Our dining chairs are made of mahogany wood. Noticed though that there were scratches from buttons of pants, nail marks, etc. and they're barely 3 years old. Repair of one chair costs PhP2,000, according to our supplier!
So I decided to ask our ever reliable mananahi (sewer) to make slipcovers from good quality canvas that we got from Larry's, Buendia. The buttons are made of wood that are available in Divisoria. Carolina's do not have them. Throw pillows are spare pieces from our sofa, all from OUR HOME.
Our house feels much brighter, unlike before which was quite dark due to the mahogany hue.
My Nokia N85 is giving up on me. I was told that repair would cost me PhP1,700. Whaaaat????
Though barely 2 years, this 'freebie' phone from my SMART contract was a subject of torture for my toddler/ pre-schooler. I started working again so I have more license to satisfy my wants once in a while. But anyway, I was given another Nokia unit by my office and well, I should say it was more battle-scarred than my N8. I am not complaining though. I'm blessed to have 2 disjointed phones than have nothing.
Hubby is suggesting I should get an Iphone. I am notoriously kuripot. Stingy. Tight. Though I have the tendency to splurge. But my fear is to expose my daughter to computer games. I'm still too old fashioned to introduce her to the virtual world. That's why I do talks about open ended play on the side. I'm Tita Loot.
But everyone has an Iphone!
Ugh. An Iphone or this for my hubby... a Michael Cacnio sculpture from his balloon series.
I really go for the latter. But what about my disjointed phones?
I'm too young to remember what it was like in Esda 1. I went through my Facebook today and saw a slew of haters, doubters, and stabbers of the spirit of Edsa.
I personally did not vote for PNOY but for me the spirit should come from ourselves, the leaders in us. We are Filipinos, and we should be proud of that.
It's a mentality, not just an anniversary.
"NARITO AKO PILIPINO at naniniwala sa produktong Pilipino!"
Just reposted this from a friend's Facebook status.
There comes a point in your life when "FUN" no longer means bar hopping, clubbing, being out til 4am or drinking too much. It means board games, movies, going out for family dinners, bedtime stories, and sleeping in means 8 pm. Becoming a parent doesn't change you,instead, it makes you realize that the little people you created deserve the best of your free time! Re-post if you are PROUD to be a parent :-)
So true. I never understood this when I was still single or when I just got married without a child.
Starting tomorrow, I'm going back to the corporate world. Was it out of need? A career decision? An escape?
Yes to the first two questions. A big resounding no to the last.
Even here at home and with my little girl, I'm avoiding the usual seremonyas (rituals) of goodbyes to being a housewife. With my online colleagues and my sponsors-- to my role as a social entrepreneur. Yes I will miss my girl, I will miss the usual guerilla feeling of saving the earth.
Below is the video posted in my profile at one of the organizations that supported my cause. Watching it again after several months of not doing anything related to business, somehow I felt that everything still has a purpose.
Last May 2009 at the Netherlands, I met 3 smart Filipinos, my co-delegates at the BiD Challenge finals. With them, we met almost 40 other entrepreneurs whom I think in my lifetime are the most brilliant minds that I have encountered. Us 4 Pinoys came from diverse backgrounds, even from competing schools, but we all have the same vision to provide support to the environment and our fellowmen.
Unfortunately, one of the ladies sold her share of the business and pursued a career in finance, I fought for my life hence decided to lie low a bit, and the only gentleman from the group had an untimely death. It was not a curse of our victories but so much happened within 6 months in our personal and professional lives. The only entrepreneur at the competition who remained standing still was the one who brought home a major award, and I'm very proud of her that she won.
Despite my low spirits, it was these same people who reminded me that I should not stop, even the one who is no longer with us now. Strangely, my boss is a close friend of this gentleman. The Philippine Business for Social Progress is still supporting us. And yes, slowly, I WILL MAKE THAT COMEBACK.
On going back to work, it was out of need. Except for one of the Pinoy entrepreneurs who competed in Netherlands, we kept other jobs. I considered my being a homemaker as a major job. Tomorrow, my other job will be to continue where I stopped 3 years ago. At my age, I think I still have the thirst to share to companies what I can contribute. Ecobloks will remain. I just made a career decision. It's now or never. Marketing guys like me rot. Our ideas rust.
It is not an escape but my healing. As the hours approached my first day at work, my self esteem goes even higher. I'm excited. My mind is spinning with ideas. I'm ready to face the challenge. I'm not thinking short term work here. It's a long term career decision. I have prayed for this and I think it's an answered prayer.
Only a few days left and I'm off to work again full time. Although my office is a mere 5-15 minutes away from my house, the 3 years I spent with my daughter is something that I can easily let go of. I'm sad, but at the same time happy.
I know my daughter will understand why I decided to go back to the corporate world. There's no pressure from my husband to deliver financially because I get some marketing consultancy work and I have a business. I just need to be occupied. I need time away from Facebook or from my own bed. I need this healing.
Now, enough of the drama.
Last month, I panicked when I looked at my closet. It's empty after I donated a lot of clothes to charity and gave some to my cousin. When I was accepted at my new job, the first thing that worried me the most is wardrobe. Call me shallow or even vain. I'm a marketing lady. My clothes define me. I get confidence from what I wear.
But my mom saved me! I almost forgot that I have a lot of clothes at our old house! Because my weight is back to what I used to be before I got married, I can still wear my old skirts, pants, and blouses. The old adage is true about sticking to classics. The clothes will still look updated with accessories. Besides, I almost forgot about these clothes, so they feel new to me.
Anyway, pregnancy made my twins slightly bigger. Still at size 34 but with a cup size of B. They're still average, I know. But wearing small blouses with buttons in front sometimes expose my bra. We've seen some people with open buttons in front, and it's so uncomfortable.
I found a solution! They are old school but a lot better than always putting safety pins between buttons. Designers and sewers call them "automatic."
Just one week to go and I'm back to the corporate world. Shopped for some dresses and pumps, while I searched our baul for some old slacks and skirts. I actually feared that I'll be so 2007 with my outfits. Anyway, I went to the pearl market yesterday at Market! Market! to buy some accessories. I am a big fan of accessories and I have a good collection of necklaces and cuffs.
Last week, I passed by MUJI in Bonifactio High Street and saw their mannequin wearing a scarf. I have a few scarves in the closet which I use only when I attend evening events. As I'm into knits that are mostly black, I think I can use my scarves to add more glam to my get-up.
Here's what I found on YouTube by my make-up coach (hehehe) Michelle Phan.
This is not a paid advertorial. I just would like to share this all around cleaner that I discovered months ago at S&R. I just have to share this product because my mother in law and husband swear by the lovely smell it leaves behind. The fragrance lasts really long, and the OC homemaker in me feels accomplished.
One night, hubby went home late and he asked me why the halls smell so fresh. Sounds like a TVC but it's a real testimonial! Last week my mother in law used our powder room and asked our helper about the refreshing smell (Take note: my mother in law is a loyalist when it comes to products. She's been wondering for the longest time why I do not use CHAMPION, her favorite washing machine detergent). My mischievous helper (mana sa amo) just said "SECREEET!"
Mother in law was serious in finding out when we were at her place yesterday. O sige na nga, it's just ZIP!
As on online seller, I have been exposed to press releases, TV appearances and frequent exchange of calling cards with strangers. It was at first exciting to meet new friends, but there were times that I came across some obnoxious people who would send me offensive messages through my phone or via my site. It hurt me in a way because I work very hard given my thrust of giving back by positioning myself as a social entrepreneur. It was hard to trust business contacts on Multiply or take calls for orders, but for more than a year I was able to maintain a level of confidence regarding the sincerity of most clients. A lot actually became my friends.
That changed though when I got a "dugo dugo" sort of phone call on my mobile. I knew it was meant to scare me. Could it be a former driver or a serious threat? I would not know.
Hence after that experience, I just wanted to keep myself anonymous and deflect my hunger for a little fame as entrepreneur. As a finalist for an international business plan competition, my profile was all over the web. My name is easily searchable via google. I have videos on youtube during my pitches. There were several articles written about me on magazines. Let's just say, I had my share of fame during my stint as entrepreneur. I detested that for a while, hence my indefinite leave on Multiply and the mompreneur scene. An after effect of my baby's death, my battle with my own mortality and my fear of personal security.
My doctor called it anxiety attack. My husband viewed it as ka-praningan. But whatever it's called, I prefer this sense of freedom. I read a post of an up and coming blogger Tina Tagle, a regular housewife discovered by big timer chuvaness.com. I can sense her panic about her new fame.
I spent the last 2 weeks worrying about aging. My mom, who managed to look very young with just water to clean her face, told me bluntly that I'm starting to have fine lines and crow's feet around my eyes. I noticed too the night before that.
I started using a moisturizer seriously when I was around 25 years old. At that time, I could already afford the L'oreal product lines, and I could already graduate from Eskinol. I have been a loyal Eskinol user since high school. As my income increased, I then switched to Murad and I even got regular diamond peels from my dermatologist (plus had my underarm laser done 10 years ago).
Everything changed when I became a housewife. I sometimes sneak in a bottle of Murad cleanser in the budget, but later on switched to just Dove soap. My moisturizer became Physiogel, which I share with my hubby. My face was never the same again. It was dry and lifeless. But I did not care much because I just stay in the house most of the time.
Last Christmas, my sister in law gave me a Murad Pomegranate Cleanser as a gift. I was so happy! That was also the time I got so bothered about my skin-- I started using this moisturizer from Face Shop. The old me would have bought something pricey at Rustan's but then again thought that I wanted a routine that I can sustain.
Now for the eye cream. I went to Face Shop again and found this serum for the eyes. I think it worked because my eyes do not look as tired when I wake up in the morning.
I read in some forums that women at my age should also start taking vitamins. I have been taking Conzace/ Vigor Ace during the last six months as prescribed my my doctors for tissue repair after my surgery. Lucky me, it had Vitamin E in it.
Ok, I'm 33 and I guess it's time that I embrace my age. I took a picture of myself last week and realized that I still don't look that bad. I think happiness or a sincere smile is the best facial of all. My husband agreed. He showed my pic to his officemates.
My next mission: get more sleep. I am an insomniac and my blood pressure is so low that I'm starting to worry.
