Finding Co-Promdi Bloggers

kaithuninterrupted, promdiliving, and ifoundme

finally, after two failed eyeball attempts, the girls and i got together! and by girls, i mean Promdiliving's Glady and IFoundMe's M (it's her discretion if she's gonna disclose her name through a comment here. hahaha).

we met one fine, sunny Wednesday at starbucks bacolod. it was raining hard the whole evening and by 6am, M texted me that if the rain would continue pouring like crazy, she might miss the EB. i got sad of course but still, i took a bath and prepared for our 7am meeting. i know, a 7am EB sounds absurd but then, it was a workday for glady and i was also due to leave the city for our hacienda so it was the only available time for the three of us. He must have felt our excitement because by the time 630 rolled in, the sun was shining down merrily over the city of smiles. so of course, that meant tuloy na tuloy na ang aming pagkikita!

starbucks' cozy atmosphere was the perfect venue for our chicka-chicka. we've been online friends for almost a year so it was fun getting to know each other personally and getting the juiciest details behind every blog entry firsthand.

glady and M, i wish we had more time that day so we could have planned our negros tour. hahaha. M, chai, teh, open to inyo resort sa aton lagaw-lagaw? hahaha. i hope we can get together here in cebu, or there in bacolod again on my next vacation. it was nice meeting the two of you.

Happy, Happy Breaking News

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST LAWYERS!

Kirk is my cousin,
Ate Alvie was my big sister in the dorm when i was a college freshie
and Fel was my masscom batchmate in silliman

Because She's Not Just An Officemate

i've always been smug about the fact that yes, He loves me much,
because despite and inspite of, He has given me an army of true and loyal friends

Happy Birthday Marita aka Mayette

The heavens has granted your one great wish but i bet they're open to several thousand more wishes from someone as kindhearted as you.

I'll miss laughing and sharing secrets with you but my heart overflows with happiness that finally, you'll be where you are meant and dreaming to be - in your husband's arms.

Cakes.Ice Cream.Yeah, Softdrinks for a day!Pasta.Steak.Pizza.Hungarian Sausages.

Enjoy your day!

photo swiped from Mayette's multiply account

Birds of the Same Feather

self explanatory ☀

My Cousin's Wedding ;)

so mimi and i met up for lunch earlier and she has a pleasant surprise for me, the wedding pictures! it was a fun yet solemn and intimate affair. i feel so honored to be given the chance to be part of this special occasion. and their family as well.

to nap and stella, congrats and best wishes. whenever the going gets a little tough, just remember, there's no Plan B. =D

we do look like we're cousins, don't you agree?

like mimi, she is like a sister to me now


with the lovely couple

and of course, the feeling bridesmaid =p

Yes, We'd Rather Be In Front of It

mimi and i were talking the past weeks that among the supergirls, it seems that only i, she and chin, haven't caught the photography bug. i, for one, don't have that eye. and two, i can not afford the hobby. hahaha. i guess the best reason for not getting a camera and start clicking and shooting is that, we love to be in front of it than anything else. as i told mai, we are willing victims. hahaha.

so yesterday, chin and i laughed, pouted, and tried to seduce mai's bee. it was charlie's baptism slash photo op slash girl bonding. hurray for happy sundays.

i think mai was telling us to look surprised or to make chicka. she was laughing so hard when she took the photo. hahaha.

what was i thinking with this shot? hahaha.

with charlie (i took her out of the stroller because raf woke her up!), kara, chin and kiss

Batch '95

class picture

it was a hastily-drawn plan, the get together. if it weren't, more than 9 people would show up, i bet. but then, considering my penchant for last-minute deals these days, i came up with the idea of having a small tapok-tapok for our elementary friends (not really batch because that would require a bigger venue than our humble abode. hehe) well, 2 days before our target date. it was supposed to be on december 31 but my parents had to say no because we just cannot host a party, even a small one at that, when some of our relatives would be there. so we had the get-together moved to jan 1.

oh, we had fun! it was amazing how we still have very vivid memories of our elementary years considering how long ago it was (just 13. hehehe). they cannot get over my story about how i used to ask this one classmate to buy me something from the lunch counter (that's the canteen or cafeteria for you) because i was too lazy to go out. then i'd give her like, P5.00, and tell her to keep the change. hahaha. i am not proud of that but i was happy because when i saw that particular classmate when we were in college already, she has improved a lot - looks and personality-wise. so she doesn't seem like somebody you'd want to boss around. and i swear, i am not like that anymore. hahaha.

let's see what else i have remembered from that few hours of non-stop talking over leftover spaghetti, ham, grilled pork steak, lumpia, and cake:

• the nonstop playing of hopscotch (piko gud. haha), shakay, chinese garter and kick (we use calachuchi flowers for this particular game). classes in the afternoon start at 1:30 but most of us would go back at 12:30nn so we can play first. then we'd continue it after school. i remember my nanay grumbling everytime i'd go home with dirty uniform (yes, niagi ko kabulingit. hahaha) and unkempt hair. my tatay would always scold me when he'd see me wearing only slippers to school. i mean, everybody's wearing rubber slippers so why can't i???
• every year during homeroom, a birthday celebrator would stand in front so everybody can sing happy birthday for her. and then yes, all classmates get to kiss her. even her crush. hahaha.
  
• most of our classmates loved our THE classes (technology and home economics). the boys were particularly good at industrial arts while the more domesticated girls got high grades in home economics. unfortunately, i got my first (and only! in my whole academic career!) 75 during my grade 5 IA class. i wasn't good at drawing so i didn't submit a project. so the teacher gave me an almost failing grade. it was a good thing i impressed my HE and agriculture (can you imagine me digging earth and watering plants at 11 freaking 30 am??) teachers so my 75 was pulled up by my 98 or so grades in the other subject areas.
• i miss the ice scramble, miswa, mango shake and arroz caldo we'd usually have for recess. and there was this one vendor, murray, who is well known in our town because she doesn't only sell in our school but in the government offices as well. she had polio when she was a kid so she has difficulty walking and speaking. the kids used to make fun of her but looking back now, i admire her for working so hard so she can support her nephews and nieces.
• i was in grade 4 when my nanay decided that i'm old enough to walk to her office after class hours so we can go home together. she usually doesn't like me playing at school because i go home late and i end up looking and smelling very yucky. hahaha. so what i'd do, i'd bring my friends at her office so we can play in their lawn and she can monitor me.
• it is our pride to be one of those batches who won a regional award in verse choir. the winning piece? john durham something. hahaha.
  
• you wouldn't believe it but i used to join singing contests. you don't have to know that i lose everytime. hahaha.
  
• but i was always among the "leaders" during field demonstrations. i can't sing but i can dance. hahaha.
  
• i was a star scout and eventually a girl scout. but i never did any of those camping things. except in grades 1-3 where we get to stay in a classroom with a decent bathroom. but when i reached grade 4, girl scout level, and we had to pitch our own tents, cook food outdoors and, this is the biggest problem of all, take a bath with our clothes on while fetching water from a well situated at least half a kilometer from the campsite, i packed my bags and said, "my allergies are kicking in. i can't do this." and then i called my mother to pick me up. i joined the daytime activities but i'd always go home every night. i know, there's no fun in that but i am a primadonna like that. at 11.
  
• we had this teacher in grade 6 who made us sell pulvoron and yema everyday. we took turns selling, 1 pack of pulvoron and 1 pack of yema per day. when it would be my turn to sell, i'd bring the packs home and let my mother buy everything. easy profit! but i guess it's now illegal for teachers to sell stuff to their students or to make their students sell something for them. back then, it was no big deal.
  
• i also sold serg's egg chocolates when i was in grade 1. P0.50/piece if i remember it right. hehehe.
  

gosh, i can go on and on! we did enjoy bringing all those memories back and laughing over the good and not-so good ones. we're planning to do another get together this december but we have to do all the organizing way earlier so we don't end up eating leftovers again. hahaha.

Fighting the Big C

this year is not gonna be easy, we all know that. and i must say, some are having it more difficult than the others. i should know. i have friends who are losing their jobs and i, myself, won't get a raise this year. boo hoo, i know, but when i learned about another friend's situation, i gave me a lashing because yes, i have no right to complain.

one of my closest friend's father was diagnosed with cancer. and it was cancer too which took her mother several years ago. another close friend lost her father to the big C a few years back. and until now, she hasn't gotten over it that she cries whenever she talks about it. my heart bleeds whenever i see how these people continue to struggle and fight for their loved ones. yes, i may not know how they feel exactly, but i understand their pain.

my father's friend just discovered his illness when he had an operation. prior to that, he didn't have any idea that some dangerous cells are lurking in his system somewhere. isn't it unfair? there are no signs, no symptoms or perhaps, if there were any, those were very minimal that they were overlooked. then BAM, the doctor tells you, you have stage 3 cancer? i bet my friend's dad felt cheated.

cancer, for me, is not only a dreaded disease that gnaws and eats at your system then leaves you dried and withered. it's a dealbreaker. it's like an ugly mistress that lures innocent people into eating the "shouldn't-be-eaten" and doing the "shouldn't-be-done" so it can claim your soul and break your family apart. the saddest part is that, it's not only the patient that suffers. it's the rest of his family and friends.

but then, cancer is reality. we cannot just hurl it to the wind and say, "go away" but we can avoid it. everything starts with a healthy lifestyle. now, with the economic crisis and all, is the right time to take those steps to cancer awareness and prevention. we can save ourselves, and our family and friends.

my friend and i were talking last week and i tell her, "you know, if everything doesn't work out the way we want it to work out, just be strong." i am heartbroken for her, and i am sure, whatever i am feeling, is not even 1/4 of the devastation she's going through. this is her dad, and this is cancer.

to everyone who cares to drop by my blog, i'd like to request for a small prayer for all cancer patients out there. this is for them, brave souls who decided to fight and those stronghearted who lost but persevered. cancer is a menace but nothing beats the miracle of a prayer. this is not only the battle of those stricken with the disease. this is our battle.

Raf's Christmas

raf and i did last minute shopping yesterday. it's fun going out with him, he knows what he wants and he says when he needs something. he chose his own clothes (we joined the amazing throng of people milling around in metro's ukay bargain areas) and well, he does have his own style now. since i couldn't buy him everything he wants, i let him select between several items when i need to give something up because of budget constraints. haha. we spent i think two hours in metro alone, as per mimi, there was one million people in there. hahaha.

he got tired after the suffocating atmosphere in metro he was ready to throw a tantrum. good thing mcdonald's saved the day. when he saw mcdo on our way to crocs, he asked for us to eat first because he was already hungry. told you he is assertive. hahaha. he attacked a one-piece chicken meal in several minutes, with large fries on the side. then we went to buy a friend's son a gift then to crocs to get him a footwear. the salespeople laughed when he said he didn't like the style i got.

"maot man mommy," referring to the one i initially picked out. i liked it because it's easy to get in and out of, and he doesn't need to wear socks with it. the salesman brought a pair of sandals and he said, "kana, ganahan ko ana." oh-kay.

this was the one i wanted to get for himbut we ended up buying this

he fell asleep on the way home until 830 pm which was a really good thing because he was up until 1:30AM earlier! he was looking for his daddy the whole time then ppip called from work 10 minutes after the clock struck 12. he didn't want to sleep again because it's "christmas, mommy" and that "it's Jesus' birthday so dili lang ta sleep."

he was giddy to see his daddy beside him upon waking up this morning. he couldn't wait to open his gifts he skipped his usual bottle of milk before breakfast.

he got books, sticker books, several toys, and tsa-raan
a can of pediasure choco from tita mimi!

he's upstairs now, charging his batteries for another night of playing and testing his parents' patience. hahaha. if all goes well, we'd have andi with us next christmas and we'd have two kids asking for stuff left and right. it is such a merry christmas!

from our part of the world to yours - manang therese (and mark and akio), chichi (and roland and basti and insoy), chelo (and adrian), normita (and david), pat (and manuel and vito), dee (and james), yvonne (wherever you are right now. haha!), sher, juicy, lynette (and lysa), yen (and dwight and nikki), jopie (and ben), fil (and maynard and trinity), (i hope i didn't miss anyone out, gosh!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! with all our hugs and kisses!

It's Christmas!

Getting Married for all the Right Reasons

i wasn't exactly the blushing bride during our civil wedding

a few weeks ago, a friend ping-ed me at ym. she says her boyfriend proposed marriage to her already, and though she hasn't really given him a "no," she also didn't give her "yes." rather, she told him she'd think about it. and by thinking about it, she meant she'd ask her married friends first if, uh, you know, marriage is something we'd recommend her to do. i laughed out loud, honestly. i was speechless for a few seconds and when i regained my composure, i didn't quite know what to tell her. should i tell her, "yes, get married already!" or "no, don't, please, and save yourself?"

i am no expert when it comes to marriage, or to relationships. friends just come to me for advice because well, i am pretty good with boys. not that i've been into so many serious relationships. to my friends at least, it seemed that i have my way with the opposite crowd. but, i never slept around. not just my cup of tea. maybe you can call me your "tease girl" because that's just what i do, tease them naughty lot. and i have A LOT of guy friends. sensible, cool guy friends who would never mince words to get their points across.

being married myself for only a year, i wasn't sure what to tell my friend exactly except that marriage is not for the faint hearted. and motherhood, that's a completely different story to tell. marriage and motherhood had always been scary for me. it's a whole lot of responsibility. it's just that i didn't have the time and chance to be scared because it has been given to me already, on a silver platter, if that's any consolation.

so, why did ppip and i get married? no, it wasn't because i got pregnant. i told him repeatedly, i won't get married just because i got pregnant. hello, an annulment costs so much more than a church wedding. two, i was pretty confident that even without his support, i can raise my child on my own. that's what one who belongs to a closely-knit family would feel anytime.

ppip and i got married two years after raf was born. we did that not only because we are living in the same roof anyway and we're almost married in that sense but because we know that we are quite ready for it. maybe we can get stoned for our liberal thinking but you know, if while living together we had discovered that we can't live with each other despite best efforts, then we have to go our separate ways. you can't argue with each other for the rest of your life, you can't just keep on tolerating your partner's bad and ngil-ad habits forever.

in the course of our relationship, there were several times when i threatened to pack my bags and leave him, for good. and always, always, it would be him who'd remind me of the good days, of the fun times, of the bad-yet-we-were-able-to-survive moments. it's not that because my mind and heart hasn't kept a treasure trove of these memories, but because when you're fed up and tired and exhausted of raising not only two kids, but an adult as well, you tend to just say, "okay, this is it." and while all people think i am lucky to have ppip yet he is kind of shortchanged with me because of my bitchiness, try living with this prince charming and you'll know how difficult he can get and why i had more than once planned on ditching him. see? this what i am talking about. marriage is not for the weak. because while i can go on all day about how hard it is to maintain and cultivate this sacred relationship, i am still here, still with my husband because that's just how it is. and we have only been married for a year and a half! and mind you, it is not all about love. nor money.

so what did i finally tell my friend? i said, "why don't you join us for noche buena and we can discuss it over spaghetti and chicken macaroni?"

Drats!

i need to write something and i only have two days (yes, two amazingly short days) to finish it. and work's piling up and the weekend's kinda full that i'm not sure if i'll have the strength (and dedication) to come up with a decent script even if they'd extend the deadline. inspiration, where are you when i need you the most??

deym writer's block. and i'm not even a writer. sheesh.

ps: the only consolation though is that i got something for my event already. mheme, thanks again for the time and patience. hahaha.

From Their Kitchen to Yours

do you like what you see? if yes, then visit Kusina Habana and discover that there's more than the traditional "catered party" experience. they do "customized" catering which is very ideal if you are into themed and extraordinary events and activities. they also create couture cakes and an assortment of pastries to please your sweet tooth.

go to their site now and fulfill your gastronomic fantasies.

"couture cakes" pic taken from kusinahabana.blogspot.com

I Am Married to Him...

...and to him only. as much as he is married to me, and to me only.

we're taking our time, spending every possible minute together, before we become "parents" again and not merely "husband and wife" or "lovers." it's amazing how when we go to the mall, we don't only look for shoes and clothes and gadgets, but we check out furniture (like this really nice double-deck which we think would perfectly fit the kids' room) and other stuff for the house. sometimes though, we just cringe at how expensive household stuff are. but at least, we can now allocate bonuses and incoming extra money for these useful things, and not just buy "expensive pants yet not buy a shoerack." duh. hehehe.

this weekend is reserved for plantation bay's christmas tree lighting ceremony, as well as twilight. *swoon* it's a three-day weekend as well so yay for rest and endless laag. last weekend was spent at the outpost with two more couples, chin*wett and kiss*cyrus and i am hoping we can do it again because it's so much fun listening to the husbands' tirades and complaints. hahaha.

while marriage can be quite complicated at times, it feels good to have that somebody beside you when the rest of the world turns its back on you.

please don't mind the huge-ness of my face. at least, gwapa ko. hahaha.

One of Those Exciting Lists

well, since i am not allowed to buy anything until december 31, 2008, i think i have a pretty good chance of holding reigns to my self control for the better part of next year. but despite not being able to splurge and go on a shopping spree, i still would want to post my wishlist because you know, i have a very generous and loving husband as well as parents who tend to spoil me a lot. hehe. and even perhaps if i won't have these items very soon, i would still be happy to buy them when i am financially stable already next year. :)

BOOKS!
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling (for release December 2008)
Deerskin by Robin McKinley

Purple Flats
Pink Flats
Belle de Jour Planner from Powerbooks
Dainty tumbler (clear tumbler with green/light blue specks) from Starbucks
White, girly blouses
Pink bag
Green bag
Gladiator sandals custom-made in Carcar
Mineral Make Up

i am currently making my christmas list for my family and friends as well. if there's one thing that excites me during christmas, it's buying stuff for my loved ones. so everyone, it would be really nice if you can post your wishlists too! hahaha.

It's A Deal!

so, i made a bet with friends Y and G. or rather, they made a bet with me. because they couldn't believe that i wouldn't buy anything for myself this christmas! hahaha. if they win, i have to treat them to a dinner buffet at marco polo. but if i win, i can choose wherever they would treat me for dinner.

this is gonna be fun! i do intend to prove to them that i actually have self control when it comes to shopping. and what's so funny is that for the longest time before and after i gave birth to raf, i didn't buy anything for myself! it was my mother who bought stuff for me because we were too poor to buy a pair of shoes or a bag. and it went on for a year. so i surely wouldn't have any trouble keeping tabs on the things i have to let go for a month right? hahaha.
and secondly, as i mentioned in my post yesterday, budget is really tough for the next months so even if i'd want something, i wouldn't have the moolah to buy it because really, andi is drinking so much milk! hehehe. they are so confident because in the past months, i accumulated so much shoes and books and clothes that they think i am this obsessed shopaholic who'd die of heartbreak if i can't buy that purple flats. i am proud to say that yes, i am a shopaholic but i know what i must buy first before anything else. i also splurge when i am rich, not when i am cash strapped. that's why i didn't go to ayala's mallwide sale. i know when to spoil myself, and i also know when to stop the urge.

however, the bet doesn't cover the things i'll buy for ppip, the kids, and my friends.

so now i am already thinking which resto they can take me to when december 31 rolls around and all i have are actually just gifts from family and friends.

My Soulmate

we share so many things in common (no dream proposals and engagement rings from our husbands, no theme songs, the love for shopping and eating out!, and things i unfortunately cannot mention. haha) that's why we call each other soulmates now. we only met online, some three years back. but if you'd ask me what i'd willingly do for her, honestly, without batting an eyelash, i'd say, "anything. everything."

mimi has been my cheerleader, confidant and lunchmate all these years. and i know, she just understands. i don't have to be anybody but me when i'm around her. i can tell her my most sinister thought and still, she'd laugh at me. it's even amazing how we'd think the same thoughts at the same time. hahaha. so yes, without the ka-churvahan and all, i can say that i love this mimi girl to the ends of the earth.

mims, on your special day, i only wish for you and the kids to feel better and superb. yes, you have that strength in you so just keep going with your head held high. all these will pass and someday we'd talk about these days and we'd laugh and marvel and believe that yes, you can do it. more eat outs, spa sessions, conversations and fun. you have happiness, courage and love but i'd want them overflowing for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIMI! :)

special thanks to malou for the picture

Kiss-ing Friday Goodbye

spent a good part of my afternoon with K, a very good friend who's also ilongga and andi's godmother. we've always been close, despite not seeing each other so much. i can tell her everything! and lately, we share so much in common aside from being hinawayons and maldita. hahaha.

as always, there's coffee and something to eat on the table and the conversations would center around our children, fashion, our lovelives and some things i shouldn't be writing about here. *evil laugh* we usually have the same dilemmas and rants so we understand each other perfectly.

she tells me, "al, you must really kick ass because even people you don't know hate you."

it's not as if i am proud that people see me as this bitch and all. it's just quite annoying that somebody who i don't even know personally (meaning, it doesn't exist in my world) would have the gall to send me something so horrible. for me, i don't really care how people think of me when they see my maldita face or read my irate posts. maybe a few years ago, i would. but now, nah. what matters to me is how the people i care about think of me. they know me better than anyone else. they know me beyond this blog.

amazingly enough though, i can only count with my two hands (at least, those that i know) those people who can't stand me. my mother has always been happy how strangers would often come up to her to ask about me, as to where i am now and how she must be so proud of me because i am known to be friendly and smart and active in school activities. that was why it was quite a controversy when i got pregnant before getting married because well, they just didn't expect me to be in that situation. and that my dear friends, is the reason why bad things, accusations and insults hardly frazzle me. for every one person who badmouths me, five would defend me. and yes, i have all the bragging rights because i have proof. and well, this is my blog. it's not called kaithuninterrupted for nothing. :D

i am just happy tonight to be able to spend time with K. and somehow, to re-affirm my personality, my kaithy-ness. or rather, my alveel-ness, because that's how she calls me.

ah. it's a friday. and by tomorrow, i'd have my husband to snuggle and cuddle with for two days. who cares if we're broke? ain't life grand? :)