake anyone?

Here is a compilation of the cheesecakes that I ate for the past 6 months or more.

1. Raspberry Cheesecake - Burgoo at Gateway

It was the best cheesecake that I ate in my entire existence. Also, this mouthwatering creature brought me to the hospital because of Acute Gastroenteritis. But, nonetheless, it is the BEST in town!

2. New York Cheesecake - Conti's Trinoma

Another mouthwatering experience! You might want to close your eyes to savor heaven while eating this creature! Superb.

3. Blueberry Cheesecake - The Chocolate Kiss Cafe, UP Diliman

Aside from the place has a romantic ambiance, the cheesecake itself made me fall in love again.

4. Mango Cheesecake - Becky's Kitchen at P.Ocampo Taft

Mixture of sweetness and sourness makes this cheesecake exotic.

5. Blueberry Cheesecake - Becky's Kitchen, P. Ocampo Taft

Another great cheesecake from Becky's however, it was frozen and with my sensitive teeth, I could not enjoy it the same way I enjoyed their Mango Cheesecake.

6. Oreo Cheesecake - Conti's Trinoma

If there's Conti's along the way, I will surely stop to buy one of their Cheesecake. Their Cheesecake is really great.

7. Cinnamon Cheesecake - The Chocolate Kiss, UP Diliman

It is the best! Mixture of Salty taste, sweetness and sourness that equals to YUMYUMYUM!

8. MY VERY OWN RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

Who will not love this cheesecake that is made from scratch and seasoned with love? :) I'm a bit biased but this is still the best cheesecake for my family!

*****DISCLAIMER***** The cheesecakes were not ranked based on which ever is better! All of it are my favorite *Wink*