Given that I'll be out of circulation in December (never mind the rest of 2007 as well!), I've sworn to get started on and complete my Christmas shopping by mid-November. Not an easy feat, considering that I still have to finalize my list!
It's easy to know who's in (i.e. family and in-laws, for sure) but how about who's out? For example, do I still have to get something for all my former bosses? Every year, I drop by their offices and give them a cake or some other yummy dessert, but that was before when I was mobile and had time to zip around Manila. This year is going to be tougher.
Eric says to just forego shopping altogether, that people will understand. But somehow, I don't see myself foregoing tradition just yet.
Decisions, decisions...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Talking to strangers
I seem to have a penchant for attracting conversations with strangers. Not sleazy pick-ups at bars, mind you... In fact, they occur in the most boring of places.
==> Like the elderly gentleman I encountered in National Bookstore, this one during my college years... We were browsing side by side along the aisle and he asked me out of the blue what was good to read these days, and we had a brief but nice conversation about Harry Potter.
==> Or another guy I met just this year, in Powerbooks this time... He approached me and insisted we met at some industry launch party a few nights ago, and when he eventually found out that I work for a business magazine, he asked for my number because he was supposedly in the process of putting up a local cosmetics line that he would love for me to feature. When I gave him a fake cellphone number (he can reach me via the office trunkline, why should I give him my mobile number??), he said "Okay, I'll ring your phone now so that you can save my number too." I told him I left my cellphone at home and prayed he wouldn't be able to see or identify the telltale bulge of my cellphone in my jeans pocket.
It bothers the hell out of Eric when I have these "encounters" because he thinks everyone I talk to is either some scam artist or manyak out to take advantage of me. He was particularly annoyed when I told him about Powerbooks guy and even mock accusingly asked what I was wearing that day (answer: nothing attention-getting). He told me that I should've just curtly said "No" and walked away from the minute he asked if we had met at that party.
"I can't help it if I have an approachable vibe," I always tease him.
Besides, it's not as if all the strangers who talk to me are men. Last weekend, while walking along our parish church, I crossed paths with a nice old lady who smiled at mne and said, "Good morning. You're about the give birth soon, 'no?" And she explained it was because my tummy was already big and low, and she asked the usual stuff (Boy or girl? First child? Etc.) and when we parted ways, she said she would include me in her prayers for that day. How nice of her.
Now, when will I be approached by a hunky supermodel?
==> Like the elderly gentleman I encountered in National Bookstore, this one during my college years... We were browsing side by side along the aisle and he asked me out of the blue what was good to read these days, and we had a brief but nice conversation about Harry Potter.
==> Or another guy I met just this year, in Powerbooks this time... He approached me and insisted we met at some industry launch party a few nights ago, and when he eventually found out that I work for a business magazine, he asked for my number because he was supposedly in the process of putting up a local cosmetics line that he would love for me to feature. When I gave him a fake cellphone number (he can reach me via the office trunkline, why should I give him my mobile number??), he said "Okay, I'll ring your phone now so that you can save my number too." I told him I left my cellphone at home and prayed he wouldn't be able to see or identify the telltale bulge of my cellphone in my jeans pocket.
It bothers the hell out of Eric when I have these "encounters" because he thinks everyone I talk to is either some scam artist or manyak out to take advantage of me. He was particularly annoyed when I told him about Powerbooks guy and even mock accusingly asked what I was wearing that day (answer: nothing attention-getting). He told me that I should've just curtly said "No" and walked away from the minute he asked if we had met at that party.
"I can't help it if I have an approachable vibe," I always tease him.
Besides, it's not as if all the strangers who talk to me are men. Last weekend, while walking along our parish church, I crossed paths with a nice old lady who smiled at mne and said, "Good morning. You're about the give birth soon, 'no?" And she explained it was because my tummy was already big and low, and she asked the usual stuff (Boy or girl? First child? Etc.) and when we parted ways, she said she would include me in her prayers for that day. How nice of her.
Now, when will I be approached by a hunky supermodel?
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Foods for thought
Looks like my days of enjoying certain fast food delights are coming to an end.
A few months ago, I found out that McDonald's apple pie doesn't really contain apples.... Instead, they use sayote and just add apple flavoring.
And then a few days ago, my doctor tells me that the oil KFC uses to fry its chickens with is used and reused for one whole month. Waah! She says the best branch to buy from would be their main branch somewhere in Quezon City (I think it's along A. Roces? Or Quezon Avenue?) because that's where the owners hold office, so the oil there is changed daily.
Which reminded of the time when a couple of college friends worked as servers at KFC during the summer break, and revealed that when they clean the place up at night... the bucket/container that they use to put soap and water to mop the floors with is the same container they use to put the chicken gravy during operating hours!! Back then, we only resolved never to buy from that particular branch; but add this factoid with the issue about the oil... double whammy.
And while siomai isn't a fast food, it's still one of my favorite viands, and it looks like I'll have to cut down on those as well because it turns out it's made of 100% pork fat! Although in fairness, some Chinese restaurants, like Le Ching, claim they also include real pork meat along with the fat.
So no McDo apple pie, no KFC, no siomai... What else is there left to enjoy??
A few months ago, I found out that McDonald's apple pie doesn't really contain apples.... Instead, they use sayote and just add apple flavoring.
And then a few days ago, my doctor tells me that the oil KFC uses to fry its chickens with is used and reused for one whole month. Waah! She says the best branch to buy from would be their main branch somewhere in Quezon City (I think it's along A. Roces? Or Quezon Avenue?) because that's where the owners hold office, so the oil there is changed daily.
Which reminded of the time when a couple of college friends worked as servers at KFC during the summer break, and revealed that when they clean the place up at night... the bucket/container that they use to put soap and water to mop the floors with is the same container they use to put the chicken gravy during operating hours!! Back then, we only resolved never to buy from that particular branch; but add this factoid with the issue about the oil... double whammy.
And while siomai isn't a fast food, it's still one of my favorite viands, and it looks like I'll have to cut down on those as well because it turns out it's made of 100% pork fat! Although in fairness, some Chinese restaurants, like Le Ching, claim they also include real pork meat along with the fat.
So no McDo apple pie, no KFC, no siomai... What else is there left to enjoy??
Monday, October 23, 2006
At 33 weeks and counting...
We've already bought most of the stuff needed for the baby, but why do I still feel I'm not yet ready?????
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Nesting
I've been bitten by the organizational bug. I spent the whole day removing the entire contents of my closet and sorting them, placing most items in their respective transluscent plastic storage containers (which I think are the best storage inventions since the Ziplock bag).
Even more anal, I had the contents of each box typed and printed out so that I could stick it to the side of the box and know at a glance which box contains what items.
I'm so proud of myself, I think I deserve a slice of Dulcelin's Mango Torte (which I think is the best local dessert ever made since Razon's halo-halo).
Even more anal, I had the contents of each box typed and printed out so that I could stick it to the side of the box and know at a glance which box contains what items.
I'm so proud of myself, I think I deserve a slice of Dulcelin's Mango Torte (which I think is the best local dessert ever made since Razon's halo-halo).
Saturday, October 14, 2006
The biggest "what if" of all
I think every girl (whether she admits it out loud or not) wishes that every guy she has ever been involved with will spend the rest of his living days pining for her.
Meaning he may move on and everything, but deep down inside, he will always regard her as "the one who got away."
Agree, disagree?
Meaning he may move on and everything, but deep down inside, he will always regard her as "the one who got away."
Agree, disagree?
Friday, October 13, 2006
Worse than PMS
Do you want to know how hormonally-challenged I am right now?
First, a little backgrounder:
Many years back, I edited an ad hoc baby magazine for Summit. There, we had a section where we interviewed celebrity parents and asked them to share their pregnancy and birthing experiences. One of the questions we asked the husbands -- "Did your wife look more sexy to you when she was pregnant?"
Last night, I re-read my copies of the magazine and found myself smiling at all the kilig answers the husbands gave to that particular question. So still feeling giddy, I asked Eric, "Hon, do I look more sexy to you now that I'm pregnant?"
Eric: (looking at me like the answer should be obvious) "Syempre hindi."
Needless to say, I promptly burst into tears. I really did.
And poor Eric, panicking, wondered what the hell he said wrong.
Me: "How come all the husbands here said their wives looked more cute and blooming when they were pregnant???"
Eric: (major damage-control mode) "Of course you're cute and blooming! Iba naman ang 'sexy.' You're not 'sexy' in the true sense of the word anymore kasi mataba ka na. Yan lang naman ang ibig kong sabihin."
Me: (even more mortified now) "So what if I don't lose all this weight after giving birth? Repulsive na ako??!?"
Eric: (wishing he should never have opened his mouth) "Hindi yan..." And he went on to say that he would love me no matter what shape or size I was in, and that he was only taking my question about "sexiness during pregnancy" literally, and that he's sorry for saying something so insensitive (again).
Hmph.
First, a little backgrounder:
Many years back, I edited an ad hoc baby magazine for Summit. There, we had a section where we interviewed celebrity parents and asked them to share their pregnancy and birthing experiences. One of the questions we asked the husbands -- "Did your wife look more sexy to you when she was pregnant?"
Last night, I re-read my copies of the magazine and found myself smiling at all the kilig answers the husbands gave to that particular question. So still feeling giddy, I asked Eric, "Hon, do I look more sexy to you now that I'm pregnant?"
Eric: (looking at me like the answer should be obvious) "Syempre hindi."
Needless to say, I promptly burst into tears. I really did.
And poor Eric, panicking, wondered what the hell he said wrong.
Me: "How come all the husbands here said their wives looked more cute and blooming when they were pregnant???"
Eric: (major damage-control mode) "Of course you're cute and blooming! Iba naman ang 'sexy.' You're not 'sexy' in the true sense of the word anymore kasi mataba ka na. Yan lang naman ang ibig kong sabihin."
Me: (even more mortified now) "So what if I don't lose all this weight after giving birth? Repulsive na ako??!?"
Eric: (wishing he should never have opened his mouth) "Hindi yan..." And he went on to say that he would love me no matter what shape or size I was in, and that he was only taking my question about "sexiness during pregnancy" literally, and that he's sorry for saying something so insensitive (again).
Hmph.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Gift giving
SITUATION: Generous husband meets low-maintenance wife (ahem, ahem)...
ERIC: Hon, anong gusto mong anniversary gift? Naisip ko bagong cellphone? O Ipod?
ME: Ha? But I'm still happy with my current cellphone and mp3 player. But I need a new handbag, just buy me that.
ERIC: Ano ka ba, mura lang yung bag. I can buy it for you anytime. Dapat special ang anniversary gift.
ME: Okay, then just buy me a Louis Vuitton handbag. That should cost about the same as a new cellphone.
ERIC: Ano ka ba, kung gagastos lang ako nang malaki, mas gusto ko pa sa cellphone nalang kaysa sa bag.
***
In the end, he promised to take me to Sonya's Garden next weekend. Sana matuloy.
***
P.S. I asked him what he wanted as an anniversary gift and he said I didn't have to give him anything, carrying his child is enough. Aww...
(I can see you guys rolling your eyes!!!!)
ERIC: Hon, anong gusto mong anniversary gift? Naisip ko bagong cellphone? O Ipod?
ME: Ha? But I'm still happy with my current cellphone and mp3 player. But I need a new handbag, just buy me that.
ERIC: Ano ka ba, mura lang yung bag. I can buy it for you anytime. Dapat special ang anniversary gift.
ME: Okay, then just buy me a Louis Vuitton handbag. That should cost about the same as a new cellphone.
ERIC: Ano ka ba, kung gagastos lang ako nang malaki, mas gusto ko pa sa cellphone nalang kaysa sa bag.
***
In the end, he promised to take me to Sonya's Garden next weekend. Sana matuloy.
***
P.S. I asked him what he wanted as an anniversary gift and he said I didn't have to give him anything, carrying his child is enough. Aww...
(I can see you guys rolling your eyes!!!!)
Monday, October 09, 2006
Parent trap
Three stories from yesterday:
Story #1: My mom told me about this friend of hers whose son refused to speak to his dad for one whole year, simply because he wouldn't buy him a new car. Oh, and he also said "F*ck you" to the head monk of the Buddhist temple that his mom volunteers at. I wouldn't want to know what he will be reincarnated as in his next life.
Story #2: My dad then told me about this relative of ours who ran away from home (don't ask me why, it's a long story) and when her dad saw her on the road and attempted to drag her back into the car, she actually yelled at bystanders to help her because "kidnapper po siya!"
Story #3: CNN breaking news last night: Oscar-nominated child actress Keisha Castle-Hughes is pregnant--and she's only sixteen! I don't harbor any illusions that girls still "save it" for marriage, but God, to get pregnant at sixteen??
What do this stories have in common? Pasaway kids. Which made Eric and I end up talking about what exactly iks it that made these kids turn out this way. Is it really the the fault of the parents -- too much or too little attention? Or is it bad influences from the media or barkada? Or a combination of both?
Also, I know all kids have a pasaway streak in them (i.e. dating the wrong kind of guy, staying out past curfew, cheating in exams every now and then ), but where do you draw the line between these and actually ending up with a child who accuses her father of being a kidnapper?
It's kinda scary. Like right now, Eric and I always pray that we'll have a healthy baby. But after last night's stories, you kinda wonder what the point of having a robust kid is if he or she ends up short of slapping you on the face when he grows up.
Story #1: My mom told me about this friend of hers whose son refused to speak to his dad for one whole year, simply because he wouldn't buy him a new car. Oh, and he also said "F*ck you" to the head monk of the Buddhist temple that his mom volunteers at. I wouldn't want to know what he will be reincarnated as in his next life.
Story #2: My dad then told me about this relative of ours who ran away from home (don't ask me why, it's a long story) and when her dad saw her on the road and attempted to drag her back into the car, she actually yelled at bystanders to help her because "kidnapper po siya!"
Story #3: CNN breaking news last night: Oscar-nominated child actress Keisha Castle-Hughes is pregnant--and she's only sixteen! I don't harbor any illusions that girls still "save it" for marriage, but God, to get pregnant at sixteen??
What do this stories have in common? Pasaway kids. Which made Eric and I end up talking about what exactly iks it that made these kids turn out this way. Is it really the the fault of the parents -- too much or too little attention? Or is it bad influences from the media or barkada? Or a combination of both?
Also, I know all kids have a pasaway streak in them (i.e. dating the wrong kind of guy, staying out past curfew, cheating in exams every now and then ), but where do you draw the line between these and actually ending up with a child who accuses her father of being a kidnapper?
It's kinda scary. Like right now, Eric and I always pray that we'll have a healthy baby. But after last night's stories, you kinda wonder what the point of having a robust kid is if he or she ends up short of slapping you on the face when he grows up.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
I'm not an easy person to live with these days
I'm so cranky and irritable today, I feel like I'm going to just lose it any minute now.
I also feel fat, unattractive, and ungainly.
Not to mention hot -- apparently, pregnancy has a way of upping your body temperature (because your body is working double-time)-- so if I don't have the air-conditioning on or the electric fan directed straight at me, I sweat buckets.
Which contributes even more to my feeling of unattractiveness.
And which makes me all the more upset.
It's a vicious cycle.
I also feel fat, unattractive, and ungainly.
Not to mention hot -- apparently, pregnancy has a way of upping your body temperature (because your body is working double-time)-- so if I don't have the air-conditioning on or the electric fan directed straight at me, I sweat buckets.
Which contributes even more to my feeling of unattractiveness.
And which makes me all the more upset.
It's a vicious cycle.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
An unforgettable anniversary
Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary (I know, time really flies!) and we had planned to spend it as simply as possible -- just a quiet, early dinner at a nearby swanky place so that we could be at home in time to watch The Amazing Race.
It was raining pretty hard while we were having dinner, but because the restaurant was less than 10 minutes away from home, we didn't worry about encountering flash floods on the streets.
What we didn't expect was the inside of our home getting flooded.
That's right -- when we got home and went up to the second floor, we could hear the rainwater pouring from our ceiling, onto our floor, pooling and seeping into the bedrooms of the house, including ours! Even worse-- most of the other bedrooms had wall-tlo-wall carpeting. So along with the maids, we spent the evening throwing pails of water out the windpow and cleaning up the water. With the exception of one room (whose ceiling also sprouted a major leak so that the carpet turned into a squishy mess and we had no choice but to just strip the whole thing this morning), the water damage on others were, fortunately, minimal. Still, it was a heckuva way to celebrate the occasion.
It was raining pretty hard while we were having dinner, but because the restaurant was less than 10 minutes away from home, we didn't worry about encountering flash floods on the streets.
What we didn't expect was the inside of our home getting flooded.
That's right -- when we got home and went up to the second floor, we could hear the rainwater pouring from our ceiling, onto our floor, pooling and seeping into the bedrooms of the house, including ours! Even worse-- most of the other bedrooms had wall-tlo-wall carpeting. So along with the maids, we spent the evening throwing pails of water out the windpow and cleaning up the water. With the exception of one room (whose ceiling also sprouted a major leak so that the carpet turned into a squishy mess and we had no choice but to just strip the whole thing this morning), the water damage on others were, fortunately, minimal. Still, it was a heckuva way to celebrate the occasion.
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