Impress Me, Bora.

Posted in Multiply on Apr 10, '08

I am soooooo excited. As in. Tomorrow, we're going on a "business trip" to Boracay. :D We'll be staying at one of the new resorts there and we're building a tie-up with them for our passengers. So after the presentation and all that work-related stuff, it's time to HAVE FUN!!!

I've never been to Boracay. It's my first time. I'm a Boracay virgin. Hehehe. Yeah, yeah. Dork na kung dork.

Excited na ko coz Richard, Luis and Imelda are gonna be with me! :D It's everyone's first time! We can't wait!!!

Dami ko sana gusto gawin: banana boat ride, para sailing, snorkelling, island hopping and all the "Boracay-related" activities my friends have been telling me about. Kaya lang shempre, hindi naman ako pwede ng mga strenuous activities coz of the baby. Hmph. If I know, the baby would really enjoy the high flying. KJ lang talaga tong si Richard. Hehehe. So sabi ko kay Richard, sila na lang ni Luis at picture-an ko na lang sila. Hehehe! Weeeee!

Can't wait to try the Chorizo Burger, the ribs at Station 1 that James told me about, wanna try the food at Aria, at kung anu-ano pa!!!

So anyway, sana mag-enjoy naman kami. Bohol kasi set such high standards kasi.

Wait, wait, bibili pa pala kami ng baon! Weeee!

Kung may suggestions kayo sa things to do (na pwede sa mga preggy ha!) and good eats, lemme know!!!! I can still view them all tom am kasi afternoon pa naman kami aalis eh!

Alejandro Luis Consing Motas

Posted in Multiply on Apr 9, '08

My Luis is already a year and a half.

Can you believe it?! A year and a half had passed since he started rocking our world! He has grown to be such an adorable (sometimes tantum-throwing) little boy.

A few of the things he does now that keeps me smiling:

1. Calls me "A-ee" (coz he couldn't say mommy). But he calls Richard Daddy (UNFAIR!!!).

2. He can say "Ma" when he means "mwah", but if you coax him into saying "Mama", he answers dutifully with "Papa". Never fails.

3. If you say, "One...two..." He would gleefully answer, "Tee!!!" because he knows the next is three. And he would be tickled after.

4. If you say, "Alejandro" he'd add "Wis" (for Luis) then if you say "Consing" he'd end it with "Tatas" (Motas). He just officially murdered his last name.

5. He is generally a sweet and nice boy. His yaya tells us so. But when I get home from work, he starts acting up. Kasi he wants to ALWAYS be with me. So even if I need to go to the restroom, he "cries" that he can't join me. Hehehe.

6. If he's the first to wake up, he looks at me and Richard to see if we're also awake. If he sees that we're still sleeping, he tries to go back to sleep. Sometimes though, when he's so ready to play, he sits on Richard or pokes my face to stir us. :D

7. He practically cries when he sees the face of his pediatrician -- even if they haven't seen each other for weeks (or months?). He KNOWS.

8. It used to be so difficult to make him drink medicine. But due to some mysterious thing his yaya did, now if you say medicine. He lies still, opens his mouth and waits for the dropper. GALING!!!

9. His skin color is between mine and Richard. He's not as dark as his daddy (although I have to say, he shares the same skin color as Richard's "hidden parts". Hehehehe!) but not as fair as me. He's in between. My uncle from Canada said, "olive" daw.

Lately though, he's darker than usual coz of the swimming that he did. His color has not gone back to normal. Waaaah. And it looks like it's not going back. Pano yan, magbi-beach pa naman si Luis this weekend. Hehehe. Hinahabol yata talaga color ni Richard.

10. Before he sleeps, he would pull my face towards Richard and Richard's face towards mine because he wants us to kiss. When we do as he wants, he smiles. One time, we extended our kiss and did not let go right away. Siguro feeling niya something's wrong, kasi ang tagal na, he started pulling us apart naman. Hehehe.

Wala lang, gusto ko lang isulat some of the things that Luis does that makes us happy. He is such a blessing. :D

Brian Gorrell and Team Brian vs. Gucci Gang

Posted in Multiply Apr 3, '08

I had resisted and resisted and tried so very hard...but I can't! Haaaay, ayan, I'm writing na about the Gucci Gang. I didn't want to join the bandwagon sana, but hey, I realized I was on the bandwagon and enjoying the ride. So might as well write about the already infamous Gucci Gang -- well, about Brian Gorrell actually.

Have you guys heard of Brian Gorrell's blog? if you haven't, you are one of the very few who have not. Google it, you'll find it in an instant. Or better yet, let me just post the link here:
http://delfindjmontano.blogspot.com/

I've been following this blog for some time now, ever since I heard about it. It's about an underdog biting at the heels of its oppressors. It mostly has negative energy but I am so in love with it!

This guy, Brian is an epitome of a (wo)man scorned. He is an angry, angsty, hurting, heartbroken, devastated (wo)man. I say (wo)man coz he's a man with a woman's heart. In short, he's gay. So gay that he sounds like a woman. His writing shows just how hurt and angry he is for being duped. And for losing $70,000. to his dweeb of an ex-lover.

I love his blog because he attacks the FAKENESS of his ex-lover and his cohorts who happen to be the "high" society of Manila. Literally high pala -- high on drugs. These are the people who made us believe that they are living the good life. They seem to live, eat, drink, and breathe fashion. Mga fashionista daw sila. I believe a lot of people also follow the blog because they enjoy the fact that Brian exposes the truth behind the lies they call their lives.

There's nothing really wrong with trying to be fashionistas, as there's nothing wrong with wanting to look good. But sometimes, those who hide behind "fashion" as a passion are those who are hiding.Period. They are hiding who they really are, what they really feel, and what the truth is. In short, they are fake. Or as Brian said in his blog, "faux".

Yun naman ang ayoko kasi. Pinagyayabang pa ang mga branded na bags, collection ng shoes, at make up na parang that's what's life is all about. Kunwari happy and fulfilled coz of shopping, pero empty naman pala. In short, "FAUX". Hello, wake up and smell the coffee, there's more to life than that! There are bigger issues than your pinakamimithing Manolo Blahniks. Mas maganda magpakatotoo ka na lang, diba?!

Anyway, those are some side kwento from his blog, dami pa. Like Embassy (aka "the hottest place in town") apparently is where cocaine gets sold and snorted happily by the high society. Ayan, diba yun yung current place to be?! Naku, naku, naku, sorry ah. Inis lang kasi ako coz I've encountered some people na nakatungtong lang ng Embassy kala mo part na ng "high society". Feeling sosyal na. Social nga, social climber. Hehehe.

Ano ba yan, makamasang makamasa ang dating ko. Hehehe.Makibaka! Wag matakot!
A basta, ang point ng entry ko is this: Fight fight lang, Brian. Kasi at least ikaw nagpapakatotoo. (Yes, feeling close, at para namang naiintindihan niya ang tagalog. Hehehe!)

Yun lang po, bow.

Ten Things That Made You Happy

Posted in Multiply on Apr 2, '08

Thanks for the tag, Gianina! Another way to count and name one's blessings!

These made me happy recently:

1. Something funny happened last night (April2) when Richard and I were about to go to bed. Ngahahaha! And we were laughing about it last night and again this morning.

2. Luis follows me around the house (wherever I go) when I get home from work. ;D

3. I woke up the other day and saw that Richard and Luis had exactly the same sleeping position! It's like seeing Richard and his mini-me in action! Hahaha!

4. Got to visit Costa Allegra (see my blog) last Monday (Mar31).

5. Getting tidbits on what to do, what to see, where to eat in Boracay (here's the 2nd trip we're planning) from James and Maianne.

6. Lyn telling me that I am glowing (during her despedida pizza dinner) when all else say I'm not my usual beautiful self coz of my pregnancy. I love you, Lyn!

7. There's a steady supply of green mango and bagoong (lately I always want something sour to go with my food).

8. I made fruit salad (yes, I've been craving this as well. What's up with that, baby?!)

9. A long weekend is coming up (I so need it!!!).

10. Hotel food.

Do the same guys, list whatever 10 things made you happy recently.

I'm tagging Claire, Ryan Castro, Maianne, Jemmy, Miami, Gigi, Rach L., Macho, Liz, Kookie

To Collect or Not to Collect, That Is The Question

Posted in Multiply on Apr 2, '08

One time, an acquaintance and I were talking about our lovelives. Currently, I am happy with mine and she isn't with hers. She had relationships in the past but they didn't work out. So she's alone now, preparing and prettying herself up in hopes of snagging the right man soon.

While talking, she said to me, "Alam mo, sayang, sayang, sayang, dapat may collection ako ng pictures ng mga ex ko noh." This totally appalled me. How could anyone say that?! She said kasi so that she could reminisce about time spent with them and she can show me (or whoever friends) their pictures when she talks about them. (Hell, maybe even post them in her Multiply or friendster account?!).

Maybe it's the manang in me, but I really think it's inappropriate to have a "collection" of pictures of your ex's. Diba? Ano yun, parang mga trophies? Let alone, think about displaying them to the world! Why would you even want to have them, diba?! If it's all over, then it's over. Besides, I couldn't imagine keeping a collection of my own coz I know it'll hurt Richard if he ever saw them. I know I'd kill Richard if he had his own collection!

Ewan ko, maybe this girl said that coz nga she's alone right now and doesn't have to think of a partner who might potentially get hurt with her collection. And she probably doesn't have a collection coz right after breaking up with one, the next one came and shempre, she had to think of that 2nd guy's feelings, kaya she destroyed all pictures.

Sabi ko tuloy sa kanya, pasalamat siya at wala nga siyang collection. Kasi if she has, and she posts them anywhere, my goodness, baka pagtawanan lang siya ng mga ex's coz it'll be too obvious that she still cares about their past together at naka-display pa sila sa current life niya!

What do you think, appropriate ba ang mag-keep ng collection?! I wanna know if you are as manang as me.

For The Girl (or Gay?! - Mukhang Bading Eh) Who Can't Keep Her Eyes Off Me

Posted in Multiply on Apr 1, '08

SNOOP (verb): to look or pry especially in a sneaking or meddlesome manner ; to interest oneself in what is not one's concern; to pry into the private affairs of others, especially by prowling about

RUBBERNECK (verb): to look about, stare, or listen with exaggerated curiosity

SPY (noun): a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people

SLEUTH (verb): to track or follow

Silip ng silip, nakikitingin.
"What's new? What's up? What's going on na ba?" Aba, e bakit kailangan mong malaman?! Kasali ka ba dapat sa buhay ko?!

Tsk tsk tsk. Sige, libre naman makitingin. Go for it, girl! Kung ikaliligaya mong tignan ang happenings ng buhay ko.

Ship Familiarization at Costa Allegra March 31, 2008

Posted in Multiply on Mar 31, '08

Monday morning, I, together with a group of educators, gathered for a vessel tour of Costa Allegra. This was a field trip organized by a very well-connected colleague, Dolly. Costa Allegra was docked in Manila yesterday. This vessel tour was by invitation only (naks!) and we had to make sure we give all the required information before they let us set foot inside the ship.

Funny, after weeks of planning, we (myself, my boss and her bodyguard) almost didn't go on with the scheduled tour. Kasi naman tong boss ko, she refuses to go anywhere without her bodyguard. But they were not able to provide the details required by Costa weeks before when they were being collected. Last minute, we were trying to get them to make an exception and to let Jack, the bodyguard, join in. When they initially refused and said they won't allow the bodyguard to join the tour, my boss gave her visitor's pass back and claimed her ID. She said if Jack isn't going, she's not going either. Of course, my loyalty was with my boss (though my heart was bleeding as I was so looking forward to this field trip), so I handed my visitor's pass as well and got my company ID back.

Dolly, in a panic, said she's gonna see what she can do and asked us to wait in the bus that will take us to Manila Hotel (should they say they really won't allow Jack), where we can be picked up by the driver. She reasoned with them that we (my boss and myself daw) are the reasons she organized the tour and sabit lang lahat ng educators. Naks naman! Although we all know it's not true, it's really for the educators, kami talaga yung sabit. So the vessel people went inside and BROUGHT THE CAPTAIN OUT. Captain was a nice guy and said he doesn't have a problem with the guy, just with the gun (no firearms allowed onboard). The gun and the bullets and all the bodyguard-related paraphernalia were left with the Philippine Coast Guard.

So we were able to get in! YIPEE!

Ayan, si Jack, who almost didn't get to tour the vessel. Salamat na lang sa powers ni Dolly!

Haaaay, saya naman ng tour. Ganda ng vessel. Although they said it was the oldest and smallest vessel they have at Costa Cruises, to me, comparing it to NN vessels, it still looked great! I was taking pictures everywhere.Our tour guide wasn't surprised naman that we were taking pics of eevrything. One educator was even filming everything! And I was trying to hide my giddy feeling, kasi parang exaggerated naman kung super lumabas ang excitement ko diba?!

Our lovely tour guide, Annie.

The giddy tourist

Bakit nga ba ako excited?! Sige na nga, I'll spill the beans na! Kasi, one of the trips Richard and I are planning to make this summer is this cruise onboard Costa Allegra!!! Yes, yes, we are going on a cruise! Pero short lang siya, 5 days 4 nights, from Hong Kong to Sanya China to Cailan Vietnam lang. Pero at least, diba?! Our very frist trip out of the country (except my US in 2003) and we get to visit 3 places agad! Kasama pa si Luis! Hehehe.

So anyway, while touring the vessel, I could already imagine the things that Richard and I will do there, where we'll hang out, where Luis can play, etc. After the tour and presentation, they served us a 4-course lunch. Sarap naman! Even the mineral water came from Tuscany! :D
I can just imagine, super tataba nanaman ako sa cruise na to. Kasi buffet everything! Six meals a day! I don't think I will sleep once the cruise in underway!

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait! Now, I only just need to wait for our passports to be renewed...
Hay, I really am blessed to be around people who open up avenues and opportunities for me!

Blue Ocean Strategy March 27-28 2008

Posted in Multiply March 28 08

My bosses and I were slated to attend this training fro two days. I knew very little about it before getting to the InterContinental last Thursday.I just knew that this was a great opportunity to spend some time off from work and to have access to yummy hotel food. Hehehe. true enough, I LOVE THE FOOD. Buffet am and pm snacks, and buffet lunch for 2 days! :D Happiness!

The training of course, was fantastic! I didn't realize who our trainer would be until I got there and saw the name. It was no other than Josiah Go. His name was very familiar to me coz I saw that name in National Bookstore. He wrote several books. I just didn't know his face.

So when I realized he was the guy who was making small talk with me, coz I was the earliest bird, I got starstruck! He was so down to earth and very approachable, considering how brilliant he is. Galing noh, yung mga may karapatang magyabang dahil sobrang galing nila at successful, yun yung mga super humble at down to earth. Pero may mga tao na feeling magaling lang pero kala mo kung sinong superstar. Buti na lang napapasama ako sa mga former.Hehehe.

Anyway, the training taught me a lot. It helped me expand my brain. I got to work with other brilliant minds from different industries and got to pick their brains. Ang hirap pala pag lahat ng nasa training e presidents, CEOs, VPs, Managers, etc. Parang nakaka-pressure na dapat magaling ka din. Basta ako, salamat na lang kay God at na-expose ako sa mga taong yun. Now I know what I want to be when I grow up. Hehehe.

Fat and Ugly, But Oh So Worth It!

Posted in Multiply Mar 24 08

Lately I've been feeling fat and ugly.

I look at our Bohol pictures and our recent Batangas pictures and I wonder how I even fit in my bathing suit! In the office, my colleagues have been quick to point out that my tummy's getting oh-so-big and that I don't look like my normal gorgeous (ahem, hehehe) self. I can't say they're exaggerating coz some of my pants no longer fit (hwhaaaat?!) and I lost all desire to pretty myself up (as soon as I learned that I was indeed pregnant). Kaya tuloy I feel ugly. And fat.

I keep nagging Richard that I'm already fat and ugly. And he keeps telling me I'm not. He said (and of course I know it's true) that it's normal to get bigger and heavier at this time coz I'm pregnant -- but I keep arguing, it's only 2 months! I wasn't like this when I was pregnant with Luis! I was still gorgeous then -- up until the 7tth month when my nose decided to grow out of proportion.

I've been feeling foul about the way I look up lately until yesterday. I went on half day to go see my OB and finally have my first ultrasound. I was nervous coz I didn't want what happened last year to happen again (poor heartbeat of the baby that's why we lost him/her). I waited and waited for hours. By the time the OB was ready to see me, Richard was already there! See, I waited THAT long.

Turned out the baby's safely nestled in his little balloon down there (thank God!). Doc said everything was fine. There were already little stumps growing -- which the doc said are the beginnings of his arms and legs. We saw the little heart thumping and the doc quickly reassured us that he is doing well and everything is normal.

Haaay, all of a sudden, I don't feel as fat and ugly anymore. Medyo chubby na lang. Hehehe.

Life's still good!

Hotta Hotta Summer!

Posted in Multiply Mar 19 2008

I am sooooo excited!!! Whoopee!!! Richard and I are cooking up 2 additional trips this summer AND I can't wait!!!!

I don't want to spill the details yet as nothing's super duper ultra mega final yet (kinda somewhat almost 99% sure final pa lang). Where's my camera?!

We're planning a lot of firsts this summer! Yipee! Sana sana sana matuloy lahat!!!

Things are looking pretty good! Life's not so bad. There truly is sunshine after the rain! God must be trying to win me back.

Vacation Mode Again!!!

Posted in Multiply Mar 18 08

It's Holy Wednesday, tomorrow's the start of a long weekend. We're going out of town again! Whoopee! Most probably Batangas lang, since we didn't do any planning. We just need to get some fresh provincial air. Richard's thinking of bringing everyone (including parents and brothers, and nieces -- the whole caboodle) to the Farm at San Benito again for a day tour (kaso naman sobrang mahal ) or Hidden Valley daw (he's been telling me it's super nice there -- but it's even more expensive than visiting The Farm). Anyway, I don't really care, as long as I'm with them. Kahit sa bahay lang ok na.

We're also bringing my mom along. She, of course, wouldn't want to stay at home when we're leaving for Batangas and my sis and her family's leaving for Pampanga. I think it's but right that she goes out and tries to enjoy herself.

Haaaay, summer's here! I can feel the heat! Literally! Haaay, to be pregnant and experience summer. Pwede bang magbitbit ng aircon sa bag?!

Life's still good.