Cutty

In preparation for the series of posts about my trip to Taiwan, I made an outline for each day of my stay there. I was too lazy to create a New Post for everyday. I decided to just change the title and edit the contents, using the same window. That way, I wont have to re-type the labels for each post. That way, I'd only have to click on Save Now. When I clicked on Save Now for the fifth day, I was expecting that I'd have five new drafts in the Edit Posts screen. I was disappointed to see only one draft in the list. Apparently, the post isn't saved based on title but on the post time and date. By not opening a new text box, the old outline is over-written by the next one. Grrrrr. Should I blame it on my katamaran or on the Blogger's designer's lack of foresight?

This afternoon, I said farewell to the land of milk tea and pineapple pastries. It was a tiring five-day gig in Taipei. We were fortunate to have been pampered by the organizers. We were housed in a five-star hotel, chauffeured in a tourist bus and fed buffet breakfast every day. We really didn't have to spend for anything except for souvenirs and non-essentials. I'd say that we really earned our keep. When I have more time in my hands, I'll share with you a more detailed account of my stay in Taiwan. For now, I am trying to stay up to tie up loose ends before we leave for the US this Friday. I need to remember the following: leave emergency money with my mother leave petty cash with the help issue a cheque as second installment for the house expansion look for my toiletry kit give the helpers their monthly salary pack the barong and dress for Ed's wedding get Lapid's chicharon as pasalubong bring the tablea as pasalubong #2 pass by the bank to get $ for th...

so many things to say so many things to share so sleepy to elaborate

For quite some time, I had difficulty looking for Javi's milk. With the help of my mother's secretary, I was able to get hold of a person who directed me to the distributor. Now, I can purchase various baby formula at a really low price. I took advantage of the opportunity and offered to sell the formula to other moms. Last week, this girl, who ordered twice from me already, asked if she could still order for her nephew. I said yes. I planned on offering the low-priced formula to the other moms in my network. Sa sobrang dami naman kasi ng ginagawa ko these days, nakalimutan ko nang mang-imbita ng ibang oorder. This morning I reminded her to deposit the payment. She's sick daw and couldn't go to the bank to make the deposit. I guess, di niya mapakisabihan yun magulang nun pamangkin niya. She'd bring the money when she picks up the box on Saturday. I said okay since her purchase record is okay. I am getting the feeling that she thinks she's doing me a...

Warning: This post may bore you. I am composing an online schedule for the week. We're leaving for Taipei this Saturday. Usually, the week before we leave our families is the most hectic week. Like most moms, I am trying to spend as much time as I can with my kids. It is not so easy to do. It is also the same week that gets swamped with rehearsals, sectionals, errands and other stuff we need to prepare for when we're away. Some people had to do advance work so they won't be too far behind when they get back. I did what I planned to do today. I failed to do a few items but I think I can catch up tomorrow. Just this afternoon, I shopped for two weeks' worth of groceries, paid my bills, confirmed my international roaming activation, purchased a memory stick and spent some time with my kids. When I arrived home, I sorted out the stuff that needs to be brought to Marikina (where my kids will stay when Vic and I are away) and to my luggage. I also had a few minut...

This is one of the featured water toys in iVillage. I'd like to get one in time for summer next year. By then, Javi's already walking. I'm sure both of them will like it.

... was how my friend describe this new pair of shoes I had on. It's so soft because even the insides of the shoe were made of the same leather. My mother said it was perfect for shopping. I told my husband that I'd like to get another one in another color. I know, abuso na. photo snagged from authentics100 of ebay.com I'd been meaning to get one for myself but since I am using a Philippine-issued credit card, I can't purchase it online. I requested my Tita to buy this for me during the Memorial Day Sale. Neiman Marcus offered free shipping for this. I told her that I'll pay for it when she gets here in Manila. I rarely ask people to buy me expensive stuff. Nakakahiya. I'd rather pay for it with my own (or my husband's) money. She arrived last weekend. She handed...

Last year, a terrible hurricane hit Houston. If I remember correctly, it was Hurricane Ike. News reports showed that properties and personal possessions were damaged. My husband's cousins were one of the many victims of this calamity. Their house was flooded and they had to vacate it while repairs are being made. I can't imagine how devastating it was to see the house and all fruits of one's labor destroyed. Fortunately, their Houston home insurance in Texas covered the cost of the damage and the repairs. While their house is being rebuilt, they lived in a hotel. I hope that's part of their insurance coverage too. Six months have passed and they're back in their newly renovated home. I hope they remembered to install smoke detectors and sprinklers. That would surely help protect their home. Most importantly, I hope they remembered to renew their contract with their insurance provider. Houston is always hit by storms and fires. It pays to be safe all th...

Scratching Johann's back is always a sign that my little boy is about to sleep. This time I told him that we'll use a hairbrush to scratch his back. He sat up and turned his back to me. Me: Okay ba? Johann: Opo. He sat silently savoring the sensation of the brush on his back. Amused by this sudden calmness in him, I asked again. Me: Masarap ba? Johann: Opo. After a few minutes, he spoke again. Johann: May buhok likod ko. Me: Huh? (I couldn't believe what I just heard) Johann: May buhok likod ko (louder this time, thinking that I didn't hear it the first time) Me: Bakit? Johann: Kasi bina-brush mo yun likod ko eh. O nga naman.

Last Monday, we did have a reason to celebrate. The husband got his visa after an hour-and-a-half of waiting. I didn't even finish the prepaid wifi I got from Bayview because I was expecting a much longer wait. The consul didn't even look at his documents. Sayang, I was up at 4am going through piles of paper to look for documents to bring. Anyway, we went to our celebratory lunch at Paseo Uno for lots of cheese, smoked salmon and tempura. Otherwise, that lunch would've been a "cheer me up" lunch. ------------------- In a couple of weeks, I'm leaving for Taipei for a choral festival. They usually require visitors to get a Chinese Visa. They are waiving that policy for people who have valid US Visas. Yay! That means, I don't have to submit requirements again. I don't want to get another set of NSO documents again. At least, not for this year. Besides, it is always difficult to show one's ties to the country if one's unemployed.

I am hanging out at Starbucks across the US Embassy right now. I am waiting for Vic to finish the Visa interview. It is his first time to undergo the interview since his previous visas (multiple indefinite / 10-year-validity) didn't require him to appear before a consul. I am quite nervous since there is no telling what the consul would do. Since we only have our cars and bills under our name (and the rest under the family business' name), I hope he has enough proof and documents to demonstrate his ties to the Philippines. I hope we have a reason to celebrate this afternoon. I'm quite ready to have lunch at Paseo Uno.

There are no updates in this blog because my DSL connection went down due to the heavy downpour. It is so difficult living in the far end of the subdivision. We always have electricity and phone service downtime. --------------- Apparently, the repair is faster if you report the problem to the PLDT office rather than calling 171. I reported it last Thursday and got the phone line repaired the following day. I'm so glad I didn't have to argue with anyone just to restore the service I am paying for.