Me, Three Years Ago

new me
Originally uploaded by kitakitts

I was roughly 15lbs lighter then :) If I can lose weight, my hair will be gone in seconds. I want a short hair, with highlights ;)

A Fresh Start

Having heard that my bro and my SIL, with their kids, are finally moving in their house in Laguna, I was eagerly waiting for a chance to go and visit them there. I know how challenging it is to settle and start making a house a home, we've been there three years ago :)

Anyways, this post is more for his twin bro who's not there with us. Bards, I'll just send you the link after I've uploaded the photos. Donna was there, despite your bilin hehe

Weekend Photo: Funny Face

dani funny face
Originally uploaded by daniellaveronica

My parents went over and spent the night at our place last night. This morning, we went to my brother's house in Laguna. They have just moved in a couple of weeks ago. We decided to pay them a visit, a house warming of some sorts. I bought clear drinking glasses as small gift for my SIL.

Ahh.. can't help but reminisce our first days in our own home :)

As always, I have some photos that are definitely for keeps. Dani already got the hang of getting her photos taken and gamely pose for me whenever I requested for it.

One thing's for sure, even if my dani weighs more than her cousin zach, she wont be taking Phentermine without prescription anytime soon.

What is your heart made out of?

Maybe I'll sing this song when I'm under a sakura tree savoring my bento ;)

Boku no atama wa tomato de dekiteiru
My head is made out of tomato

Boku no atama wa tomato de dekiteiru
My head is made out of tomato

Demo tomato no ho ga nasu yori tsuki desu yo
But I like tomatoes better than eggplant

Boku no hearto wa ichigo de dekiteiru
My heart is made out of strawberries

Boku no hearto wa ichigo de dekiteiru
My heart is made out of strawberries

Demo ichigo no ho ga nashi yori tsuki desu yo
But I like strawberries better than pears

Anata no atama wa nani de dekiteru ka?
What is your head made out of?

Anata no hearto wa nani de dekiteru ka?
What is your heart made out of?

Boku no atama wa tomato de dekiteiru
My head is made out of tomato

Boku no hearto wa ichigo de dekiteiru
My heart is made out of strawberries

-- Paul Gilbert, Spaceship One

Meme: Blogamoma Tuesday Toot

Ok, I'm trying this meme for this week. My accomplishment for the week (for the past few weeks actually): I can put dani to bed and she'll be asleep in minutes, no fuss no crying. Establishing routine does help. Yey!

1. Marriage and Beyond 2. The Parenting Blog 3. Lorilee Kopp 4. Merrianne 5. Sherrie Thompson 6. Karen @ If I Could Escape . . .

7. mimi 8. Laura Beth 9. Pixie 10. Mommy Meryl 11. Kim & Kiddos 12. Nicole at Think Mama Think

13. Tanya 14. Tutu Monkey 15. Amy 16. Marriage?! Think twice

Little Miss Sunshine

Yellow
Originally uploaded by daniellaveronica

In a gloomy day like today, no better way to cheer me up but my little miss sunshine :) She's holding one of the carnations I brought home friday night.

Weekend was fast, most of my day spent kulitan with Dani. We went to SM saturday afternoon to buy some groceries while Dani played with her yaya at Wonderland for Kids. When I went to get her, she was just sitting still in a rocking horse watching Mulan. After two hours, I guess she's already bored.

We also bought a single point water heater for our bathroom, scheduled to be installed come saturday. Rainy days means more cold weather and as much as I find it sweet for hubby to get up early and boil me some bath water, I think it's about time we get one.

Our activity for sunday includes, me cutting out various shapes from construction paper and Dani pasting it on a white sheet. Next time I'll try strings and ribbons :) I wasn't able to blog but I did get to upload some photos in my friendster account :)

I took home some work but surpise surprise never did get anything done haha I did get to finish The Golden Compass. What can I say, Nicole is timeless.

We had to commute today. Xeon's clutch is going bezerk so we hitched with my tito earlier. I think this will be our setup for the whole week :p

Fourty-Four

I checked BDO's dollar rates the other day and they are buying at P44.2 per $1. I withdrawed some money in my paypal account but with lower rates :( oh well, when in need talaga you just do what you have to do when there's no other options :p

I will be praying for sheriff's kindness hoping to receive more assignments in the future. Yun lang :p

Movie: Gone Baby Gone

All I can say is that sometimes, its not always right to be right. In the end, sabi nga nila, do whatever will make you sleep at night. I do not have much insight about the movie as I'm just checking the board. I feel bad for everyone except for the mom because she got her baby back. Everyone has their reasons for their actions. Sometimes, there is no wrong or right, just different values and perspectives, ika ni Stephen Covey. I'm sure I won't agree should someone take my dani away from me. In my opinion, that is plain kidnapping, which is dead wrong.


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Hmm.. I think I saw some teak patio furniture at freeman's house.

Hand in the Cookie Jar

櫻 Sakura
Originally uploaded by AllenHsu

I was almost caught by hubby this morning as I was researching for possible future travel destination. It was not enough that I closed my browser, I forgot the notepad with some "research stuffs" which he got to read while I was preparing for work.

He mentioned it to me in passing right (with a light wary tone "ano na naman ang kinakana mo?" ) before our first carpool mate got in. So our discussion on the matter was put on hold until later.

The probable reason why I was not in the mood for work yesterday was because of CEB's seat sale with travel period covering our anniversary. Yesterday was supposed to be their last day for the said promo but it was extended until Sunday.

Did you know that in Taipei, sakura blooms in March-April?

I don't know about you but I'm having itchy feet.

or maybe it's fungi hehe.

Sakura

SAKURA
Originally uploaded by ღMayuღ

Spring 2013, I will be eating a bento box under a sakura tree.

A temporary escape.

Things are kinda slow today though I need to fast track some work :p

Blooming at 22

flickr white blooms
Originally uploaded by kitakitts

*buti ka pa may entry, si kuya mo wala pa hehe

Macau : Dumbo Restaurante

With the egg tarts wetting our appetite, we hailed a taxi as we're bound taste traditional portuguese cuisines. Armed with Macau Food Guide, I turned the page of the said restaurant and pointed it to the taxi driver. Here's the funny part, I thought he said, "Hindi pwede" as in I thought he spoke tagalog to which I replied, "Bakit hinde?!" One of the venetian staff seemed to notice we're having difficulty communicating with the said driver, he asked me where we were planning to go and so I told him and translated it to the driver. Off we went and arrived there in one piece thankfully.

At around 10pm, we had our dinner which consists of a veggie soup, fried codfish cakes, medium rare pork ribs steak. Someday I might join a wine club just so I'd know recommended pairing of spirit for such kind of food. I would've wanted to taste their desserts but i don't want to die of overeating just yet :) We even went home with a dogie bag.

I will try to update this entry to post how much we spent for our dinner here.

Macau : Home of Egg Tarts

If only I can afford it, I'd fly back to macau just to eat these egg tarts. I was planning to go to Lord Stow's but our hectic schedule and lack of planning made it impossible. If they say that our local Lord Stow's egg tarts tastes the same as the one in Mac, then let me just say that Padaria New Mario beats them in that pastry. Wish I could say where this one is located but like I've previously mentioned, we were roaming the roads aimlessly and fortunately stumbled upon this bakery.

Warning: wipes may be necessary as these are truly finger-lickin' good!

Day 1 Macau : The Venetian

Goes to say that I didn’t do my homework well before heading on to macau. The left photo below is the infamous Venetian Hotel. I took a picture of it during our morning walk earlier in the Taipa Village. At day time, you wouldn’t think much about it and easily dismiss it as just like any other hotel in macau. However, at night, just as the whole macau transforms, this one I consider Cinderella all ready for the great grand ball. Inside, there's a lot of story to tell :)

As we passed by the casino area, I was very wary as no cameras are allowed. I turned it off and kept it inside my bag just to avoid suspicion, I've no plans messing up with their security. We climb a flight of stairs and saw this huge lucky charm.

It is said that if you see this thing revolving then you're in luck. Sorry but I'm in no mood to gamble :) Not that I have any money to do so haha
I commend the mastermind behind the fake skies of the venetian interiors. If I were you, I wont forget to bring my watch as one can easily lose track of time when you're here.

The Ride The Serenade

Hotel Signa

For HK$200 or so, you can get to experience the authentic venetian gondola ride and be serenaded for about an hour (i forgot the exact details ;p) Some tourist (like me) are perfectly contented with just throwing a coin to the fake canals and wish and wish and wish..

I was planning to take look inside the rooms but was intimidated by the hotel itself. As if I don't deserve to be in it just yet. With its high price I'm betting from the patio furniture to bed to each piece of fixture inside will make it worth your stay.

Day 1 Macau : Grand Lisboa

After we struck gold finding the egg tarts. We strolled along the streets of macau until we saw these stunning bright lights.
The air was indeed cold resulting to frequent nature calls. With Watson plastic bags in tow, we proceeded inside the Grand Lisboa lobby.

In the center of their almost-twinkling chandelier are clusters of lotus.

I had doubts believing the displayed carvings are made of gold but they most probably are since they are securely enclosed in glass. Will not be surprised if I see gold race horse supplies though.

After relieving ourselves, we didn't dare get inside the casino and proceeded with our main agenda for the night: The venetian.

Movie: Iron Man

In between barney and little einsteins, I was able to watch Robert Downey’s Iron Man. I’m not quite sure what is the issue between perez and palthrow but she’s beautiful specially in her gown. I do have to agree, Robert did play his character rather well. Hubby doesn’t want to watch it as we don’t have the clear copy yet. You know me, I’m after the story first and then will do a second round if the film deserves it. As for Iron Man, yes, I might watch it again once we get a clearer deebeedee.

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I wonder if Tony Spark has a life insurance :)

Diary of The Little Girl

doesn't it seem like my blog is starting to be dominated by dani's updates and adventures? more often i just feel like sharing myself more but then what's here is all that i can share. i wish i am an opinionated person (like some person i know who contradicts you each time just so he has something to say on the matter) so i can blog about what i think on various social issues, about showbiz even. The excuse of being too busy being a working mom is just not acceptable anymore. Therefore, I will try harder, festool and all ;p

You'll be hearing more from me

I guess the sheriff wants me to blog more. Somehow the extra tasks I was just given prompts and helps me keep this blog alive. I know I so owe you guys a lot of tags, will try to do them as I appreciate you keeping me on your mind for these fun stuffs. Now on to my assignment on coffee tables before the little girl returns from afternoon bike trip.

Sharing the Love

I have always wanted to be an organ donor. However, since I am still alive and would need all the organ I have, my first step would be to donate my blood. I believe mine is clean so I would love to give it to someone in need. I did try twice but they said my veins are too small making it difficult for them to extract blood.

Anyways, thanks Mhay for sharing the love with me :)

This award is extra special because Crystal created it in honor of the donor who saved her sons life. Her son Noah had to have a heart transplant when he was just over a month old. This award is supposed to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

So, here are the rules Crystal gave:

“The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that “fit”. I didn’t want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??

So I created this award in Honor Of The Donor That Saved Noah’s Life. I share this award with those of you whose love and friendship have enriched my life and made my world a better place.

I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.”

I would so love to share this tag with these loving and giving ladies: Abie, Jane, Alpha and Joy.

Arcade and Bouncers

Since it was declared as Holiday in lieu of June 12, hubby took us to SM Dasma for the day. We decided to try this recently opened play place. For P200, you child gets to stay for 1.5hrs. We paid an additional P50 for one guardian. We just took turns in playing with Dani. Hubby got dizzy with all the bouncing he and Dani did.
After an hour or so, dani didn't want to stay anymore. I thought she got bored because there weren't any other kids to play with. However, minutes before we left a couple of kids signed up but still she wanted to go outside na.

She then tried the kiddie rides, lucky for us, she preferred them NOT moving so no tokens necessary :) We played a couple of arcade games and got 17 tickets. We weren't able to redeem any items as their minumum sells for 20tickets.


We bought some groceries and grabbed a box of bibingkinitan for miryenda. I went home with a backache with my hours of strolling around carrying 16kg of bone and flesh. It was fun though, when it was bedtime, dani kept saying

"Bounce bounce si Dani sa SM, 'no?"


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Hmm.. time to pay our car insurance.

Award: World's Greatest Mom

This maybe a century too late but I just can't help but feel proud as I received this from Abie. Thanks sis!

If you happen to be a father, married or not, who also at one point or permanently played the role of "mommy" in your child's life, then this one is for you!

Advance Happy Father's Day!

Weekend Photo: Braided

Just the other night, after Dani's bedtime bath, I tinkered with her hair. I guess she was busy playing that I got to braid her hair in minutes and she didn't even noticed. Her hair indeed grew longer from her first hair cut. I saw some split ends here and there but hubby said we'll have to wait some more before we head on to a kid's salon.

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thank god, i don't have to worry about natural acne treatment yet :)

Weekend Photo: The Violinist

Together with the bowling set I've blogged about below, I also bought this toy violin. I've mentioned below that dani imitates Quincy of Little Einstein whenever he plays the violin in the Birthday Balloons episode. I know my little one will love play pretend with her new toy. It actually plays music using two AA batteries but we've yet to hear them. Sometimes she forgets how to hold the instrument properly, much like how you hold a guitar. For now we're content that dani's just happy to use them.

Can't help but wonder though if she'll grow up as an eccentric musician playing her instrument while wearing vintage sunglasses.

Weekend Photo: Car Wash Assistant

Hubby found a new car wash assistant in the form of her daughter :) Sabi nga ni hubby, buti pa si Dani help nya si daddy, si mommy hindi man lang nagpunas kahit kelan :p

Oh well :p

Later today we'll visit dani's pedia to get her booster shot. Then we'll proceed to Paz to attend hubby's grandma's wake. She passed by thursday lunch time and her interment is scheduled tomorrow afternoon. That means we'll stay over Nova tonight and will be home on monday. No internet for me until then.

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Considering property? Winter Park real estate

My Little Bowler

In my attempt to introduce some sort of physical activity/play to my daughter, I bought this relatively cheap bowling set from Landmark's Toy section, which by the way offers 10% discount in selected items ;) I even called dani while we were on our way home asking her to wait for us so we could play later. True enough, gising pa sya pagdating namin sa bahay. After much kissing and hugging like it has been along time since we last saw each other, I showed her the set. We spruced up the pins with Dora stickers I saw from Landmark's party favors section hihi
Hubby did the actual demo and showed dani how to roll the ball and strike the pins down. After couple of rounds, Dani was all giggles clapping her hands cheering herself and her dad. Sometimes, when the ball misses the pins, she knocks them down with her own hands, me and her dad will automatically cheer for her haha.
The next morning, naglaro ulit kami before leaving for work :D

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Looking for party invitations ideas?

Working Mom Guilt Trip

I has been two mornings when we left the house with the little girl still sound asleep. Just this morning she woke up just before we were about to leave from work. Usually, after a couple of minutes stretching here and there she will say "Watch little einsteins" or whatever cd is her current fave. However, this time, she wants us to go outside and stroll with her on her bike. I was trying to recall our recent bonding moments and I am sort of missing her right now. On weekends, we usually start the day with a morning walk to the playground, settle ourselves on a swing and sing some songs for a good 30mins. We will then walk back to the house and ready ourselves for breakfast.

I'm window shopping online for toys or stuffs that are appropriate for her age. It would be nice for her to be more active rather than watch cds the whole day. Im kind of stuck as what to do with her next. She knows how to sing the ABCs, knows how to count from 1-10 in english and spanish. She can count with you up to twenty. Seems to me though that it has been a long time since we took a serious look at our Alphabeth chart and I'm thinking maybe I should buy a Number chart as well. I'm not sure if she can recall the letters she seemed to have already "memorized" before. She still gets confused about colors :) However, I'm not really bent on teaching her all these stuffs yet as I just wanted to know how else I could play with her and the learning stuffs will be just be a "bonus" for me. We tried puzzles, but with her temperament, I think mas gusto nyang magkalat kesa magbuo :p Maybe stickers and sticker book will work and throw some strings and glue. I will have to buy her new crayons also. I think we will have some progress in arts and crafts ;) Still it doesn't address me wanting us to have more physical activities. Maybe I ought to buy her a basketball set kaya? She likes to play with balls din naman eh :p

I'm suddenly feeling restless at work, the weekdays just wont end any faster. Parang gusto ko na rin magenroll kami sa TLG Alabang :p Will have to raise this again with hubby later.

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No time for Cobra golf

Memory in Terabytes

If you were a laptop, how big do you think is your laptop memory? I have tons of memories I'd like to put in writing as I know my memory will fail me as years inevitably pass by. Hopefully within the week, I will be able to blog about davao and dani's 2nd birthday party. Not to mention me wanting to bloghop and reconnect. Plus, I'm able to get hold of a copy of Pushing Daisies which my sister was raving about.

Meantime, I have to get some shuteye. Back to work tomorrow. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Birthday Loots

These are all the gifts we received during Dani's Birthday Party. Most of them are clothes. Some are one or two size bigger (which is better) while others can be worn already. Some guests preferred to give cash which we humbly accept since it is not for us but for Dani naman. I actually do not have an official gift for my daughter yet. I'm thinking new pair of earrings, a white version of her mickey mouse one. I don't think dani would like to wear gold anklet yet.

Weekend Photo: Getting Creative

As we had some leftover studs from yesterday's party, Dani and I decided to jazz up her cabinet for a change :) She gets easily frustrated whenever she had difficulty making the studs stick on the wood rather than between her fingers. I also did a quick sorting of her clothes and gave some stuffs to her cousin. I liked the little hangers I bought from SM Dasma the other day. I will buy some more on our next visit. Wish we have some moving boxes to store some old clothes. Instead, our unused luggage bag will have to do :)

Rainbow

Coming home from my tito's birthday, we saw this rainbow and pleaded to hubby to stop for awhile and allow me to take some photos. I've oversaturated this pic for this post just to emphasize the colors. I may have to do some tweaking to improve the saturation of the original. Maybe sometime next year? *lol*

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what is progesterone?

Album: Dani Turns Two

As I am in the process of drafting our kwento, you may check out our photos and read some notes there :D Overall it was quick but loaded with fun :D With the ever reliable MS Excel as our budget software and guest list management tool we didn't go overboard with our expenses, yey!