Cutty

... I want to be able to wear the clean lines and under-stated elegance of Donna Karan's clothes. Since I am all grown up now, and in full bloom, I'll just be content with the elegance and sophistication  of this little old goat

I've been itching to set foot on an airplane and leave town.  Every one is talking about traveling.  Even my husband is leaving for a short trip to watch PacMan in Macau.  I just want an uninterrupted shopping experience.  It is very difficult to find time these days, when kids are in tow and when you have a baby inside you. Because I wont be allowed to set foot on a plane in the next two months, we have short holidays lined up. To make up for it somehow, this week has been a gastronomical journey.  Friday was Hotpot Night.  Sunday was a buffet lunch at Vikings.  Monday was Tea Time at Lusso. It didn't look too filling so we got another sandwich, which Vic enjoyed a lot. I am waiting to see how it compares to Manila Pen's Tea Buffet. Tuesday was baking day at Cathy's Kitchen.  Here's what the kids and I made. I've experimented with two recipes.  The first one, the lemon meringue pie has promise.  Just a few mo...

If you have balikbayans or tourists who need to shop for pasalubong, I suggest taking them to the Duty Free Fiesta Mall. They have this current promotion called Peso Power.  How does it work?  If you pay for your purchases in Peso, it will be converted using the P39 to $1 rate. If you are going to pay in any other currency, you get a 10% duscount in your purchases. You get to save a lot on groceries and chocolates. I hoarded the usual stuff: corned beef, spam, detergent, toiletries.  If you are buying luxury items, you will surely get a great deal because you get it tax free PLUS you get the additional discount. It is hard to let this opportunity pass. Hehehe, I didn't.  I haven't gone in months so I was surprised to see the new layout and the new brands. Pandora's there now. Heys luggage is also there. Penguin is about to open too. Victoria's Secret occupies a big space that used to be the Premier members' lounge. Ben and Jerry's will have an area near Hersheys...

Amidst all the devastation and sad news brought about by Yolanda, I got this early morning FB update from my choir conductor. " Our dear RYAN CAYABYAB has been awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by the Pope for his services to the Church and Pope in the field of music." Though Mr. C is known for his contribution to popular music, many do not know about his contribution to church music.  His work, MISA 2000, has brought great acclaim to Philippine choirs whenever it is performed in international choral competitions.  Philippine choirs struggle to give justice to the beauty of his works. He is truly a maestro.  He is one of the few geniuses who has succeeded in both popular and classical music.  Don't be fooled, his sacred works are quite different from his popular ones.  You'd never guess it came from the same composer.  He is a step above the rest . I do hope he gets the National Artist Award while he is still around to receive it.

Months have passed.  Rainy days have come and gone.  Christmas is coming up in a few weeks. I still haven't found the time to update this blog till now. We survived another round of quarterly exams.  It was a lot easier this time.  Though, Math and Filipino are getting difficult to teach.  This Singapore Math style is just complicating things, IMHO.  Filipino, on the other hand, is still difficult though it is our first language.  I really don't understand why.  I am not sure if we can maintain Johann's performance in the previous quarter.  I hope we do. Javi is still very playful.  He is still very choosy when it comes to friends.  He is very much into Avengers, Toy Story and the iPad.  His 5th birthday is coming up in a few weeks so I am preparing for that too.  We've been counting down to the Big Day since June.  I couldn't decide what to give him for his birthday because he has a different request every night....

Topaz Mommy wrote about one's fear of loving another child. It was never an issue for me.  There is always the capacity to love more.  My issue was giving each child enough attention and guidance. Could I handle it? With all these thongs happening in my life, how can I balance motherhood, being a wife, a business person and being myself? I try not to have favorites. I try to treat each child the same way. However, due to difference in personalities and birth order, I really feel that I am prone to have a favorite. Favorite pagalitan, favorite kilitin, et al.  Now that there's another baby coming, I worry again. How can I become a responsible parent to these blessings?  Only God can tell.  I am comforted by the fact that my kids love each other the way we showed them.  Seeing how these kids care for each other (when they are not fighting) tells me that I must be on the right track. 

I am glad that exam week is over.  Johann just stepped into the Big School and here I am feeling pressured to instill all the concepts and good study habits in him.  It has been a week of strict discipline, self-control, and intense time-management.  My patience and tolerance levels have been tried and tested several times.   Admittedly, I feel that his failure to do well in school is a failure on my part too. Since we haven't gotten the complete test results, I can not celebrate just yet.  But when the time comes, Johann wont be the only one getting a reward. Now, when I think about rewards, these are what I have in mind... I can just imagine Vic shuddering at the sight of those bags.

I just love 158 Designer Blvd. We got two pairs of Kenneth Cole shoes  for less than P2500! They are from last season's collection. But I don't mind. They're both decent and very comfortable. 

Finding time to write things in this blog is very difficult these days.  With mommy duties, work and the kids' homework, it leaves so little time for recreation and ME time.  These happened in the month I've been absent from blogging: We've finally established a routine for us and the kids.  This helped us manage other activities around the more important aspects of daily life.  It gets less complicated by the day.  I still complain about the amount of homework we have to deal with from the Big School. Our spa business survived the lean month of June.  July sales is slowly picking up and I hope it goes up from there.  I finally have all the business papers I need.  It was tedious process, dealing with these government agencies.  But I am thankful that we got everything we need.  I just dread doing it annually. There are just too many unplanned expenses cropping up these days.  I just get emotional over these things because I p...

Yes, I know it has been a while.  Summer has come and gone.  A lot has happened this summer and I can't wait to share them all with you. Now that all kids are in school, I am supposed to have more time in my hands.  But that is just the complete opposite.  Dealing with the kids assignments and other requirements leave me stressed.  Hahaha.  It's as if I'm the one who went back to school.  We just have to determine our routine and it will be smooth-sailing from there.  I hope. Bettina is a nursery student now.  She was expecting to see Javi's former teacher to greet her.  So when the new teacher greeted her, she was shy to go inside the room.  I had to stay with her for 30 minutes.  She is slowly getting the feel of the class and the pre-school experience.  Outside the classroom, I am amazed by her independence and maturity.  She knows what she wants and communicates that really well. She is sometimes mis...

I've been posting job ads since December.  I've tried national and local publications to get the word out.  I'd say this is one of the more difficult aspects of starting and owning a business. The control-freak in me is helpless.  I have no control over people's reactions.  I can't will people to apply and show up at interviews.  However, I'd like to show you what steps I took to advertise my job opportunities. 1.  Manila Bulletin -  I chose this publication because it is known for their classified ads.  If you are hoping to be included Sunday ads, make sure you have submitted it before the Saturday 12NN deadline. I got a copy of the boxed lay-out from the Franchiser.  Based on the box size, MB gave me the price.  I sent out two Sunday ads for the Massage Therapist position. 2.  PESO - Every city or municipality has a Public Employment Service Office.  One must request to be accredited.  Once accredited, I had acce...

My eldest, Johann, is graduating from pre-school this weekend.  We've invited all grandparents to witness this milestone.  He will be leading the singing of the National Anthem.  He is also quite secretive about what will happen during the program.  This is so not like him.  It must be a sign that he really is growing up. He is quite excited to move on to the Big School.  He can't wait to be one of the big boys.  

There are several documents a business owner should get at the Barangay Hall. 1.  Community Tax Certificate 2.  Business Clearance 3.  Business Clearance for Construction Community Tax Certificate or Cedula.  Any individual who enters into contract agreements must have a CTC.  The fee varies, depending on one's earnings from the previous year. Business Clearance.  After securing your Business Name at the DTI, head to the your Barangay Hall for the Clearance.  All I had to do was fill up the generic form, pay the cashier then wait for the certificate.  This document is needed for Business Permit applications at the City Hall.  It is important that you wait for the DTI Business Name approval so you won't have to go back to the Barangay Hall for name changes.  This cost me P500. Business Clearance for Construction.  I didn't know this document existed.  Apparently, for businesses requiring renovations or cons...

I am starting a series of posts chronicling my exploits as an Entrepreneur. I am hoping that my experience in dealing with different agencies help out novices out there. The first step is to get your business name registered. At dti.gov.ph, you get the basic steps. It is highly recommended that you come to the DTI office since the BNRS page isn't very reliable. Before going to the DTI office, arm yourself with a government-issued ID and several business name options.  I prepared three. Though most government agencies open at 8am, people fall in line at the DTI office earlier than that.  I found out that they usually reach their quota by 8AM.  I arrived at 6:45AM and I was already 29th in the queue.  The Highway 54 branch's cut off is 140 customers.  Be sure to fall in line really early.  Since January is the month for business permit renewal, expect to see long queues everyday. Upon arriving, get forms from the guard on duty.  Be sure to fill ...

Our anniversary dinner is one of the occasions I really look forward to.  It's like a continuation of the holidays.  It was pure indulgence.  Guiltless, too. Last year's celebration was at Lemuria.  The ambience and the food were perfect for celebrating.  This year, we decided to go back to our usual special place.  This is why. An assortment of cheeses and charcuterie plus my favorite dried figs to start of the meal.  It is quite disappointing that the truffle honey was no longer part of the buffet.  Other than that, I'd say the Cheese Atelier was quite exciting.  There are just too many to choose from.   Then there's the unlimited foie gras. You get as much your conscience can take. Vic and I shared this plate.   Most importantly, their famous chocolate chip cookies and a variety of desserts.  I'd be truly disappointed if the cookies were missing.  It really was the perfect ending to the meal. ...

On the eve of January 14, I couldn't sleep.  It wasn't because I was having second thoughts.  I was too excited to fall asleep. Our wedding was going to take place at 3:30PM.  This was the culmination of a year-long preparation.  I remember people coming in at 10AM to prepare everything.  I don't remember eating lunch. I told myself I wouldn't cry as I walked down the aisle.  But, I was crying till it was time for the sermon.  Both Vic and I were crying.  I remember laughing at ourselves because we couldn't stop crying. After having our pictures taken at the pool-side, I remember having this urge to pee.   Three people held up my gown as I relieved myself.  It was so embarrassing.  I couldn't even close the door because of the volume of the skirt.  But there was no other way.  Thankfully, these were people I grew up with. I am forever thankful to the following who made our wedding day memorable and worry-free: T...

My December went by in a blur.  There was no time to relax and savor the season.  I'm sure yours was the same.  Allow me share with you what kept me busy. Cathy's Kitchen was a hit.  I had orders till Christmas Eve.  S'mores and Carrot cakes were still the best sellers.  I'm glad that I was able to accommodate some last minute orders.  I baked whenever I could squeeze it in, in between meals, rehearsals, Christmas shopping and hiring.  I baked till past midnight, up to the time I still had LPG left.  Unfortunately, my Kitchen Aid complained about too much work it has been getting.  Thankfully, my food processor was good enough to do the work.  I just have to figure out where I can have my Kitchen Aid fixed. I also finally got the courage to have a local cafe sample my cakes.  They liked it. I am currently waiting for repeat orders. The ACS had a busy season also.  The Tantoco family has been very generous to us. ...