I just moved to another role and tower in the company I’m working for. And last Monday was my first time to join the tower’s coffee talk (with “The Dark Knight Rises” film showing after). I knew that there will be some sort of contest. Being new in the tower, I wanted to participate just to make myself feel that I belong to this tower now.

When they announced they’re giving away Starbucks GCs, all the more that I wanted to participate and win!
And we did!

Much to my sister’s delight.

I noticed that aside from some celebrities I follow in Instagram, I have 2 contacts in my Facebook who also went to different theme parks in Florida this month. Now I wonder if it’s an ongoing fad (about to go mainstream or probably about to die as I am now aware of it. haha.) or if it’s because of the newly opened (The Wizarding World of) Harry Potter in Univesal Orlando.

I must say, I was also inspired to check the airfares, hotel rates and vacation packages. I suddenly remembered a friend who was torn between buying one of those obx homes for sale and living with his friends in Florida. I wonder what decision he made, because I’m pretty sure he’ll offer my family to stay in his place if he knows we’re coming. Let me just find him on my FB contact list. Ha!

[2012.07.09] Just one of the many advantages of having an older sibling. You learn to do some things earlier, even before mommy teaches you.

I swear I didn’t teach him how to hold a pencil.

We have been looking for nice urban scrubs for sale, as our sending-off gift to a friend threw a despedida party because she will be going away for 2 years. She is going to work as a nurse abroad.

She took medicine in college (nursing as pre-med), and was a doctor in her province for more than 5 years now. As much as she loved working at the town hospital, and closed to her family, she said the pay wasn’t enough to send her siblings to college. Her aunt who sent her through college has passed away. My friend is the only hope of her siblings. It was a sad-happy party. There’s this sad feeling because we know we won’t be seeing her again soon but happy for her family and there’s this hope for her siblings to help their other relatives in need, someday. I hope and pray that Facebook and Skype can help them ease the sadness.

One of the things people enjoy from traveling is getting freebies from big hotel chains. We’re not talking about those little branded soap bars that you see in your $200-a-night guest room. It’s those loyalty points that give you free stays in any of the hotels around the world of your preferred hotel brand. Big hotel chains like Intercontinental, Hilton and Shangri-La provide you loyalty incentives every time you stay in their hotels. These points, once you earn it over time, let you redeem it in various ways. The most popular one is a free stay. One could actually stay in a hotel without any cash-out. If you’re under a higher loyalty category, you might also get a free breakfast with it. Some hotel chains let you convert your points to airline miles, others let you redeem vouchers for their restaurants or partner establishments. There are a lot of benefits in becoming a member of their loyalty programs. I guess one just needs to choose wisely depending on their travel preferences.

As early as now, I’ve started asking my daughter what costume she wants for Trick-or-Treat. Yes, because it takes time for me to save up, wait for discounts, and for the shipping to Manila. For years now, I’ve asked my aunt to collect items I ordered online, then she ships it to me. She has been doing this for my other aunt, and now became an expert in packaging for shipping to Manila.

Then just the other week, someone actually advised me to go to a local shipping service which offers shipping of ordered items (delivered to their US office) to my local address. Another friend confirmed the same as she has availed of the said service. Now I’m excited to try it myself. I will just have to finalize which costumes to order.

What’s with boys and wheels? I used to think it was an ego thing, until I saw my own son falling for them. In fact, he started “wheeling” some of his non-wheeled toys even before he first saw or held a toy car.

Just like any other moms of little boys, I’d be happy if he grows up to be a race car driver, or owner of a car detailing shop (and the likes)…

That, or he can be a drummer, perhaps?

I’d say that this weekend was a relaxed one. For Saturday lunch time, we went to a baptismal party of a friend’s daughter. Met with friends and spent about 2 hours of chatting with them. Then I had a 2-hour nap, beside my son. And later in the evening, had another “food trip” with neighbor friends, and food trip also meant laugh trip. I was laughing while listening to them, I was in front of my laptop, browsing websites doing some sort of “window shopping”, looking for cheap jewelry online for myself. It always feels good to re-connect with friends.

Then on Sunday, I had another restful day. Right after lunch, I took another 2-hr nap, again with my son. When we woke up, it was time for church. After hearing mass (in UP), we just had to have some avocado ice cream, fish balls, (isaw) and barbeque.

We had dinner at home. And went out again for a full body massage. Aaaah. I guess I’m ready to face Monday.

What I love about breakfast is hot coffee and pan de sal!

Pan de sal is a bread roll made of flour, eggs, yeast, sugar, and salt, and is the most popular yeast-raised bread in the Philippines. I love eating it with peanut butter, sardines, or spam. I can even enjoy it dipped in my coffee.

Yum!

I may be into online shopping, but most purchases were for my kids. My favorites are toys, summer outfits and of course, trick or treat costumes. Same is true when I do shopping in the stores. My eyes seem to focus on the kids’ section.

But once in a while, I spend time trying on sunglasses, bulova watches and even lipsticks. The last time I did, I went home with just one lipstick and a matching nail polish, when I’d like to hoard every shade they have. Fine! I’ll skip the peaches, or anything orange-y. For now.