Starting Over

The new year is just around the corner, just a few days away from the start of a new decade.
The looming 2010 made me look back on things that happened this year, both good and bad. And what mistakes I did to contribute to make things bad. In short, I am doing my resolutions.

Okay, so I do them every year. What will make 2010 different from the rest? Honestly, I am not sure. But isn't that the beauty of every new year? Or every day? We get to start over.

I am starting over on my resolutions. Off the top of my head (or recycled items of resolutions past) are:

1. Lose weight -- which is on the list every year. I have written my goal weight somewhere. I am still hopeful. =)

2. Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. Okay, I will finally rip out the plastic cover of my growing UNOPENED exercise DVD collection. Hubby will be so happy.

3. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

4. Turn off the TV and Net more. Less media, less stress.

5. Read AND finish 15 books.

6. Learn a new language. I'm starting with Norwegian. My sister is in viking land and a willing mentor.

7. Have quiet time starting with 1o minutes daily.

8. Learn to bake. Sharpening the saw is always good.

9. Finish C0c0's big, yellow book.

10. Be more organized at home and with my time. Hubby will be happy with this, too.

11. Update my goal book.

12. Never be late for ANY appointment. Allocate time for traffic.

13. Learn Photoshop CS4. Thank you, JM.

14. Wake up early or earlier. Translation: Sleep earlier. Lights out at 10:30 pm?

These are just a few things. There are certainly more ideas floating in my head. Possibilities for 2010 are sprouting and ripe for the picking. I'm not about to let it waste by letting history repeat itself.

What are your resolutions for 2010?

I Am Still Alive

Okay. It's been months since my last post. So... a lot has happened since.

Just blogging to let you know that I'm still alive and gearing up for the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Cooling Down for the Summer Heat

Summer has raised the temperature earlier than expected this year. And experts say it's gonna stay for a longer time compared to recent years. Oh no!

Beach freaks out there, hold your horses. Living it easy this summertime may not be as easy as we all think. This summer heat may actually cause harm if we don't take extra precaution. Remember, the risk of heat strokes go up in summer heat.

One simple way to prevent it: water. And lots of it.

I've been trying to get the kids to drink more water daily. It's a good thing that Kowi naturally loves agua. Not so with Kuya. I'm having a more difficult time to get him to drink the colorless stuff.

He'll drink iced tea, juice and even the (hopefully) occasional soda, but not water.

So I searched around and found an inexpensive (okay, downright cheap) way to hydrate my son.

The solution? I put in fresh slices of cucumber to his water and viola--he loved it. He drank a whole glass in one sitting.

Cucumber water. Who would've thought? Try it. It's the perfect cool down concoction for summer.

photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

Feeling the Summer Heat

Yes, it is officially summer in the Philippines. The 34-degree temperaure is always a tell-tale sign that it is time to bring out those short-shorts, flip flops and tank tops!

Okay, I'm not sure about the tank tops. Haha.

I am really feeling the heat. I already see small beads of perspiration a few mintues after I get out of the shower! It is that hot, people.

The weather is making me crave cool summer fruitshakes like watermelon and mango.

And who could forget the sinfully decadent halo-halo with ube ice cream on top. Ah bliss!

All this talk about getting cooler is making me hungry.

Global Financial Crisis, anyone?

I dread turning on the news everyday. All the talks about the global financial crisis leave me somewhat depressed and, frankly, concerned.

Who wouldn't be? Everyday, companies would announce cost-cutting measures to keep themselves afloat through these tough times. These range from withholding bonuses, salary ceilings to decreased work weeks and shutting down operations. The bottom line is that everyone needs to be on a tight budget until the global financial crisis blows over.

Just how do you make your budget work? Yes, it is living within your means, not spending more than what you make. I have lived 32 years with these little conveniences that I cannot just "undo" in a day. Sadly, some of the latte factors have to go. And they have to go -- pronto! But, people, it is easier said than done.

Let's translate this into more concrete terms:

- Forgo that cuppa joe every morning and try making your own coffee. Maybe this is the right time to invest in a sturdy coffee travel mug to take to work.

- Packed lunches are so hip! Did I mention that it can also save you a few bucks daily? As they say, even a penny may help.

- Eat at home more often. Family dinners can be a great bonding experience between parents and kids. It is definitely healthier and lighter on the pocket.

- Maybe forgo that professional mani-pedi and do it yourself for a change. They can cost an arm and a leg. Well, this may be too drastic... Maybe go to the salon once a month and DIY maintenance.

If anything, the global financial crisis is telling all of us to get back to the basics, live within our means and simplify. Who said that the old fashioned way of cooking at home and DIYs cannot be relearned? It is a hard lesson but the important ones are never easy.

Hooked on Soaps

I have not been a big fan of soaps or telenovelas as we fondly call them here in the country. Filipinos have been hooked on soaps since the the Marimar phenomenon occurred in the mid 90s. And somehow primetime TV has never been the same since then.

In my 32 years of life, I have followed probably a handful. My first soap was Mara Clara. When scheduled permitted, I watched it for lack of other shows on TV. But I soon lost interest when that blasted diary apparently took years to surface.

I was coerced by my office mates into watching my second soap. Mula Sa Puso was a hit during those days. And Princess Punzalan was really scary. I had to watch or risk being ostracized during breaks. Yes, I even watched the movie. =P

I started tuning in to Pangako Sa 'Yo after I had given birth to Kuya. My cousins were absolutely hooked on this soap. Of course, I had to know the infamous Amor Powers and Madame Claudia that they were raving about.

Who would forget the sleeper hit, Mulawin? Since I watched the pilot episode, I started following it. Somehow the story of star-crossed lovers, Alwina and Aguiluz was too riveting to pass. No, I didn't watch the movie but I did buy the feathered masks.

Now, I'm starting to get hooked on the soap, Tayong Dalawa and for obvious reasons. Anyone who has seen the trailer would know that the two David Garcia Jrs would enroll themselves somewhere I know by heart. And I should. After all the significant men in my life hurdled its mountains in a manner of speaking.

Am I hooked on soaps?

Twas A Month After Christmas

Twas so funny that I had to share...

Twas the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,

The chocolate I'd taste

At the holiday parties

Had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales

There arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

(Less a walk than a lumber)

I'd remember the marvellous

Meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces

And beef nicely rared.

The wine and the rum balls,

The bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said,

"No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself

In my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again

To do battle with dirt...

I said to myself,

As I only can,

"You can't spend a winter,

Disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last

Of the sour cream dip.

Get rid of the fruit cake,

Every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food

That I like must be banished

Till all the additional

Ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie,

Not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew

On a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits,

Or corn bread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot

And quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome,

And life is a bore...

But isn't that what

January is for?

Unable to giggle,

No longer a riot.

Happy Chinese New Year to all,

And to all a good diet.

Still On Fresh Starts

I've been skipping on my blogging time for really long time now. No, it's not because I'm a slacker--2009 has left me little time to go blogging. Our family schedule has been a bit tight, not to mention my introduction to Facebook. (Guilty!)

There are certain things that I also want to start but I'm waiting after January. They say most fresh starts fail when begun on the new year. Well, January's such an arbitrary month anyway. I'm doing my fresh starts in February. No violent reactions, please.

Fabulous Blog

Thanks for this, Cee.

The Rules for the Tag are:

1. You need to list 5 Addictions that you have.
2. You have to pass this Tag to five (5) or more people with fabulous blogs.




My Five Addictions:

1. Hubby
2. Kuya
3. Kowi
4. Books and magazines
5. Entertainment news

Passing this on to the following people who I personally think have ultra-fab blogs:
1. Cee
2. Melisse
3. Julianna
4. Ivan Girl
5. Angie

May you continue to inspire the blogging world with your insight.

Fresh Start

Don't we all look forward to a fresh start? Now that it's 2009, I'm sure we want to face the new year some semblance of order. The chaos of the holidays still has me reeling. Yes, I know it's mid-January, better get my b*tt moving. Chop chop.

I've been taking time to revamp certain areas of the house. Hubby and I started with my "new" kitchen. (It was known as the maid's quarters in another life.) Hubby gave away the double deck bed to make room for the stove, other kitchen appliances and makeshift pantry. So far it's been a week and I'm absolutely loving it. But it still needs tweaking and a few homey touches here and there. And probably a center island if I could fit one in it!

Another area that needs a new look is the kids' bedroom. I just can't seem to get past the amount of toys that they've accumulated just this past Christmas. Although there are a few gifts that I've kept for recycling purposes, their toys are just too many to sort! To keep all of it down to an organized chaos, I told Kuya and Kowi to put their toys into a garbage bag and put them in the attic. I will get to them it--eventually.

Well, in the spirit of fresh starts, here's hoping that 2009 brighter than what is anticipated. Happy new year, everyone. (Yes, even in mid-January).