The Story of the Coffeemaker

December 24, 2010

The week before Christmas just passes so fast because everyone is hyper about buying gifts, wrapping gifts, thinking of menus, buying ingredients and actually preparing and cooking the Christmas dishes.  It's even harder to juggle everything when your kids are underfoot because their Christmas vacation has already started.  Still, you persevere and hope that you don't catch a cold to bog you down.

It's very much the same for me.  I hardly knew the day, much less the date, until I hear news anchors on TV announcing, "It's only X days away from Christmas!"  We've gone to different malls in search of groceries and ingredients for our Christmas meal.  Can you believe that fresh basil was nowhere to be found?!! It's like everyone decided to use fresh basil for Christmas! LOL  I have had to change the menu several times because I couldn't find the necessary ingredients.  I also had to experiment with some of my menu, like making sago and gulaman because I haven't tried that one yet :)  The first try was a failure because the gulaman got too mushy! LOL  Funny, but I never got to do it again hahaha Then we all helped make banana bread to test Ate Mel's practical knowledge with baking seeing as she took some classes in Dana's school for it :) It turned out okay :)

Patrick was also having a hectic time at work.  He had to deal with fixing the documents needed for his trip to China in addition to his actual writing.  It was funny because when he told me that he was invited to participate in an event there, I was writing China Visa articles for a website hahaha It was like serendipity hahaha Anyway, with all of the things that he needed to accomplish, he hasn't found the time to buy me a gift since we were always together when we went out.

Finally, on the 24th, we went to Cubao for some last minute shopping.  We went to Gateway and after having lunch at Teriyaki Boy, he casually strolled into the Rustan's store.  I was wondering why because we hardly went there.  But it gave Dana a chance to buy her Dad his Christmas gift (a Batman face towel to leave in Stanley so that when Patrick perspired, he would have something to wipe himself off with).  He did mention that he was looking for a gift for me then and he found it but he and Dana will just have to return to buy it hahaha So he took us, Dylan and I, to Shopwise so we can buy what we needed while he and Dana went back to Rustan's to buy the gift.  To cut a long story short, they ended up buying the gift but failed to have it gift wrapped due to time constraints.

Once at the house, I was stuck in the 2nd Floor while Patrick went about his business of wrapping the gift.  When he was done, he presented it to me with a flourish, giftwrapped with a bow! :) It was wonderful!! Then it was my turn to finish wrapping the presents so I went back to our room where he left the Rustan's shopping bag.  It was calling out to me and I was really tempted to check it out hehehe So I did!! Curiosity killed the cat and all that!! My bad!!  I saw the receipt and I knew what was in the box !! hahaha  I went back down to tell him hehehe I told him I knew but I was already practicing my surprised look for the pictures the next day hahaha

The funny part was when we were all in the bedroom and I started tickling Dana to reveal to me what was in the box (even though I already knew).  She was laughing so hard but she was really trying hard not to say it.  I tried a different tactic - I asked her, "If I gave you P100, will you tell me what's in the box?"  I wasn't really expecting her to answer but then - she blurted out, "It's a coffeemaker, Mama!" LOL Patrick did that face-palm thingy LOLWhat's even funnier was that, later on, everyone was downstairs and Dylan was near the Christmas tree checking out his gifts, he was murmuring - "That's mine, That's Ate Dana's, That's Mama's coffeemaker!" LOL

Patrick said, "this is the last time I take you with me when I go shopping!" :)

Dylan's First Christmas Party

December 17, 2010


Today is going to be a hectic day.  I can feel it.  Today, my two kids are celebrating their respective Christmas parties and as much as I want to be at both, I can only choose one.  I wish I can do Naruto's Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Ninja Art Technique) so I can be in two places at the same time but alas, that's not to be :)

I had to attend Dylan's Christmas Party because he's also participating in their Christmas dance and I know that they've been practicing so I wanted to see how Dylan would do :)  Armed with gifts for his teachers, gifts for his exchange partner, a video cam and a digital camera, we went to Shakey's Espana where they held their Christmas party.


We were one of the first attendees to arrive so we took advantage of the time to take pictures with Dylan's teachers.  Teacher Karen (on the left) is Dylan's Teacher and Adviser.  Teacher Dory (on the right) is Dylan's Principal and was responsible for initiating Dylan into preschool.  I owe a lot to these two dedicated teachers for my son blossomed and learned a lot from them.  It takes skill and intelligence to teach kids.  But it takes love and patience and kindness to really build a rapport with them.


Dylan participated in the field demo.  As you can see on the right, he's trying his best to follow his teacher with the right steps and keeping the rhythm.  But, as you can see on the right, he certainly dances to his own beat :) and has resorted to following his own instincts with the dance steps :)






After the performances, naturally kids will be tired and hungry so they were served their food - a slice of pizza, mojos, spaghetti, garlic bread, fried chicken and a drink.  There was a bit of confusion when the food was being served because there were so many of us and only a few servers but eventually, everyone got straightened out :)  Dylan got quite a number of gifts and he was very pleased and excited :)

After his party, we went to Dana's school to pick her up as her own party was also finished.  Dylan then proceeded to his other school, Core Skills (note his shirt!).  There, he gave Teacher Amy his gift and continued with his speech therapy :)

2009 Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Itr's that time of year again when friends and family come together to celebrate a joyous occasion.  For this year, we made a lot of Christmas preparations because the kids are now able to undertake the decorating of the Christmas tree so we bought a new one including all the decorations.  We just made it very simple as you can see and we got a bargain with the tree when we bought it at the Dapitan arcade.  Imagine a 5ft tree for only P1,600.. other trees cost as much as P6K.  Even the balls were a steal! I was going crazy buying those things hahahaha  The Christmas lights we bought at SM because I don't want the fake ones that easily blow up and cause fires.

We were also able to buy a new bed for my Lola to use (which Den or Dylan will use later on) as well as a new sofa set as you can see here.  We went to Caloocan to buy these furniture because it's cheaper there and there are more options and more products to choose from.  We custom-made this sofa set based on dimensions of the doors hahaha

My father also paid a visit when he found out that Lola and Uncle Jimmy were here.  Here are some pictures of that "momentous" occasion hehehe

Christmas day was an exciting one for the kids.  They had a lot of gifts to open, courtesy of a lot of sales at the malls, factory outlets and flea markets :)

We prepared some pasta, fried chicken and ham for the "feast" but everyone was busy with their gifts (receiving and giving) to care about food hahaha

Lola and Uncle Jimmy left for the States on December 28.  We wanted to take them to the airport but there were a lot of the family going with them so we stayed behind.  I think it was a good idea to stay behind because I didn't want to get too emotional and you know when you see someone hurting, you feel hurt too and I didn't want my Lola to feel even more sad. 

Here are the pictures before they left :)

Dana's 5th Birthday

Happy 5th Birthday to our cute and lovely daughter Dana!! hahaha

I knew Dana was very excited about her birthday, though we didn't really promise her anything. She just knew that she was going to have a cake (hehe because she was the one who picked it out!) and some ice cream and that I was going to cook some pasta :)

She wanted to play in the playroom in Megamall too but we told her that that will have to wait until we can go with Tita Flor so she can also share in the celebration. Dana was fine with that.

So, on the morning of her birthday, I heard her coming down the stairs, I immediately waited for her at the bottom and started singing "Happy Birthday" to her while doing a silly dance ! LOL she was laughing so much she had to sit on the step hahahaha

Then, Dylan gave her a hug and a kiss and even managed to say "Birthday" in his own special way ;) We then went to Goldilocks to pick up her Wall-e cake and Ate Den met us there. We had some snacks too.

As soon as we arrived, we ate pasta, sang Happy Birthday again and just had fun being together.

We also took her Lightning bike to the vulcanizing shop to have it fixed and they didn't charge us anything! LOL we just gave the mechanic some pasta too hahahaa

Next, the kids played in the garage since there were no cars so they had the place to themselves. They also played with their bubbles and basically just tired themselves out :)

In the evening, when Patrick arrived, he brought the gifts for the two kids. A remote control car for Dana and a big car for Dylan. You can't give one and not give the other hehehe They were so excited about their new toys.. so were Ate Den and I hahahaha

Because of all the energy they didn't settle down until midnight LOL

Oh and Congratulations to Patrick because he got his driver's license today !

A very Merry Christmas!!

First off, I wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!!!

I know that this is the first Christmas without my mom so it feels sad and nostalgic but I know she would want me to be happy for the sake of my kids, to make them feel the happiness of the season and I hope I've achieved that :) I admit that it's such bad timing that both Patrick and I are suffering from asthma right now. Must be from the cold and the stress hahaha Oh and despite it, we still cleaned the house which probably aggravated our health hahaha

But nevertheless, we cooked Baked Zitti with mozzarella cheese (way expensive I must add but very delicious!) Patrick made Chicken Macaroni salad which we both can't eat hahaha He also cooked some Fiesta Ham. Oh and I bought a chocolate roll and a platter of brownies from Goldilocks but unfortunately we can't eat yet too hahaha the kids love the food though :)

All in all, it was a happy Christmas, the kids got great toys and gifts which they're enjoying right now hahaha Thanks to my mom and my brother and all the people who have shown their support and love through the years :)

Merry Christmas to everyone!! Love ya!!

A Hectic Pre-Christmas Weekend

20 December 2008

It looks like we've been very busy for the past few weeks but it's really only during the weekend that we have time go out. It's also the only time to shop for Christmas dinner without having to face the hordes of people in the supermarket when it gets near Christmas eve.

Anyway, we went back to Mall of Asia (looks to me like it's our favorite mall hahaha) but really it's only because it's big and even with a lot of people around, there's still space to freely walk around.

We bought gifts for the kids again :) They're really spoiled this Christmas! :) and gifts for Den too. Funny enough there was a sale on wedding rings but we only looked around because they were still too expensive even though they're already on sale hahahaha It was just like a hint to us to really go through with it LOL


As a treat to ourselves (well more for Patrick and I), we ate at TGI Friday's. I can't believe how expensive they've become but the food we ordered was absolutely delicious! hahaha we were told that the servings were good for 3 people. We each finished our orders by ourselves - no sharing!! what does that say about our appetites hahahahah but really, it was really good.. more so than the food at Hooters hahahaha

I had the Jack Daniel's Chicken and Shrimp while Patrick had the Jack Daniel's Porkchops. Dana had the Fried Macaroni and Cheese and a Strawberry Milkshake. The food came with corn, mashed potatoes or rice pilaf and bottomless drinks. Dylan loved the corn! By the time we were finished, we needed to be rolled out with a wagon because we were so full! :)

After that we met Den near the Fireworks area. She was coming from a jaunt at the Star City with her friends.

Personalize your holiday gifts

Now that Christmas is just around the corner, I’m getting pretty hectic about what to get the people on my Christmas gift list. It can get quite tedious having to think about each and everyone’s preferences but it’s really nice to get them something that’s meant specially for them, something they’ll use and still have them remember you when they’re using it.

Well, personalized holiday gifts seem to be a great idea and fits any age, gender and personality. I especially like the 16GB personalized thumb drives because, let’s face it, everyone uses them. They’re really handy, pretty useful and practical with a variety of colors to choose from, and with a customized laser engraving so there’s no chance of mistaking it for someone else’s thumb drive, it’s really a great holiday gift. For your friends and loved ones who are really environment-conscious, there are wooden USB Flash drives available too.

If you’re looking for a more business-like gift, one that can spread holiday cheer as well as serve as a great marketing tool, the Business Card USB Flash drives and Personalized Pens are your bet. They come with free lines of engraved text too!

So if you’re looking for great, personalized, customized gifts for the holidays, look no further because Pexagon Tech has all these in store for you at 20% off too!

Dylan's 2nd Birthday

Yes.. My baby boy is now 2 years old!! hahahaha

His long-awaited gifts have finally been opened.. voila!! they are Mr. Potato Head and Darth Tater!! woohoo!!!

It's a bit sad though that his birthday coincided with my mom's 40 days.. so we can't really celebrate as much as we want..

We'll make it up to him next time.. besides, it's also Holy Week (Lenten season) here in the Philippines..

Anyway, we also opened the Shell Ferrari Cars but we're still planning on where to put it in the house.. it really should be displayed not played with hahahaha

New Cars toy!!

Looks like gifts are still coming in for the kids :) Patrick just came from our ebayer friend with a new Cars plushie.. a bigger one! hahahaha

Dana and Dylan can't stop playing with it woohoo!!