starbucks conversations

I had a pre-celebration date with Thelmsky Diwata, Jenny Diyosa and Ellaine the Saint. It's been a long, long time since we've spent an evening like that. We had dinner, movie (Palanca winner "Blue Moon" since it's the Filmfest season) and stayed at Starbucks 6750. My top Starbucks outlets are:
1. 6750
2. Bayview Hotel
3. Greenbelt 1
4. Robinson's Place
5. Adriatico Malate
6. Glorietta 4

I always have the longest, most stimulating, interesting and controversial talks in this coffee chain. I'm not a real coffee person, I only order frappucino and last night I had Peppermint Mocha Frappe. After a year of not having any.. Ahh...the best. We stayed till the branch closed, that late tlga. Pix to follow. The smell, the ambiance, the soothing music, the comfy couch --worth the price. I'm open to try other coffee shops but nothing beats Starbucks.

a blessed 2006

Happy New Year! I love the first week of January. There's the crisp, clean smell of my new 2006 planner waiting to be filled out with my scribbles. There's the first Mass of the year. And then there's my birthday. But before I get all senti, I just want to say that I'm so at peace (or maybe just tired from spending the day at Enchanted..hehe) I slept through New Year's Eve. First time to zonk out amidst the noise and revelry.

Also, I realized I'm not an angry person. You know the type who will get a heart attack from storing so much resentment and bitterness. I maybe mad for a day or two and would really do everything I can to vent my anger but then I'll forget about it and move on. And I'm so pleased that I'm no longer a slave to my possessions. I used to hold on to all my stuff - papers, cards, letters, clothes, accessories. It was all clutter. Now I just have the things I need and will think thrice before buying something for myself. But the biggest surprise of all-- I'm more organized now.Clap clap! Thanks to Riley who is fast accumulating tons of stuff too. So more space for him.

Resolutions..I want to speak out more. I have a lot of ideas in my head but couldn't really voiced it out because I don't know...Sometimes people who talk too much just overwhelm me. And when I get my turn, I just don't have the energy anymore. I wanted to take up public speaking. Or do more hosting.

I need to be assertive. People seem to have an impression that I'm "nice". Meaning meek and kind. Nothing wrong with that really but I have to be firm to be a leader. Naks.

I need to trust my instincts. Being a Mom just freaks me out especially when Rye gets sick. I need to decide fast because I'm responsible for him. Gosh me, responsible.

"fast becoming a USB world"

Today I came to work and got a surprise gift from a techy company - a USB card reader. Yey! Although I don't know how to use it and vaguely had an idea what it does, it still thrills me no end. And then I surfed about it, and I got swallowed by PC terms. Well, being in a techy industry sure has its perks but I still have a lot to learn. So far, I'm maintaining 4 personal blogs and 1 corporate blog (although I rarely post on Friendster), I have Multiply where I post my pix, YM and MSN messenger, 4 emails and a Chikka account. Whew. Don't be misled, I am a hermit at heart.

post Christmas greeting

It's the Eve of Christmas and even on the day itself and I didn't have load! Darn autoload service got corrupted..So everyone was greeting me through text and I had no answer. Zilch. It was so frustrating. So I just binged on food. Really felt like we were Greek coz what we had for Noche Buena was all meat.

It's Rye's first Xmas ever and his eyes grew even bigger (if that's even possible) as midnight came and watched as his cousins opened presents. He chewed on his gifts and was delighted with all the lights and sounds. Will post pics soon.

Happy holidays! To a better year and a better life. Ahead.

Rye at 7 months

I was browsing through other people's blogs today, it just occurred to me that they make lists all the time. Well, one item I can cross out my list is having a kid. Yihaa. My son turns 7 months today!
1. my pogi-to
2. my morning perky little person
3. my curly-haired cherub
4. smelly feet baby
5. my naughty spitter (is there such a word? yeah, he spits on me when i change his diaper)
6. the one who calls me Momma, Mommy, Ma, Mmmm just recently
7. the cutest live pillow I ever had

I'm excited about 2006. .

engagement notices

Just this week, I learned 2 friends of mine got engaged. Leah, who's a barkada in highschool and Armi, my friend from Elim which I haven't seen in 10 years but was able to find thanks to Friendster. This late 20s stage marks a series of life-altering events - being engaged, getting married, giving birth, getting promoted etc. etc.

It's fun to know how brilliant God is in coming up with a myriad of blessings for each of us. It might surprise or overwhelm at first but then everything falls into place eventually. Some people go the straight path with nary a crease or dent (but with their share of challenges too) or scar, some people like me may experience crisscross, zigzag turning points - bottomline we are still loved, we should be grateful and we should celebrate..

This coming Christmas, sit still and breathe. Even for just a few minutes. Savor the here and now. Ain't life grand?

birthday trivia

It's a month (yesterday to be exact) to go before my birthday. Mag-plug ba? Hehe. Anyway, I was born with two special features: first, I am a menopause baby. Mama was 40 years old when she learned she was pregnant with me. Imagine her surprise and dismay because (second fact) she was taking Ativan at the time. Now, Ativan is a prescription drug which according to my research is and I quote:

"Ativan is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Ativan is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

• Ativan passes into breast milk. Do not take Ativan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby."

Wow. I'm a double freak! Ultrasound wasn't popular in 1978 and my parents thought I had physical deformities. My father didn't even want to go to the nursery for fear of seeing me with no hands or something. That's why Mama wasn't allowed to breastfeed me. Thank goodness, I'm physically sound although I may be weirder than usual. Wink. Wink.

serendipity or something like it

Brief background, I love the singing group The Company since they released their very first single, "Everlasting Love". I've seen how they changed their members and those insane outfits. My cassette tape copy of Recycle Deluxe got eaten by my player or maybe just succumbed to it due to numerous playbacks. They seem so down to earth, intelligent and great artists even if they're from Ateneo (no pun intended). Their songs were part of my Center for Pop days, me singing "Muntik na Kitang Minahal" and "Now that I have You" before the film made it baduy.

Anyhow, I never seen them perform live at all. Never did our paths cross in the 3 years I spent in the concert scene. And whenever they have a concert, I wanted to go but couldn't for some reason. Well, they celebrated 20 years with a huge concert 2 months ago at the CCP. At the last minute, I wanted to watch. Thelms offered to come with me. But alas, it was sold out a day before. Poor me.

Fast forward. Thelms got the great job of being editor in chief (congrats sis, you deserve it!) and of course, the power of free tickets and invites. For her first gig, she got (surprise, surprise serendipity moment) the Company!
Yey, we're gonna watch. I'm gonna buy their CD anthology album and I'm gonna have their autographs. Yes, I didn't even do the autograph ritual with artists I've worked with such as Regine, Martin etc. But with them, I'll gladly do it.

Yes, Christmas is near!

eleanor

Eleanor is the right spelling of a common name which means "light". I, however was named Elynor due to my parents' name mix, me and my siblings all have different variations. Anyhow, eversince the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby", there's no name song for me until TODAY! Heard it over the radio, it's not cheesy at all. It's alternative and cool, got the lyrics immediately and here it is:

Eleanor
sung by Low Millions

Fine, I understand, okay with me, if that's the plan.
You can take the stereo, the TV and the video
the bed the sheets and pillows, before you go.
But for now, unlock the door, what are we doin' all this for?

Let me make you dinner one last time,
then you'll go your way, and I'll go mine.
And I won't call you baby, anymore,won't call you baby,
like I did before,won't call you baby, anymore, Eleanor.

You left your smell, you left your taste,you left me here with my mistakes.
And I can't relate to what you say I've done,but just for you, I'll bite my tongue.
And I won't call you baby, anymore,won't call you baby
like I did before,won't call you baby, anymore, Eleanor.
Eleanor I miss you, Eleanor be well
Eleanor I wish you'd release me from your spell.

well, if you know me...you'd know this is soo apt. Zip lips now.

Rye as Justin Timberlake

Ok, when Rye wears this fisherman hat, he always reminds me of Justin Curly Haired Timberlake. So, here are the recent pix of Romina and Rye at 6 months. Romina is my bestfriend's daughter and as early as now, they are officially bestfriends too (whether they like it or not in the future doesn't really matter).

weeeeeh!

I'm at the end of the rainbow, there are no leprechauns...only pots and pots of gold a.k.a. blessings.

Watch me soar!

Feels Like Christmas

Today I woke up knowing Christmas is just around the corner...the cool air, the fruits in season, the decors and carols, and the all-around cheer you feel as it nears..great anticipation.

More good news, it's my last Saturday at work today. It means more bonding time with my little one. I can have my weekend again! Well, hello getaways and out of town trips and malling. Gosh, it's good to get my Saturday back. It has always been my favorite day as well as lazy Sunday afternoons.

The past months were a blur, probably because I was busy with work, with rakets, with O' Riley, with getting enough sleep. Life's finer points is catching up with me. God absolutely rocks!

photo galore

Exactly today last year, I first found out about Rye. He's gonna be 6 months this Saturday. He can sit alone now and soo likot and soo taba. I'm thankful. I'm happy, beaming and proud.

So, because I'm in a good mood, let me share with you my site of pix, http://duchessnette.multiply.com

My life is such an open book right now, I'm actually amazed. And I don't think I'm gonna be stalker material because I used to do the stalking. Oh and please, been there.. done that. I'm a Mom now. I'm just beginning to grow up. hehe

I'm a fan of LEA SALONGA

Yes, there are only two Filipinos that I admire to the core of my being, Lea Salonga and Mikee Cojuangco. But I would like to write about Lea today. At 13 years old, I remember watching my recorded Betamax (geez, yes I'm old) copy of "A Miss Called Lea" over and over again, till I knew all the lyrics of her repertoire. My love for musical theater had just erupted and she was and is my only idol.

After that, I just got hooked watching her on tv and reading about her world domination. Then in 2001, I met her! As production assistant /floor manager for a fundraising show at the Meralco Theater, I was for the first time in my life, immobile at the sight of another human being. We had our picture taken (too bad the copy is still with my cousin Win) and I'm on top of the world.

After that, I saw her perform live at "They're Playing Our Song" and "Miss Saigon" Manila run. And scraped my hard-earned peso to see her CCP shows.

Now, she's pregnant and glowing and took Carnegie Hall by storm. Check out the review in this link:http://www.playbill.com/news/article/96193.html

Oh, I just love her.

The Godfathers and the Godmothers

From left: Mama Sansu the OC, G-Anne Buding, Claudy the Prof, Thelma Huge and Kay a.ka. Daphne Osena




From left: Wilben the Voice, Win Ziggy, David the Late, Rap Hurray and Ramil the Funk.

The Christening

Domini Santi Et Fili Espiriti Santi...Amen

Dopeyz Dinner Reunion

Once upon a time in college, 6 individuals found themselves together by some force they couldn't quite explain (try love for the arts or weirdo behavior). They are the following people:

Anne - poised, gothic chic, poet, graphic artist, copywriter, classy

Arjhay - craft guru, cooking angel, pre-school teacher, philosophical, our on cam girl

Lynette - PR girl kuno, mtv singer, showbiz sponge, the only mommy so far in the group, youngest UN-minor

Claudy - terror sweet professor, finesse, kind and uber-reliable, romantic princess

Heintje - master photographer/editor, gay magnet, gentle giant, tae kwon do jin

Wilben - writer/critic, the Voice, family businessman, ever ready daig pa ang boy scout

Last night, off we went to Aveneto for some pizza, pasta and lots of laughter. Yes, we were the loudest group cramped in such a small space and just having a great time. It's amazing to think that after more than a decade, we're still the same rowdy bunch. Slow pa rin yung isa ("di ko magetz!"), may tripod for the picture taking (happy birthday NOT), may mga new jokes, ex jokes (nasan na si *tootoot*) at sangkatutak na hirit.

If only we can get together more often. I miss these people so much. Best of all, they met Rye. He got overwhelmed. Siguro if he could talk na, he'll ask why Mommy's friends are soo LOUD and noisy. Hehe.

100 Best Novels

Time Magazine featured the top 100 Best Novels in this link http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/the_complete_list.html

Shame on me for not reading "Catcher in the Rye" yet. And most of it for that matter. But I'm glad "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is part of it. Got a copy at Market! Market! for only P9.00! Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you and it's not a typo error. It was in a stock pile and I saw the cover. I thought this would be a good book for Riley, I'm gonna do the storytelling ritual with him kasi. So, there. Gotta expose him to books.

John Paul 2 We love you!

The recent World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany was extra special because Yen went there. One of my girlfriends went to Europe already! Wahh..so inggit. Hehe. Anyway, she shared with me her pix of Rome, Verona, Cologne and another German town. It was great.

There's this website dedicated to making a picture mosaic for John Paul II. It's composed of millions of pictures around the world. I'm so happy that Riley is part of it. He's on the right arm of the Pope. Cool di ba?!

Check it out http://www.thank-you-jpii.net/mosaic/mosaik.asp?tile=04349c8e06c91f&static=1

I sent my pix too but I haven't received a confirmation yet. Hmm..I love JPII so much. World Youth Day in Manila was one of the best experiences I've had as a Catholic.

caffeine fix

ok, word of the wise. never ever attempt to drink 2 straight cupfuls of strong brewed coffee after not having any for a year. after i found out i was pregnant, i couldn't take anymore frappe or any coffee concoction, it being bad for the baby. anyway, it shocked my system that even at 3 am when i was finally ready to retire after a serious writing session, my eyes were so alert and my heart was beating faster than usual. i thought i was gonna have an episode! but anyway, i missed the taste, bitter and sweet on the tongue and the smell just before you take a sip. hmm.. Until today, I'm still in hyper mode.

Yesterday, Riley discovered his toes. Aww..cute. I love how he holds his foot but he has not yet learned how to put it in his mouth. Love to take that picture. He eats cereals like it's going to be out of stock tomorrow. This kid do not have any feeding issues whatsoever. I also love how he blurts out weird vowel-consonant combinations.