sick in amsterdam

My hubby was very much looking forward to our first stop, which was Amsterdam. We were suppose to stay 4 days and 3 nights then drive for a business meeting in Zandvoort which is 45 minutes away from the city. We figured 2 nights of questionable state is quite good enough to start our 3 week workation.The hubby started having the flu in manila which made him very cranky the whole 12 hours from hong kong. He had equalizing problems during the plane's descent which made me feel i would like to borrow a feeding bottle to make him suck it, which is the usual remedy for newborns traveling, the other option, which would require no paraphernalia but would definitely scandalized the person sitting beside us.

Upon arriving in Amsterdam, which was quite early, we got in with a CX flight that arrives at 6am . so we were couldn't check in and decided to go into the hop on hop off canal boat ride, which I highly recommend. We went walking until 2 pm and check in. From the moment he got in , he resurfaced from our room 2 days after. So me and my companions decided to grab a drink at Leidesplein, which is like this square of bars and pubs. We decided to start drinking without eating, the cold or jetlag made me fell not hungry at all. i felt it after my 3rd double scotch with coke, we decided to go to Argentinean steak house which were quite abundant in Amsterdam, I never got to try it. I needed to get home, my first night in Europe, I was sick because of drinking. jetlag+ not eating+ scotch, off to the loo.

Because he can.

Its was quite the story last week that Chavit Singson did a Chris Brown to a former live- in partner. At first it was amusing as you would regard people airing dirty laundry, but later on you realize this just mirrors the state of our country. There are several factors that was raised by one blog I follow (Victorina) but also there are some items I would like to add as well.

• According to Chavit, he is under the protection of the law that states that if a spouse and get me a male spouse catches the other in act of sex with another, punishment is basically waived. Victorina stated that this will not apply to Chavit due to the fact that they weren't married. But also they say that if you have been living with a person for 3 or more years and with witness that basically calls you a common law wife.????
• According to Che, she wasn't caught on the act but actually having dinner. So again the first item can be discussed further.
• It is also said that they have already broken up, the only factor in consideration is the fact that Chavit is paying for the girls expenses, what was their deal??? Was Chavit just trying to be generous to a one time love and mother of his kids, maybe not.
• Chavit being asked by GMA to do a leave of absence, but instead dared the President to fire him, which of course she will not because he might do an Erap on her.
• Chavit basically saying he was good enough not to kill them, why in the world will he say that on record and to the media as well...well because he can.

Or maybe at the end of the day it his way of getting the share of attention, cause the election is just around the corner. He wanted to play up the victimized role to garner sympathy but the script did not match this though. Maybe a sex video with his apparent 18 year old new conquest would have been more effective.

At the end of the day, what will protect us from people like this?

my favorite baby photo of my daughter

She was so limber and loves to such on her toes.

Favorite restos

Top 5 Restos ( not particular order)

for foie gras, french onion soup, salad, steak, dessert

1. Le Souffle- comfort food

2. Lolo Dads ( malate)- very decadent

3. The French Corner (Alabang)- New discovery

4. Antonio's ( Tagaytay)- special occassions

5. Old Manila- diffrent take on Foie

other notable restos but does not have quite the complete combo:

1. Je Suis Gourmand

2. Myron's

The medical check up

Bummer, we just had executive checkup and learned we have to go on a diet especially Jp cause his triglycerides and other cholesterol stuff is quite high. This makes us feel sad because we love to eat. The doctor said we have to lay low on the scotch drinking as well. When we have dinner out we usually order french onion soup, a salad, Foie gras and steak and of course dessert.

Days look gloomy now that you can't seem to look forward to what's for lunch.

The Asian Hospital Center for Executive Health was quite exemplary as well, they have a good system that really caters to busy people. Its like a one stop shop. for 18K per person ( out patient/plus Asian Hospital privilege card) it was quite a steal.

Kids in costume

although its such a hassle sometimes, its quite funny to see the kids in costume. Since its August which is usually Filipino Week, I had a Katipunero ( freedom fighter) and a Dalagang Filipina. ( Filipina Maiden) The next costume days will be holloween, can't wait.

What being rich means now.

How do you say one is rich?

Before it was quite easy, he has the best clothes, best house, the only car in the barrio(provincial city), they have maids that call them "Senyorita" or "Dona." Come the late 90's it was still more or less the same, similar parameters but just different manifestations. Being rich was measured more by the material things you have and its elevation of one's status in society.

for some reason, calling someone rich was having lots of zero's on ones paycheck or that he can change expensive watches everyday of the week or she has a 3 million peso bag. Hell, I use to want to own my own Island, with matching Yacht that fits 2 ski's and a helipad. I would imagine myself being seen by the people I know so busy, that I'm flying here, always on the move, always on the phone for work, somehow that vision of activity made me feel that is how it feels to be successful, you very much needed everywhere that the minutes of you day is not enough. Plus the fact you fly on your own jet, driven in a chauffeured limo, had a diamond studded phone completed the picture. Yes, I did achieve that (not the jet,not the limo but still chauffeured ford vehicle, the diamond on the phone just as an exaggeration) , I use to boast that I was doing ten thousand things in one day, I thought I had achieve the life I wanted and then I realize I didn't have one. Slowly, it was the realization, that yes I do want to do ten thousand things in my life, but not the terms I initially placed myself in. I would like to fly on my private jet, but to go on a vacation, I would like to be completely busy but not to the point it defines me.

I now pray for happiness instead of riches, I ask for comfortability to an extent that I would have enough for my kids tuition and to have a simple vacation when I want it. I've heard some big hitting CEO's their life is a drive on an 8 million peso car to the office, sit their ass on a 100K office chair for some posture reason, work and be back to their 100M home, they don't have anything but work. Luxury now is not to be able to afford expensive things or vacation, its the time and contentment to enjoy them. What is the use of a 100 million house if you cannot enjoy it cause you're alone. What's the use of having $1000 satin sheets when you can't sleep cause you don't know where you're husband or wife is. What's the use of having foie gras, lobsters, beluga caviar and champagne if you can't eat it because there's no friends to drink with you.

So what does it mean to be rich... its up to you, again everything is subjective.

PS. Its funny that what it means to have lot in numerical value depends so much on the number of zero's which we know means nothing.

Go Ahead and take them out

I rode a cab going to the Fort to meet my driver, because my car was coding, I chance upon the usual AM Radio program where people usually seek help against oppressor and the Radio Program will save the day. The story basically is an employment agency was abusing some of its applicant. One Aunt was complaining and wanted to get her nephew out, and so they did. Of course milking the situation, the nephew was put on air with matching phone patch interview with the Aunt. The Aunt went on a violent tirade on how the confrontation happened, with matching profanity. The surprising thing was the Announcer pushed her on, when the aunt said in Tagalog " i would have slapped her senseless" the announcer gave a more violent option again in Tagalog " Maybe you should poke her with an umbrella in the eye."

So what was wrong with this? Well I feel instead of preventing more violence the announcer just encourage this. Yes, I know they are the grieving party, and they had the right to express their ire, but if a kid was listening to the radio show, what kind of impression would this give? " If another kid took my sandwich, I should take him out, curse him" Wouldn't have it been better if the announcer said, "Yes, we understand what you are feeling and there are legal actions we can do against them, but if you do the things that you wanted to do, then you are no better than them" But hell no, this won't sell, this won't give him better ratings. But the fact that they give false confirmation that they are on the side of the poor and the oppressed, they can go ahead and do bad things if somebody started it, only teaches them not to rise above the situation.

Guilty Reading

I recently finish all 9 books of the Charlaine Harris novels where HBO's Trueblood was derived from. I've never seen a episode of TrueBlood, but the books what can I say, its probably the ultimate beach read. If you liked the General Patronage twilight series, this is almost that same but its R13. Sex is quite a talked about often and killing is also discuss more in detail. But the heroine's more true to life and hornier than Bella. There are a lot of Men to choose from both from the vampire clans, werewolves and shapeshifters. But of course the factor that keeps you excited to find about, which makes you buy the 250% more expensive hard cover book is who will Sookie Stackhouse choose in the end. Her Vampire First love, first sex, Bill who cheated on her or the powerful, arrogant but always there for her, second lover, Eric. i go for eric, he sounds more yummier. though it seems like the actors in series is not at par with the book characters, well can't compete with fiction.

meet the newest member of the family

My brother is coming home from the states after 10 years. he asked me to buy a dog for one of my nieces. I for one don't really like to have animals in the house due to the smell and of course their poo. Anyway we decided to have a social experiment to see if the kid can handle the dog or if Ican stand it. We bought an apricot toy poodle. We named her Azila. Kids wanted her name Kulit zilla, but we decided to name her zilla, but since all the kids' name start with a A so hence "Azilla" or "azi" for short

Yup her traits looks like she's born into us, energetic when playing but lazy most of the time. She is so small.

I thought I will have a hard time with the kids if we decide to give it away, but what I realize is that its the Hubby who seem to be most happy having the dog not much the kids. So i guess that just means we need to keep her

5 mantras that makes my world look more positive

1) Nothing is perfect

2) There is nothing you can do about the past.

3) Everybody has problems, a lot more problems are bigger than yours.

4) Life is to short to pretend your somebody else.

5) Happiness is not equal to money.

who is your president for 2010?

I was reading one of the blogs i follow (chuvaness) and she had an entry where Manny Villar went and talked to the pinoy bloggers, which lead me to think really who will be the most suitable next president.

I think in the first time in my voting consciousness that no one really stood out for me as viable choice with reasons that I could debate with, unlike previous elections that there are one or two candidates that are quite strong.

In 1992, FVR was chosen by Aquino, but he had a strong contender in the face of Miriam Defensor Santiago.

In 1998, It was Against Joseph Estrada, JDV and Raul Roco

This was followed by the GMA-FPJ battle.

but now ??? its a Villar-Roxas-Binay-Legarda-Teodoro-Decastro-Escudero-Estrada+++

people are now just putting up political parties like their making facebook groups. but looking closely what are really the credentials of this people running to be the top man/woman of the land?

In 1992, I liked FVR, because before becoming president, showed loyalty by not staging coups against the current government but actually defended it from them, it was important, because he helped put it up when he resigned his support to Marcos during the Edsa 1996 revolution. Its not like, i think I'll join this side then when it goes hot, goes to the other side.

While for me during the 1998 elections, for me, Raul Roco, was better than an actor turned politician, Joseph Estrada and a Traditional Politician, JDV, he had a platform for education which i feel was needed to help grow the country.

Well for the GMA -FPJ battle, i think an unpopular president with experience running a country is better than an actor with an heroic image but no experience whatsoever in running a country and would probably be just a face or medium for an unknown puppeteer.

But now, we have a huge group with no star.

De Castro might be very sound, specially to the masses, because there is no stronger candidate against him. But what is Noli known for? Hoy Gising?

Roxas for being what? bright as mr. palengke, became a famewhore when he got engaged to Korina?

Villar for C5 problem and offering low cost houses, from rags to riches story but with the help of marrying into the rich?

Legarda, another Media Personality, but i feel had a better career and image when she was a journalist.

Escudero, because he is the face of the opposition while being the spokesperson of FPJ and during impeachement and looks like bamboo?

Binay's claim to fame is clear, MAKATI, but the size and scale is different

and there's Gordon of the Subic Fame, Bayani Fernando, who will probably turn the country pink and with lots of U turns, Teodoro who decided one day, "maybe i should run for president tom." etc etc etc

I think that was the reason why any protest for impeachment, or call to remove GMA was unsuccessful, there was no face that people supported to replace her. Its like calling the problem but does not offer a solution, (sounds like "hoy gising") Plus the mere fact that each protest rally became a venue for early campaigning. People are like, "if not her who? who you!?!?"

Is it just the sin of this generation not to care that why nobody really stands out, or the fact is nobody really stands out. This next election is very important cause it will either get us out of the rut or dig deeper into it. I hope we get a good one, for our sake.

rainy day blues

I usually like it when its raining, it automatically means waiting for the cancellation of classes and heading to a friends house to hang out. Some of the things I miss doing or things i like doing when its raining:

1. Bathe in the rain- can't do this anymore with the onset of acid rain.

2. Walk under an umbrella- you can do this in a village where no nasty, inconsiderate car will splatter you with water.

3. Eat Champorado with condensed milk plus tuyo- not to much low carb diet.

4. Open all windows and listen to the rain drops- very relaxing

5. lay down on bed the whole day. - not to much because work don't get suspend quite often as school.

enjoy the rain!

photo by buzzmonkey

20 things i learned after staying one month in boracay

1. I hate to clean the house

2. drinking and partying has a limit of 8 days straight, after that, johnny walker black no longer taste good.

3. Its good to go to Boracay in June, the beach is so clean and clear

4. I have become a prune in the past year.

5. Never assume or judge.

6. Sea wind resort is really the best

7. Count your blessings. being able to do something I've always wanted to do made me realize I was truly bless, therefore...

8. ... If you are blessed, you can be more generous, nice and understanding. It is really overwhelming those people who overcame the odds in living life in poverty, war or tragedy (i don't mean breaking up with your current boy toy or loosing you Chanel bag) and still loves life.

9. Don't put important stuff on a chair after a drunken night.

10. You cannot teach what you don't do.

11. You cannot push change on someone

12. there is no need to bashful about Sex with the hubby.

13. Really spend time playing with the kids.

14. I may never quit smoking

15. Its really liberating to not care if you fit well in your bikini.

16. My husband used to be a boy bander.

17. dedicate you life to something- mine, improve the lives of the people closest to me

18. the best bug spray is the sea water. when you swim on the sea and not shower to lie down on the beach, the bugs won't bother you as much as when you shower or swam on the pool.

19. Drink water after drinking lots of alcohol

20. I really want a beach house

the michael jackson conspiracy theory

No, this is not another rant about Michael Jackson's untimely demise, but don't get me wrong, I greatly enjoyed his music old and new ones. he definitely had a lot of issues, but most of it was trying to make the world a better place. He made a big mark in history and i think his work overshadowed whatever dirt was thrown at him.

This is not also a way where everybody wants to get a piece of the pie by saying or quoting things he's done in previous.

Learning that Michael Jackson was 400 Million in debt, remembering the movie " Death becomes her" where Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep found the fountain of youth which is sold by the fabulous Isabella Rosellini. There was a scene there where people who found the fountain of youth had a party and Elvis was there. What if MJ faked his own death instead of going on tour, which will probably earn him 130-160M ( like Madonna ) but will have to deal with lots of scrutiny especially from hard hitting bloggers and gossip columns like perez hilton etc. Mistakes will also be publicized with the onset of mobile phone cameras. Old stories and controversies will be once again be printed on the papers. But as we are seeing, everything MJ is now being sold at a higher price. record companies are again printing CD's that was not selling so much before. Unreleased music videos and music will go off the charts. Would this not give the estate of MJ so much money from royalties etc. Money is made, no stress, no scrutiny. He can change the way he looks and live a new life.

But whatever it is, I hope he found the fountain of youth and happy where ever he is.

Brad and Angelina did come to Boracay part 1

As we are pushing on our third week in boracay, we had our friends and brother come over. It was the hubby's brother's bday so we decided to celebrate at the Shangrila Boracay Resort.

A few nights back we were having a few drinks with our neighbors, they mentioned that one of the local residents, while playing golf at the Fairways and Blue Waters, chance upon a helicopter landing and saw Brad and Angelina with their kids going down. He tried to say hi but a but they had overprotective bodyguards. Theywere also saying this is the second time Brad was here. They stayed in the Shangrila. My sister in law met and chat with an employee of the hotel, while waiting to be re routed to kalibo because of the Zest air plane that overshot the runway, asked if if it was indeed true. That person only gave her a guilty smile.

Anyway. We went to Solana Lounge and had sunset cocktails which had this view, we literally sat on that cabana. That is the private beach of Shangrila. They have 2, one is shared with club Panoly.

The drinks were good, the service was good too. They had this great ashtray, that people would like to take home. They said that their signature drink is the lychee martina, but too bad they only had 2 pieces of lychee (which is actually quite disappointing for a Shangrila, i would think they grow everything)

Shangrila was just amazing, you feel that you are no longer in the country. I haven't seen the rooms and Daisy from the guest services said that the lowest is about 14k a night which is actually not bad, if you're a couple plus 2 kids. They have the same adventure zone in Shangrila mactan. They have their own jetty port, a big jacuzzi pool and an upcoming italian restaurant that is situated on the cliffs, which is made to be the most romantic spot in the island. They have a building complex as housing for their staff, thencarved the side of the mountain for their access road.

The hotel looked like a few billion bucks, and probably is.

(coming up: food review)

not such a successful day

last sunday it was suppose to be the first day of our kiteboarding lessons with freestyle academy, as we were learning how to fly the small kite, the wind was just not cooperating. So we decided to come back the next day. We decided to rent a motorbike to kill time and maybe check out the new shangrila resort here in boracay. We had a few apprehension cause the last time we rented a scooter here that was 11-12 years ago, when JP and I just started dating, we broke the motorbike and really was quite a hassle.

So we rented the motorbike for 2 hours and and went to Shangrila, it was magnificent (details in another post.) So we decided to check Puka Beach and started to go home. But lo and behold, what we thought to be a pleasant bike ride, ended up with a flat tire, and not the type that you just put air in it. Good thing there was a kind guy who fixed it for us, but we still had to suffer about 45 mins of this insolent man, who had nothing better to do but just make side comments and unsolicited advice.

We returned the motorbike, went home, looking forward to just lying down after a stressful day, what was waiting for us was a gecko that was bigger than my size 9 (ladies) slipper. We asked for help from our landlord, and of course he just laughed at us and probably thinking this stupid city dwellers.

Anyway, hoping its a better day next day and our gecko guest decides to leave our place.

taking time for yourself without the guilt

Back in the island. kids are now going back to school and more than 2 weeks off. Parenting is a full time job and its the most important one. but like any other job, we are still prone to get fed up, frustrated etc. although its a full time job, vacations and days off are also needed. This is take a step back and see the whole picture and be grateful for it. but off course, Guilt is the main factor that hinders especially for mothers. We would feel that our house will catch on fire and our kids will become dogs as soon as we go. but actually they don't. Here are some tips that can help you take the much needed time off and enjoy it as well.

1. Leave kids in able hands. We are quite fortunate here in the Philippines that we enjoy a very close relationship with our immediate family. whenever we go, our kids stay with their grandparents on either side. This gives them opportunity to have some quality time with their grand parents and feel spoiled rotten for a few days or weeks. This is also a way to get back at the grandparents on their " get back" scheme of spoiling grandchildren to get back at us. The will realize these after a few days.

2. Leave a house schedule and Kids Schedule. I left a household help schedule along with things to do on a daily, weekly, etc basis. I also left a daily sched for kids so they don't just watch the whole time. this will be a good basis on the rules and some sort of your presence.

3. Equip the kids with communication lines. besides the phone, i put up a computer and taught my kid to use skype. So they can see us anytime they want too.

4. Do the grocery before you leave. This will at least give them a few days or weeks, depending on how much grocery you did, on the diet you want to keep them in. When its finish, they will just have a couple of days break

5. Try to call at least every 2 days. this will just be enough for them to start wondering where you are. if its more often, they will just feel being pestered, beside we want to feel missed too.

6. Enjoy your vacation. It will be a wasted vacation if you don't enjoy it. instead of achieving what you needed to do and feel refreshed. you just wasted all time and money. Shed the mother martyr face and have some (clean) fun.

why we don't have cable at home

When i tell people that we don't have cable at home, they usually give different reactions. Some will get surprise, some will say ok but will look at you with "Prison" in their eyes and some will say that seems to be a good idea. Although it seems to be too harsh and my kids would need to have some sort of connection to the outside world so they don't look to ignorant when they go to other people's house, it has more impact on us than the kids. My hubby would have problematic sundays during race weekend and we also miss out on times that we would have love to veg out and just stare at the TV. But our reasons for not having the tube are as simple as 123:

1) We would like to encourage reading. we believe that the more kids read, the more they learn, plain and simple.

2) we had experiences when the kids imitate language and action seen on cartoons. our childhood favorite "Tom and Jerry" would look funny but at the end of the day promotes violence. Yes we can audit the things they watch, but we are trying to make them individuals who have their own sense of what is good for them.

3)Kids sometimes go on a zombie like attitude when watching TV, which make them less attentive and more present to things.

At the end of the day, our kids have videos and cable TV during vacations. Bringing up your kids has a personal and subjective approach, one might work in one family and some might not. No one can say you're a bad parent for not letting your kids watch cable TV or letting them watch all they want. What's important is that you care enough for their well being to care about what parenting program you want to instill or which TV show they can watch.

Image from saida online magazine

life's guilty pleasure

when i wake up, while waiting for my coffee, i usually open my computer and check my email. Also this is one of my me time, where i open my favorite gossip sites. Some people like soap operas, i just like to take my mind of things for a bit and enjoy, perezhilton, Mr. paparazi, Professional Heckler, Victorina, PEP, chuvaness and Cocktales. sometimes i go to kitty go's site but she doesn't update regularly.

Kid activities in Boracay: marine walk

this was cool.  Its like retro diving.  Good activity for kids.  the service with Napoleon Water activities was good. It cost us P500 per person.  Make sure that they don't use compressed air, which has a funny smell and might cause dizziness.  We used tanks for diving.  You go about 10 feet and feed the fish or walk the waterbeds.  Too bad my kids had colds that day, they couldn't equalize.

This was Aly and At trying to learn diving signs.

taking a break

Im drawing a blank.  I just feel so overwhelmed with everything.  Opportunities that you think you are loosing, things people expect from you.  sometimes we loose ourselves in the day to day activities that we don't see the big picture. I was planning to use this vacation to learn new things and i realize that I'm just overloading my day to day activities again.  Im working hard to slow my brain down and refresh it.  I read this blog names zen habits and it basically gave me my action plans:

1. Do less.  this is self explanatory

2. Be present. sometimes when my kid is asking me a question, i go "Uhuh" without listening to the question, which later on became problems because it contradict some of the rules. 

3. Disconnect. The article said that we have all this technology to supposedly help us make our life easier but it only makes it worst.  All the communication gadgets just brings more distractions to us.

4. Focus on people. I think I will try to be more interested on people and make new friends.  I was always very cliquish.

5. Appreciate nature. Yup doing that.

6. Eat slower. hard when you're trying to feed two kids.

7. Drive slower. Interesting

8. Find pleasure in anything. Ha!

9. Single-task. I'm the queen of multitasking, i would need to unlearn this.

10. Breathe. yes don't forget to do this.

Take time to read the article quite helpful. http://zenhabits.net/2009/06/the-10-essential-rules-for-slowing-down-and-enjoying-life-more/

if the crocs fit...

My daughter was being difficult this past few days, so when we rewarded our son a pair of new crocs and my daughter wanted one too, she decided to play for our affections.

who looked like minnie mouse

We went out one time and my friend Pia was wearing a gossip girl head band.  we all took turns and took our picture.  who rocked it?

PIA?

Me?

TITA BRENDA?

We had a good time that night our smiles were as big as the  bows.

bohemian beach

We had a good time today, we totally felt like bohemian travelers by going to the other tip of the white beach of Boracay to Angol point.  This part is not so popular but we kinda like it here cause no one seems to be around. We placed a sarong on the sand, sunbathe while listening to Jobim.

  We had an arsenal of sunblocks, my kids are so dark already we needed spf 70.  I on the other hand doesn't seem to get to keep a tan.  i always need to apply Maui Babe, something i learned from my friend Jeena, which my hubby calls food coloring. 

We spent the afternoon catching little crabs and playing jailers to them, body surfing (waves are very strong this time of the year in this part of the island), eating ice cream etc.

Day 2: Hang out

This is the second day of our vacation.  We decided to go to our favorite resort, Sea wind.  We come here every year and we kinda know everybody.  Its a good place to hang out with kids,  we are also attending a wedding here in a few weeks.

This morning i woke up with an urge to clean our rented house, this is something i hate doing or never learned to do.  As i would tell my friends I'm no good in household management, only events and marketing campaign.   Maybe after this trip i'll be a lot neater.

Places I'm looking forward to eating at or doing  here in boracay:

Eat in: Fridays Boracay: foie Gras is the best

     Lemoni Cafe: Mango Cookies

     Seawind Seafoof Buffet

     PAradiso: Grilled Food

     Aria: pasta and Salads

will try Shangrila resto as well.

Doing : Read a book by the beach

      Massage everyday

     Do nothing. 

off to an adventure

I was procrastinating for the last 10 years.  believe that i can do everything but didn't really do anything.  I am embarking on a new adventure starting with staying 1 month on the beach. something i really wanted to do but just couldn't find time to do it.  I'm here now and plan to document my adventure starting now.