My weeks of preparation is finally over.  It's now official, my project is finally done, up, and running.  I'd like to invite and welcome everyone to my second home in the web, BOTH SIDES NOW.

This is what I've been doing, perfecting all these time.  I will be temporarily leaving this site and will be concentrating on my other home.  Like all relationships, it's quite dificult to part with a first love, but life changes and we all have to move along, at one point or another.

So, join me as I embark on another phase in my so called LIFE.

To all the mother's in the world, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.  Im sharing this to all the moms in my blogroll.  Cheers!

Im back! Im still working on my "project", though.  All I can say is its almost DONE!  Expect major changes from me. I wish I can tell you guys about it or let you in a sneak peak.  But it would ruin the surprise.

In the meantime, thank you for all the visits, the tags and what-have-you's.  Im going to make a BIG BAWI, don't worry.  MALAPIT NA...

There's this big project that Im doing so I may have to take a sabatical for a while.   I can't tell this early but Im keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to complete it soon.  Actually, I already started some days ago and I think this project needs a bit of more time to finish...

So until then, folks.  I'll try, though to drop in a few lines or so .   Hey, but wait! before anything else, I'd like to thank Jo-N for inviting me over to her housewarming party.  Thanks a lot, I trully enjoyed the food and games. And of course, these cute door prize.

                                          

I am a hopeless romantic.  I get really excited and teary eyed whenever there's a wedding in my family or in my circle of friends.  I love the idea of celebrating romance--- the clothes, jewelry, food, music and all the frills that makes the ocassion very special.  One of the most essential part of any big event is the preparation.  Having the best Wedding Planner really makes the diffrence.  I've recently watched Snoop Dogg's wedding and I was amazed on how perfect it was.  A wedding planning company called Center of Attention did a marvelous job in making this celebrity wedding a success.  Their brand of creativity coupled with efficient staff is amazing.  Imagine, transforming a ranch into a beautiful wedding scene.  It's like a picture from a romantic magazine!  This guys really know how to put the "it" factor into any wedding or event you have in mind.  Just name the place, and they'll do the rest.

Aside from weddings, Center of Attention also does event planning.  Who is to forget Sharon and Ozzy's Wedding Renewal which was aired MTV New Year's Eve 2004 party?  Yes, these guys are masters behind that successful event.  They even bagged the industry award, from the Special Events Magazine.  They have people who are willing to go anywhere, do anything, bring everything to make the most important event of your life a truly unforgettable experience.

So whether its a wedding, a party or perhaps a major event, don't hesitate to be the Center of Attention

I just can't get my slideshow to run!  DARN....  Im left with no choice but to post the pictures individually for you folks to see.  Sorry for the disappiontment.  Anyways, I hope you do enjoy this as much as I did posting them.  This time Im calling this WEEKEND SNAPSHOTS of our trip to Tagaytay with my siblings .

 

There's a bomb in the city. No, there's no cause for alarm here.  the bomb Im talking about is called Snapbomb.  It's the latest in blog marketing and blog advertising.. This is  definitely worth the buzz.  Bloggers are given the opportunity to write and review about topics and get paid for it.  Joining is as easy as 1-2-3.  All you have to do is get yourself registered and VIOLA! your in.  You can start writing while waiting for your site to be approved.

How cool is that?  So If you're like me who loves to write and is searching for ways to e4arn that extra buck, try Snapbomb now.  See how the moolah pops in

Whew....! The latest society scandal to hit the internet is such a huge thing.  I just spent an hour and a half in shock reading and trying to digest its content.  I heard about this a couple of days ago but haven't really checked it out until today.  WOW!  I never thought these people gracing the society pages have skeletons in their closets.  Heck, they're even more fascinating than our showbiz personalities.  Im sure the Buzz and Showbiz Central will have a blast in the ratings if they choose to feature this.

I don't usually engage in internet gossip.  In fact, Im always the last to know about the juicy details.  But this one comes as an exception.  Once I started, I got hooked.  Beauty, drugs, and money.  Just like scenes from soap operas.  

I must admit this information is very entertaining.  I also think, though that net has become an avenue for the abuse of our freedom of expression.  Somehow, blogs have become portals for gossip, anger, and ill words.  

Tsk, tsk, tsk .  A little responsiblity and tact wouldn't hurt.....

Today marks Daddy's first death anniversary.  I barely noticed that its been one year already since he passed away.  Life contined for us, somehow we all have moved on.  But in that busy hustle, his memory lingers all the time.  I miss him a lot. If there's one thing I'd regret, its the thought that he won't be able to see my kids grow up.

Last night I dreamt about him.  He kissed me on the forehead before he waved goodbye.  I guess that officially says that I really have to let go.....

I had fun doing this tag   Its really amusing to know that the titles fit together.  Its a fine Saturday morning for some good music.  

Thanks, Daisy.  Quite a cool list of tunes you've got there.  

So how does it work? just follow the rules below:

1. Open your music library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, Winamp, ZVM, etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question/subject, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question, press the next button.
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
[you may add your reaction, too, if you like.]
***********************************************************
1. Opening credits: 
Constantly by Nina

2. Waking up:
Kiss Me by Jewel

3. First Day of School:
One Hello by Angela Bofill

4. Falling in love:
Killing Me Softly by Lori  Leiberman

5. First song:
If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys  
            
6. Breaking up:
If I Believe by Patti Austin

7. Prom:
Someone To Watch Over Me by Linda Rodstandt

8. Life:
Let’s groove by Earth, Wind and Fire

9. Mental breakdown:
Cool with You by Jennifer Love Hewitt

10. Driving:
You Give Good Love by Whitney Houston

11. Flashback:
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
    
12. Getting back together:
Love  Moves in Mysterious Ways by Nina

13. Wedding:
I Wish You Love by Lisa Ono

4.Birth of a child:
Sweet surrenderby Sarah McLachlan

15. Final battle:
I Will Survive

16. Death scene:
After the love has gone by Earth, Wind & Fire

17. Funeral song:
Big Girls Dont Cry by Fergie

18. End credits:
Fabulous by Fergie
—-FIN—

Now Im tagging Cheryll, Julianna, Caramel Corn, Ideal Pink Rose,and Grace.  Have fun girls!

I was very disappionted and angry this morning.  Hubby promised that we will go on with the "tripping" with the Agent to check out some houses.  I was really excited and relieved because last week, I had to cancel several times due to time constraints.  So I called our agent and finalized our meeting.

But when Hubby arrived from work this morning, he told me to cancel (again!) because he's too tired.  I naturally argued and somehow threw a fit.  Refused to push through in the afternoon because it'll be in the way of his basketball game.  Such a selfish reasoning, I thought.  I mean, here I am busy leafing thru a hundred ads for an affordable home, making calls, and yes adjusting my schedule.  And he, on the other hand, just gave a a fraction of his FREE time.  Oh how I hate it!  My point is, his basketball game can wait.  Heck he can even play tomorrow (his day off).  But the meeting can't be pushed any further.  It might be too late.

I was so angry that I didn't bother to control my tears.  This is important to me, for the family.  I thought of a million things to do to make him really angry.  I wanted to pack his basketball stuff and throw it out.  I wanted to spend the night at my sister's place.  Hell, I wanted out....!

Somehow, he seemed to understand where Im coming from.  But it still didn't change his mind about playing (which made me angry all over again).  He left with Kobe and was gone for like a couple of hours.  When they got back, he handed me this.  I was trying to keep a straight face but it was quite a feat.  A peace offering, he said.              

                                                                                                   

                                            

Suprise, surprise.....  I received a package from Japan today.  Tita Rose sent me my favorite perfume.  Yahoo!  Im so happy, now I won't have to save up for this baby...):

 What a great weekend I had!  Apart from my usual weekend fare, i had a chance to catch up on my reading.  I chanced upon three terrific reads, both from prolific writers.  My first book, Dear John is written by no other than one of my favorites, Nicholas Sparks.  Like most of his work, the story tells of love and loss.  Its was so heartwarming that I finished reading it in one sitting.                              

My second read is a romantic/suspense story by Sandra Brown called the Chill Factor.  This is the first time I've read Brown and Im amazed by her style.  Putting two great elements together in a story seemed hard but she pulled it off with flying colors to boot!  Its heart ponding yet romantic tale makes for a great chick read and then some.  I just finished it yesterday, the suspense is still fresh and Im still wanting for more...


Which brings me to my third and yet to be read book, Play Dirty.  Also by Brown, Im sure that this is gonna be another great find.  I can't wait to curl up and start peeling the pages.

Hubby's cousin Liza and family (hubby Roy and daughter Isabelle) arrived from Australia and are here for a two week vacay.  We had a chance to bond with them yesterday and had so much fun!  The kids were happy to see each other again.  Imagine, the last time they visited, Bella was just 6, now she's 10 and looks quite a stunner. .  We all spent the day in the mall shopping, gaming, and dining out.  

Like most balikbayans, the couple craved for homey native delicacies.  Lunch, being our first stop was at Alex III.  We feasted on camaron rebosado, dinuguan (which Bella fondly calls "chocolate meat"), sinigang, boneless grilled chicken, fish and pakbet.  For dessert, I ordered bibingka, puto bumbong, and the all time favorite, leche flan.  Im not really fond of native cuisine but I found the spread delictable.  Our guests truly enjoyed the meal.

After lunch, the kids wanted to have fun, so we headed to Timezone and gave them a grand time.  While the kids played on, we grown ups made waves in the vidoke rooms.  No, I didn't dish out my "songs'.... was just content listening to hubby, Liza and Roy belt out their favorite tunes.  Cousin Liza wanted to take the vidoke thing a step further by going to Red Box that night but hubby had to work the night off (again).  So, we regretfully declined the invite.

To make up. we all went out for a late dinner.  This time I chose Mr. Choi's Kitchen.  I heard that Isabelle was looking for the authentic taho and I knew that this is the perfect place.  Because everyone was quite full, our spread was a little on the "lighter "side (except for my husband, who always has to have the spareribs).  Noodles, seafood, wanton and congee.  Of course the highlight really was the TAHO.  Im glad they weren't disappointed.  Bella and Roy loved it so much that they took some back to their hotel.  Between bites, we filled each other up with stories from childhood, marriage, school, and work.

 
 

                                                     
                                                  



Hubby was happy being able to spend some, albeit short time with his favorite cousin.  There's still a few days left and Im sure we all can get together again.  In the meantime, welcome back, guys!

With the sudden influx of Italian restaurants in the metro lately, the claim (not to mention the competion) to be the  authentic Italian hub is getting steep.  Some friends and I decided to check out the latest contender to this Italian race, Pasto Restaurant located in El pUeblo, Ortigas Center.
                                     
The exterior and interior design of the resto was impressive, with just the right mix of reds and browns, and wood, and stone all together.  It was a Valentine's Day when we dined so the place was packed with yuppies.  What's noticeable about the inside is the temperature.   It was darn cold, the aircon was in full blast.  It took was awhile to order because we were really distracted by the cold.  But alas, when we did finally order, we were hugely disappointed by the turn of events.  Our food arrived one hour and a half late.  We were so famished so i decided to oder a pot of tea.  Gosh, even the tea took about 30 minutes to get to our table.  Looking around, I realized that other patrons were suffering the same fate.  AARGH!
                                        
By the time our pastas (frutti de mare and carbonarra) and pizzas arrived, we were so hungry to even notice or savor the food.  I was told that the pizaa, a thin crust four cheese, was excellent.  To me, it was nothing diffrent.  But the series of unfortunate events wasn't just about the snail service.  Who would've thought that paying the bill would take another 45 minutes?  Well, ours did.  As well as the other tables around us.  To hasten things a bit, one of my officemates approached the counter and helped the counter lady sort out the bills.

Our dining adventure ended as a cut from a sloppy horror movie.  Leaving us, totally unsatisfied and empty handed.  I don't mind paying a bit for food, as long as its good and the service is excellent.  But this one is a major let down.  The P200-P300 bucks per head is just ain't worth it.