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.

of songs and myoozik

I love Jason Mraz's "Wordplay" song ang Aqualung's "Brighter than Sunshine". Once i've heard a particular song on the radio and the music or lyrics seem to get stuck in my brain, then that's a must have for me. I also have a knack of knowing if a song in an album would be a hit or not. So, yes I'm a frustrated critic. That goes for films and tv shows too. That's why I always read Nestor Torre's column on PDI.

Another favorite is Usher. This guy is an utter genius. Raised by a single mother pa. Very humble and his website is cool. I also like Craig David and Alicia Keys. And Destiny's "Cater to You" is so nice. I like complicated lyrics. I like the thrill of listening to the ups and downs of a melody.

I want to be a back-up singer. They are way cooler than the main acts. And they remain anonymous. But they get respect and lots of shows. They are so in demand that during live concerts' peak season, pinag-aagawan sila talaga.

being a better parent

i was browsing through parenting sites and saw this page: http://www.parents.com/articles/ages_and_stages/3096.jsp

I agree with all of it. Especially the hanging out together part. I remember my childhood filled with just being with Dad or Mama, listening to my siblings' stories and eating a lot. It was truly a nurturing time, we had so much fun.
I still have to decide if I'm gonna be a strict Mom or just laid back. Or both. What I do know is I'm enjoying being a Mom now. Contrary to my expectations. Hehe. I used to worry a lot if I'm gonna be miserable once I have all the responsibility. But here I am with a more positive perspective, just thanking God for blessing me with a child like him. He makes me want to do cartwheels and trapeze acts..yep, that's how great I'm feeling!

I love how he laughs at everything I say or do. And likewise. We are so in synch. And I love the way he snuggles on my shoulder. Perfect fit. And when I feed him cereals, even his nose, cheeks and neck have their share of food. And when I give him vitamins, he spits it or gargles it.

Don't you just hate it how mothers never seem to get tired of talking about their children? And how they get OA with every little achievement? And how they think their child is the best gift from God? Yes, I know and I'm sorry. I have become that Mom.

same, same

it's a slow saturday so indulge me with a trivial entry. Two of my favorite female actors, Diane Lane and Kate Hudson share a connection with me somehow (ipilit ba?). Diane's daughter is named Eleanor (mine has a different spelling though) and Kate's son's birthday is on January 7 too. It's really mababaw but I love having something in common with these women. They're just so classy and oozing with sex appeal. Meoow Rrrrr..

tv rants and raves

although i don't spend as much time watching television nowadays, i still stumbled upon the initial episode of the Amazing Race Family Edition. They're now more focused on the American destinations and historical places. And what chaos it produced when 40 people compete for airtime and camera views plus of course the coveted cool million prize. But it's also more exciting, with kids, parents, siblings bickering and laughing together.

The Xtra Challenge show with Maui Taylor saying P5k is nothing to her is such a controversial primetime quote. For her who gets money by showing her ass, boob job and everything else, it's such a pitiful thing to say. For us poor mortals who earn every cent with our clothes on, P5k is A LOT. So. I admire Joyce for her composure. If I were in her shoes, I could've punch Maui's already tomato nose into pulp bits. Oops sorry.

I'm semi-hooked to Pinoy Big Brother. I know their names, eager to see who's going to be eliminated next and singing the song in my subconcious. But since they moved it to a later timeslot, I couldn't watch it anymore since I'm sleepy already. Time to hit the sack with my precocious little tyke.

Oh and I'm obssessing about watching the Company's 20th anniversary concert at the CCP but too bad it's sold out na. SAyang. And i want to see "Dubai", I never pass up an Aga Muhlach film. He's just too yummy.

This made me teary-eyed

Read a really heart-tugging article from ivillage.com. Here it is..sob sob sob..

A Homage to Mothers

"This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up spit-up laced with hot dogs, birthday cake, and fruit juice saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here."
Who have walked around the house all night with their babies when they kept crying and wouldn't stop.
This is for all the mothers who have shown up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who have run carpools and made dozens of cookies for school teas and sewn Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who haven't because they are at work trying to earn enough to keep on top of the bills.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes and all their love.
This is for all the mothers who have sat on cold metal bleachers at hockey, baseball or soccer games instead of watching from their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and meant it
This is for all the mothers who have yelled at their kids in the grocery store and swatted them in despair when they stomped their feet, like a tired two-year-old does who wants ice cream before dinner, and then hated themselves for "losing" it.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children to explain all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn't.
For all the mothers who read Goodnight, Moon twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who taught their sons to cook and sew and their daughters to be brave and strong. (And sink a jump shot.)
This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home or grown up.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just fine once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away. And they do.
This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, and who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips, sometimes until they bleed, when their 14-year-olds dye their hair green.
What makes a good Mother anyway?Is it patience?Compassion?Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it the heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
Or the terror in your heart at 1 a.m. when your teenager with the new driver's license is an hour late getting home?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 a.m. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
Or to feel the dull ache as you look in on your sleeping daughter or son the night before they leave for a college in another city?
The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
For all the mothers of the victims of all the school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
This is for mothers who have tearfully placed flowers and teddy bears on their children's graves. Whose children have died from illness, accidents and the worst of all and hardest to comprehend, suicides.
This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation.
And mature mothers who have learned and are still learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Grandmothers whose wisdom and love remains a constant for their grown children and their children's children.
Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know. (I just did.)"

Riley milestone

Riley rolled over for the first time last September 13 and he's now 5.95 kilograms.

Thelms told me to check her email today. She saved a survey email from me dated March 26, 2003. And Lo and Behold I found this entry:

NAME OF FUTURE CHILD? --> boy- Riley girl - Lexie Maeve

I forgot how 2 years ago I already thought of Riley as my boy's name. Weird. Must be the anaesthesia. Or it must be fate.

aneurysm and other diseases

Albert Einstein died of aneurysm. it has special significance to me because my Mama died of that too. I've never heard of this disease up until Mama was in the hospital already, right after passing out and going into coma. A deadly combination of hypertension, diabetes and a lethal too much of something diet will make you a likely candidate for aneurysm.

Riley has colds for days now. Poor thing. Last night, he slept the entire time without having his mimilk. He got stressed out over his vaccination. First bouts of physical pain. Ouch.

favorite quotes for today

"The juice would definitely be worth the squeeze."

"Improving your mornings can do wonders for your afternoons."

I was browsing some sites and got inspired with these quotes. Cute.

It's Riley's immunization day again. He is so cool in the mornings. He smiles right after waking up. Definitely not from me. That's why my mornings are better now because of his attitude. So he influenced me big time on that one. Hehe.

something from e-mode

lynette, your signature color is Aqua Paradise

You're one-of-a-kind, that's for sure. A unique individual like you will make her mark with a bold, eye-catching color that's not afraid to be noticed. That's why we're pairing you up with Aqua Paradise. Your friends may sometimes question your choices in everything from what you wear to who you date, but they are likely to admire your willingness to experience all that life has to offer. In fact, it wouldn't surprise us if your experimental nature has helped you become ultra-secure in yourself — and that's a great way to be. You've also probably got a creative way of looking at the world that gives you a unique approach to solving problems, at home and at work. And your offbeat opinions and adventurous spirit likely make you a compelling character to pal around with. So keep it up, Aqua, and never give up on whatever paradise you seek!