Our Phenomenal Life

Singapore 2011: Where to Stay & How To Get Around

2012-01-31T10:57:00.000+08:00

We stayed at two hotels during our recent trip to Singapore. Our first stop was at the Swissotel@The Stamford. The I.M Pei designed hotel was recently featured in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine (USA) Gold List 2011. South-East Asia'stallest hotel has 71 floors, with the rooms and suites outfitted with stunning picture-window views of the Singapore skyline.

In the mornings, the girls and I head down to the pool, while my boys are left still sleeping in the room.

Our accomodations came with breakfast, which we always enjoyed luxuriously (read: we took time to eat everything!) The buffet spread is typical of any hotel, but they do highlight Chinese, Malay and Indian influences, as well as the typical continental breakfast fare. I always start mine with a small bowl of congee to warm my tummy. I was a daily visitor to the cheese platter, and always coming back for seconds. And it was such a delight to eat it slathered with honey fresh from the comb. A real joy to eat honey this pure, untouched by human hands.

The kids are creatures of habit, as well. Everyday, B, my li'l gourmand, brings to me a plate full of salmon, pastrami, bread, and cream cheese

patiently waiting as I turn it into a filling sandwich.

Our room is decorated with comforting colors of brown and amber. The sheets that came with the double-sized beds were of a high percale count and feels velvety to the skin. The only problem I had with the room were the lights. You see, when the kids are sleeping, C and I turn on the accent lights to relax a bit before actuallygoing to sleep. C looks at the map and prepare for the next day's itinerary, and we both read the papers before finally calling it a night. I felt that the accent lighting of the room was not enough to make relaxation pleasurable. (Yeah I am a lighting snob like that :) )

The room came with its own Nespresso machine with a variety of coffee pods for selection. I am not really a coffee drinker so I did not enjoy this complimentary facility. But I have friends who are coffee aficionados, and from them I have learned that Nespresso is marketed as an exclusive luxury coffee.

What C and I really love about this hotel is that it is conveniently located right in the heart of the city so everything is almost within walking distance. Everything is so near... there's a taxi stop as soon as we step out the hotel; a few steps away and we are in the City Hall subway station. We took the cab to go anywhere and everywhere. There is a taxi stand just right outside the hotel with taxis waiting for passengers to hop on, so that's what we did everyday. The kids would do a lot more walking when we actually get to our destination, so energy conservation was what we had in mind. :) It was also more economical for our big family to just take a cab.

The hotel also just sits above a modern and spacious food court, which is just perfect for my kids who are always hungry; a big grocery is also just nearby; and the Raffles City Mall is also in the same complex.

We just love the selection that can be found in the nearby grocery.

When our friends and relatives found out that we were planning a Singapore vacation, most of them immediately advised to book a room at the Marina Bay Sands. December being a super peak season for travel, rooms were fully booked already. Fortunately, C got a confirmation one week before our departure.

The kids loved our stay at Marina Bay Sands that it was so hard to get them out of the room...you will understand why when you see our room.

Sorry for the personal belongings already scattered across the room; the kids were all oohs and aahs as soon as they stepped in. Had to remind them to let me take some photos first before they jumped in on the bed.

To the right of the entry is a walk-in closet, it was as big as a small room in a condo. We placed all our luggage and shopping bags in this room.

To the right is the spacious bathroom. I love that we have a walk-in shower and NOT a bathtub. Much more convenient for the kids and I do not have to worry about anyone slipping while getting in the tub.

Here's the rest of the photos of the room

The couch can be drawn out as a queen-sized bed

High-speed internet access is complimentary. The executive desk in our room also has a flap which opens up to a charging station for all our gadgets. The room also has a remote control for the motorized drapes, which amused the kids.

Hotel guests have exclusive use of the 150 meter Sands Skyparkinfinity swimming pool, the world’s largest outdoor pool at 200 metersabove ground level. At this height, guests can enjoy the best view of the Singapore skyline.

If your are not a hotel guest, you can still have the chance to see the SkyPark and enjoy the best view of the Singapore panorama by purchasing a ticket. However the access is limited to the Public Obsevation Deck, and it only offers a limited view of the infinity pool.

Unfortunately for us, Singapore was experiencing rainy weather during our visit. The cloudy skies did not really make for nice photos. I was hoping to enjoy the sunset on the pool deck, but unfortuntely my view was limited to gray skies and the occasional drizzle of rain. But if I were lucky enough, the glorious view should have looked something like this..

image source

And in the mornings, the spectacular view should have resembled this

image source

But I did not raise a bunch of complainers... so the fun goes on - freezing water and gray skies notwithstanding! haha! :) It is important to share with you one importand detail: the water is freezingly cold. Even J who is used to early morning training and training with heavy rains found the pool temperature unsettling.

As soon as they jump in, everyone goes into a huddle, as if staying together will make the water warmer. As for me, I wasn't really that brave... I need about an hour or so for my body to acclimatise. :)

Since we were traveling during the super peak season, there is a throng of crowd everywhere we go, and that includes checking-in. But the kids and the hubby did not notice the long wait since they were escorted to a waiting lounge where they have unlimited access to drinks.

The hotel also offers complimentary use of its business center and its facilities so we confirmed our return flight, checked-in online and printed our boarding passes. There are also airport shuttle buses available free of charge.

Getting Around in Singapore:

As with any travel experience, expect to do a lot of walking in Singapore.

For most, the MRT is primary choice of getting around, because it goes just about everywhere,it is clean, fast and safe. The route maps are color coded making it easy to understand.

The buses are numerous and efficient, you just have to be willing to wait for one since they stop at timed intervals.

For visitors, there is the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, but it is for tourists who are short of time and would like to pack their day with a long list of places to visit. Not for those who would like to linger and enjoy the place.

For my family, clearly, the best way to get around is Singapore is by taxi. It is the most comfortable and hassle-free way to get usto our destination. It is also the mosteconomical for us since there are 2 adults and 3 kids, the maximum number ofpassengers allowed. Any more than that and you have to split the company in 2cabs.

There was one timethat C and the two younger kids went back home earlier as J and I had decidedto do some late-night shopping at Orchard Road. Theytook a cab home and paid around $8, while J and I took the MRT from Orchard andgot off two stops away and paid a similar amount. Imagine if all 5 of us took the MRT, we would have paid a total of $20 for the train, against just $8 for the cab.

Not only are the taxis cheaper, many times the drivers often give us good advice about where to shop, what to do orwhere to go. C oftentimes engage themin small talk, and the drivers would talk away, telling us about their countryin the same manner that a tour guide would. Plus, there is a line of taxis standing by just right outside our hotel sothere is hardly any waiting time.

If you are going to plan your visit around the Decemberbreak, it is best if you pack along a foldable umbrella, a hat and a water-proofraincoat while you go around the city.

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ASCOF Lagundi: All-Natural and Effective Cough Remedy

2012-01-31T10:52:00.000+08:00

Must be due to the weather, I noticed that a lot of the kids seem to have coughs and colds. In my own family, the kids have been suffering from coughs one after the other. Like any other mom, I worry for them whenever they get sick, and I want them to get better at the soonest possible time.

When my kids were younger, the pediatrician used to tell me that the best way to take out cough and phlegm is to drink a lot of fluids because water is the best mucolytic. Now that the kids are older and have a lot more activities, getting sick can mean a not up-to-par sports performance and/or missing endurance training.

I got a package in the mail form ASCOF Lagundi the other day, and it could not have come at a better time because at the first sign of coughing, I always give my kids ASCOF Lagundi. Unlike other cough medicines, ASCOF Lagundi is made from all-natural lagundi leaves, which is one of the 10 herbal medicines endorsed by the Department of Health. Lagundi is a natural, herbal medicinewith proven therapeutic value. I feel better knowing that the cough medicine I am giving my kids is effective and not loaded with chemicals which might actually do more harm than good.

It has been clinically proven effective intreating not just cough but also bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis andpharyngitis. Moreover, the Department of Science and Technology has performednumerous studies on Lagundi – these studies have shown that Lagundi has been clinically validatedto inhibit the release of leukotrienes, which makes it effective in controllingasthma, as well. Some doctors even prescribe Lagundi to assist in the treatment ofasthma, as regular doses reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Aside fromhaving no side-effects, herbal drugs are less expensive than their syntheticcounterparts.

ASCOF-Lagundi is commercially available in Ponkan, Menthol, and Strawberry-flavored 60-mL and120-mL syrup variants. It also comes in 300-mg. and Forte 600-mg. tablets.

They are also running a promo right now, giving away 200 pieces of ASCOF-Lagundi capsules to TEN winners each day from January 30 to February 14, 2012. Go to their Facebook page to know more about their brand, and to join the promo.

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Instagram Weekend: January 21-22, 2011

2012-01-27T12:04:00.004+08:00

Another weekend in a blink of an eye... just like that and we are almost into the second month of the year already. Have you made any plans for this weekend?

We were at the Bonifacio High Street last weekend to celebrate the birthday of one of the kids' swimming team-mate. There is a building there that houses the newly-opened Active Fun, along with some other boutique stores that all cater to children. The kids enjoyed the tri-level area of playspace so much that they stayed from mid-afternoon up to the time the store closed at 9pm, only stopping to have dinner.

What I loved most about this branch is that the waiting area for parents is at the farthest part of the room so there is less noise, and the waiting parents can talk comfortably and hear each other without having to shout. For parents with kids who needs more supervision, the yayas can also wait at the benches near the entrance. There are also numerous function rooms that you can rent to celebrate your child's birthday.

A helpful reminder when you bring your kids to Active Fun: make sure you bring socks and bottles of water. Otherwise, you might have to end up purchasing over-priced socks and water.:)

While the kids played non-stop at Active Fun, the moms found time for some relaxation at The Spa. It is my first time to try The Spa at Boni Hi-St. It has the same serene and calm surrounding as their other branches, but this one strikes me as being sterile-looking, maybe because the minimalist design was taken too far.

The service however was equal with the rest of the other branches so it is still worth a second visit.

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Singapore 2011: Changi Airport

2012-01-26T08:32:00.000+08:00

Some say that the airport is the visitors’ first and lastimpression of the country, and so it is just relevant that the facility mustaccurately reflect the country. Our experience at the Singapore Changi Airport was able tojustifiably manifest this. The facility was clean, modern, with a very spaciousand highly functional lay-out; its personnel efficient and courteous. Atruly modern and global airport that is befitting of its title as the world’smost awarded airport.

Upon our arrival at the Singapore Airport,while waiting for our turn at the immigration counter, I walked over to thenearest visitors’ kiosk and obtained several copies of the free city map, onefor each of us. The city map helped us get around throughout our Singaporetrip.

With the new tourism campaign of "It's More Fun In The Philippines," the country should also consider providing tourist with free city maps and event guides. After all, almost every country we have been to has a Visitor Center near the immigration.

C and I always divide our family when clearing immigration,we find it more time-efficient as there are 2 officials to process our family,instead of everyone of us standing in front of just one customs officer.

Getting out of the airport couldn't be made easier than italready is! The airport is huge and has three terminals, but travelers do notfeel overwhelmed because there are huge signage everywhere. It took usabout 20 minutes to get from the tarmac, pass through customs, to claiming thebaggage.

We took a 6-seater maxicab from the airport since we hadconsiderable number of baggage with us. Waiting time for a cab took about5 minutes. Fare for the maxicabs are fixed at S$50, from the airport toany hotel in Singapore.Not exactly cheap, but we did not mind (too much) since the kids were with us and we know we were paying forconvenient and secure transportation.

For groups with less people or even for a family like us with three kids but with, ehem, less number of luggage, a regular taxi will suffice and the rate would amount to just $38, depending of course from where you are coming from within Singapore. I know this because going from the city to the airport, we were helped by a Filipino bellhop who creatively managed to arrange all of our luggage to fit at the trunk of a regular taxi. The Singaporean cab driver could simply just scratch his head. hehehe!:)

The other transportation available from the airport are:

~ Taxis. Taxis are available at the taxi stands at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. The journey to the city is estimated to cost between $18.00 and $38.00 and takes approximately 30 minutes. Fares are metered and there is additional $5 airport surcharge for all trips originating from the airport.

~Buses. I think for a visitor with luggage, the bus would be the least convenient option as this might require several transfers..

~ MRT. The Changi Airport MRT Station is located at the basement of Terminals 2 and 3, accessible from the Arrival and Departure Halls through escalators and lifts.

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Instagram Weekend {January 15-16, 2012}

2012-01-18T08:19:00.001+08:00

It is already middle of January, and I have yet to get my game on. My things to do are piling up and I definitely need more hours to my day! We just finished a week-long fasting at my church, and a few minutes of the day spent in prayer and reading the Bible does wonders to my perspective on things.

Inspite of the hectic schedule, we should all find time for some quiet. And for me, quiet does not always necessarily mean the absence of noise. It can also be just taking a break for the busyness of it all, and doing something that relaxes you. And one of the things that I look forward to is spending time with my fellow swim-parents while we wait for our kids during training. Last Saturday was one of those days where I spent hours with these like-minded parents as we talked about anything and everything under the sun, literally. We were at UP's Sunken Garden watching the kids took a breather from swimming; instead, they played frisbee and soccer. We all had a pizza picnic for lunch and called it a day!

Come Sunday, the family was up very early as the three kids participated in the Grand Family Invitational Swim Meet. The Grand Family Association is an organization formed by the local Filipino-Chinese community who share a common surname. They come together for a variety of purposes and have activities among members, mostly to promote family pride. So for that day, the swimmers were grouped according to surnames. I just love the family logo that our association came up with.

It is B's first competition ever, and to have made her pool debut in Rizal's daunting 50-meter pool is a feat in itself! She did not top the list for her age group, but she finished fourth in the 50-meter freestyle, alongside more experienced swimmers. Naturally, I felt so proud of her for doing so well and most of all for giving it her best.

J and R took home medals, which they couldn't wait to show their Ang-kong and Ah-ma. They were swimming for Team Ong, after all,

A swimming co-parent took everyone out for dinner after the competition, so bedtime was pushed until 10pm. With the exhaustion from her first competition and the extended bed-time, B couldn't help but feel sleepy in class. And so during Math class, she couldn't fight it any longer and drifted off to sleep - for the entire duration of the class.   So I asked her, "So teacher did not get mad at you for sleeping in her class?" She moved her head from left to right repeatedly, "nope, she did not say anything. I woke up middle of Chinese class already." Ayayay! I probed further, "Do you mean to say teacher did not try to wake you up?" She answered, with her eyes almost in disbelief at my question, "Mommy, why would she wake me up? Eh di ba, it's impolite to wake up a sleeping person?" Toink!

Hahaha! Right back at me... this is my line every weekend morning when they wake me up with their noise. Or worse, when they wake me up to ask where I kept the Ipads.

But just so you know, and not think that the teacher doesn't care to have a student sleep through her class; her classmates took it upon themselves to explain to the teacher about her competition the day before. And the day after the incident, she also got called to explain why she fell asleep in the class.

Hope your weekend was as FUN!

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Singapore 2011: Nature Parks and Wildlife

2012-01-16T08:44:00.003+08:00

Whenever we visit any country, I make sure to always bring the kids to visitnature parks and/or city gardens to allow the kids to be aware of and haveappreciation for the innate physical beauty of the country - to see beyond thetheme parks. We are humbledwhenever we see the natural beauty of any place as it always serve as amagnificent reminder of God’s great love and provision.

Having said that, I’d like to start my series of post about Singapore withan inventory of my favorite Nature Parks. The thing I love mostabout Singaporeis that while it is highly urbanized, almost half of the country is nonethelesscovered by foliage. The country has putin place a flourishing environment for nature and wildlife – all nestled withinthe city.

1. Singapore Zoo

We spent an entire day exploring the award-winning Singapore Zoo, 8 hours total... imaginethat!

The zoo is set in a lush rainforest, and the animals are free to roam around their spacious, cageless confines. This open-concept animal exhibit allowed the children to experience an “almost” up-close and personal encounters with the creatures.

The weather predicted to be rainy the week we visited so I prepared and placed foldable umbrellas, hats, and waterproof parkas in our bags. No worries if you forgot to pack some as the zoo sells ponchos by the entrance.

If you have elders or young ones with you, or if you are just the type who tire easily, the zoo has a tram take you around the zoo. You can hop on and hop off as you wish. But we are not that type of family. I am used to taking long walks; we all know how my kids’ energy level always seem to be running on full; C is compliant and accommodating to the kids’ interest, so we explore it on foot… for 8 freaking hours!

Just looking back now, it amazes me that the kids had the endurance to go on for that long. But they were truly excited and wanted to fill up their curiosity about all the animals, so C and I were only too happy to oblige. I really do feel thankful that C and I got lucky with our kids. It is such a privilege to parent kids who have a natural curiosity about the world around them. . :)

Many of the animals are free-ranging, and among the first we encountered are the primates.

The girls were also thrilled by the pink color of the flamingos...

The zoo houses a large colony of orangutans in a naturalistic and open enclosure. The charismatic apes also demonstrated that a mother's instinct to protect and guide its young is not exclusive to humans; this orangutan mom patiently held the arm of its young as he practices swinging from the branch. of course, the kids did not let this moment pass, and a good twenty minutes were spent looking up at this parenting display.

It was fun walking under the trees with these gentle and endangered species just a few feet above our heads. With J ever so scared that one of the apes might accidentally lose a grip and fall on her....

The African savanna animals are a sure hit with the kids. Lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, cheetahs, leopards... all roaming around freely, and if you go to the enclosure at the right time, you can even have the chance to feed them.

Did you know that the horn on the tip of the rhino's nose is actually just a mass of hair stuck together? That is why a new one grows in its place when it gets knocked over. The rhino enclosure was also a quick lesson lesson in the food web: The bird feeds off the ticks on the animal's back. The rhino loses the annoying parasites. Everyone is happy.

The kids expressed a little apprehension about the big cats being cageless, so C and I had to reassure them that there are hidden barriers and moats separating the animals from us.

I just learned that big cats sleep for 20 hours of the day? It is no wonder that previous encounters with lions in zoos, they'd always be lying around. When we visited the lions enclosure earlier in the afternoon, they were expectedly taking a nap. But when we passed by again around 5 in the afternoon, on our way home, we found them up and about. A real treat to see them running about and playfully chasing each other. It was entertaining and truly one of the highlights of our trip to be able to watch the two lionesses in active play.

It was just too bad that we were not able to capture it on camera. After lugging the DSLR for about 5 hours, we decided it was just too heavy and burdensome and placed it inside C's bag. :)

Within the day, we tried to catch the animal shows as not only are they interesting, educational and entertaining; it also provided our grown-up legs with a much-needed break. Anyone who visits the Zoo should watch one show, at least. We were able to watch The Rainforest Fights Back and Elephants at Work and Play.

If the afternoon heat is too much for the kids, (and your tired legs cannot keep up with the young ones' energy) bring them to the Rainforest Kidzworld. This part of the zoo has a wading pool where the kids can play amid splashing fountains and water slides. But since we visited during the peak holiday season, I did not let the kids play in here anymore... the pool was filled solid with kids and a crowded pool is a surefire breeding ground for viruses. Instead they tried out the mini zipline and the obstacle courses - while I happily planted myself on a nearby bench. This facility is free with the zoo admission.

The zoo is continuously being upgraded and it is scheduled to open River Safari in 2012. It will be home to a pair of giant pandas in a climate controlled bamboo forest. Other residents will include red pandas, raccoon dogs, Mekong giant catfish, Manatees, giant river otters, and polar bears.

2. Singapore Botanic Gardens

Entering Singapore’s Botanic Gardens immediately transported us into another locale, making us quickly forget that we are still in the middle of a bustling city. The Botanic Garden is a Michelin three-star attractions and Time Magazine's best pick for Asia's best urban jungle.

We visited late afternoon and took long leisurely walks that lasted up until the early evening. The Garden is segregated into different areas, each with its own character. The kids totter and toddled, skipped and strutted…soon we reach the rain-forest zone. The trees here are gigantic with massive trunks. The air is decidedly heavy with moisture and the temperature drops a little. This small tropical rain-forest is even older than the Botanical Gardens itself. My love for Singapore grew when I learned that Singapore is one of only two big cities with a tropical rainforest grown within its border.

In the middle of it all is a garden that is serene and languid. Here we find the Bandstand, an octagon-shaped structure, which was once used to stage musical performances by military bands. Though it is no longer in use, the bandstand is still one of the best features of the garden.

Our walk is punctuated with short breaks as each wooden bench softly invites us to take a mellow respite on its lap.

At every turn, a solicitous bench.... and how we indulged those benches!:)

For C and I the garden was a refreshing change of pace, and we quickly adapted to the silence, which was interrupted only by the rustling of the leaves... But not for long. Soon enough, the unbridled energy of the kids couldn't be contained anymore...

Phenomenal TIPS:

~ If you are sensitive to mosquitoes and other insects, take some repellentwith you. My kids got a few bites, and soit was good that I have my Human Heart Nature citronella spray with me.

~ A hat, umbrella, poncho would be useful to protect against sun or rain.

~ Water and some snacks would be useful for the kids, too.

~ You can have your kids bring their swimsuits as there is a water-basedplayground called Rainforest Kidzworld at the Singapore Zoo.

~ The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Parkhave a 3-in-1 joint ticket called the Park Hopper Ticket.This is great value if you plan on visiting all 3 parks. You get to save achunk off the total ticket price. You may also get a variety 2-in-1Park Hopper tickets for entry into any 2 of Zoo, Night Safari or Bird Park.Prices vary according to your selection of parks and rides.

~ Always remember to grab hold of the map of the place.

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Holidays 2011: Singapore Sojourn

2012-01-06T11:53:00.001+08:00

C surprised the kids with an 8-day Singaporesojourn during the holiday break. Formost people, myself included, a country as tiny as Singapore merits only 5 daysmaximum; but C wanted to get underneath the skin of this highly urbanized yet charmingplace. Let me just add that it sincerelypleases me no end to mention that the primary reason he thought of an extendedstay was for it also to be a “vacation” for me...in the real sense of the word. You just have to LOVE him!

The trip’s restful cadence started on the MIASCOR airportlounge as we ate our very early breakfast at 4am. One of the reasons C and I brought our AMEXPlatinum cards along was to avail of the free access to the lounge. A cardholder is allowed to bring in one guest. But since there were five of us, there was aslight problem initially as they did not want to let the third child in. It was a good thing I also brought myCitibank Platinum card, as it also has the same privileges, so everyone was finally able to get in.

The MIASCOR staff are attentive and solicitous, but theplace showed signs of aging and is in bad need of renovation. The place looks exactly like how I saw it the first time- a few years short of a decade. The leather chairs are peeling around the edges of the seat, and the place just generally looks tired. Not necessarily how a private lounge should look like. Nonetheless, a free stay at the lounge is stilla free stay, and is still way better than waiting at the common boarding area.

We flew Singapore Airlines. If you have seen ads of Singapore airlines in magazines; you will notice the ads always has a prominent image of smiling female flight attendants. Stepping inside the plane, I soon found out that it is publicity much deserved as theattendants are truly the representatives of what the airline promises to deliver... hospitality and grace in the skies. The attendants were very accommodating and obliging; the service is top-notch that we did not have to ask for anything because almost all of our needs are anticipated.

The in-flight entertainment also offered a wide variety of up-to-date movies, TV shows, music, games, and interactive programs. It also mattered to C that the airline frequently renews its fleet, and has one of the youngest fleet around. All in all, the choice to make if you, like my husband, value a higher quality of service.

Singaporeis a small place that in effect every attraction is moderately nearby. Still,with so many to choose from, it was tough to write our own list of placesto visit. I spent a good numberof days before the trip preparing our itinerary, putting in place a laid-backschedule that allowed us to appreciate Singapore’s multi-ethnic heritagesites and rich cultural culinary diversity in a comfortable pace. To do so with a relaxed tempo requires alonger stay, without a doubt.

As you can see from our travel itinerary, we did not pack our days with attractions to visit; instead, keeping in mind the interest and energy level of our kids, we chose on most days to highlight our day with just one major attraction. It proved to be the best, as the kids took their time in each place to soak up whatever caught their interest.

Lots of time to run around and race;
feel the wind on our face...

...make funny faces;
laugh till our voices are carried away by echoes to far-away places...

Lots of time to take breaks and sit without a care;
we are in no hurry - so we lounge around in true vacation flair...

We fill our days with spectacular sights and sounds,

savanna, jungle and ocean animals, lush rain-forests.... they all abound!

All within the city, it truly astounds.

The roar of the lion, the tallness of the giraffe, the stripes of the zebra...
they all call out to the kids: "Come take a closer peek!"

Animals roaming around freely... how this makes their happiness complete!

Some days, we squeeze in some time to swish and splash...
But every night time, we enjoy the city lights, sparkles and holiday flash...

The wide areas of greenery make the li'l boy jump up and down the whole afternoon;
oh, his happiness is such: he must be singing in his head and dancing to his own tune!

Lots of time to go on tranquil walks, be appreciative of the surroundings in silent thrill;
arm in arm with your loved one, if you so will.

Yes, there were a LOT of those in this trip!

Will be publishing more detailed posts in the coming days. Drop by again soon. :)

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2011 Holiday Cheers

2011-12-31T16:43:00.000+08:00

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Seems like it was just yesterday when we put up our tree and started to put trimmings

The busyness that comes with the season has me caught up in a whirlwind of activities. Last you heard from me, I was caught up in the hustle of the kids' exam week. Right after that ended, I found myself caught up in another frenzy as I prepared Christmas gifts...

Like last year, a lot of my gifts are handmade - either made from my kitchen or designed from my workstation.

My kitchen has been a battleground of spices and enticing aromas as I whip up batches of goodies that are delivered to friends.

I know buying things is the fastest and mostpractical way to deal with gift lists, but if you want to create a special experience for someone, then hand-made is the way to go! Most everyone I know can buy anything that they want, so it brings me a wondrous sense of contentment when the recipients of my gifts call or send me messages of how much they appreciate the thought, timeand care I have put into making the gifts.

Then the headache-inducing task of packing for my family and planning the trip itinerary for a week-long sojourn to Singapore.

Will share with you the highlights of our Singapore trip in another post; in the meanwhile, I have to end this post as I prepare for our family's dinner for New Year's Eve. Let me leave you with one of my favorite verses from the Bible: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Happiest 2012... from my family to yours!

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iPad Apps for the Tutor-Mom

2011-11-29T08:30:00.040+08:00

When my family first got the Ipad Christmas 2010, we used itmostly for games; thus, it would only come out on weekends. Starting some nine months ago, I havediscovered quite a number of apps that have been very useful for me as I helpmy kids review their lessons.

With a lot of educational and productivity apps installed on our Ipad,it is now a gadget that I cannot live without. Most of the educational apps are those that help me review my kids for their Chinese lessons, given the fact that I practically do not know anything pinyin, pinyin tones, and stroke orders.

One of the kids is currently in the middle of the 3rd quarter exam, and another one just wrapped up a three-day national finals swim competition. As you can see our schedule is crazy hectic... While I have been busy cheering by the poolside for the last couple of days, I also tried to keep myself productive by utilizing the small pockets of time in between to review the other one for the exam. We just carried the Ipad with us, and took to a secluded spot for a few minutes to squeeze in some study time. Classic case of hitting two birds with one stone.... I feel so happy and productive. (gives self a pat on the back!:) )

Here are some of my recommended apps:

HippoDICT Plus is a Chinese-English dictionary thatseamlessly integrates online and offline resources in a clean, elegant, anda super-fastlookup engine.HippoDICT also offers flaschcard decks, a simple but powerful organization and learningtool that helps my kids master their Chinese vocabulary lessons. It also uses intelligent flash cards which only drill the kids on the words and phrases that they have trouble with, cutting down our study time.

Pinyin Chart is an interactiveChinese pronounciation chart. All possible combination of sounds and tones in the Chinese languageincluded, with option of a male/female audio. This app has been instrumental in teaching my kids pinyin- most especially since I couldn't differentiate the Chinese tones... even if my life depended on it. :)

iFiles is a file manager, document viewer, text editor,voice recorder, wifi drive, and more. I use iFiles to store the drillsheets and reviewers that I have in Word, Excel or PDF format. This way, it is like carrying my entire reviewers folder all the time. Transfering files from my desktop/laptop to the Ipad is effortless, too.

How I wish the kids could study on their own desks at home, but conflicting schedules and after-school activities get in the way. As a tutor-mom who reviews my kids in the car, or while walking, or in the school swing, or at the poolside... yes anywhere except a proper study table... the above-mentioned Ipad apps are truly a wonderful discovery that it could easily be the highlight of my year. hahaha!:)

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One Carniverous Feast { A Porchetta and Lechon Picnic}

2011-11-10T10:00:00.003+08:00

Today all the kids went back to school. The house is quiet again mid-morning, allowing me to take pleasure in all things good that the sound of silence brings. The melodious chirping of birds and the gentle swishing of tree branches are beautiful breaks from the stillness and quiet. I remember when my kids were younger and I would want to keep them peaceful and quiet for a few minutes, I would ask them to go with me for a listening walk. With their innocent and child-like sense of wonder, they would be amazed at the many unexpected sounds they hear when they choose to keep silent.

Anyhow, to celebrate the end of the school break, I threw a picnic for the kids on our rooftop. Their joy could not be contained, as even the weather cooperated... The high and feathery cirrus clouds covered the sun like a sheer curtain. The gentle breeze of the wind is enough to keep us cool; the occasional gusts blow our hair to our faces, gloriously reminding us that we are outdoors... that life is good, and there are many things to be thankful for.... Greasy smiles as wide as their bellies, oil-slicked hands busy with snatching each newly-sliced porchetta/lechon crust. I guess crispy, crackly, crunchy skin make table manners fly out the door!:)

The carniverous feast of a picnic, in reality, was actually to kitchen-test several pork recipes I have accumulated in the past month. Porchetta, bagnet, lechon ... whatever you call it, they are all the same to me. Slabs of porcine heaven that tugs on the pit of my slightly bulging mummy-tummy. :)

To be able to make a comparison on which recipe is better, I decided to do a side by side comparison between the Italian porchetta and the Filipino lechon. The goal was to prepare and cook them in identical ways, seasoning with different herbs. Here is what I did:

First, I started with two identical slabs of porkloin with ribs removed and skin intact. Score the skin lightly, making sure to not cut through the meat. I find that this makes for easy and uniform slicing. But if you want a shiny and even skin on your pork, then skip scoring the skin. Makes no difference on the taste. Place them skin side down on a large baking pan and prepare the herbs.

For the porchetta, I placed onions and garlic, added a generous sprinkle of pan-roasted fennel seeds, added some dried bay-leaf, a couple of fresh sprigs of thyme. Throw in a liberal dash of salt and pepper and roll up the meat and secure it with kitchen twine.

For the lechon, I also started with the same amount of onions and garlic, and then added about 6 stalks of lemongrass with the bulb pounded, scattered 5 calamansi, sliced into two. The same liberal dash of salt and pepper. Roll the meat and secure with kitchen twine.

Put the pork slabs skin side up in the large baking pan rub with some salt and olive oil. Place in a preheated oven. Cook at 400 degrees F for the first 30 minutes and then lower oven temperature to 250 degrees F for about 3 more hours.

Get out of the kitchen. Now would be a very good time to do your nails, read a book, take a long nap. By the time you are done with all of those, you will come in to your kitchen, the heady smell of herbs and spices so fragrant and wonderfully comforting. You will open your oven door to find pork so tender that you can practically pull the meat off without cutting. And the skin? Hmmmm... a deep-golden caramel color that is crunchy, crackly, crispy, heavenly!

We ate them with pita bread and ciabatta. I placed sidings of with mustard greens, arugula, cheese slices and balsamic caramelized onions.

For the recipes:

Porchetta/Lechon (to make one)

whole slab of 1 to 1-1/2 kilo porkloin, skin intact

1 onion, sliced

1/2 head of garlic, pounded, skin-on

salt and pepper

porchetta herbs:

1 tablespoon pan-roasted fennel seeds

2-3 dried bay-leaf

3-5 sprigs of thyme

lechon herbs:

4-6 stalks of lemon grass, bulb pounded

5 calamansi, sliced into 2

1. Score the skin lightly, making sure to not cut through the meat. I find that this makes for easy and uniform slicing. But if you want a shiny and even skin on your pork, then skip scoring the skin. Makes no difference on the taste. Place them skin side down on a large baking pan and prepare the herbs.

2. For the porchetta:place onions and garlic, fennel seeds, dried bay-leaf, thyme on the meat side of the meat. Throw in a liberal dash of salt and pepper and roll up the meat and secure it with kitchen twine.

For the lechon: place onions and garlic, lemon grass, calamansi on the meat side of the meat. Throw in a liberal dash of salt and pepper and roll up the meat and secure it with kitchen twine.

3. Put the pork slabs skin side up in the large baking pan rub with some salt and olive oil. Place in a preheated oven. Cook at 400 degrees F for the first 30 minutes and then lower oven temperature to 250 degrees F for about 3 more hours.

caramelized onion recipe:

2 onions, julienned

1/4 cup good quality baslamic vinegar

2 T brown sugar

1 T fresh thyme leaves, (removed from the sprig)

Extra virgin olive oil

salt and black pepper

1. Heat a pan with a bit of olive oil over medium heat.

2. Add the onions and saute until they just begin to color, tossing frequently. 10-15 minutes.

3. Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Toss to combine. Cover, reduce the heat, and let cook for about 30-35 minutes, or until the onions have cooked down and caramelized deeply.

4. Take off heat. Add the thyme and toss to combine. Serve.

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A Fashion Week Date

2011-11-04T09:41:00.001+08:00

I took J to her first fashion show last weekend. I usually decline invites for Philippine Fashion Week because of the location... in far-flung SMX... practically half a world away. :) But since I know that J would be ever so interested to attend one, I confirmed my attendance and took her with me as my date.

Not counting 18th birthday parties, this is also her first grown-up outing. As such, she took the task of dressing up for it rather seriously. hahaha! :) Here she is in what I think is the perfect, age-appropriate outfit for the night!

A photo op with Daniel Matsunaga

While I gamely posed for photos, J politely declined when Daniel asked her if she wanted to have her photo taken with him. She whispered to me, "it is too cheesy." She opted to take paparazzi shots of model Sarah Meier and Preview's Pauline Juan, instead.

The show started on time and we both enjoyed the fashionable and resort-ready ensembles that the designers created, from our front-row seats. The pieces from the 2012 Resort Collection are richly-hued and in sexy silhouettes, all complimenting the Ipanema brand.

To know more about Ipanema's latest collection, you may visit their website www.ipanemaphils.com or like them on Facebook and find out how to score a FREE trip for 2 to the Rio Carnival 2012.

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When Life Gives Us A Fairytale

2011-11-03T08:26:00.000+08:00

C and I have been married for twelve years already, and yet... he can still make me laugh - a lot, he (and his wallet) is still the best shopping partner, still the best person to share great late-night conversations with, still my favorite person to call to mix the meanest cup of hot double-choco.

And so there are days when I wonder if maybe I look at our life with glasses that are just a tad too rosey. So I take the glasses off and stare at life right in its face-- and blink, once, twice, thrice.. yep, life is good!

It's not to say that we did not have our share of problems, for we have had a few. Yes, there were quite a few! But somehow, we've always managed to overcome... we've always had hope... "May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Here are some of my favorite photos of the both of us taken through the past years. We don't have a lot of the both of us together since I am mostly behind the camera, but here are a few that I treasure...

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times,
and always with the same person."

- Mignon McLaughlin

~ * ~

"They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning."

- Clint Eastwood

~ * ~

"For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it. "

- Ivan Panin

~ * ~

"Chains do not hold a marriage together.
It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years."
~Simone Signoret

~ * ~

"Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight."

~Phyllis Diller

~ * ~

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."

Song of Solomon 8:6

~ * ~

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."
- anonymous quotation

~ * ~

"And in the end, the love you take
Is equal to the love you make."

- John Lennon and Paul McCartney

~ * ~

Love bears all things,believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

-I Corinthians 13:7-8

~ * ~

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{Wishful Thinking} Birthday Wish List

2011-10-28T08:12:00.004+08:00

After days of tutoring for R's exam week, we both welcome the school break with a smile as wide as our lips can go!:) After days of whining that he "cannot take it anymore", I get a handwritten note from him expressing his BIG thanks for helping him review for his tests.

Not only that, R also grandly stated that for my birthday he is going to buy me a watch!!! O di ba? Hahahaha! As if he can afford one...

Well, since he asked... I have always wanted an all-gold men's Datejust Rolex ... and seeing pics of these fashionable celebrities have only added fuel to my fire...

Realistically, these gold medals for the wrist cost too much to be worn everyday by an errand-running mom/driver/tutor/cook. If I would get one for myself it would have to be one of the ladies sized ones that I can wear to dinner parties.

For an everyday watch, I have been wanting an all-gold men-sized wristwatch for about a year already. Just patiently waiting for the right one to catch my eyes' (and wallet's) fancy. Something mid-priced would be more suitable for everyday wear; I need not worry (too much) about it getting scratched, or lost. So the Nixon 42-20 Gold Chrono Watch is a good deal...

Here is a closer look at the Nixon. What do you think?

Still, another option is Michael Kors 5055 Chrono Watch, also in gold. This one is even cheaper than the Nixon, but looks just as delicious. Yes?

Still about birthday gifts...

B just came up to me, "Mom, I am so excited for the weekend. I can't wait," she dramatically clasped both her hands together and raised it to her chest dreamily. I raised one eyebrow, wondering where all this drama would lead to. She continued, "This weekend, I am going to Tiffany & Co. at Shangri-la Mall. I will ask Dad to go with me, I will buy you a necklace or a bracelet."

"And where exactly will you get the money?" I sweetly challenged her. "I will bring my wallet... it has one one-thousand bill and one one-hundred bill," she said with a smug look on her face, her head arched to one side, a self-satisfied smile curling on her lips.

Just too sweet and just so adorable! I will just leave it to her dad to explain the kind of money needed to go out of the store carrying that robin's egg blue bag. hahaha! :)

I don’t expect expensive gifts, or any gifts, for that matter on my birthday; however if it’s true, that it’s the thought that counts when making decisions about gifts, then I have just gotten the grandest gifts of all! Of course we all know I am not getting anything close to the watch and the necklace, but their simple gesture is more than enough. Now, if their dad is willing to shell out the money... I will not complain... I surely won't.

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Weekend In Instagram {October 21-23, 2011}

2011-10-25T21:27:00.001+08:00

Last weekend started with a lunch date with B. We haven't had one in a long while, so it was a date that is long overdue. She had her favorite Macaroni and Cheese at Pancake House, followed by a quick trip to Starbucks for a Strawberry Milk Drink. We regularly schedule one-on-one dates with all the kids, but I feel it is B who is really appreciative of it. I regularly observe a significant improvement in her behavior after we take her on a day-out. She is usually profuse with thanks, and it makes me feel like I am truly the greatest mom. :)

Dropped off J for another slumber party, this time at Discovery Suites in Ortigas. The suite she stayed in had 2 bedrooms, a dining and living room, and a working kitchen. The kitchen is really a winner for me - it is really ideal for hosting slumber parties for girls her age (as I think taking out a handful of pre-teens could potentially be a cause of head-ache) since you can just prepare meals in the kitchen or call for food delivery, and thus save you the travel time of taking them out for meals; yet your wallet also do not have to suffer from the exorbitant prices that hotels charge in their food outlets. The girls are really just content with movie-marathons, lounging by the pool, and talking all night.

Saturday night, C took us out to eat at Cerchio Grill & Lounge. I cannot particularly place what cuisine the restaurant specializes in, but most of the food on the menu would make it look like a very glamorous version of a Filipino grillery. The place is very modern looking, with the hand-painted white loops on the charcoal-colored walls adding to the visual delight to the place; the presentation of the food was commendable, much more than what I can actually say about the food. I found the food unexceptional. For one, the boneless crispy pata did not get to our table "crispy" at all. Nevertheless, the over-all experience in the restaurant is still positive as the service given to us was excellent.

I always look forward to attending wedding parties. The pink, blue and purple hydrangeas that filled up the ballroom reminded me of my own wedding. I just love how any newly-wedded couple can radiate their love to fill up the entire ballroom. I take joy in being able to bask in the sunshine of their happiness. Weddings are also a good occasions to revel in the company of friends, good food and good wine.

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One tiny hand...

2011-10-19T10:00:00.002+08:00

C and I stood as godparents to a happy and lovely baby girl last Sunday. The only princess in a family of rambunctious brothers.

It is amazing how a baby's smile can unravel its magic on the people around. It is such a delight to witness how being around a baby can transform people into mushy, sappy beings...

Speaking of babies, my first one hardly looks like one anymore... She is starting to be more conscious about clothes and shoes, and is starting to pay more attention to what she wears. I love what she wore that day. It is something I would wear myself... I am looking forward to the day when I can share clothes with her. How adorable she looks working gold, camel and white.

ZARA kids white and gold striped cardi, Gingersnaps white knit vest, MNG white halter top, H&M gold braided belt, John Rocha trousers.

Some photos taken during the luncheon at Choi Garden. The food was superb, as always! Their "Lechon Macau" is a consistent best-seller. The skin ever so crispy with minimal layer of fat in between. No food photos as everyone was too busy enjoying the food.

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Instagram Weekend {Sept 2011}

2011-10-11T20:30:00.000+08:00

The past weekend was a busy one for me. But busy is always good because it is a reminder that I have a lot to be thankful for...

The weekend activities started early - Friday lunch with some friends at a hole-in-the-wall resto deep in the pockets of San Juan. Mely, one of my foodie friends, always discovers these great restos, and makes it a point to share it with us. This time, it was at Maimee's Garden Cafe. It was a family residence that the owner transformed into a cafe serving Filipino comfort food. I love kare-kare, and their version is quite good.

Saturday started very early as I juggled a dice game, a swim meet, a kiddie party, and a get-together with my high school friends.

We attend a lot of dice games during the Mid-Autumn Festival season, but I simply love how this dice game with this particular group of friends turned out to be a tradition already. Our kids have simply grown to expect this every year; and the prizes, as with the company, just keeps getting better and better through the years.

Simultaneously happening with the dice game is the third and final meet for the G-League short course. Good thing for me they were held at the same venue so I just had to rush up and down a few flight of stairs to catch the action in the pool. Big, big thanks to the team's sponsor for the new team jersey.:)

Come night-time, it was FUN catching up with high school friends... how great to see that most of us do not look a day older than twenty, no? :)

Sunday is yet another wonderful opportunity to meet up with friends as we celebrate the first birthday of a friend's unica hija. The indoor basketball court of the RONAC Art Center was transformed into a castle fit for a princess.

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Frames Of Your Life

2011-10-03T08:22:00.000+08:00

After several summers of art/painting lessons for the kids, I now have about several dozens of the kids' works waiting to be displayed on our walls. Their artworks are gorgeous to my eyes, and I simply cannot wait to hang them. And still on the topic of putting artwork onto walls, I also have some beautiful photographs in my digital album that are begging to be framed. Only hindrance is that I do not have any idea on how to go about it.

How do I put up the artworks and photo frames onto my wall in a way that looks cohesive and put-together. Here I am on a lazy Friday morning tagging like crazy at Pinterest. Here are some of my favorites...

Do you think I should I go white on white...
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or do you prefer black frames? Do you think they give a much nicer contrast to a stark white wall?

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and what do you have to say about putting them in a rainbow of colors to liven up the wall?

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perhaps just mount it on a board and go frameless?

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Teacher's Appreciation Gift: Thanks a Latte!

2011-09-29T11:39:00.000+08:00

It is Teacher's Appreciation Day in my son's school... and I know, first hand, how a challenge it is to handle little boys... much more a class-ful of them! This day is certainly a good day to show them my appreciation for all that they do.

I assume that teachers love to sip coffee during breaks, or at least are a fan of coffeehouses during weekends.

image source

I imagine that they would love to drink their coffee with at least something sweet to munch on... so home-baked cookies seem like a perfect match.

image source

A pack of Starbucks Via Ready Brew and a few home-made cookies is a delightful way to say thank you!

Inspired by Strabucks' Thanks A Latte cards, I made personalized labels in Photoshop and had them printed out.

A simple and thoughtful token.

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Wishful Thinking: { Wardrobe ) Shirt Dress Love

2011-09-26T08:55:00.000+08:00

I am always on the go, and my everyday clothes are simple and functional. I am usually in standard jeans and tees, but I sneak in looking like a lady a once a week or so, with a day dress or casual skirts and tank tops.

As a mom – an errand-running, meal-cooking, everywhere driver and tutor mom – I would have to say that dresses CAN still be fun to wear! First, they do not require any thinking, and is the perfect outfit for any mom who doesn't want to waste precious minutes thinking if her top goes with the bottom. And, haven't you ever felt that extra swing on your hips, and lightness to your steps whenever you wear one? Goodness, the wonderful comments alone from my kids and hubby on how great I look wearing a dress always makes me feel good!

How about you? What is your daily uniform? Try putting on a dress... just pull up hair in a loose ponytail, and wear it with sandals or sneakers. Trust me, tt is the easiest to put on; yet the vibe it gives out says “effortless chic mama.”

Here are a few pieces that are worthy of some Wishful Thinking...

Shirt dress from: Sarah, J. Crew, Theory, and Michael Kors

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Eventful Weekend

2011-09-22T09:26:00.000+08:00

If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you.
If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you.
If you’d never been born, well then what would you do?
If you’d never been born, well then what would you be?
You might be a fish! Or a toad in a tree!
You might be a doorknob! Or three baked potatoes!
You might be a bag full of hard green tomatoes.
Or worse than all that… Why, you might be a WASN’T!
A Wasn’t has no fun at all. No, he doesn’t.
A Wasn’t just isn’t. He just isn’t present.
But you… You ARE YOU! And, now isn’t that pleasant!
Happy Birthday To You!

~ Dr Suess

The weekend was the li'l boy's 7th birthday... meaning he IS my li'l man already. It was VERY eventful - to say the least! What, with baking his requested Angry Birds- themed carrot cupcakes, planning his simple birthday celebration, attending a dice game - and a short trip to the Emergency Room! Whew! I swear it's like having a very bad hang-over... not that I have ever experienced one, but that is how I imagined it to be.

The weekend started on a good note... with R handing over his report card showing two awards: one for Second Honors and the other one for Diligence. For a stay-at-home mom, nothing can be reward enough than to see your kids happy and excelling.

Alas! My happiness proved to be short-lived as within the next hour, I was in a mad dash to bring him to the emergency room due to a deep wound near his right eye. Having a high-spirited, spunky, very active little boy could make for a nervous, edgy, panicky and basket case of a mom. Lemme warn you.

For his birthday, the 2 boys already agreed to have a date just by their twosome. A lunch date and a quick visit to the zoo

The accident called for a change of plans... so there it was, the first order of the day - on his birthday - was a quick visit to the pediatric surgeon. Thank goodness, there was no need to have him stitched up; but for a few minutes there I was dreading that scenario as blood was everywhere. Trauma to that part of the head can cause some heavy bleeding pala.

They have been wanting to try the newly-opened Korean franchise, Bulgogi Brothers. They loved the food and the service. There was a FREE platter of sweet potato, corn and quail eggs; unlimited servings of kimchi and s spicy spinach salad. Chris being the beer-drinking kind, was also amused to be served "corn tea." Being heavy carnivores, they ordered all the meat specialties. When the staff found out that it was R's birthday they also brought him Korean ice-cream as a treat.

Being in the vicinity, they also decided to drop by Michael Cacnio's exhibit. R was intrigued by the interesting mix of brass and Legos that he spent quite some time going through each of the artist's works. He must have looked so eager that Micheal Cacnio came over and started a conversation with them. And knowing how I am a fan, my boys of course had to have a photo taken with him

It was on to Ark Avilon Zoo after. It was a slow day at the zoo, as they pretty much had the whole place to themselves. After feeding all the animals like there is no tomorrow, they head back home to where his Angry Birds are waiting for him.

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Baked Eggs With Ham and Tomato

2011-09-21T09:24:00.001+08:00

"Shelley had fallen in love with Max’s baked eggs and cheese almost as soon as she had fallen in love with Max himself. They were in Paris when he first made the dish for her and the tour group she had hastily joined. Since then each forkful tasted like that morning—warm, buttery, and bursting with full-fat promise." -- Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto

~ (A paragraph from Samantha Sotto's celebrated book, Before Ever After. Taken from My Mom-Friday's post which inspired me to re-create the dish.)

I am a sucker for beautiful words strung together by talented writers, and there are numerous times that I catch myself re-reading beautiful paragraphs over and over again - simply enjoying the moment as the words perform their magic in my mind. Yes! I am kinda weird that way... And so that's how it was when I read the paragraph about how wonderfully Baked Eggs can make someone fall in love with you.

Having said that, let me share with you that C is the personification of the idiom "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Letting you in on that, allow me to go further and admit that I took it to heart that this dish can indeed make someone fall (more) in love with you. Yeah! I am gullible that way...

Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese Recipe
(loosely adapted from Samantha Sotto via My Mom-Friday)

Ingredients

1 medium sized onion, chopped

2 medium sized tomatoes, seeded and chopped
ham, chopped coarsely
4 eggs

Parmesan cheese, grated
Mozzarella cheese, grated ( I didn't have any on hand, so I substituted with quick-melt)
Cheddar cheese , grated
salt and pepper

olive oil

fresh basil leaves, hand torn
Method

Preheat oven to 230C (450F).
Sauté onions and ham in olive oil. Add the tomatoes and cook until soft. Add in a tiny sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Remove from heat. Layer the ham-tomato mixture at the bottom of a baking dish. Leave a few for garnish.
Toss in some basil. Sprinkle paremesan cheese.
One at a time, break eggs into small bowl, carefully sliding egg from bowl over ham into each dish.
Add in salt and spices. I used my stash of Celery Salt, see DIY recipe here.
Layer the cheddar and mozzarella (in my case, cheddar and quickmelt cheese)on top
Place dish on middle rack of oven and bake, uncovered, in 10-12 minutes or until yolks are just set.
Top with remaining ham-tomato mixture and freshly picked basil leaves. Serve with toasts.

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Wishful Thinking: { Wardrobe } Decoding The Secret Language Of Formal Attire For A Filipino-Chinese Wedding

2011-09-14T08:25:00.000+08:00

For those of you who are Chinese, or who have married into a Chinese family, you know what I speak of when I say that dressing for a Filipino-Chinese wedding can sometimes be a dilemma.

For starters, when the invites say "formal attire," people normally assume it means full-length gown for ladies, suit or Barong Tagalog for men; however, it can also be easily misconstrued by some elders (and emphasis on some, ha) in the Fil-Chi community to mean any casual dress for the women and shorts-sleeved polo and slacks for the men. C and I have found ourselves in too many a predicament wherein it would seem we are over-dressed; but in reality, we are actually the ones properly dressed. It is easier for C since all he has to do is take off his coat, and he blends in already.

It has been my habit to make an effort to strictly follow the dress code indicated on the invite whenever I have to attend a wedding. Dressing appropriately shows the bride and groom that I recognize the effort that they have put into that special occasion. Also, you'd have to agree that beautifully dressed guests make for a beautiful party.:)

Having been a victim of "over-dressing" in several Chinese weddings, I am now generously sharing my guide on how to decode the secret language of formal dressing for a Filipino-Chinese wedding.

For a Chinese luncheon wedding that is held in a restaurant such as Gloria Maris or Century Seafood, I advise you to take out a dressy blouse and trousers from your closet. It will not make you stand out, and yet people will still take notice of the carefully selected pieces you have on. Finish your outfit with simple jewelry and put a pop of color by wearing a brightly colored clutch. As you may know, Chinese elders frown on black or white when going to happy events such as weddings and birthdays.

1st outfit: Paule Ka top, Carnie trousers, Nine West leather sandals, Alexander McQueen clutch. 2nd outfit: Balmain silk shirt, Alexander McQueen boot cut pants, Prada high heel pumps

For a Chinese restaurant dinner reception, I would recommend for you to wear a knee length dress of neutral color. Again, our purpose is to quietly let people sit up and turn their heads in your direction as you walk on by.

1st outfit: Hoss Intropia satin wrap dress, Stuart weitzman shoes. 2nd outfit: Miss Selfridge pink dress, Badgley Mischka silver stiletto heels 3rd outfit: Oasis pleated dress, , Badgley Mischka bow high heels

The fun part of getting ready for a wedding is really when you get ready for a hotel ballroom dinner reception because then you pull out all the stops. Putting on a floor length dress can make any woman feel extra lovely; more so when she gets a spontaneous compliment from the husband. It is also a good time for you to take the bling-blings for a night-out!

Mango evening dress, Valentino evening dress, Miss Selfridge cotton maxi dress, Jimmy Choo stiletto high heels, Rodo crystal evening clutch, MCDiamond Engagement ring, Carolee stud earrings, Miss Selfridge flower belt

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Michael Cacnio and Lego = Inspire

2011-09-13T19:49:00.000+08:00

I have been an admirer of Michael Cacnio's sculptures for several years now, since I first saw his work in 2009. I have developed a fascination about how he has the ability to capture the joyful innocence of childhood and the untiring devotion of parents in his signature, modern take on brass sculptures.

I started wishing I could afford his work when he introduced his "Lobo" series of sculptures. The mix of brass with stainless steel and colorful fiberglass resulted to elegant masterpieces which look endearingly timeless.

For a limited time, everyone can view his artistic genius as he collaborates with LEGO in his exhibit called INSPIRE. The exhibit runs from September 16 - 29, 2011 at the Gallery of Greenbelt 5. See you there!

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Teaching Children About God

2011-09-06T09:10:00.000+08:00

Just a few weekends ago, I was talking with some mothers, and somehow, we got around to talking about school since exam week just passed by. We were initially discussing about how our kids found Filipino as a tough subject, and then one mom pointed out that Christian Living was also a struggle for her son; dumbfounded as she was when her son asked her "Who is God?"

That night, I couldn't help but ask myself if I had taken every opportunity to teach my own kids about God. I mean, sure, we go to church on Sundays, we say our night-time prayers daily; but does my kids know the Lord in a personal way?

It's just perfect timing that I stumbled upon this blog post today where it gives 10 tips for teaching children about God. I am re-posting it in full right here:

10 Tips For Teaching Children About God:

by Stephanie Carmichael

Teach all the time: Young children live in the moment. Help them to learn in the moment by making the most of opportunities as they arise. Talk about God in the day-to-day things you are doing.

Teach at a special time: Try to set aside a special time to read about God. Prepare for this time. If you are going to read the Bible, think about what you will read and how to simplify and explain it.

Questions and answers: Listen to your children's questions, and give quality time to answering them. But also ask them questions about what you've been trying to teach to check they have understood.

Teach through your life: You are a living example (or visual aid) of someone who loves God. Set a faithful example of dependence on God and let them see you reading the Bible for yourself.

Be prayerful: Like adults, children need God's help to grow in Christ and they can learn to pray. So pray for them and pray simple prayers with them (e.g. "sorry God that we...", "thank you God for...", "God, please help...").

Be simple: Young children are not abstract thinkers so be literal and concrete. Use real examples where possible (eg. God made this flower). Use simple vocabulary that they can understand. Avoid jargon.

Be specific: Move from the specific (God loves Ben) to the general (God loves everyone). Use lots of familiar examples so that they can understand.

Repeat and repeat again: You might get tired of saying it, but remember young children thrive on repetition.

Be thankful: Approach God with thankfulness. Model to your children how we can thank God in various situations and what we can thank God for.

Be visual: Young children learn through their eyes as well as their ears. Use pictures, visual aids, picture books etc.

The author of the tips , Stephanie Carmichael, is also a published author. Her books offer many examples of these tips in action...

Some days everything seems to go wrong and everyone feels grumpy. And sometimes, not even a hug from Mum can fix things up. This beautiful story contains a wonderfully clear message about the disappointments of life and the goodness of God. You can enjoy the FREE e-book right here.

It's Ben's birthday, but when he falls out of his new wagon and hurts himself, Emily has to think of a way to make the day special again. This lovely story is about families and looking after one another, and about the God who loves us all. You can enjoy the FREE e-book right here.

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Who Do You Follow?

2011-09-02T19:19:00.000+08:00

For all you Instagram addicts out there, are you aware of Webstagram? Webstagram is this awesome web interface which allows user to access their Instagram account in a desktop browser. Cool, right? Finally, I don't have to scrunch my eyes to see details of my favorite photos. I can now view them on my desktop and laptop. All the Instagram features are available here and it is so easy to use, and most important of all, it's FREE, too! Check it out by heading over to http://web.stagram.com/.

One of the people I follow at Instagram is my kids' swimming coach. Now that I am on Webstagram, I can appreciate his photos more. I follow him because he takes such amazing photos on subjects that I love...

....first and foremost among which are MY kids... Thanks, Coach! I really LOVE the photos!

But other than my kids, I also love the photos he took of swimmers of all ages, capturing the swimmers in action...

His photos affirms what many of us swim-parents know all along - that for many young swimmers, happiness is simply being in the pool!

He captures the friendship and the essence that the pool is really one big playground for the kids. A great venue to meet friends - many of whom stay on to become best buds ... for life!

And here are a few more pool shots that are simply beautiful to look at.

And if you are the type who want a little something different, he also offers up interesting people photographed from an artistic perspective, with an edgy urban feel.

He consistently finds common locations and successfully transforms the mundane to interesting by coming up with new angles to shoot from.

Follow him at Instagram or Webstagram to see more of his wonderful photos. His instagram ID is: wengman.

Sherwyn used to be a bemedaled swimmer in his youth, and has since channeled his love for the sport into coaching a young but very talented swimming team. As you can see, he is also an amazing photographer who covers events (weddings, birthdays, engagement, corporate functions, et al) and product launches. He also does one-on-one portrait services, pre-nuptial photo shoots on location, company product shots, and many more.

If you have any need for beautiful photos, give his photo team a call/message at #0917.533.0727.

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Kitchen Project: DIY Celery Salt

2011-08-31T19:51:00.000+08:00

I am trying to lessen my family’s salt intake, and yet I wouldn’t want to sacrifice the flavor of the dish that I am cooking. I have read from culinary magazines that the only way to intensify the taste is to add lots of herbs to the dish. Hence, I possess an extensive assortment of dried herbs in my pantry. In addition, I also have a few potted ones in my herb garden.

Just a few days ago, my mother-in-law thoughtfully sent over a fine-looking bunch of celery – thick, green stalks with substantial leaves. I usually just throw away the leaves, but they possess so much flavor so I thought of finding good use for them. I used the leaves to make Celery Salt.

Celery leaves have a strong aroma, and is a wonderful addition when making soups. I thought that making some Celery Salt would be a nice way to always have celery on hand. Here’s how you can make one for your own kitchen pantry:

1. Pick the leaves from each celery stalk and rinse with cold water. Shake off excess water, pat with kitchen towels and lay out the leaves to dry thoroughly.

2. Once completely dry, heat up a skillet big enough to hold all the leaves in a single layer. Toast the leaves over medium heat, careful not to brown the leaves.

3. Remove from heat and let cool. When cool, crumble the leaves to form small pieces and dispense with leaves that did not crisp up.

4. Combine equal parts celery and salt. I used fine-grain Himalayan pink salt as I have them in my kitchen. I also added a few teaspoons of garlic powder and a big pinch of freshly ground black, green, white and pink peppercorns. Mix to distribute the celery leaves evenly. Store in a sealed container.

I immediately put the home-made celery salt to good use by making my kids favorite, Minestrone.

I got a profusion of thanks, coupled with "Mom, you're the best!" Of course, I got a little help... The celery salt, the freshly picked basil leaves, and a generous sprinkle of Pecorino Romano!

I hope this post encourages you to make your own Celery Salt!

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Christ-Centered Family Devotions

2011-08-26T19:51:00.005+08:00

Our family devotion time is a wonderful eye-opener for me as I learn so much about my kids as they open up and share during this time. My heart is filled with comfort and gladness, and I give a quiet prayer of thanks knowing that my kids are aware that their God is living, loving and present in their daily lives.

We are consistent with our daily night time prayers; however, we struggle to maintain and set-aside Friday as our Family Devotion Night. It used to be that C would just pick a verse or chapter from the Bible and talk about it with the kids. Admittedly, we are guilty of sometimes tailoring the discussion to suit our needs. We usually try to limit it to 20-30 minutes, but more often than not, C finds himself overwhelmed with so many questions and personal stories from the kids.

Just recently, our pastor introduced the "Christ-Centered Family Devotions". It is a a devotional guidebook for Christian families. It contains a How-to-use guide for parents who are new at leading devotions and also features tips on how to make the devotion time exciting for the kids. If used weekly, as recommend it should be, this devotional booklet has enough materials to last for a quarter of a year.

If you are interested to bond with your family and at the same time get closer to God, I am happy to share with you that the booklet is being sold at the CCF bookstore for only P20.00 or you can also download the PDF copy for FREE right here.

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Prettifying A Party {DIY With Re-Purposed Materials}

2011-08-22T08:30:00.000+08:00

Maybe it's just me, but I have always collected the prettyribbons and the funky gift wrappers that come with all the gifts we get. My whole family find it funny that I collect “trash,”and worse, file them away neatly in containers, too! But to look at the bigger picture - think of how during the holiday season ourtrash cans, and landfills are filled with tons of gift wrappers andboxes and ribbons. And then think of howmany trees are cut to make a single roll of gift wrap. That is the kind of environmental damagediscarded gift wrappers can cause. Think of how big and deep our collective ecologicalfootprints leave behind. (Shudder!)

I can't stand throwing away anything that I know I can otherwise keep for future use. And it's not just gift wrappers and pretty ribbons - I've been known to keep re-usable take-out food containers, used school folders, etc. For the most part, my family will agree that I successfully find good use for these things. Over the years, they have witnessed how I have managed to make good and creative use of these items by "up-cycling" them that they now view this "habit" of mine with new-found respect. :)

I willshare how you can reuse and recycle gift wrappers and ribbons to make different, useful, and prettyobjects. For J’s recent spa party, Ihave turned the party décor into one DIY project using prints I made from Photoshop, a LOT of re-purposed materials, and a few new purchases.

1. Party Banner

Just browsing through Pinterest, it seems that hanging colorfulparty banners are all the rage for kids’ parties. DIY party banners can instantly cheer up and adda touch of chic to a simple celebration with friends. Like glitter powder and sparkly lights, itadds a little charm and festive to any celebration, but this DIY feature won'twaste too much energy and you'll be reusing something you would have thrown inthe trash.

You can order a personalized one or make your own by using scrap booking paper for the background and printingthe letters out of cardstock paper from your computer printer; but that wouldentail the use of more paper… and really, more manual work. Imagine cut out the scrapbook paper to size,cut out the board paper, glue together…

Or you can go my way and create the digital layers in Photoshop.

After printing the out, I just cut them out to size using my cutter. I then proceeded to cut some slats on both sides of the the wide base of the triangle. Then, string in some re-purposed ribbons from last year's christmas gifts.

To all of you who do Photoshop, I am sure you will agree withme when I say it’s very simple. To thosewho are not familiar with Photoshop, if you would like to do this project,simple shoot me an email and I will gladly share with you the JPEG file of this banner for FREE so youcan do it by yourself – print out, cut out, string together, celebrate!

2. Welcome Poster

Without any party sign, our buffet table would have lookedtoo plain. I wanted to add something that won't overwhelm the treats on the table, but will instead compliment the party theme. So I just printed out a self-designed 8 x 11 print on photographic paper, mounted it on a re-purposed wrapping paper from Christmas 2009. Placed all that in a really large frame that was just lying around in my storage room.

The result?

3. Party Food Container.

Although I used NEW food containers for the party, they are still a better alternative to paper plates, since these can be re-used after washing. I do not usually use them again as food containers, BUT they can still be useful to hold a multitude of household items and school supplies. In addition to them being re-usable, I chose these plastic containers because they hold food better than the borderless paper plates... a slight tilt won't bring all the food crashing down on the floor.

4. Party labels
I have seen these board papers lying around my kids' table for quite a few days already so instead of using new board paper to support the food party labels, I just simply asked J to make good use of it. The decorative pattern on the border served useful in adding more color to the buffet table.

I hope I was able to inspire you to re-purpose, up-cycle,re-use… whatever name you call it.

Let us all be more conscious to tread on earth more lightly… Let us not takemore from Earth than we are giving back.

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Johnson's Baby Milk Bath

2011-08-19T18:42:00.000+08:00

When Johnson's and Johnson invited me to be part of the media launch for introducing Judy Ann Santos as the celebrity endorser for their milk bath line, I agreed without hesitation. Being a mom to three kids who all suffer from eczema, I am very much particular with the skin care products that I use on them. I always make sure to use hypo-allergenic products that are mild and won't irritate their sensitive skin.

Inspite of being a famous actress, Judy Ann shows the same commitment to her family like any mother. Judy Ann admits that ever since she became a mom, she became more discerning in making choices as she knows her decision can have a huge impact on her family. These days, as she lays low on her career to focus on the more momentous role of being a family woman, she finds delight in making her family take centerstage in her life. And for her, there is no other brand she trusts but Johnshon's. And rightfully so, given that the brand has taken care of her skin while she was growing up.

Guests were also treated to the beautiful, beautiful music of Noelle Cassandra, who is responsible for moving the harp away from its traditional classical image into a more contemporary style by mixing it with jazz and rock tunes.... And who was also a Johnson's baby growing up.

Another celebrity Johnson's baby hosted the event, Angel Jacob. I couldn't believe when she shared that she is already a mother to a teen. She looks so stylish and pretty that I just couldn't resist a photo-op.

Like all Johnsons baby bath product line, this one is as good as all the others. Johnson's Baby Milk Bath gently cleanse baby's delicate skin and prevents dryness, which may lead to irritation. You wll be pleased to know that it has 100% more milk proteins and vitamins A and E. It is also clinically proven mild, and as an added bonus to moms of toddlers, it also has that NO MORE TEARS FORMULA which ensures a lot of gentle fun in the bath.

My kids each have a bottle of Johnson's Baby Milk Lotion in their swimming bag, they put it on right after taking a shower to immediately moisturize and protect them from the harsh chlorine from the pool water. So far, we have managed to keep their eczema at bay, and no major flare-ups has cropped up. Really gives credence to their slogan, "Alagang Johnson's!"

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My Weekend in Instagram

2011-08-16T14:03:00.000+08:00

I just discovered the beauty of Instagram. How wonderful it makes the task of documenting and sharing the goings-on in the daily grind through photos. Lemme tell you all about our busy, busy weekend via Instagram:

We started Saturday with an early visit to the organic market for our weekly supply of veggies. Along the way, we naturally had to stop at some stalls for sweets and savoury treats!

On the drive back home, we passed by Nic's Gourmet Desserts located along A. Mabini street in San Juan. The bakeshop offers breads, cookies, cakes, and even some filling sandwiches. Should you not be able to wait to eat there creations, there are also some bar stools available for you to enjoy the treats right away.

In the afternoon J's friend invited a handful of girls for THE spa party! It was a FULL afternoon of of whole body massages, nail pedi and nail art and hair salon at the Little Lamb's Kiddie Spa.

We had about just 30 minutes to rush home AND get ready for a cousin's 18th birthday party!

Sunday is another busy day so we start it with a hearty breakfast and Sunday worship. Then we take a balikbayan cousin to Nuat Thai in Libis for a pampering body massage, then a meet up with my side of the family for an early dinner at Romulo's.

That was my weekend!

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Dressing A Tween For A Party

2011-08-15T08:06:00.000+08:00

J attended her first 18th birthday party a few Sundays ago. One of the girls from her swim team recently turned 18, and the all the girls on the team surprised the celebrant with a well-rehearsed dance number, choreographed by one of the swimmers. J was excited, to say the least! Imagine, going to an adult party with her friends - and doing a dance number pa.:)

We both know that we wanted her to look nice; She wanted to NOT look like a little girl, but not too grown-up, either. While I know I wanted to NOT buy her a new dress. Haha! So in the end, we agreed she should just look sweet.:)

Vero Moda cotton dress, TopShop ballerina shoes, Dolce Gabbana shoulder strap handbag, Mango belt

After days of mixing and matching, we finally agreed on a hand-me down bubble dress (given to her when my younger sister cleaned out her closet just a few months earlier). Hurray for fashionable Aunties!

The pink wrap-around belt and the aqua blue bag are borrowed from my closet. Just to disclose, I purchased the bag from a Mango sale about ten years ago, and I never got to use it because when I got home I found the aqua color too trendy and youthful. It's just great that my daughters can now make good use of it.

Here is our photo booth pic:

I am sure this is just the first of numerous youth parties that she will be invited to, and I am even more sure that she will be asking me for help to choose her outfits. I just hope that I can teach her that dressing well doesn't mean wearing the trendiest clothes. The only requirements for dressing well (at any age) is first: to make sure your clothes fit; second, to be Neat and Clean. Having said that, I can only pray that she learns to be content with choosing from her existing clothes, or learn to creatively shop from my closet. Because having a shopaholic daughter is the last thing I want!:)

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Tips On How To Organize Your Kids Closet

2011-08-11T08:55:00.002+08:00

In my previous post, I shared with you how ROUTINE and developing a TOLERANT ATTITUDE help me parent my kids with a SMILE on my face. Let me add that being ORGANIZED alsocounts a lot in developing a right balance.

In my family, one of the things that can keep our busy schedule flowing smoothly is having an organized wardrobe. We are five in the family so there are a LOT of clothes going around. And with three growing kids, putting up the clothes in the right closet is always one area where the kidsand the househelp need some guidance. Each of the three kids have their own closet, with the fourthcloset being shared by my two girls to keep their dresses and other fancierclothes.

Let me share with you some of the ways on how we keep our wardrobe organized:

Tips To Organize The Kids' Closet:

1. Organize the closet with your kids’ height in mind.

Keeping in mind my kids’ height, I organized their clothes in a way that the most used clothes live on the lower shelves, in lower drawers, or on the wardrobe floor. Higher levels are designated for less-frequently used items and over-grown clothes.

This allows us to use the high space without interfering withthe functional area of the closet. Take for instance R's closet (pictured below), his "pambahay" are on the lower shelves to allow for everyday, easy access. While the going-out clothes are located further up since he only uses these on weekends.

2. Place small plastic containers on the shelves for small accessories.

A small set of plastic storage containers works well to organize smaller items, such as underwear, socks andother accessories.

3. Utilize a clothes bar

My girls share a double closet bar. Again, still using the principle of matchingmy kids’ height with the closet functionality, the younger one has the lowerrod to allow her small arms to reach for dresses and skirts, while the olderone owns the higher one

To achieve an neat appearance, I use a single color of inexpensive hangers.

4. Organize clothes by type of garment:

My kids’ closets are organized in section - the t-shirtstogether, long- sleeve shirts together, jeans together, etc. The kids have similar arrangements in each of their closet so the kids and the help know exactly that the undergarments goes in on the first drawer, the swimsuits and jerseys on the second, the jackets and cardigans on the third and so on.

For my girls hanging wardrobe, the clothes are sorted bycategories; dresses are grouped together, followed by skirts, then byjeans/pants, then the tops.

Since the hanging wardrobe is where the girls keep their “going-outclothes” the floor of this closet also serves as an organized fashion to keep their accessories/jewelrybox. This helps give my girls more spacein their wardrobe for their clothes and at the same time assures me the girlyitems they like to look at each day also gets used often since they are withineasy reach when they get dressed for going out.

5. Label, label, label
When I think of THE ONE organization solution that has kept my kids' closet organized for the long haul, I'd have to say labels saved my day! Mine are simply made from a computer printer; mass-printed and then handwritten as I go along. If you have younger children who cannot read that well yet, you can also label by making simple graphic labels for them. Pictures of socks, shirts, shorts can remind the child where these items belong.

6. Hook It!

Install a hook at an unobtrusive place like at the back of the closet door,or at one side of the bathroom wall to hang the school uniform for the following day.This routine keeps my mornings organized, simple and most important of all, quiet.

The hook system also works well for managing the kids’ swimmingequipment. Right after training, they know that it is expected of them to packaway their own swimming bags. I have never had to remind them to do this, and they have never treated it like a chore because everything is within an arm's reach. It is a breeze because there is a right place foreverything - and everything is always in itsright place!

7. Manage the Mess
Place a hamper on a very accessible area in the bathroom, if you have the extra space for it. My kids’ hamper is placed under their bathroom sink, so while it is very accessible to my kids, it also remains concealed. This encourages my kids to dump in their dirty clothes and not leave them lying around on the floor.

8. Sort through their clothes once a year

Go through your children's clothes and get rid of anything they haven’t worn insix months… it only means that it isn't likely to be used in the next sixmonths. Save these items for a younger sibling or give these away to younger cousins,or better yet donate them.

9. Use "dots" for easy segregation of clothes

The beauty of the dot technique is that this is an organization solution that can grow with the family! Once a shirt no longer fits J, all I need to do is add another dotand they become B’s! This truly has already saved us time and anguish. There used to be arguments when my two girls would be fighting over the same shirt. The older one simply cannot let go of her favorite shirt - no matter if she has obviously outgrown it; and the younger one has ran out of patience waiting for her turn to finally fit into it. But with the dot system, it is plain for everyone to see who owns it.

I know a lot of moms simply label clothing with the kid's initial, but what do you do when you pass it on to a younger sibling who doesn't have the same initials? With the dot system, it simply means that I will just have to put in another dot, and it now says Personal Property of the "new owner".

This technique is also a life saver for organizing clothes in the closet. There are no mix-ups in this house because the kids and the house-help know exactly who owns what.

The same organization solution is also utilized to sort clothes of the same design but of different sizes. For instance, my kids' have similar club shirts that are worn during swim meets; to prevent confusion, each shirt is labeled with our family name and then the corresponding dots.

A closet with a strong organizational system, leaves me moretime - it affords me to stay in bed a few minutes longer in the morning; it means that I can take my sweet time to "prettify" myself - even if it means just a dab of powder and a swipe of lip-gloss; it makes for peaceful Sunday mornings when we get to Church on time. Not only does is help me get the rest of the family out the door on time,it is also a very good exercise for my kids in the important trait of self-reliance.

Hope this helps you and your family, too!

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Wishful Thinking: { Wardrobe } Camel - Two Ways

2011-08-08T09:00:00.001+08:00

Camel is a beautiful neutral shade that it has a dominant ownership of my closet. And why wouldn’t it be? The color is sophisticated, and complements with almost any color in my existing closet; better still, it looks so sophisticated and polished when layered with different shades of neutral.

Here I am, wishful thinking, that I could update my wardrobe with these stylish and timeless pieces.

1st outfit: Stella McCartney silk dress, Jimmy Choo high heel sandals, Alexander McQueen handbag, Oval ring, EliseDray snake ring
2nd outfit: Dorothy Perkins color block dress, Enzo Angiolini espadrilles wedge, Melie bianco handbag, MICHAEL Michael Kors chronograph watch, Coin bracelet, Snap belt

Cookie In A Jiffy

2011-08-03T08:41:00.002+08:00

I don’tknow if you are aware of it already, but you can freeze huge amounts of cookiedough in your freezer and cook them up whenever you want and in the quantityyou want. You can bake a dozen for your kids' after school snacks or just one as a treat to yourself!

I did just that for J’s recent birthday party. You see, three consecutive daysprior to her party date, I was at the poolside supporting her for qualifyingand participating in her first ever National Long Course Finals, where all ofthe best swimmers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came together to competeagainst each other in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex’s 50-meter pool.

In thedays leading up to her birthday, I was wondering how to squeeze in time to bakeup a batch of fresh cookies for her party… considering that I also had toprepare food on the table each night… and help the younger ones with theirlesson and bring them to training, as well… and attend a friend’s party thenight before. Whew!

So Idecided to break up the baking process. Imade two batches, with two different techniques.

Threenights prior to the party, I made the first batch of cookies and froze themindividually as balls. Two nights prior,I made another batch that I let rest in the mixing bowl. On the eve of the party, I baked thegazillion of cookies… and devoured a few while doing so!

I shouldtell you that I make large cookies like the one you see at premium coffeeshops. Cookies that are this large are sturdy with a thick crunchy shell and tender,chewy centers that everyone loves.

Directions for freezing individual balls:

1. Scoop outthe dough using an ice-cream scooper to ensure even-sized cookies. You can also just use your measuring cup, ifyou don’t have a scooper.

2. Fill abaking tray with the scooped-out cookie dough balls, leaving just enough spacebetween the cookie dough balls that they don't get stuck together.

3. Stick thefilled pan in the freezer for an hour or two until firm.

4. Meanwhile,take a large-sized freezer bag and label it with the recipe name, date, cookingtemperature and time details.

5. Remove thepan from the freezer. Take all of the cookie dough balls out of the pan andplace them in the labeled bag.

6. Store thecookies in the freezer for later use.

To bake from frozen:

1. Remove asmany balls as you want to bake and let them rest that at the kitchen counter whileyou are pre-heating your oven.

2. You canbake these at the same temperature called for in the recipe; just give them aminute or two longer.

For the second method, I rememberreading a New York Times article about choco chip cookies about two or threeyears ago, and in the article the experts have their own cookie-making theories on how letting the cookie dough rest a night ortwo inside the refrigerator resulted in superior tasting cookies. So with that in mind, I decided to do thatfor the second batch I made

Directions for letting the doughrest in the mixing bowl:

1. Pressplastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may beused in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

2. When youare ready to bake, simply let the dough warm up to room temperature and scoopaway. This will take several hours, so plan ahead.

Technicallyspeaking, since both batches had to “rest”, they both came out tasting andlooking the same. It just all comes downto a matter of preference and how much time you have in your hands. For those of you with no time to waste, Iwould personally recommend scooping the dough into individual balls as thedough can go straight from the freezer and into the oven.

JacquesTorres’ Chocolate Chip Cookies
New YorkTimes

Time: 45minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours’ chilling
2 cupsminus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups(8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoonsbaking powder
1 1/2teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups(10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 largeeggs
2teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least60 percent cacao content
Sea salt.

1. Siftflours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using amixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together untilvery light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after eachaddition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mixuntil just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporatethem without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigeratefor 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated forup to 72 hours.
3. Whenready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchmentpaper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop 63 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto bakingsheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are pokingup; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea saltand bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet toa wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bitmore. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for bakingremaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Yield: 11/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Click here for the printable recipe.

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J's 11th {A Pampering Party}

2011-07-25T18:04:00.005+08:00

Fo J's 11th birthday, she requested for a spa-themed party. You know that I do not indulge in spa treatments, so looking for a suitable (read: clean interiors, good quality of service and affordable rates) nail spa proved to be quite tricky as I had no idea where to start looking.

As my days are quite hectic, I just decided to look up a list at spot.ph. I made a few calls among the nail spas on their list, and Posh Nails seemd to be just perfect for J's party. I made reservations at Posh Nails along Connecticut st. in Greenhills. For 2 hours, J and her friends had the entire spa all to themselves.

My girls and I managed a quick photo-op before the guests started arriving.

The guest soon came one after the other, and everyone was treated to an hour of foot soak and cleaning, foot massage and pedicure, too!

The customary group shot

B had herself a good time, too! She invited a few of her friends... and together, the young girls kept on giggling and chatting.

Initially, I thought of bringing the girls to a restaurant for some after-spa snacks, but since I booked the spa for an exclusive event, the management was gracious enough to offer to set up a buffet table at the reception area. Here is J taking charge of decorating her buffet spread:

Brie and I helped a little, too...

...to bring the reception area from this...

.....to this!

I designed her invite, cupcake toppers, birthday banner and other party labels using photoshop and some graphics I just grabbed from the internet.

To ensure that we do not leave the spa too messy, I served finger foods. Chips and cookies to munch on while having their nail spa. For the snacks proper, I ordered a 36-inch pizza from Big Guys Pizza and several boxes of Chicken Charlie. As is our custom, the birthday cake is from Estrel's.

My friend, Meng, is a heaven sent as she made the best-tasting cupcakes, which were a nice and perfect addition to J's yummy spread. I just added my own cupcake toppers which I hastily made on the day itself. Just look at those beautiful cupcake towers!

And of course, I also served my Chocolate Chip Cookies! I always get compliments whenever I make this, and J's friends are ALWAYS craving for this and begging for more. And I am not one to disspoint, so...

The birthday girl blowin' the candles on her cake
I am very happy with how Posh Nails Greenhills handled our event. I definitely recommend them to anyone planning for a spa-themed birthday party. Thanks to Ms. Kelly for coordinating!

J was very happy with how everything turned out. She just loved the experience of gathering all her good friends in one place and having lots of girly fun with them. She enjoyed taking on a more active role in decorating the place and of course, in the hands-on practice of how to become a good party host. At the end of the party, she commented how tiring it was to move from one group of friends to the next, but that the compliments and the smiles on her friends' faces were more than enough to wipe the weariness away!

Let me end with a shot of the girls' colorful pedis!

Posh Nails Spa

2nd Level, Fox Square Bldg.,
Connecticut St., Greenhills,
San Juan, Philippines

Tel: 496.8713

Big Guys Pizza

G/F Madison Square Ortigas

Madison St. Cor. Ortigas Avenue

Tel: 570.8603

Chicken Charlie

15 J. Abad Santos st.

Little Baguio, San Juan

Tel 477.7422

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SJP

2011-07-19T18:18:00.002+08:00

It's just perfect timing that while I was sharing with you awhile back how a tolerant and laid-back attitude helps me in order to parent my kids with a smile on my face, here comes Sarah Jessica Parker showing us how to embrace the fun, spontaneity and insanity that comes along with raising three kids - with style!

She is shown with husband, Matthew Broderick, their oldest son, and their twin daughters. I am especially endeared with the shot of SJP and her two daughters, amidst all the mess in the kitchen. It reminds me of the fun the kids and I have bonding in our own kitchen while we bake our fave sweet-treats. Now, if only I could rock those stilettos!

“Like a ship avoiding icebergs” is how she cheerfully describes the running of her life. “The internal lists, the children’s doctor’s appointments, the letters to write, the school projects. . . .” At night she lies in bed and does what she calls every mom’s “strategic planning” for the day ahead: “What you have to do and how to get the kids from A to B, and whatever is required of you at your work. And maybe you can toss in friendships that need to be attended to. . . . The thing that’s most surprising to me is how much we do in a day.”

Read her entire Show and Tell with Vogue here.

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Phenomenal Tip: How to Parent Your Kids With A Smile On Your Face

2011-07-14T18:27:00.010+08:00

Asa full-time mom, I am often asked how I keep my sanity handling three rambunctious kids? It is really all about finding that right mixof balance between structure and chaos, and generally a lot of LETTING GO.

For instance, a typical scene in the car can let you in on the type ofattitude that I have developed which allows me to smile in spite of the chaosthat goes on…

The kids get out of school very hungry and at the same time their bodiesneed a healthy amount of carbohydrates to keep up with the training that theyare going to do later in the day so I allow them to eat their after schoolsnacks in the car. ( Shhh! Their dad doesn't know) The interior of thecar is occasionally left looking like what can only be described as a wreck in the aftermathof their afternoon snacking. Occasionally pasta getsspilled, grapes are thrown on the floor, or there’s an occasional sticky dribble of yakult onthe leather upholstery. Do not even getme going with the scent that lingers from all those food. I do not even raise hell anymore as I handover the baby wipes to let them clean up their own mess. But without their knowing it, the driver still does find himself with anenormous amount of cleaning up the next day.

And if their mess doesn't get to you, just imagine the noise level in the car is almost always at a high maximum. B and R and their verbal combats are astandard and habitual occurrence that I treat their clatter as whitenoise. I hear them but I do not listento them. There's no way out of two talkative kids stuck in a small space!

While I still place primary importance on structure and routine, there is alsoa huge place in my life as a mother for growing a more tolerant and laid back ATTITUDE.

Here are sometips on how I manage to get along with a smile on my face:

1.I do not think I can carry out a wise management of my home and family apartfrom my relationshipwiththe Lord. I small-talk with Him throughout the day and ask for theability to faithfully, patiently and lovingly complete my tasks.

2.Routine is a beautiful word in my world. I am able to organize my day andcomplete my tasks because of it. My kids do well when they know what to expect.And my husband gets all the benefits of a peaceful home.

3.Flexibility. One of the advantages of making the rules is I can alsobreak them. With 3 fast-growing kids, our routines constantly needadjustments from time to time, as something is added or another is dropped.

4. Keep priorities in the right place - Relationships are what matters. Iremember what a friend posted on her FB wall, and my heart was really convictedwith her message: We all want to be the perfect mom, but our kids just wantto have a happy mom.

5.Mind your ownbusiness. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing orsaying. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident inyourself. Just concentrate on loving and taking care of yourself and your family.

(The above-mentioned tips are an excerpt on my Q & A with Michelle ofMy Mom-Friday for her Mom-Style feature. You can read the entirepost and view some photos on her webpage right here.)

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Parenting a Tween and Dinner for Two

2011-06-16T11:51:00.000+08:00

In just a few weeks, I will be a mom to a tween. Imagine that! Just like any growing girl, J is stuck in that awkward phase of too young to be a lady, but to old to be a baby.

Suddenly, her friends have taken a more important part in her world. Just over the summer break, she had been constantly asking permission to go out with her swimming team-mates for movie dates and nail-spas - with an increasing frequency that is sometimes too much for comfort, prompting her dad to tease her to not grow up too fast. Add to that, she has also recently gotten an invitation from a classmate for her first sleep-over party, which has caused me to pause several times mid-day as I ponder on the wisdom of allowing her.

Now, more than ever, I need to be a big, constant, and primary presence in her life. She is straddling the fence of adulthood and childhood, and I want to be able to show her my support and offer a much needed balance as she goes through that transition. So while I support her increasing participation in wholesome social activities, I also make sure that I am closely standing-by to rein her back in should she suddenly have the need to be protected physically and emotionally.

I realize that the relationship I encourage and nurture now will lead to a more open and trusting relationship in the future. I am a firm believer that there is no quality if there is no quantity. Our kids will only allow us to influence them if we spend a lot of time with them. The closer the relationship, the greater impact we will have on them.

Before I end this post, let me extend an invitation for you to drop by Dainty Mom's blog. Martine has an ongoing promo for a Dinner for Two at Chef Tatung. Her contest ends 11:59PM on June 19, 2011. You still have time to join.

As for me, I am joining and keeping my fingers crossed for this would be another good opportunity to take my eldest daughter on a girl-bonding/dinner date.

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Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay

2011-06-10T09:09:00.001+08:00

School has just started, and yet here I am looking forward already to the next long weekend. One of our favorite places to visit during long weekends is Tagaytay. Surely you can understand why when its proximity and cool weather makes it the obvious choice for a quick retreat. (You can read our Tagaytay adventures here.)

Still on Tagaytay and long weekends, Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay offers a Book One Night and get the second night for only P1.00!

*All photos are from the press kit of Hotel Kimberly - Tagaytay

The lobby is spacious and airy.

The hotel has a beautifully landscaped exterior and the wading pool is just the right size.

The rooms are immaculately clean and well-appointed.

Hurry and Book! The promo runs the whole month of June.

Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay
Amadeo Road, Brgy Kaybagal,

Tagaytay City, Philippines

+63 46 483 8888 http://www.hotelkimberly.com/

Like Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay on Facebook\

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Have You Caught The "Pinterest" Bug?

2011-06-09T17:12:00.005+08:00

I have just discovered the newest thing to love on the Net –PINTEREST. Pinterest is simply the most addictingthing there is for people like me who love to hoard ideas and inspirations. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love. Gone are the days when I have to carefully cutout magazine clippings and keep them in my clearbook; no longer do I have to savefiles and images to my digital inspiration album on my desktop. All I do now is just click on the "Pin It" button on my desktop and the computer automatically saves it to my Pinterest board.

Pinterest is the most amazing moodboard for curating andshowcasing the things that you love and are in endless awe of. I use Pinterest to keep track of design ideasfor my home, for organization tips to make everything tidy, for some fresh kiddieparty ideas, for cutesy baked goods packaging, for style tips and tricks. This magical place on the Net allows me tokeep all of that delightful inspiration in one blissful place on differentboards.

One more thing that is so good about Pinterest is that is automaticallytags the website of all the images I have pinned; this way I can always referback to the source of the image for the full article. Now when I look at all my boards and across allthe images that I have “pinned” I havethe option to go back to the original location.

Have I convinced you enough of its merit? Consider it a warning when I say it is addicting! Head on over and request for an invite. It takes a while to get an email confirmingyour invitation, but once you do be prepared to spend the whole day "pinning".

Should you encounter any problem getting invited, simply post a message and I'll gladly send you an invite.

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Photo Journal of Summer 2011

2011-05-31T08:38:00.013+08:00

SUMMER is different things to different people, but we can all AGREE that summer is LOVE!

You can see JOY is written all over their faces!

Summer break is the perfect opportunity to CONQUER your fear!

Summer also is a good time for older siblings to SHINE as a mentor!

SUMMER also teaches us that PERSEVERANCE is a GOOD virtue... and that PRACTICE makes PERFECT!

The sweltering Manila heat is just another good reason to spend it in the POOL.

Photo by Sherwyn Santiago

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Ipanema Flip-Flop Love

2011-05-28T12:51:00.000+08:00

I live in flip-flops. I am thankful that I live in a country where it is flip-flop season the whole year round. I am all for the comfort it gives me, but yet I also look for fashionable designs. Ipanema, one of Brazil's most fashionable footwear brand, is one of my favorite flip-flop brand for several years now. I like that it is not limited to just thong slippers; there are a variety of designs available to suit my design fancy. Ipanema provide newtwists to traditional sandals with various combinations of slip-ons, high-heeled wedges, sexythongs, printed soles, vibrant colors and elaborate 3D designs.

It is much to my enjoyment that Ipanema Philippines introduced new designs during the recently concluded 2011 Philippine Fashion Week. It is just the perfect time as I had just been declared as one of the lucky recipients of an Ipanema Gift Check courtesy of My Mom-Friday's Big Anniversary Blow-out! Lucky, lucky ME! :)

I have been busy choosing, and here are some of my favorite designs:

I am the type who wants all the options laid out before me, and sometimes I can't do that because some designs simply run out of stock fast. If you share my dilemma, then you can view the entire collection on their webpage. You will be further delighted to know that Ipanema also has an online store where you can view the entire collection and make a purchase at www.ipanemastore.com.ph.

I can't wait to go to the mall this weekend to finally get my ~~hands~~ feet on these buttery soft slippers. It is the perfect way to end summer!

Like Ipanema on FaceBook.

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Pampering Massage at Nuat Thai - Libis

2011-05-26T11:06:00.000+08:00

Going for a spa treatment is a luxury which Ido not frequently indulge in. Just recently, I availed the services of a high-end spa to entertain a balikbayan aunt. But usually, whenever I find myself needing a massage, I just avail of the home-service masseuse. Not only is it convenient as I do not have to step out of my house, the home-service is very affordable as well. The only drawback is that my kids go in and out of the room as well - so there is no calming and tranquility in that experience.

As a belated Mother's Day Treat, I was invited to try the massage treatment at NUATTHAI Spa in Libis. My opinion about spa services just changed! Nuat Thai – Libis offers some seriouspampering at very affordable prices.

click to enlarge

After a quick intro with the owners, Janine Ching and Jay Tiu, and after exchanging short pleasantries with the other mom-bloggers, I was ushered in to begin my spa treatment.

Going way past thereception, into the spa proper, the aromatic oils scented the pathway leadingto the foot wash. In the other foot spasthat I have visited, they usually give a foot soak before proceeding with thetreatment. This is the first time that Ihave tried getting a footwash.

Rone from Mothering Earthlings getting a footwash

They recommended that I combine a thirty-minute foot spa (P150.00) before myone-hour body massage. I happilycomplied, of course. Seeing that they offer a Thai massage with oil (P300.00), I opted to try this one out. Iusually enjoy a massage with oil, so my habitual choice of treatment is aSwedish massage. A Thai massage with oilis certainly something new.

The area for the foot spa is a dimly-lit common room, butprivacy is maintained as curtains are draped, separating the guests. Each section has a reclining chair and abasket is thoughtfully provided for my personal carry-ons. They wrapped my waist and my shoulders with aheated pad that smells faintly ofpeppermint. The foot spa is so calmingthat I dozed off in the middle of my treatment.

Right before my therapist informs me my foot spa is done,she first generously sprinkled my legs and feet with some peppermint talc. The powder feels cool on my skin, and mythought are instantly turned to my hubby, C, and how he would love this. He hates how massage oils leave his skinfeeling sticky and heavy after; the peppermint talc would let him enjoy thisfoot spa.

For my body massage, they led me to a room with a tatami-stylemat. Since I chose the Thai massage, Iwas also provided for with a set of pajama to wear. Unlike other spas which asks for an upgradefee for scented oils, Nuat Thai – Libis offers a selection of peppermint, greentea and lavender with no extra cost. I love Bulgari’s GreenTea EDT so naturally the green tea scent was my choice.

The Thai body massage with oil utilizes the deep-kneadingand interactive stretching techniques of a Thai massage combined with an oilmassage just for the back. The deeppressure are definitely different from the lengthy strokes that Swedishmassages are known for.

Here is a shot of our group of mom-bloggers.

Thanks to Janine and Jay, owners of Nuat Thai Libis, for the hosting this Mother's Day spa Treatment!

Photos in this post from Michelle of My Mom-Friday

NUAT THAI LIBIS

2nd Flr, 90 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Libis, QC across Shopwise and above RCBC and Allied Bank
Phone: 4775004

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