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?