Rainbow Room Learning Center

Finally, the husband and I decided to enroll Eanna in a pre-school. We broadened our options aside from Explorations and Julia Gabriel and considered HEMS (a Montessori preschool in Mandaluyong), Mulberry  Preschool, and Preppi Kids. However, we decided to enroll her in Rainbow Room, which is inside Tivoli Gardens and is very near our place (it's also a DMCI property). I saw this sometime June (or July?) when my Aunt checked out Tivoli Gardens. It's just a room with few kids, two teachers, and a nanny. What's good is that it used Progressive methods for teaching. I talked to the Head Teacher and our thinking is the same. That won us over.

Last Saturday was the culmination of the Filipino month and there was a gathering of parents and presentations by the kids.

Unfortunately Eanna was not enrolled earlier so she didn't know the steps and all. Eanna was shy though, which was a shock!!! Nevertheless, we enjoyed the get together.

Anyways, the little girl is attending classes that are a bit advanced because of the schedule. Today however we will check out the class that's age-appropriate for her. The teacher will then decide which would suit her best. This school year will be a test too on whether we will enroll her there for next year or push with our original plan of enrolling her in Explorations.

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Sickly Me

I had a terrible asthma attack last week. It was so terrible I was rushed to the ER. That was crazy. Imagine, I was just sleeping, having my afternoon nap, then all of a sudden I woke up and I couldn't breathe. What made it a worse feeling was I was just alone in our pad. The husband went out while the helpers and the little girl were downstairs in the clubhouse. I felt so helpless and all.

When I arrived in the ER, I was attended to immediately. I noticed however that there were only a few nurses and probably just 1 doctor (or resident?). I wondered briefly about this because in the news earlier it featured the 200,000 new licensed nurses, expecting to have NO jobs related to their profession. Can;t the hospitals hire more? I just hope them nurses still send out their medical resume and not resort to working in call centers. I think there is much need for them especially since it seems like this is a season for illnesses and all.


Anyway, I really hope this blitzkrieg attack doesn't happen again. Super scary.

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Books, Books

My books are finally here!

Just a quick browse of Elle Decor's So Chic and Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small Cool Sapces gave me the impression that my style is more of the Domino book type. Nevertheless, I can easily tell that these are great interior design books and will get a couple of tips to improve our humble abode. Now as to the Charmed Life books, I started reading Book 1 and I must say that things are turning out well... so far. I hope these two won't disappoint!

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Manila Zoo and Intramuros

One morning, the husband suggested that we go to Manila Zoo (probably the only zoo we haven't visited with the little girl). I was a bit hesitant but for the sake of my lovely kid's happiness, I finally agreed.

Here she is looking cool and all...

Here's a family pic...

I didn't take that much pictures of the animals, save for the old elephant which is probably the same one I saw when we first went here decades ago (hehehe)...

I later on found out that there was a zebra there and obviously we didn't get to see it. Oh well.

Entrance fee (for non-Manila residents) is PhP 40.00 per adult and PhP 20 per kid, if I remember correctly.

Since we were in the area already, I suggested that we go to Intramuros. Once there, one look at the kalesa and I knew I had to ride that one. And so we did.

We went around Intramuros with a tour guide. It was like grade school all over again hehehe.

Dr. Rizal's "bone" is encased here...

Three types of bamboo. L-R: Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish bamboo.

Intramuros still has this "old-world charm" to it. Ruins and buildings were preserved, and there weren't any new modern buildings like steel buildings. Oh, except for the new (and first ever!) hotel being built there. Mixed opinions on this though they said that the hotel will follow the old-buildings style and air. We'll see when it gets completed.

Anyway, that was the end of our trip. Very impromptu but I guess it was worth it. Oh, if you want the trip too, be prepared to shell out php 300 per person!

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Time Out at Time Zone

Thanks to BPI's Time Zone promo, we were able to play for free!

Here are the mechanics: For every PhP 1,000 credit card use, you get 30 minutes free. For PhP 1,500, 1 hour.

Here I am getting hooked on those no-brainer arcade games...

The husband shot some hoops (I did too) while the little girl rode the firetruck ride. She wasn't contented with it though, as we went to the other arcade for her horsey-horsey ride.

Yes I know, bad shot for my husband. Good shot for the little girl!

I am getting so hooked with these games again, it makes me wonder why I don't have any game consoles at home. Oh, I remember, when I raised that topic to the husband (I think that was after our get-together in a friend's pad sometime ago), you know, to buy an xbox 360 or a PS3, he said no because it will distract the little girl.

Oh well. We're certainly looking forward to playing there again. I'd devote more time in that samba thing, similar to dance revo but using samba instruments.

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Lunch in Tagaytay: Cafe Verbena

On our way back to Manila from our Canyon Cove trip, we decided to have lunch in Tagaytay. Initially I wanted to try out Marcia Adams' Little Tuscany, but learned that it is only by appointment. I thought it was too late already, so we had to think of something else. I haven't tried Raj (Indian cuisine) and the Greek Taverna (Greek/Mediterranean) there but the husband preferred a safer resto. We ended up eating in Cafe Verbena in Country Suites.

They first served this lovely bread served with three types of spread. It only took a matter of minutes before  it was consumed, hehehe.

We had Oyster Rockefeller as our appetizers. Nothing great. It was kinda egg-ish rather the creamy.

For our main dishes, we had the US Angus Beef Sinigang and the Pan-roasted Seafood composed of Chilean Seabass, Salmon, Snapper, Prawns, Mussels, Alfalfa sprouts, and Pumpkin puree...

Well... the food was ok. Maybe I expected more since it's from Country Suites, but I guess I was a bit put off by the fact that the food service was really slow (and we were really hungry). Price is expensive, the same as Metro Manila prices (I was expecting it to be a little less, but oh well). The quality of ingredients was good (well, what do you expect from Angus beef right?) but the portions... I didn't expect the portions to be huge, but I didn't expect them to be minute either.

Eanna's verdict...

I am not sure if I'd go back here, though. I've eaten in other Tagaytay restos that serve better food. That or maybe I'm just too exhausted and too hungry to think straight. Hehehe.

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Canyon Cove Trip

Our family went to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas for our first out of town trip for this current vacation of Enrik. What I like about this place is that the place is clean, there are two kiddie pools for toddlers and "bigger kids," the beach is considerably better than other beaches, and the rooms are ok.

Here are some pictures...

The food though was bordering on terrible. Not to mention the price. Que horrible!

We went out for dinner, hoping to find someone who sells lobsters. Unfortunately, there weren't anyone who did. We ended up eating in Kainan sa Dalampasigan...

The place kinda creeped me out but all the locals who talked to told us the food was good here, though expensive. It wasn't that expensive. And the food was.... G-O-O-D. Double recommend!

The kinilaw na tanigue was major major sulit. Super fresh fish! The serving was probably triple the amount of the serving here in Metro Manila with the same price. L-O-V-E.

The furniture was very Filipino, check out the ladies' bathroom.

Anyway, I can't wait till we go back to the beach. Eanna enjoyed the place so much!

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Kalowka

First video I saw today really cracked me up....



That was how I reacted too upon hearing/watching the final 15. Beautiful Venus, in a major major way!

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Neglected

I know, I know, I've been neglecting my blog. Actually, this really happens when my lover husband is home. But then again, I can't really make this as an excuse because I haven't stopped playing FB games (hehehe I'm at it again!).

I was meaning to blog about a couple of things like our Canyon Cove vacay, but recent happenings (the hostage crisis, Miss U coverage, and the husband getting sick) have made my mind blank. It can only play FB games, hahaha. Oh, I've been tweeting like crazy too since yesterday. Heheheh.

*Follow Me HERE*

I don't want to promise myself to blog like crazy like what I do but I know this is just a phase, and hopefully my blogging groove will be back. Stay tuned!

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Eat, Pray, Love... and Sandals

Admittedly, I bought the book but never got to finish it. I'll probably read it before the movie comes out here. What I am interested though are the gladiator sandals that Julia Roberts wore...

Image from CheapChicDaily

I am a sucker for gladiator sandals, and the look above is kinda similar to what I wear on my lazy days (which is almost everyday hahaha). Unfortunately, I couldn't find it anywhere online. I mean, no online shops have stock of this lovely pair.

But I really want!

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Back from Our Vacation

Whew. We just got back from our vacation in Canyon Cove. It was a tiring trip but while we were there, it was surely a fun and bonding experience for us. Aside from R&R, we got to try different kinds of food levels... The Good, The Bad, The Ugly! Hahaha. That's gonna be another post.

In the meantime, the hubby and I have a couple of things to do for the next few days, and one of this has to do with our car. Our car is scheduled for the much due maintenance this Saturday (or is it moved to Monday?). Aside from this, we are also looking forward to checking out an even better car insurance package when our insurance expires this November. We have been pleased so far with the previous car insurance policies we got, which pretty much covers everything. We are quite hopeful that the good package and service of the company will continue. By the time we renew ours, I hope that everything is understood and agreed upon, since again I will be the only one to arrange the papers (and payment). Hope that things will be hassle-free!

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What Made His Day

We just parked our car when out of the blue, our sweet darling girl said...

Papa I Love You.

Then she embraced his Papa.

Of course, he was surprised but very very happy.

Truly, the best things in life are free.

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Loving His Scent

Finally, I was able to surprise my loving husband by giving him my birthday gift to him... in advance hehehe, since I can't help but give it to him!

Creed Green Irish Tweed

I have always wanted to give him this but he always vetoes it, saying that it's too expensive and all. He always says he'd rather spend on laptop insurance or some other "more useful" thing. But I guess this time is an exception since he's celebrating his birthday this month here in the Philippines, after more than 10 years of not doing so!

He was still shocked (hehe) but I guess he is loving it and secretly very happy because... look at him! Watching basketball with his perfume beside him hahaha.

I love love this scent. Tonight, before he sleeps, I'd spray just a teeny-weeny bit on him. L-O-V-E.

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Our Foyer: Before and After

I am really loving our foyer's new lovely deep blue-green color. We have painted it a week ago and yeah, it's just now that I had the time to take a picture of it. Hehehe.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

For some reason it's a bit turquoise-y in this picture.

But it really looks like this...

Nevertheless, I am loving the color!

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Ikea Bead Roller Coaster

Got this toy for my little girl when we checked out the Ikea supplier in Palanan, Makati...

Ikea "Mula"

It was more than double the US price but oh well, I couldn't get it anywhere else and it is a cheaper option to her other wishlist, which is any of the riding toys that she always checks out in the department stores, so I just went ahead and bought it for her.

Here are my two "children" while assembling it...

Actually, it's supposed to be our birthday gift for our darling dearest when she turns 3 this Sept. The husband kept on saying he'll keep it and have it wrapped. I told him I know him too well that upon coming home, he'd immediately give it to our daughter. He said he will not do that.

True enough, when we arrived, he gave it to her. Hahaha. The little girl was so excited and couldn't eat properly. She kept on saying "Papa please open" hahaha.

Oh well, here's one more toy for her. But I know though that she's going to enjoy playing with it.

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Red Tips

I'm still sick. That's really a bummer because this reduces our opportunities to go out. You see, my dear husband's vacation this time is just short (he's leaving last week Sept) so we want to make the most of his vacay days.

Anyway, what's keeping me a bit happy is this...

 I know, it's might seem shallow but really, these are my little pleasures in life. I would've gotten more colors but I resisted and just stuck to this.

Now, i'm looking forward to having my mani-pedi once I'm fully well. If it takes long before I recover, maybe I'll just paint my tips myself!

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From Her to Me

The little girl got sick for two days, and I knew it. I knew that by the time she's feeling well, it's me who will get sick. And yes, I am sick now.

I need a vacay. Well, not that I don't get enough of it... too much actually hahahaha. But really, I wanna go to this place...

Just imagine waking up to this view.

And I just want to plop myself in this lovely bed...

It might look austere but there's this calming effect on me. LOVE it.

{Images from Apartment Therapy}

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My Shopping Stereotype

Your Shopping Stereotype is Unique

It's hard to stereotype you, because you simply buy what you like. You are a true individual. Sometimes you go high end. Sometimes you go low end. But you almost never go with the crowd. You don't settle until you find the perfect item. Shopping is one of the ways that you express yourself. You're proud of what you own, and if you change your mind about something, you immediately get rid of it.

What's Your Shopping Stereotype?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

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Mad Men and Being a Housewife

I know, it has become a habit of me that I don't blog that often these days. Well, aside from the husband being here and that he prefers that I stay away from the Internet world as often as possible, I am also hooked on Mad Men.

At first, I found it a little dragging. But then, it grew on me and now I just watch the episodes one after the other. Just like the Tudors craze of mine.

My big question though, is....

Shall I allow myself to learn a thing or two on being a housewife as per the show? You know, the 60's version of being a housewife: serving the husband, full-time attending to the kids and the house, etc etc.

What I want to emulate though is the fashion! Imagine, all dolled up, made-up, and bejewelled (yes I am, but more like the game) even when at home. Even while doing house chores.

And of course, being the perfect hostess when there are guests.

Actually, I think I am channeling the fashion lately. Hahaha. I was in Salcedo Market earlier today and I was wearing this B&W checkered shift dress and oxfords. Hahaha. The other day, I was wearing red lipstick at home too.

Yeah, maybe I'll try a little on becoming that housewife, then we'll see which the husband will prefer (although i have a strong feeling what he'd like more hahaha).

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