TITAN

More than three months ago, we added a new member to our small family. At first, there were some hesitations especially coming from the husband. My daughters have been begging to have a pet dog since time immemorial. After nonstop prodding from Alex and Zabbie, husband finally gave up and we welcome the first family pet named Titan.

Titan is mix breed of Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier according to her previous owner Tina. He came to us when he was still a month old and our life totally turned upside down from then on. At first, we thought that it was a bad idea having a dog. Aside from the additional expenses for vaccination, dog food, dog shampoo, accessories etc., Titan is quite a handful. He nibbles almost anything from slippers to furniture and even the grocery bag lying on the floor. My favorite pair of shoes was one of the casualties.

But despite that, we learn to love him and considered him part of our family. In fact, we sometimes spoil him like a baby and bring him along to family bonding at Parkmall or to Granny’s house.

Here are 5 of the best things that Titan has brought to our home:

1. He has brought so much happiness at home. His antics are so entertaining we always ended laughing our hearts out. Playing with him is even better compared to watching a movie. 

2. I totally forgot about stress at work. I would usually come home before midnight and he’s always there to welcome me furiously wagging his small tail while the rest of the household are already in dreamland.

3. He guards our house when we’re away. He has this habit of barking at any person or vehicle that passes through our house.

4. Since Titan came to our lives, my daughters have become responsible. They always find time to walk him after school and during weekends. They also take turns cleaning his poop and pee.

5. Since some of our friends know that we have a dog, it has become an instant topic during conversations. It’s always good to share experiences and tips on caring for a dog and eventually developing better friendships.

Titan has grown really big and our love for him also grows every single day. There may be times that we want to wring his neck or kick his ass but most often, we just want to embrace him with so much love. We couldn’t even imagine what life would be without our Titan.

McDonald's Kiddie Crew 2012

This is the first time that I let my eldest daughter Alex joined McDonald's Kiddie Crew Summer Program this year. She has been complaining about being bored this summer. I don't really enroll my kids to summer class/activity as I want them to rest and not be bothered with waking up early and attend summer school. Plus, it's also the time when my wallet takes a breather from spending.

McDonalds Kiddie Crews Lapulapu Branch

Anyway, after some begging I finally gave in and enrolled her to this 5-day program. She gets to experience being a McDonald's crew through the on-floor training and on top of that, they also have fun activities like arts and crafts. I think the best thing about this program is that they get to meet new friends. I had the biggest surprise coz I was able to meet my highschool batchmate after 16 years during the culminating activity. She also enrolled her kid and they were in the same batch. 

After 16 years, I met up with my highschool batchmate Jaqueline

Yesterday was their graduation at Ayala Center Cebu which was attended by more than a thousand kiddie crews. The event was hosted by Jackielou Blanco. There were also some entertainment courtesy of Cebu All Star Cheering Squad and of course the McDonalds Mascots. I had to skip attending our PAS board meeting to attend this event...mommy duties come first! I had to drag along the younger sibling as well for her to enjoy the event with her ate. I'm thinking of enrolling her in next year's workshop. 

I just had to react to a post in facebook about a parent who do not want to enroll her kids to this program because "she wants her kids to be thinkers and makers instead of workers". I don't think that's the main purpose of this program. Yes, they were being trained how to be a crew but that doesn't mean, they will be a crew in future. We cannot dictate nor predict what the future holds for our children. This "careless" FB shout-out is quite an insult to 1000++ parents who enrolled their kids to this program. Enough said!

DAY 15: WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?

Well, there’s a lot really. In fact, I’m not really a big fan of myself…

For starters, I admit that I am a pessimist. I sweat out the small stuff to the point of being nega all the time. Although, I don’t really blurt out the negativity into the open and sometimes I just keep all the nega vibes all to myself. 

I am pretentious in a sense that I hide what I feel to avoid hurting other people or stirring up a fight or destroying a relationship. I don’t like this about myself because it’s like there’s a huge ball that’s stuck inside my throat and it’s making me hard to breathe. 

I am a bitch. Yes, I could be a bitch for the right reasons but it’s something that I am not really comfortable with. I am known to being maldita in the office and I hate it that people distance themselves from me because of that. Being maldita is a wall that I build around myself so people will not hurt me or will keep it easy on me. 

I am very generous to the extent of leaving nothing for myself. Yeah, it's okay to be generous but sometimes I give out too much that I am placed in a situation where I am left with nothing. 

I think these are the things that I really hate about myself. I try as much to change these bad traits if you would call it but I'm taking it one step at a time. 

DAY 14: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF?

This is really a tough question as I don't want to sound narcissistic but as what I mentioned in this post, I will start to embrace and accept myself. Okay, here's what I really like most about myself...

* I'm not an empty shell. I think of myself as one smart ass (sorry for the language)
* I am kind-hearted. Despite this maldita face, I bleed at the sight of poor children and beggars on the street.
* I am perfectionist in a good kind of way. I don't settle for less and I would always go for awesome and amazing when it comes to the things I do.
* I am loving. Again, behind this maldita face is really a loving person. I have a lot to give to people who deserves it.

I think there are still a lot of nice things about myself that I haven't acknowledged yet. I will leave it to others to discover and unleash these nice things about ME.

Day 12: If you could wish for anything that would come true, what would you wish for?

If there's one ultimate wish that I want to come true, that would be to win in a lottery and get filthy rich!

BUT with the recent flood and typhoon in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City with hundreds killed and missing and properties destroyed, my only wish would be for the families affected to survive this ordeal and be able to pick up of what's left of the disaster. I also wish for more good Samaritans to extend their help to the survivors. Please click below photo to know how you can help Sendong victims:

Prodigal Blogging Daughter Is Back...With Rants & Raves!

I am back to writing again in this blog site and I’m taking a break from facebook for a while. I posted in my FB status “…will be on silent mode until further notice!” I feel that the more I linger in FB, the more I get lazy and leave things unfinished. So, I am reviving my love for writing and blogging. After all, blogging really helps me release whatever emotions I am feeling right now. Just allow me to release them here...

 

The past week has been toxic with my trip to Manila to attend the PAS National Convention, our Cebu Chapter AP Week Activities and some work-related issues. I was a walking zombie with dark circles under my eyes due to lack of sleep. My laptop and sun wireless broadband have been my best friends as I was answering emails nonstop and working on presentations like mad for our PAS activities. Then there were the speeches to prepare. I admit I am not good at impromptu speaking so I have to have something to read to guide me through. Then, there were coordination with committees, purchasing errands and some decisions to make. At work, our GM has questions that I cannot answer and it’s such a shame because I am supposed to know. We have issues with office maintenance, office expansion and government compliance. At the home front, I have some domestic duties left behind such as the enrollment of my daughter. SIGH! I tried as much to remain calm and composed amidst all these. I said to myself that I am made of strong stuff and that I will survive this.

 

But I guess I reached my rock bottom when I have to deal with people issues. I just lost it and broke down in tears in front of my husband while reading through an email sent to me by a fellow PASer. It was for me the last straw and I feel all my strength being sucked up. I told my husband that cannot do this anymore and that I cannot work effectively with people who hate me. But I got the shock of all shock because he was encouraging me to just let it pass. Until now, I still receive the cold treatment, the raised eyebrows and probably the talks behind my back but I will continue to endure. People you consider friends will hate you, will turn their backs on you, will ignore you but the world doesn’t’ end there. I still cry every now and then reading over that email and mourn over a lost friendship but I look forward to that day when I can no longer shed a single tear. 

Well, so much for these drama... uuhhmm yeah...the prodigal blogging daughter is back. I hope my reader of two (or three) will welcome me again into their browsers.

Thirty Two Today

Today I turn 32 and thank God for Social Networking Sites, you don’t get to celebrate your birthday alone. Messages on Facebook are flooding here and there. But the best part of it is celebrating it with my family at Harold’s Hotel. I got an invitation from a fellow-PASer for a simulation exercise of their new hotel. We get to experience the facilities and the services that the hotel offers before it opens to the public soon. 

It is hard to believe that I am already off the calendar. Yeah, sometimes I find myself too old to do stuff that the younger generations do and enjoy. Pathetic, isn’t it? But the truth is, we are not too old for anything. We should not be held by those numbers, damn it! So, yeah being 32 is surreal --- it still hasn't sink in at this very moment. I still feel twenty eight at heart. They say that to feel young, you choose an age and stick with it. I choose 28! 

I used to be melodramatic during my birthday but now, no more dramas, no more mushy stuff, just pure and simple FUN! (although a message from my sister made me teary-eyed)

CHEERS!!!

Oh Hello There!

Dear Reader of Two (or Three maybe),

All apologies for the extensive blog hiatus. Life happens and I was caught in between realities and responsibilities.  Although, I blame facebook and tumblr for taking over my blogging time. So many stories to tell, so many dramas to share and so many dreams to chase BUT allow me to compose them one by one… will be blogging soon! ... and hopefully this blog gets some pampering and a make-over. (crossing fingers)

Stay tuned will yah!?

xoxo,

momgoddess

My 31st

Hubby promised to treat me to Side A/Freestyle/Juris concert on my birthday but didn't set my expectations that high. I mean, he's someone who doesn't give a fuzz about birthdays and I'm getting used to it. But he was such a darling and he was being true to his promise. So, after my coffee with my favorite PAS girls, we head off to Waterfront to watch this birthday wish come true.

prior to the concert with my favorite PAS girls

thanks dad --- you're the best

with hubby's cousin, Pam

Though my feet hurts, I was standing the whole 2 and a half hour concert. Side A and Freestyle brought the house down with their renditions of some classic ballads and of course their original songs which made the audience sing along. Juris Fernandez, yep that MYMP vocalist, who by the ways is going solo, was also a welcome treat singing songs from her new album including the remake and ost of the movie (of the same title) "I Love You Goodbye". Hats off to these musicians!

Then capping the night off, we head off to FORMO with Ms. Joy and her hubby, Dennis. I didn't get to finish my beer --- I don't want to get another hangover (I just had one last weekend still at Formo).

partying with Ms. Joy @ Formo

It was one of the best birthday celebrations ever. I had a BLAST!

But one thing that made it really complete is this...

a little note from my little girl, Alex

Christmas Wishlist

I hate coming up with a Christmas Wishlist most especially now that the world is in an economic meltdown with more people getting poorer than richer. Having a wishlist makes me frustrated as well coz more often it's always impossible to get the items on my list. But then, it's fun having a wishlist too. It's like chasing an elusive dream and the feeling is indescribable once you get to grasp that dream.

Anyway, here's my wishlist this Christmas:

photo swiped from www.itechnews.net

1. Netbook (Dell Mini or HP Mini in Pink) - When hubby brought our PC to his new office, I was dying to get myself a netbook for my blogging, facebook, PAS correspondence and all. I intend to get this in January but changed my mind just last night when hubby made me choose which is important: netbook or tiled floor? Duh, can I have both?

2. Videoke/Karaoke or Magic Sing - This is off my list as we finally have our cheap kick-ass
videoke/midi dvd player with 38,000 songs. It's not a magic sing though but it's good enough to put into practice our vocal chords.

3. Rice Cooker - Our two rice cookers just died on us before we moved to our new home last year and we never get the chance to replace them. We've been cooking rice in an ordinary cooking pot.

4. A new and rebonded hairdo - Well, I'm now sporting a new hairstyle with side-swept bangs to boot but it's not rebonded. Hubby gave a budget for rebond but I decided to use the money for a noble cause like zabbie's milk.

photo swiped from www.sharplily.com

5. Ballet Flats in silver, gold and black - Aside from it being comfy, it is also cute to look at. I also feel like a school girl again wearing them. I wanted to have them in three colors but I only got one so far.

So sorry for the short list - I'm low maintenance like that. It still boils down to being contented with what I have. I am happy with what I have and I rarely want anything these days except for an ukay shopping spree. Oooppps, I'll take back my word. But really, I have priorities and one of them is my children's needs. Whatever gifts I receive this Chrismas, I will remain grateful and pleased.

2009 Christmas Party with ex-GS family...

I know my posts are a bit scattered --- guess with too much things going on in your head, one gets to be disoriented. This post was supposed to go first before the previous one but then I was overly excited about cowgirls and boots and all those Western brouhahaha...see I'm digressing again.

Anyway, back to this post... I had a blast last Friday with my ex-GS family at Mactan Isla Resort Hotel. It was also Herbelle's birthday so it was a double celebration. Although we miss some personalities during this night, we had fun taking pictures of ourselves around this resort. We also had our "white elephant" exchanging gifts. I don't know why they call it as such. I received the biggest gift courtesy of JPL. The gift was filled with old and new stuff (our theme) mostly kitchen and housewares.

Again...let the photos speak for itself.

the girls camwhoring to the max

the reception area

getting cozy with this super cozy chair...i wanted to bring it home


in attendance

These boots are made for walking...

Last Saturday was our PAS Christmas Party cum Induction of 2010 Officers and New Members. The theme for the night was go Western in fashion and with passion. I'm not sure of the latter but with "fashion"...hell yeah! It's cool seeing people donning in their cowgirl and Indian (only one though) get-up with matching boots and all those Western set-up courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Here's sharing some random pictures of that fun-filled night.

that's me trying to ride the wooden horse hehehe

with gorgeous cowgirls in the house

these boots are made for walking and flaunting


my favorite photo of the night

more photo overload in my facebook account...

No Goodbyes

I still find it surreal not having her bubbly self around us anymore. It actually hasn’t sink in yet because we could just call her anytime. But I guess I have to be ready for the inevitable. We’re on our own now. I feel so vulnerable without her. She’s been like our shield from whatever corporate battle we’re in, someone who picks up our fight for us. I think our relationship with her goes beyond the boss-staff relationship. For the past four years, she’s treated us like her own daughters and sons.

I truly understand her decision of leaving us but things will never be the same without her. We will truly miss her – her leadership, her legacy, her influence in our lives but definitely not her friendship for I know it will continue to exist no matter what.

Miss O., I know this isn’t goodbye. There will never be goodbyes. We will continue to burn the lines and share a cup of coffee discussing about boi, visas, aircon, cubicles and admin stuff. I hope you're always there to listen and lend a helping hand to your abandoned children like you always do.

For you, we’ll be strong and we will carry on from here.