Holidays 2010

For those who are itching to know the holidays for the coming year, here goes!

Here is the schedule of Philippine holidays and long-weekends for 2010 based on RA 9492 and Proclamation 1841:

• January 1 (Fri) - New Year's Day (five-day long weekend from December 30 to January 3)
• February 23 (Mon) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (holiday for schools only, three-day long weekend from February 21 to 23)
  
• April 1 (Thu) - Holy Thursday
  
• April 2 (Fri) - Good Friday (four-day long weekend from April 1 to 4)
• April 9 (Fri) - Araw ng Kagitingan (three-day long weekend from April 9 to 11)
  
• May 1 (Sat) - Labor Day
  
• June 14 (Mon) - Independence Day (three-day long weekend from June 12 to 14)
• August 23 (Mon) - Ninoy Aquino Day (three-day long weekend from August 21 to 23)
• August 30 (Mon) - National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 28 to 30)
• September - Eid'l Fitr (to be announced, calculated September 10, possible three-day long weekend from September 10 to 12)
  
• November 1 (Mon) - All Saints Day (three-day long weekend from October 30 to November 1)
• November - Eid 'l Adha (to be announced, calculated November 16)
  
• November 29 (Mon) - Bonifacio Day (three-day long weekend from November 27 to 29)
• December 24 (Fri) - Non-Working Holiday
• December 25 (Sat) - Christmas
  
• December 27 (Mon) - Rizal Day (four-day long weekend from December 24 to 27)
• December 31 (Fri) - Non-Working Holiday
• January 1 - (Sat) New Year's Day (three-day long weekend from December 31 to January 2)

Hmmmm... Rizal day moved to Dec 27... Now that's a first, I mean moving Rizal Day to a different date. Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Stressed Husband

Dear husband is stressed again, and it has to do with our long-time complaint about our sink. We have reported the need for some sort of extra granite strip to protect the side of our cabinet since last year, but until now no action has been taken. other unit owners have already complained about it and a few have been serviced already. I'm just wondering if the management office here is just being lax when it comes to us because we haven't been bitching too much about it, but our patience is thinning already. Too bad for us, probably we can go back again to the management office on Monday. Maybe we should be a bit more demanding. I mean, they have already taken pictures of the problem but no action so far. It's not like we're requesting to have our sinks replaced to have copper sinks right. Just something to protect the cabinet underneath. It really is a design flaw so they shouldn't blame us. *Sigh*

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ER Scare

Earlier this morning I was rushed to the ER due to the persistent pain in my lower left abdomen. Two possible scenarios were considered: either I have UTI or ovarian cyst. I secretly preferred that I have UTI because I really dread knowing that I have another ovarian cyst. I shudder the thought of how I felt before when I was first diagnosed with an endometrial cyst back in 2000.

Anyway, the urinalysis was negative, which means they are considering the next scenario. I was panicking already and thinking about previous news on cysts, cancer, death and life insurance (yes I am such a worry-wart), but I had to contain myself. Unfortunately there was no available sonologist in the Medical City. boo. Well, fortunate still, because I saw my OB and she just told me that if the pain does not get worse, I should just go to her clinic on Monday to have the ultrasound and all.

I'm really praying that if ever there really is a cyst, that it be a harmless one. *sigh*

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Delinquent Again! Updates, Updates

Once again, I've been delinquent in updating my blog. This actually happens whenever my dear husband is here, even during the time when I still have a job. There has been so much going on these days, blame it on our long holidays and all, that blogging each and every one of them really exhausts a lot of time. And the husband does not approve of that.

Anyway, our holidays were really well-spent, together with all sides of our families. We got together with long-lost cousins and relatives, and the usual gatherings with our closest relatives.

Immediately after Christmas we headed to the beach where we stayed overnight. Aside from communing with nature, we prepared a really nice feast for us, composed of surf-n-turf menu: grilled meat, ultra fresh fish, and lobsters. love love love the lobsters! We bought a couple of more live lobsters supposedly to be served this New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, they died the next day when we went home. Too bad, but we immediately cooked them and had yet another wonderful meal.

Then we had dinner with my cousins from my biological dad's side. it was a very good reunion and we vowed that we will have regular gatherings from hereon. I just hope that we won't be lazy to set up our gatherings in the future!

We are all so happy and thankful for the blessings that we received this year, and we are looking forward to an even better, more meaningful, and more blessed year this coming 2010.

Happy New year all!

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Business Commercial

Commercial first: Our "business"!!!

We are currently selling USDA CHOICE BEEF for a good price!

• USDA Choice Hanging Tenders - PhP 590/kilo, per slab weighs around 1.9 - 2.1 kilos
• USDA Choice Rib Eye - PhP 1,300/kilo, per slab wegihs 6-8 kilos
• USDA "Caldereta' Cut - boneless, great for stews!

Aside from above, we also sell the following:

• Pork/Beef Siomai - PhP 150/pack, 30 pieces per pack
• Asado Siopao - PhP 180/pack, 15 pieces per pack
• Bacon - PhP 350 / kilo

These are used in restaurants and hotels, so quality is guaranteed, and taste.... yummy!


Message me if you're interested in buying. Free delivery in Mandaluyong area! Available year-round!


*****
Ok, that's about it for now, but we are still awaiting for the outcome of our business proposal in another project. Cross fingers that they accept our business plan, at least we don't need to hire business plan consultants for a simple business project!

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Must Try: Blue Mountains Spa

Another late post, but as previously promised, here's a recount on our 3-hour experience at Blue Mountains spa during our 3rd anniversary last December 9:


Hubby and I was really excited about our impromptu trip to the Blue Mountains Spa. Since he came home a month ago, we haven't gone to a spa nor had a massage. It was very fortunate that Blue Mountains had accommodated us even if our notice was 20 minutes before the schedule (in their website, booking should be at least the day before, hehehe).

The place looked so calm and the music played was soothing, I was feeling sleepy and relaxed already, hahaha. Our first "activity" was a 30-minute sauna/shower - a first for hubby and I! I enjoyed the sauna, amid hubby's persistence to distract me. I kept on telling him to keep quiet. He kept talking, hahahaha! Then we went for our 30-minute jacuzzi experience. We loved the room! Hubby's only concern was that he felt the water was too hot. Yeah, it was a little bit too much, and my solution was to use the shower with cold water. Hubby hated me doing that - he doesn't dig that "hot-then-cold" experience. Mood was very romantic and we just talked while looking at the mirrored wall. Can't help it, hahaha. No x-rated activities, ok!

Then we proceeded to get our body scrub. That was one good experience! I loved the room, the setting. am I easy to please? Hahahaha. Anyway, we were washed by the overhead shower after the scrubbing. First time to experience that too. Loved it.

Then, the ultimate... the one-hour massage. The masseuse was one of the best who have ever massaged my body. I almost fell asleep. Love, love love.

That was 3-hours well worth it. Can't wait to go back. Hubby enjoyed it as well, and he's looking forward to having a massage again. Maybe we will go here every time he comes home.  Actually, I have heard of Blue Mountains before and have wanted to get the couple's package during our wedding, but our schedule got too hectic. Good thing I remembered it now and have experienced their day spa. Love love love it.

Oh, for the masseuses... look for Janet (for me), and Lynette (for hubby).

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Gimme Mr. Jones!

Ok, this is a late post. as I previously promised, here is my blog about Mr. Jones, a restaurant in Greenbelt 5 where hubby and I capped our 3rd anniversary celebration.

Mr. Jones is one of the restaurants that belong to the group where Chelsea Market Resto belongs too. When I learned about this, I immediately had high expectations from the food (and drinks), based of course from my gastronomic experience at Chelsea's.

As it was already a bit late for dinner, we did not order that much (understatement as each of our meals was H-U-G-E):

Hubby: Superman Burger - two thick beef patties, 1 thick bacon, some veggies, 1jalapeno pepper (loved this), and fries.

Hubby's dilemma was how to eat it the usual "eating a hamburger" way. He decided to take out one patty first. He finished everything. He had a bottle of Beck's too. That was the clincher for him. VERDICT: LOVE.

Me: I was craving for steak, and was mildly disappointed that they only had 1 steak in their menu. It is however H-U-G-E (400+g?).

Served with organic veggies (loved the baby carrots) and mashed potatoes. I loved the touch of dijon taste and pink/red pepper bits. I got the blueberry flavored tea/shake. VERDICT: LOVE!

Hubby and I agreed to go back there and try the other meals in the menu. Can't wait for that!

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Eanna's New Bed

After scouting for quite some time, we have found the right bed for Eanna!

We got it from Forty Winks, a shop where I know beds sold last a long time. I got my bed too here more than a decade ago, and until now is very much sturdy and all.

Eanna's bed is white, and it has a pullout bed plus two pullout cabinets for more storage.

What's more exciting though is scouting for the bed linens. I am a bit disappointed with the selections here in Manila, very limited! But I settled for the Kid's Home collection - tea party design. I didn't get the comforter yet because I wanted to buy a separate duvet and a duvet cover. You know, more use (can change duvet covers) rather than buy a comforter with print. Of course, thread count is important and I am please with it, though I was hoping it would be higher. Since it's the kids' line, the sheets are sanitized and anti-dust mites. and it's 100% cotton.

Now here is the bed in its messy glorious state...

 

Eanna loves her bed, hahahah!

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Coke's New Promotion Girl

 

 

 

Cutie!

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Three Years!

Hubby and I celebrated our third anniversary yesterday, and wow, we truly enjoyed our special day! Initially I thought of just spending the day quietly, but later I realized the the husband wanted something a bit more extravagant.

The past two years, we just have buffet dinner in hotels of our choice and watch a movie (if there was a good one).

Yesterday, we started off with a nice "us" time. Then we prepared our little angel for her classes in Julia Gabriel. It was a fun class, as expected. At this time, I still thought of having a quiet day. After, we had lunch in North Park near the preschool.

We went home but the husband kept on bugging me what we would do for the rest of the day. Finally I agreed that we get a massage. I checked out the Blue Mountains Spa website and found really nice couples packages. I wanted the simple one but hubby insisted in getting the top package (he wanted a scrub too hahaha). I will post a separate blog entry about this, but all in all, we LOVED our three hours stay in the Spa - we are blessed because they accommodated us even if we should have booked at least a day in advance.

I was feeling sleepy already but of course, we had to eat right. So we headed to Greenbelt 5 and ate in Mr. Jones, a new restaurant that is part of the group of Chelsea Market resto, one of my favorite restaurants. I will post another entry about our experience there, but again, we LOVED the place, the food, the drinks.

Too tired already, we went home. I know, the husband still wanted to go out for drinks or probably watch a band play, but my body just stopped functioning... too relaxed perhaps hahaha!

We loved how we celebrated our day. Maybe next year I would hope for a quiet day, but again I know my dear darling husband will insist in something else. Oh well, maybe next year I'd insist to be given a gift... a Stuart Weitzman pair perhaps? Hahahaha!

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Leap Frog Letter Factory

I've read a lot of good reviews on the Leap Frog Volumes and luckily I found the Letter Factory volume video online...




Hope I can find more videos or that I could find the complete volumes in video stores!

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Eanna is Going to Playschool!

Eanna had a trial class in Julia Gabriel Center for Learning yesterday, and it was a success! Aside from me loving the facilities, the class itself was fun both for me and Eanna. I was really proud of my darling daughter, as she was able to adapt well and catch up with the "lessons". She's the youngest in the group but it seemed that she blended well with the other kids.

I got to know Julia Gabriel from our Aunt, and we immediately went to the center to check it out. It made a good impression on me, though at first I was held back because of the rates. Eventually though, hubby and I decided to enroll her for the remainder of this term and next year's term (January to March). Classes are twice a week with two hours each. Parents or at least a guardian should be present. Organic food is provided during snack time too. And the library is quite big. Place is very clean (probably because it's very new too). and the kiddie bathrooms... I love that the bathrooms are very clean - faucets, toilet bowls, and showers are all fit for kids' use.

But of course, most important for me is the quality of classes they had. The trial class gave me a picture of how they help "shape" the kids into eager learners. I hope the school will not disappoint!

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