Breaks without breaking

Two weeks more and we'll be off to Krabi. I, A and most of all, the kids cannot wait! Not that they're not having fun while waiting but a beach break has always been something special.

The long, deep sleeps only vacations can perfectly offer. Breakfast buffets, board and card games by the pool, frozen fruits on a stick offered genuinely with a smile, numerous massage hours, snorkeling, sand castles, beach beach beach....

Best of all? After the flights and accommodations were paid...we still have enough to cover the rest without touching a cent more. Woohoo!

those pondering moments

Having a job nowadays is a treasure for many people and I'm thankful for having one that understands the demands of being a parent and pays nicely without draining my being.

However, sometimes it comes to me that I want to quit; a thought that's very strong specially during my children's school breaks. Of course we go somewhere for a 2-week beach vacation but the guilt of not having 24 hours with them sinks in mostly when I remember the time I had FOR them when we were in Germany---even our dear dog, Jake had my full attention back then.

Again, that was then. Our helper has taken over the house maintenance and has given me the freedom to do something else for myself. I'm in the present and this is where and what I should live in (for now); not the past that I also have had the chance to enjoy. I have to think differently. That I'm not really losing my time with the family, it's just that I have something in the past to compare it with hence this feeling.

Making the best of every time we're together is key and that is what I should ponder on more.

FIFA Fever

We've been consistently going to Harry's Bar to watch the 10pm matches and my addiction for a good soccer game is getting more and more. After years of trying to understand the "odd" rules, and frowning at the best of "no real" pain actors, I find myself screaming and booing at heart-stopping attempts and bad calls.

Last night was one of them. I painted the German flag on my chest, my children's cheeks and my helper's arm before we went to Paulaner Brauhaus to share the excitement with other fanatics and enjoy a "healthy" portion of pork knuckle and sauerkraut.

Soon as the game began, the loud noises of casual chitchat was gone and the room was filled with cheers, claps and hoots! 93 minutes of adrenalin rush was all worth it because Germany I would say, played very, very well this time. Excellent team play!

This Saturday, July 3rd is yet another heart pounder. Germany vs Argentina. I'm rooting for good, old, cold Germany of course, but Argentina's no easy contender.

I keep coming back to Manila

Five days in Manila seemed short but my siblings and I made the most out of it, as always. Well planned places to go to and last minute changes all made the vacation typical of "US". In the midst of that full schedule, I was able to meet with good friends and have sinful hours of sweets at Cafe Breton.

I was shopping for Tees and pants and even kiddie schoolbags-cum-luggages like crazy because the price was so low and my suitcase was empty because I arrived with it full of "pasalubongs and padalas" an excuse to fill it up.

We went to Tagaytay Highlands and stayed there for 3 days. Swimming, eating, chit-chatting and simply catching-up with each others lives. My sister who is pregnant with twins, being the youngest of the Francisco girls, got all the tips and advices about this and thats. I got the chance to give some sermon-therapy sessions to my 4th sister who really needs to do some mild but serious exercising.

Til the next trip! Woohoo!

late post but I just had to say it! teehee

No fan of cheese yet tonight's Cheese dinner with the family was oh so delicious I had a hard time stopping. With quince jelly, you can't go wrong. It works wonders even with the strongest of cheese.

Toasted authentic German bread, butter, French Rosette as the main...perfect!

We're ready for our European Christmas! (6 months to go...) and enjoying the days.

Mom's Night Out

What started out as a simple comparison of personas about who's who in the fashion movie Sex & the City turned out to be a full blast Mommies Night Out.

We booked the whole Gold Class cinema and you can imagine the chattering of 30, yes 30, highly excited women. Some even came all dressed up like Carrie possessed them...I found that really cute. They felt the freedom from their Mommyhood and had their inner teens released.

The package we took included free flow of drinks and appetizers but I guess food was the least of our interest given the shoes, clothes and MEN on screen.

Alas! It was midnight and it was time to get back to reality. Though some had to go home, I and the others opted for another hour or so at Clarke Quay for some dancing and innocent drinks...I love Virgin Coladas!

Another Thai Break

After some thinking and calculating, we have decided to go on a summer holiday working with a budget but without sacrificing the quality. I've always believed that it doesn't have to break the bank to be good. So, I scoured the net and A did some queries as well. After a week or two, we had a good list of choices and we checked them all out.

Some places were really nice but the price was too much. I guess if it's just the 2 of us, we'd go for the usual 3 days/2 nights offer but a family break is usually more than a week with the kids having their own room, so that would require deeper digging. Then we have to consider eating out and some recreation activities...these little things are the unknown budget danger so that has to be addressed right from the beginning. This time I'm not bending the bank---Not when the more important trip is 6 months from now.

We decided to inquire at Anantara and after a few email exchanges, they offered us a very nice package which we immediately grabbed before the wind changes their minds. So Krabi it is.

Baby Love

K: "Mommy, I'll tell you something but promise not to laugh because it's embarrassing ok?"

J: (earnestly thinks) "Ok, I promise."

A: OMG OMG and starts to squiggle around and contain her laughter as I stared at her not to tease the little one with whatever the topic was.

K: (with big eyes he contd) Mommy, you know what? In my English class, after the class, AnnaD told me when we were going out of the room that she "loves" me...

J: OMG I thought and almost burst into laughter but I remembered the promise so I said, "hmm, so what did you do? Did you run away? Did you say thank you? What? You can tell Mommy."

A: Yeah Keanu, what did you do anyway?

K: I didn't do anything. I just stood there and stared at her.

(His face and re-enactment on how he stood and stared was priceless; I wanted to laugh my heart out)

J: "Hey, you know what? That's nice of her to say that because I'm sure it wasn't easy but she wanted you to know so you should be happy but not mayabang (arrogant) ok?"

K: (tightened his lips, raised his brows and says) "but Mommy I'm still young so I don't know why she's saying that?"

geesh, think Mommy, think...a-ha!

J: "Because you're a very very lovable boy. So, tomorrow, still be nice to her and not mayabang ok? So come on, it's dinner time."

I told A when he got home and had a good laugh.

Romancing the stone...

DISCLOSURE: I received an email containing these words and I liked it. So I copy/pasted these particular lines here in this blog to serve as my personal reminder for certain things... A girl asked a guy if he thought she was pretty, He said. No. She asked him if he would want to be with her forever. And he said no. She then asked him if she were to leave would he cry, and once again he replied with a no. She had heard enough. As she walked away, tears streaming down her face the boy grabbed her arm and said.. You're not pretty you're beautiful.... I don't want to be with you forever, I NEED to be with you forever.. And I wouldn't cry if you walked away...I'd die...

April's challenges

This month has been the busiest so far since this year began. Family visits for a week or more, a wedding to help organize, a house to run, kids to run, dogs to run, and oh, a husband to run :-p Our helper was off for 3 weeks so that explains the house to run part which I really have no problem with given the years in the US and Germany, however, what makes me lose it is all the running around from office, grocery, butchery and other domestic/kids activities that seem to be all happening at once---and I thought I was already an expert with time management *rolls eyes*

Our MIL was here but she first stayed at SIL's place and I wasn't planning on depending on her to take care of my household. She came to visit and deserve to relax. Luckily, I had my niece with us for 10 days and who, despite being a princess in Manila was very much willing to learn and help out with the chores. My daughter was not a problem and I was very proud how responsible she is at 11. Long story short, women power at it's best! Alright, I'll give some credit to A for helping with anything he could despite his stressful weeks of flights to China and the transition to a new job.....but that's another story :-)

Keanu blunder

I was playing badminton with Alyanna and 'counting' from A to Z. Here comes Keanu and offers to be the 'counter'. So here goes:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G of which at this point he suddenly said loudly:

"Mommy, you know how to spell CD?"

Alyanna and I pretended to not know and said:

"No we don't know." "So how do you spell it?"

He stood up and loudly said: "SD"---ooops!

I guess the joke was on my little one...and we all laughed happily ever after. The end.

Lipo or Botox?

Have been working out at least thrice a week with the dire hope that my metabolism is as young as I remember it to be. Turns out it's not and I'd have to suck up the courage to accept that losing weight at this age takes a lot of work, effort and sadly, discipline. Yes, the big D with eating. I love food and no doubt vice-versa that it leaves traces of its love---READ: bulges!

Last night, I was looking at our OLD photo albums with the kids and I had to bear the pain of looking at myself from long long time ago...back in the 90's! My little one's honesty echo's nonstop in my head I feel like having lipo done right now!

"Mom, can you be like that again?" THAT meaning a healthy, crispy 55 kilogram voluptuous woman.

"Hmmm I don't think I'd be like THAT again."

"And Why?"

"Because I'm getting older and my body can't do the activities I used to do like exercising the whole day. Mommy was teaching aerobics before 3x a day so I looked nicer then."

I think my son took that as a self-pity line so he tried to make me feel better.

"It's okay, you still look nice now even if you're OLD." waaahhh!!!!

Sweet Surprises!

I was having lunch with my boss when my mobile rang.

Me: "Hello?"

Keanu: "Hello Mommy. You know what?"

Me: "Hi! Love. What's up?"

Keanu: "I have a surprise for you. You'll be so, so, so happy!"

Me: "Really? So tell me big guy. What is it?"

Keanu: "I GOT a medal in my Projectwoche! You know Mommy, the Sportwoche we had in school this week! I was second place Mommy. Bryan was first and Charlene was third. Only 3 of us got a medal in our class. I'm second best Mommy!"

Me: Ignoring my boss's existence...I cheered to my little one's pride.

"Oh my god! That is sooo great! Congratulations! I am so proud of you! You ARE the Best!"

Keanu: "I'll show you later when you get home!"

Me: "Yes, my love. Would love to see that!"

Back to boss gleaming with pride and excused my childish cheering.

Boss smiled and said: "It's alright. Well done."

What can I say?---It's a perfect Friday!

Me on being 12.

Our marriage is a dozen year old and I couldn't be more impressed at what those years made of us---of ME. The happy times to treasure and the challenging ones that made ME the woman I am now. Most of us know that marriage can be blissful yet can be the most difficult relationship because it's a continuous evolution of two individuals. Similar yet different in various ways.

Without doubt, I am not the same woman he met years back. I neither accept nor live by the phrase, "where's that woman I married?" and vice versa because that person has surely matured physically, emotionally, mentally AND hormonally. Of course we try and keep the good qualities that our partners fell in love with in the first place but come on, I'd probably be bored with myself had I stayed the person I am a decade ago. Insecure. Weak. Dependent.

That was then...I hope I improved a bit ;-) Besides, only a dead butterfly rots in their cocoon right?

So I'm glad to be where I am now. Grateful for the smooth and rough journeys of the past years that showed me what I'm capable of facing and blessed to be in my sturdy shoes.

Happy Heart's Day

It's the last day of this long Chinese New Year weekend and I have to say it's probably one of the days I really enjoy being here---IT'S empty! Feels like 50% of the population has left and I could see it in the streets. Trust me, it's wonderful when most of them are NOT around.

On the morning of heart's day, we decided to have a biking tour with the kids and thankfully (due to the CNY) I didn't have to be on super guard mode for traffic. The cars had enough space to not squeeze the bikers to be on the canals and you don't have to play chicken with them in the zebra crossings! We biked for 2 hours and Keanu did a great job catching-up with us with his very basic bike. Though we tried to choose the roads with the least uphill direction, we can't really avoid it but he really worked those leg muscles! Alyanna was on her imaginary horse Trekker, aka Bike brand Trek, and that sure was her motivation to keep on going. Me? well, I huffed, puffed and panted but I made it to the top every time.

In the evening, A and I went out for dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day---well, we eat out for non-themed days anyway but given the extra ooomph most restaurants do for the occasion, why not? We went to the The Lighthouse and had their 5-course valentine menu which was delicious---enough for me to eat DEER meat. With its cozy ambiance and waterfront skyline, it was a charming idea.

I gave A a simple present for the occasion's corny romanticism *blush-blush* and he gave me mine which I could've opened next week for our big day but my impatience got the best of me of course.

Time after time...

It's Chinese New Year in this part of the world and I'm wondering where the heck did last year go?!!! more so, last MONTH?! Either I'm so busy with life's daily grind and happenings or I did the Snow White snooze and let time pass me by---AGAIN!

I was some years back a SAHM as well and I used to think that my life was fast. I was moving like a programmed robot, multi-tasking here and there. By the time I woke-up, the to do's go tsak-tsak-tsak...and voila! it was night time once more. Sometimes the need to change from jammies to house clothes or vice-versa is futile because what I wore seemed good enough to function as both.

I'm done (for now) with that stage and now on another platform of life. I'm a Working girl, er Woman. Not bad and I'm not complaining at all. Though sometimes I find myself entertaining the thought of being just home once more then minutes later, I whisk the thought away and be glad to be doing something else.

I enjoy my work. I like the people I work with. I like the independence of having my own working life and $$$. Buying stuff for family/friends from my own sweat (yeah right) makes me feel proud. Not to mention the little "tokens" our boss gives us every now and then which makes having an office in the Orchard area a disadvantage to shopaholics. (not that I'm one)---I'm the ant who likes to save for the rainy days.

So despite the speed of everyday, I'm grateful for living in it.

So bring it on Tiger Year! Meet the Pig! The year has just begun.

Plans, plans, plans

If there's one thing in planing a trip (or trips) that I didn't expect--it's losing the excitement. Call it weird but yes, it can happen. It's only February and I have dates blocked until mid-July!

I'm still overwhelmed with the after shock of the Christmas/New Year holiday preparations and celebrations and now I find myself hunting for nicely priced airfares to Germany FOR Christmas 2010 and the year JUST started!!! oh well, planning way way ahead is considered a norm, if not a safety precaution to have a place to stay in in this case.

The trip to Beijing has been postponed for another time. I'm getting burned out with organizing and looking forward to this and that that I'm ending up NOT excited anymore and yet another suggestion of a short getaway is brewing. Add to that is organizing our helper's trip which again tickles my pet peeve---disorganized, bureaucratic PAPERWORK!

Last but not least, $$$. Knowing this year end's family vacation won't be cheap, my ant character is quickly taking over because though vacation is part of our lifestyle, I'm very much aware that we have a reality to live in a.k.a. Kids, School, House, Food and and and

Thank goodness my better half got the message and took control of planning an alternative and not so pricey dozenth year with the request that I should trust him with it.

So, trust it is.

Welcome 2010

Though 2009 ended with me mostly visiting the doctors and being hospitalized and then followed by a surgery on the first week of 2010, I shouldn't think of it as a bad entry to 2010 but rather a good one with the renewed outlook to healthier living.

Ironically, being the Year of the Tiger, this one took a nibble on the Pig in me.

Goodbye 2009

Without realizing it, 2009 was over and a new year is faced. The stories and happenings in this web journal ARE but a few of the many things that have transpired. The unwritten ones are either those that I will treasure for myself in silence and those that I deem unnecessary to dwell further on.

Some memories are meant to just be memories...

Weihnachtszeit, Christmas Time

DIY Advents Kranz

DIY Advents Kalendar

DIY Oriental Xmas Decor

THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!

Lost in Translation!

The boss told the driver to pick-up his car from the workshop and there it began...

Driver: "Just, the girl said no Mike. She's not friendly."

Me: "No, he's there because I just spoke with him a few minutes ago."

(Driver goes back and tells the receptionist again.)

Phone rings again and same words. "Just, the lady is so rude and says they have no Mike."

"Ugh! wait, I'll call her." "Hi my name is Justice, can I speak with Mike please?"

Lady answers irritatedly with BAD singlish accent and grammar (if that's what you call it)

"You know ha, we car motor shop, why you ask me for Mike---we don't sell Mike here you know? Many times I say already that we only sell car parts!"

STATUS quo

Hubs is now a PR (permanent resident) here and with that comes a whole circus of paperwork for the rest of us. Not his fault actually, I just didn't see the need for me and the children to have that status yet so we had to go back to ground zero to apply their student passes and my long term pass here; which I'm using to apply for the work permit since as a spouse of a PR, I'm not that affected by the limitations of quotas and government levy. Similar advantages are given to DP (Dependant Pass) holders of which I had before when A was holding an EP (Employment Pass). DP holders can work too and just need LOC (Letter of consent) from their employer and no CPF (something like an SSS I think) deducted from their pay. That's still something I have to find out when I'm done with this work permit thing. As for tax, pay isn't taxable if you don't exceed 21or 22K for the year but you still have to file it for control, oops record purposes ;-)

I'm not keen on doing paperwork, however, no matter how irritating the situations may be, it helps me understand more about how things work. There are certain advantages and disadvantages not listed in the websites and me being the detailed interrogator when it comes to paperwork, end up calling the government bodies to explain to me other this and thats. Oh, and I don't limit it to one or two calls. I usually have a third, even fourth to compare number 1 to number 2's answer then move from there.

Why I haven't gone for PR? Well, there might be a couple of strings attached (that may be a disadvantage or not for Keanu one day) and while I'm not sure how it'll affect him directly, I'd rather not put him in the position wherein he can't get out of in the future. So far it works for us anyway to have foreign status and until we're pushed to the wall, then I'll check if I can cross that bridge.

Sweet Life Of Mine

The difference of my being in Germany three years ago is that despite having no helper and no full time work, I HAD time to blog. Could it be boredom, homesickness or weather that gave me the motivation to keep writing my thoughts? Although those can't really be the reason. I'm not that shallow. (I think hehe)

Perhaps the kids were younger---had less demands to be educated and entertained. Or was there more life to write about. Nope, also not. I have a life here too, in fact, more than I could handle. aha! that's it, I'm just too busy juggling dear daily life and living it.

Whew!

Young yet full of Courage to speak the Truth

Paper? What paper?

The worst thing that can happen in a place who claims to be thoroughgoing is have a system that lack the commonsense to do paperwork! The place is idiots infested and I'm bewildered beyond belief on why the outsiders think otherwise.

It racks my brain when I get the answer "ma'am but that's S.O.P." despite the obvious that what they're asking for is right under their noses. tsk tsk tsk But shucks, that's all you get when you ask a public servant who does not know how to serve, let alone, what they're serving!

Power POOF Girl

Being the eldest of 6 children, I'm accustomed to celebrating birthday parties. I grew-up seeing my mom prepare food as if the whole neighborhood's invited, organize games for at least 30 kids, pack loot bags like it's Christmas and redecorate the garage and garden like there's a fiesta. Regardless if she had to do it alone or with helpers, it was the norm. That said, I should be a pro by now with birthday bashes (specially if there are less than 20 kids around).

Yeah right...

Though Germany kept those abilities in check for some years, after moving to this island, the curse of dependence slowly over powered those skills I grew up with. The last time I prepared food and did some entertaining on my own was on 2007---Keanu's swimming party. Then last year, I succumbed to comfort and opted for one of the gazillion party packages offered. Am I ageing too fast to be that unenergetic to entertain 5 year olds?!

Work with Perks

Nowadays, I consider myself quite lucky to not only have a job but also have a working environment where I look forward to go to. Busy yet relaxed. No typical, stiff uniforms are required. Lunch meetings with the boss is not a breath stopping experience and having a chauffer driven Jaguar for the simplest of office tasks is something really not to complain about.

Also, I get the chance to attend certain opening nights of theatre plays that are quite "interesting"---given the sensitive topics exagerratedly addressed but have to be humorously taken in.

The one we attended a month ago (see photo with hubby, my friend and bro-in-law) was a small theatre play compared to the upcoming one this November; and given that I like the bravery of this particular production---I won't miss it for the world.

(disclosure: photo from ExpatLiving Magazine, Aug. 2009 issue)

Caught in the act...

"No artist can paint the images these two can, no writer can write the scripts they naturally articulate and no musician can play the music of their laughter..."

Gotta admit---without their hanky-pankies, the house will be moth-eaten and characterless.

These photos were taken by them and supposedly for their eyes only--until the time I needed to format and re-use the cam :-) kids!

I know they'll scold me one day for this www humiliation BUT (though I don't usually go by this saying)--I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Riddles for the Soul-O

When everything seemed right and going the right way---here you go again!

You foolish, foolish you. Why the need to come into sight and darken the already brightening view?!

It is clear that things move on despite how strong the pull to not to but still does.

Regrets do not happen because mistakes are made. Regrets happen when what shouldn't couldn't but it did and then the rude awakening that you are where you are when you don't want to but have to.

It doesn't make sense, does it? But surely it does when it doesn't...

My Happy Birthday

After years and years of birthday parties and the usual gatherings, this year's 38th was celebrated differently. We had a beautiful weekend in Hong Kong and Macau where we met with my sister Jurist and my BIL Art for a just adults getaway-cum-birthday blowout.

Upon arriving HK around noon, we headed to Causeway Bay and decided to have a bite at California Pizza Kitchen in the frustration that we didn't know a better place and we were starved. My fear of flying activates my tummy acids which efficiently digests airplane food. So...

I was content with the birthday trip gift and wasn't expecting for more but I found A's offer to pay patronage to the Esprit, Mango and Zara shops hard to decline so I happily obliged for the "necessities".

I rarely buy branded stuff that aren't having the red tag on it coz fashion changes too fast nowadays---but that day, I told myself I should indulge. I challenged myself by NOT looking at the prices, however, my frugal and practical side over-powered me and I found myself in their SALE sections. Whew!

For dinner, I was craving for steak so my sister booked a place HERE and it was so worth it! The next day, we were off to Macau with the hopes that birthday luck would surround me in the casinos ;-) Before all the gambling and touring, we tried out the Portuguese restaurant Art's Dad recommended and we were wise to have done so. Food was excellent!

Tummies and wallets still full, we headed to Sands Casino. Soon as we entered, the feel of Vegas was immediately obvious given the gigantic chandelier in the middle of the place and the exagerrated blinking lights and gold tinted railings. We warmed-up there for an hour before heading to The Venetian Macau-Resort Hotel. I was transported to Europe in a blink of an eye. Seeing Plaza San Marco and it's skies was a sight! They had gondolas with singing gondoliers (just like in real Venice!)

We didn't really have lady luck with us but I brought in some cash back so playing wasn't all in vain :-) Dinner was at a Filipino owned Italian restaurant back in HK and before midnight struck, we had a nice drink at the MO bar at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental. A good close to a day but a nice beginning to another year.

These are all nice things to thank for but most of all, I'm thankful for the immaterial blessings...Thank YOU.