once a year

So I checked my last post and it was around March 2018. Ano to? Once a year?!

2018...

One of the toughest for our family because Mama had an open heart surgery. But like the family that we are, we got through it by God’s grace, our love for each other and the strength Mama had shown all through out, from her surgery until her post op recovery. 

This was also the year, Anikka started Grade school. May Grade 1 na kami! It was a transition we both had to accept and work through kasi nasanay kami sa preschool na once a week(friday at that) lang may homework. Now may homework na, weekly quizzes, tapos may Data File(sort of Project) pa every quarter. So we had to work on the daily study habits. Kailangan ma-establish namin yun, bilang working momma din ako, plus wala naman kami tutor. Syempre may resistance on her part, at may pagiging insistent din ako. We had to make rules, then of course compromise. Something I’m really proud of. Si Anikka when you talk to her, explain to her. She listens and understands. Though very strong din personality nitong batang to (which we really like), she also knows when to listen and when to try to reason out (in a good way ha). Yun kasi ang parenting, or siguro the way we want Anikka to grow up. 

As much as we want her to be respectful sa elders nya, most especially sa amin. We also want her to be able to speak her mind, express herself freely. I mean, if we want to be respected, we should also know and show how to respect her. More on that siguro on my next post, next year ulit. Hahahaha! 

After the 1st quarter exams, and we got her report card was so proud of her and tap on my back talaga kasi maganda yung scores niya. Most especially the feedback from her adviser na, nakita niya paano nag adjust at na-improve si Anikka. From her handwriting, sa pag copy ng notes sa board, and to her adjusting sa mga lessons. 

So worth it ang mga reminders ko to her, the time we set aside for her studies and ang mga ideas ko on how to make it more interesting for her to review and practice. 

Ano pa ba ganap namin last year? Oh our first family out of the country trip. Well, not really the first out of the country kasi nag HK na kme. But eto kasi ung kami 3 lang. And it was one for the books. We love JAPAN. Try ko din to write about it pero wala naman kasi ako parang ma share masyado about it kasi more of bonding time lang talaga yun with Jog and Anikka. But let’s see. 

Next blog, will try to share pala my projects. 

Kasi so far I’m so happy about my progress. Hahahaha 

Until next, toodles!

Lenten Special

For 4 consecutive years (or more pa nga),during the lenten season I give up something I like dearly.

Sacrifice kyeme.

It started with rice, then coffee, then Facebook & Instagram then now, Instagram.

After giving up Facebook for almost a month, gave it up for good.

No, I did not delete my account but I just logged off the app permanently.

I still have the Facebook messenger though, kasi for communication yun. Aminin mo, mas madalas dun ang exchange of messages ng friends, officemates, kapamilya more than SMS or viber. Mas mabilis mag reply dun kaysa mag text ka pa. 

Convenient kasi automatic, kung sino friend mo sa FB, ma-message mo agad. Makakausap mo agad. Madalas nga dun na nag send ng invites for events and parties di ba.

So why did I logged off FB?

After the lenten season, parang nawalan na ako ng gana. IG na lang ang active ako.

There are times na na-jijirits at na-aapektuhan ako sa posts or status or whatever it is sa FB community. Which was not healthy, alam kong may mali on my end pero I also know na pede naman siya ma-control. That’s when I decided to log off permanently na. Para kasing mali na ma-jirits ka on a post when it’s their page, their right to express and dapat wala kang pake. So di ba for my peace and para sa kapayapaan ng mundo, mag log out na lang ako. 

Nag-log in na lang ako pag may friends or most of the time officemates na nagsasabing accept friend request or tag ng pictures.

I feel more at peace.

Kahit madalas huli ako s balita or hindi ako maka-relate sa mga usapan, madali naman maka-catch up kaysa yung daily may "jirits" feeling. hehehehe

Sabi ko nga, nagkakasala lang ako sa FB.

Most of my close friends know na pag wala na sila makitang post ko kay Anikka alam nilang on HIATUS ako sa IG.

Minsan may nagtatanong pa din at madaming NAGUGULAT.

Kahit paulit ulit, i explain na, meron akong APP meron pa din akong account. Hindi nga lang naka log in hindi nga lang active.

People may think Im anti-social, or parang pauso or what.

I dont CARE.

Like what I always say, To each is own. 

Lego themed 5th birthday party

Since my daughter went to school, her birthdays are celebrated at school with her class. Medyo tipid yun, kasi ilan lang ang guests at 3 lang ang allowed na caterer/food provided ng school.

Last year, we had a Hello Kitty themed party. Jollibee ang food supplier. Hindi na ako nag effort sa souvenir except I had customized name tags created.

A month before her birthday, I asked her what she wanted. Sa isip ko, Sofia the first or any Disney Princess. Madali kasi ma-pull off yun, susme. Divisoria has it all.

But Anikka has a mind of her own. At 3 years old, siya ang nag dedecide what to wear. We let her be, kasi para sa amin ng asawa ko, that's character building. That's letting her choose, practice of independence plus self expression ba.

So when she answered, nga-nga ang nanay.

Anikka: I want a Jollibee & Mc Donalds collaboration with Shopkins.

Later on, she decided on LEGO. Yun naman kasi ang current na hilig niya talaga. Then I asked her to choose between Mc Do and Jollibee. Ang gusto ng bagets, Happy Meal.

So ang nanay, mega Pinterest na.

It started out with this invitation idea. Lego Invitation

And this was our take: 

My sister, who was more techy than me, added text on the party details via Word Publisher ata.

Then I also saw this loot bag idea sa pinterest, loot bag peg

And this was how we made it naman:

To achieve this, malaking bagay yung circle puncher. We got it online, from an Instagram seller. Tapos after, I asked my husband to buy sa amazon, yung ibang size. It's a great help for projects like this.

Yung gift tags, sister ko na lang din gumawa. Idea came from Pinterest pa din.

Then, while we bought the loot for the souvenir. Nakita ng mommy ko ang hard hat. Very pasok sa theme, and naisip agad namin ng sister ko pedeng i-personalize plus it's gonna serve as their party hat na.

See, nagamit ulit ang circle puncher for the hard hat.  

It was my sister's birthday nung January. It was her 29th birthday, and sa chinese hindi maganda ang age ending with 9. Sabi kailaingang mong i-celebrate ang birthday, para contrahin ang not so good vibes ng 9.

She celebrated with family and friends at Mc Donalds. Kiddie party ang theme. Ang ate mo, gusto ng rainbow cake. But when she asked around, ang mahal.

Ako naman, sa isip ko, madali lang yun kasi coloring lang naman yun. I researched. Madali nga.

So I volunteered since she helped out with Anikka's party din naman. Pa-birthday ko na din for her.

While shopping for the cake materials, we chanced upon a lego figure mold.

Dun namin naisip na gawin ang cake na din for Anikka. Unlike her 3rd birthday party, we ordered and mejo mahal ang fondant cake. Though achieved naman ang Peppa Pig theme..

Anyway, ginalingan ko na lang.

And here was her cake. 

At dahil jan, na realize ko bakit ang mahal ng fondant. hahahahaha

But I would do everything all over again, because Anikka was super happy. 

Nasulit ung puyat and pagod when, Anikka told her classmates:

"look at my cake, it's awesome! a lego man figure and my Mom made it".

Overall, kahit gaano kastress, pagod at hirap mag DIY ng party. End result laging sulit because it's all for your darling child.

Friday glossy loot

Last friday, after work I went to Landmark to get the finally restocked Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit.

This was my office monito-monita wishlist, Boss pa namin ang nakabunot sa akin. Unfortunately, it got out of stock during Christmas. So, GC na lang ang binigay niya for me.

And as luck would have it, make up and other beauty products were on SALE!

I love Landmark's beauty section. Whenever I'm in need of spray bottles for my cologne or small containers for my products, they have affordable ones. Plus may iba silang containers na very useful, without being pricey. Think MUJI style.

So I got the Nuxe Multi Purpose Dry Oil. True to it's name, after applying/spraying it on your skin, its absorbed quickly. Leaving you moisturized and not greasy.

The smell kinda reminds me of Dusit Thani Hotel ;p. I'm not good in describing scents,for me it smells regal and rosy. Sosyal yung amoy. 

In reviews I've read, they say applying this will also make your scent(perfume) last long. 

I also got the disposable lipstick/lipgloss applicator. I've been wanting this kaso parang ang mahal for Php 150, but since may SALE sila. Discounted din to so kumuha na ako. 

This is actually for when I apply lip tints. If you do you would understand na when you try to evenly apply tints, and you use your fingers nag stain siya. And I'm kinda OC about it.

And since we are talking glossy, I'm kinda into Korean beauty products lately. It actually started with Missha BB Cream. Then, I've discovered that Missha's Time Evolution Essence is a dupe for SK II. And then now, I got the Son & Park Beauty Water and Benton's Snail Bee Essence.

My say:

1. Missha's Time Evolution Essence - every evening application. Watery yung consistency. Wala naman siyang foul smell unlike the SK II. Nung umpisa mejo nag break out ako. So I had to stop for a week. Ang ginawa ko lang was made sure before application I've cleansed & tone(d) my skin. Feeling ko kasi hindi naging consistent yung routine ko, kaya nag react my skin.

Then the following week, every other day. So far, hindi naman na ako nag break out.

Sa akin, the following morning you'd see the result na. Moisturized na hindi oily yung skin, and fresh sha sa umaga.

2. Beauty Water - use it as a toner. I like it. Fresh ang dating. Unlike other toners na kahit sabihin walang alcohol, ramdam mong may something. I like using this in this in the morning, before make up.  

3. Snail Bee - gel-like ang consistency. Ang gusto ko talaga was to use, Tony Moly Snail Essence line. Kaso ang mahalia here. So I'm gonna ask friends na lang na soon mag travel to Korea, para bilhan ako. Anyway, why Snail Bee essence. Ang sabi kasi yung snail essence maganda sya for anti aging, and to even out skin tone. Since papunta na tayo sa aging, I want to start early sa "prevention". 

So far, I like it naman. No break outs, napansin ko din sa cheeks, nag liit na pores. Though ung nose ko, hindi pa achieved.

Next time, share ko yung bago kong discover na funda. Foundation.

Ciao!

Two point one seven

And so, what I was not looking for happened. 

2016 was the year of changes. Good ones, that is. 

It was not something I had expected but I welcomed the change whole heartedly and with a grateful heart. 

Indeed, whatever happens in our lives are in HIS perfect timing. 

I'm still adjusting and a lot of changes come with it. 

Isa na sa changes na yun ang pag muk-up at pag ayos ko bago pumasok sa opisina. 

Before kasi, I do make up and my hair at the office na. But now, almost everyone in the office makes an effort to come to work polished and made up. So, adjust na din ako sa time to wake up to do my make up and all. 

Will post my new beauty haul next. 

As for now, I'm happy to be writing again. To be blogging again and being in touch with my inner thoughts and feelings. (Whatever!) 

Until next. Grazie! 

life happened

I know I said about writing more.

But real life took its place.

So what have I been up to?

• my 3xth birthday
• Kalyeserye Experience
• if at first you don't succeed
• Quantico

So I turned 30+ last month. I celebrated it availing all the discounts I could since its my birthday.(yeah thats how cheap I am) Like the mani-pedi spa, hair treatment, wax, and dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant.

The husband called at 12midnight and showed me my birthday present.

After my ME-time, took Anikka to the big slide as promised. Her happiness is my happiness.
 
As you get older, your celebrations become shorter but more precious. You value more time alone and with your CORE than celebrating it loud.

I also made sure I prayed at my birthday church.

Last year was challenging as a parent, but I knew things would get better. I knew that everything happens for a reason. In the end, I am just thankful that I am able to experience it now and get pass through it. Because that's whats important.

The KALYESERYE experience was my TAMANG PANAHON as a fan. I was able to see the whole squad in action - the staff and crew, Maine, Jose and Wally. We miss Paolo though, but I know another chance will be given to us.

And finally, I finished season 1 of Quantico. I was growing a crush on Drew Perales, until the last episode. Please don't do this to me.

Currently, I am waiting for something I was not looking for. I was joking about it, saying my current song is "I didn't know I was looking for love..."

Patiently waiting for it, since like what I've said I was not looking.

As a reminder, I have a bracelet that says "What's for you will not pass you".

And i'd like to think this is it.

Happy Humpday y'all!

romantic movies

I've always loved romantic movies.

I could name a few of my favorites now, but more than that, the other day i realized that i stopped watching them for sometime.

Years back, i would find time to watch them. Be it on the movie house or DVD.

Which made me think why i stopped.

I stopped because a part of me stopped believing in LOVE.

I was hurt. I was broken. And part of my moving on was avoiding these movies which only made me hate that my love story was no longer "perfect".

So, I added a to-do on my 2016. I will try and watch 1 romantic movie at a time and let's see how I do from there.

Since i love lists, let me share it with you.

1. The Notebook
2. She's All that
3. Down to you
4. 10 things I hate about you
5. Notting Hill
6. Pretty Woman
7. Love actually
8. Reality Bites
9. how to lose a guy in 10 days
10. Easy A
11. 16 candles
12. Pretty in Pink
13. Hitch
14. My bestfriend's wedding
15. 50 first dates
16. As good as it gets
17. Somethings gotta give
18. Sex and the City 1 &2
19. Love and other drugs
20. a lot like love

I think i missed a lot, but i think this is a good start.

When two people love each other - Really... Love each other - but they just can't get it together, when do you get to that point where enough is enough?
Look, when two people love each other - Totally, TRUTHfully, all the way Love each other - the answer to that question is simple, especially in your case. When do you get to that point where enough is enough? Never... Never