TAG FROM GERI

1. WHAT WAS I DOING 10 YEARS AGO?
I was in third year college in Cebu doing the usual young and budding woman supposed to do in a city full of life and parties. Budding woman because i didn't get to be one and refuted to do so years prior to including high school. I was once a boyish and a toughie when it comes to men and life in general. I found a band group that is lookin for a front female singer that plays music in mabolo name hodgy podgy(excuse me for the spelling). We played mostly oldies, some jazz and folk songs. It made me a woman and get to play mature songs which also influence some personalties that made me who i am today. Bubbly, outgoing and fun. I shifted from physical therapy to medical technology course at the same university after i found out that nutrition program means more than 4yrs. of college i have to endure or suffer. Since i never liked school at all. Due to the department not crediting my medical sciences subjects it devastated me that not only i didn't graduate with all A's in my report card in medical technology but basically lost my enthusiasm of going to school. I was more active in extra curricular than academically.


2. WHAT ARE THE FIVE THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST TODAY?
Finish this entry
Cook or find something that Mattie and I can eat like sandwich.
Bathe, play, read some animal magazines to matt and put him to bed(i consider this as one routine).
Watch my netflix dvds, i've been holding it hostage now for a week since i was out of town this past weekend.
Fold all clothes i washed yesterday and put it away.
Try to go to bed early and catch some more sleep since i had a nightmare of experiences during my travel to and from detroit(which will be the topic on my next entry).


3. SNACKS I ENJOY:
Wheat cinnamon bread with raisins, oranges, apple, grapes and prunes. If i get to make some filipino snack delicacy like bico(sticky rice pudding on coconut milk) and buchi(sticky rice sesame ball filled with red bean paste) i can eat it twice everyday until it's gone. I always make sure i cook a lot to last for awhile(lol).


4. PLACES WHERE I LIVED:
Mati, Cebu City, Beijing, Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio.


5. THINGS I’D DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE:
Of course like Geri, retire
Travel the world
Create/sponsor a charity foundation
Start a recording company
Build a recreation center for kids in Africa and my parents hometown of Mati.
Lastly, build a culinary school

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Melissa and Brianna's post pregnancy visit

Going away drinks courtesy of Abel(only guy in the photo). Still in scrubs.

Mattie and Brianna getting ready to eat fruits

Melissa is one of my closest friend at work although she's no longer working in the laboratory area when i quit my full time job, now that i'm back to casual part time she is covering the oncology clinic up in the 8th floor. We're basically a phone extension away or quick visits and lunch dates to the cafeteria to catch up motherhood. She and I got pregnant the same year, she's few months pregnant after mine. But baby Brianna decided to pop few weeks before Mattie. I had a lot of first experiences with her since our move here in San Antonio, that's why her friendship is special.

As i recall(sorry i have bad memory), it was her wedding i attended first here in the states, i was with her on my first night out too. We had fun even for just one night.

Yesterday, she and baby B pay a visit. Oh how excited i was to see the little girl. My future daughter in law hehehhe. Isn't she adorable?

Thanks for the visit girlfriend!

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Photo of the Day!

Not too recent snapshot of my Matthew but i thought of posting it anyway. Love the innocent smile of these children. Along with my son is Diana and her puppy name Brownie. They are Matthews afternoon playmates in our neighborhood.

mattie at 16months.

P.S. i'm back to work, same job and hospital but as a casual part time employee(18hrs/week). It works perfectly great, afterall, it's what i always wanted since post pregnancy. I had to quit first to get this part time position lol. Anyhow, i didn't mind the month and a half rest, i get to relax and laze out whenever i want to and still have energy to play rough with my toddler while hubby is away. Life is wonderful.

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First Treat

cedar park

As pictured above, my 17months old Mattie happily salivating his first lollipop treat. Yes, his first. We were invited to a kid friendly picnic 3weekends ago by a nice filipina friend here in SA. Of course i didn't hesitate to go and take Mattie out since we are home alone and got no agenda for that weekend except do housechores like usual lol. After stopping him countlessly going to the volleyball area(sandy court) he finally settled in with me at the table with a candy bribe. My son loves to be with big kids than children of his age. That's what i noticed since the Philippine trip last december and he was only a year old at that time. Anyway, he didn't finished his sugar treat as he was too busy watching the children coloring books and could not wait to check them out. A very good sign that his not into sweet stuff like me or maybe because i wasn't giving him any before. Even vanilla flavored cakes and ice cream are too much for him.

This past weekend we went to a ballet recital, i made him lick a chocolate cake, he instantly spit it out and throw up big time a minute after. I should have known better that my son is not into this kind of food. Although the vomitting surprised me, normally he would just spit and gives me a sour look. I was just curious if he ever develop a taste for chocolate, that's all. Now i got the answer. He still happy with his fruits as his desert. Grapes, prunes, banana, pears, peaches, oranges are among his favorites. I seldom give him apples(fresh) since his not very good in chewing it. Unless it's mushy or sauced already he rather take the whole grape and banana uncut. Perhaps, apple is too crunchy and hard enough that it requires too much work for his little mouth.

Mattie and Mommy from left: Effy, matt and me with buster.

Will write more on mattie's development later.....

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Not a winner afterall

Today, i found out i got a voicemail from yesterday that says i won something from American Laser Center an entry i submitted when i went to the spa few weeks ago for a massage. That's right, i do remember putting in my entry for the raffle. I won third prize which includes 300 dollar coupon plus 200 dollar when i come in for consultation and another 25% off when i chose any laser treatment package the same day(skin,hair,cellulite laser reduction). Sounds like i won a lot isn't it?. However, as i browsed their website i had a gut feeling that this prize would only mean thousands of money to splurge even with the discounts. Hey i watch a lot of makeover shows on tv and i know it don't come cheap. It's for the rich and famous kind of thing or if you get lucky winning a makeover on tv for free. So i made an appointment for the consultation to see how ridiculously they would charge me for such luxury. None of the packages are less than two thousand dollars hmm. I knew it hahha. Otherwise they would have put approximates on their website. Yah for a cheap person like me, i need to know upfront what i'm into, hey when i become rich like Oprah i'll just walk in and hand them my debit card. No fuss. At the end of the visit, i realized i really like the three procedure done on me, do i "need it", heck "NO". Maybe when i audition for playboy magazine i will rob a bank or do something to get it lol. The hair laser removal i would somehow prefer, not for vanity but for hygiene purposes, it just feel comfy, clean and light when you don't have hair growing like weeds every 2 weeks or so. For me, i tend to itch as it starts to grow back. And I like the idea of underarm and bikini area to be hairless forever lol. Good thing about it is that it's guarantee program that if it starts growing again you can avail the package for FREE until it's totally gone.

As our conversation progresses, it turned out i'm not a qualified candidate for any laser treatment as i am kelloidal. Her fault, she could have check my health history first of and not waste her time explaining each package. She said, I will need a doctors consent if i insist to go on with the procedure. Now it's getting complicated. Skin rejuvenation and hair removal off the list thus leaves me with the celllulite reduction therapy. So fancy for my filipina ear lol. I always have the impression that mostly hollywood residents tend to get this kind of cosmetic procedure. When you live there it's almost like a lifestyle. I told myself if the cost is reasonable after discount it's probably worth it since i've been thinking about slimming my thigh area. It has been a problem of mine since high school, don't know if it's hereditary or just plain fat. That's the only thing i want to get rid off if ever i want something done on my body. Not surgically done of course. But this procedure is my least favorite. I believe, I can still try the exercise path, focus more on toning down coz right now i really don't have to lose weight. I just need that area to be a little proportion with the rest of my body. Now that i'm out of the workforce(temporarily) i can definitely put some time and attention on that. As i am a body conscious person, it will definitely gives me more pleasure knowing that i'm not only healthy but perfectly in shape as well. That's not too much to ask.

Anyhow, you want to know how much fortune will it cost me? only a whopping $2,200. Yes, that much to heat massage with infrared my chubby thighs lol. As for the laser packages that needed consent? its pricing was somewhere around $1700-$1900 with 6 sessions. All mentioned were after the discounts lol. Now did i really win something? as my dear husband would say it, another effective advertisement to lure people into spending money or at least get their foot into the door. Very wise. They did gave away 1500 dollars as first prize. With that, I won't mind adding few hundred bucks to "correct something" as the consultant describe the whole process. I wasn't not lucky enough, perhaps next time. As a matter of fact, i sent my entry form for the free hair removal promotion. Peeps, not just a coupon, it's free. If you're interested check thier web for fun.

Overall, it was an interesting one hour. I did learn something about cosmetic treatments and procedure. Too bad for them i'm not too bold and also cheap to even sign up, i could've. She even offer me 24hrs to avail all the discounts added to the prize. But wasn't too crazy about it. Besides, it's not a neccessity. I still feel confident about myself, ask me again 5-10yrs from now, my whole perception and frugality may deter as i slowly age. Who knows, i may consider breast enhancement. Really. Who wants to join me?lol.

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Off to a good start!

Whewww, i'm really getting excited to explore the kitchen world. So, wednesday afternoon i decided to take a stroll with a friend of mine at the famous riverwalk, went straight to Rainforest Cafe which is my one and only pick because one of my filipina friend here in SA happened to be married to the executive chef, yes it helps when you know people. Taking advantage, sure, if that's what you want to call it. I came as a walk in applicant and immediately got interviewed, i forgot i'm in a different industry where there is no such thing as calling you for an interview unless it's a management job or "we'll let you know in a few days if your hired or not kind of thing" right there i get to meet the kitchen manager who at first got confused as he browse into my application form. He asked me if i really want to do this, coz based on my education and previous job he thinks this is not going to work. His referring to the salary which i'm not surprised. I told him look i wouldn't be here if that's what i'm after, he just smiled and moved on to the next question. Chef "A" came and made the decision to hire me after he spoke to the big boss(executive chef john).

Just like that quick and simple, they took my days and hours i'm available to work and start date with lots of consideration from their part. Wow am i that special? A little conflict with the training coz it has to be on the evenings approaching weekend of course when its busy. It makes sense since not a lot of things to show me during lunch time right? But i will have to wait till father in law or Richard be back in town to watch Matthew which is around second week of May. Nonetheless, i'm so energize to begin this new journey....

Looking forward to get some good training and experience from this place which i hope will eventually help me carry through to the culinary program.

Got a new haircut and color. I went mocha brown this time, hair is taking time out from highlights.

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