"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.

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.