March was Birthday Month

        So yeah, i've been missing in action for the past uuuuummmmmm month (or more). My march was just hectic that i haven't had the time, or the energy to update my blog as much as i would love to.But what kept me busy the whole time are these....

     
Jumpstarting March's bday celebrators is my son Laurence Anthony, who celebrated his 10th on the 14th. It was just a quiet dinner at home as he was scheduled to take his last quarterly exams the next day (sched till the 17th).  We had a post-birthday celebration on the last day of their periodical exams instead.  LA wanted something different for his 10th bday --- it was always a swimming/summer themed party for the past years --- so for this year, Timezone it was.

        Party boys and girls were treated to an hour and a half of unlimited arcade gaming (all games except for the violet swipers).  The Php 175.00 fee for each person was well worth it as they were able to play as much video games as they want. Even the mommies had an hour and a half of being childlike once again  :)

        After which, we all trooped to Shakey's for dinner of pasta, pizza and more.  A birthday song wrapped up LA's 10th this year!

      To a son who has always been my source of inspiration, happiness and pride, my warmest hugs on your birthday.  A few years from now and you will be taller (definitely, bigger) than I am, but know that you will always be my number 1 baby.  Much, much love my LA!

       Next in line was my nephew Ice who turned 3 last March 28.   We had dinner at Shangrila 's Finest Restaurant to celebrate.  Ate Angel was our official photographer that day so no photos from my cam for this event.  To my nephew Isaiah, hugs and kisses from all of us :)

       Ton's XXXth birthday on the 30th followed.  Food "bingeing" (if such a word existed) at Gerry's Grill with the family right after my training stint at OLFU. 

Ton and his lady love, Yang

Make a wish and blow it out!

        Ton got his birthday surprise when out of the kitchen came Gerry's wait staff to sing him their own version of a birthday song.  Yang, arriving earlier than us was able to make the arrangement with the cake she got for the bday boy.  Kudos my dear! 

        To my one and only brother (pun intended har har har), you have really come a long way from the Ton i've grown with (and love, of course), that i feel i certain kind of pride when people (relatives ,most especially, who has witnessed your naughty moments)  would comment on how you've "matured" to be the fine young man you are now (nope, i don't have to get paid for this).  You've really stepped up and took full responsibility which Papa left behind, so I am pretty sure that he truly is happy looking down on us from up there.  Keep it up, and yeah, i'm sure you know just how much we love you, right?

My MIL with my FIL and the apos -- 4 as of the last count hehehe

     My mother in law turning 59 wrapped up the birthday month last March 31.  We had an overload of MSG as we had dinner in a chinese restaurant 2 days in a row, that the family decided to try something different. They decided on Grilla (Antipolo). So the night was a feast of grilled meats and seafoods. 

     To the best MIL, my love and undying gratitude for all your help, love and support. I was truly blessed to belong to a family (that includes all my in-laws) who has continuously shown me and my kids nothing but kindness and love.  LA and Jelo (and Angel and Ice) are lucky to have a lola who always has the time to support their daily activities, who would take them to malls and indulge their every whims.  So, to the best Mom and Mama, Jason, LA, Jelo and I have, all our love right back at you.  May you be blessed as you have been a blessing to us each day :)

    Truly a celebration filled month. Not to mention a hectic tour and training sched.  Not that  I am complaining.  I welcome the challenge, though i was wishing for more than 24 hours in a day, then maybe i could have squeezed in my blogging more har har har.  Guess, i just will have to find time for it...

Happy to finally blog again, 

Chame

War Against Flab!

Yep, you read that right.  I am declaring war against my flabby tummy.  I have always been on the skinny

side and it didn't use to bother me...until i was mistakenly taken to be pregnant by the technician who has

to take a chest x-ray of my son (to check if he's over his primary complex).  That annoying incident took its toll so i enrolled in a gym a couple of years back but have not been consistent.  

Today, i've decided to re-enroll (once more) coz, well i am again gaining weight, and when i do, it goes right down my middle. I originally wanted to try Movement Dance Studio in Ortigas coz honestly, those weights and excercise machines usually found in gyms bore me to death.  I can only do so much reps that after a while i'd completely lose interest.  But after due consideration (proximity being the primary factor), common sense took over and so i'm back at Brickroad Fitness.  

 excuse the picture quality as this was taken from my phone camera

The line up of their group fitness exercises usually involves dance routines (modern, retro and jam) and surprise, surprise, they are bringing belly dancing and latin back in.  So that settled, i grabbed my gym bag and started what i hope would be a successful battle against my flabby tummy!  Wish me luck...

Digressing:  my in-laws got back from their short Hong Kong vacay last Sunday, and being the generous souls that they are, they actually shopped for all of us.  Here's our loot

My mom-in-law really knew what i want best, so apart from my Giordano tee, she got me (Esprit tote)  this as well

So spacious it might even hold my netbook =) It was truly love at first sight. 

And yes, i got the best in-laws there are and i love them to bits!

love, love, love

Chame

My Week's Haul

      It has been a lazy week.  Things are quite calm at the office, no usual urgent-inians or rush-ians to deal with, so i was able to take an early night off last Tuesday to go on a post-valentine dinner date with the hubby.  I decided we try out Yakimix at Tomas Morato, one of em eat-all-you-can yakiniku restos around.  After having tried both their branches at SM Mall of Asia and Seaside, i wanted hubby to try their spread at Morato (the nearest from where we live).  We are not really "foodies" so to speak, but we do enjoy dining (pigging's more like it) out.

     So that night was a feast of assorted pork and beef ribs, cooked yakiniku style,  Sashimi's and Maki's.  Pity, we didn't sample their kebabs, but there's always a next time.  Topped it with ice cream, cheesecake and leche flan.  The flan wasn't as smooth or creamy as i would want it be, so we didn't bother for a second serving -- the hubby was a sucker for this dessert, so more's the pity.   

you can never go wrong with an ice cream, thank God for that

 
     So it was a tummy-filling post-valentine treat for us =)

     Working over the inet definitely has its perks (and pitfalls, as well).  This week i was able to book both a domestic and an international trip for the family, thanks to Cebu Pacific's 50% off seat sale.  A hush, hush as to where we're going as of now.   These, apart from an awesome Dealgrocer purchase i snogged and another vanity-deal i got for myself at Ensogo.  Yep, burned a hole in my wallet and won't be going anywhere near a mall for the next few weeks to make up for all these implusive online buying. arrrrgghhhh!

     Ohkay, but before i made good that not-within-100-meters-of-a-mall policy for the remaining days of February, i finally updated my reading list.

     From among all P. Coelho's book, Eleven Minutes remains to be a favorite, but I'm hoping this one's an easier read compared to The Zahir.  I so love M. Albom, as a matter of fact, Tuesdays with Morrie is a staple at my bedside table.  What can I say, books are indeed my budget's kryptonite =)

     And ecstatic that my eldest, LA has finally taken to reading books as well, at least starting to.  He cajoled his grandma in buying him the complete set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid a few months back and has enjoyed it, so when he asked for the newest installment to the series, it was quick trip to the bookstore for us. 

     Makes me miss those Choose Your Own Adventure series and Nancy Drew books i devoured (for a lack of better term) when i was about his age.  Would love to know if there are still bookstores who sell these books =).

     So, that was how my week went.  Hope you had a fabulous (albeit, inexpensive) week as well.  And until my next post...

The uberly-impulsive online buyer temporarily bids adieu, 

 Chame

    

Happy Birthday Mama! Happy Birthday Blog!

     Valentine's day has always been doubly celebrated in our home, because on this same day, our Mama celebrates her birthday.  Since having a boyfriend (now hubby), i cant remember going out on date during the v-day coz well, we always celebrate it with the family.  Not that i'm complaining, family is love after all, and what better way to spend the day than with the family.

                                                       

     As our mother celebrates her 61st (and counting!) birthday, im filled with gratefulness to the Father, for giving us another opportunity to show our Mama our love and our appreciation for all the years that she gave herself to us.  As a working-mother myself, i now know it wasn't easy, and with my Papa, away then most of the time (he was a seafarer), it was twice as hard for my mom.  But she did it, successfully as that!  So to our dearest Mama, our heartfelt gratitude. May the good Lord continue to shower you with a healthy body, a peaceful mind and a happy soul and may you be blessed with all your heart's desire =)

   
     Oh and by the way, today also marks the birth of my blog...well, i have had one since but this time, i will try to be consistent hehehe. I started "Sweet Inspirations" to document my lil sister's wedding preps, but due to numerous workload, i wasn't able to update it as much as i want, until the wedding actually took place. 

     So, today, this will serve as a lasting document of all things ME! Welcome me and wish me luck as i (re)join the bandwagon!

     XO,   Chame