'Like' Notes.

I can't believe notes like these have been written by a Grade 2 girl. And I am amazed that the notes were personally given by the Grade 2 girl to a boy classmate.

While I was proud that this was given to my JG, I was scratching my head... confused that kids, actually, LITTLE GIRLS nowadays are capable of professing love or shall I say like to boys they fancy. 

I was trying to remember if I had the same kind of fondness for a boy when I was 7. There were flashbacks where I was being teased to random boys and being so mad about it. But I do not recall having the courage to give a note of sweet nothings to the opposite sex.

Now, JG is talking about having his first girlfriend. Ha! I was speechless for a few seconds.

What a brave little girl. I hope to see her soon.

Aftermath.

2014 was all about the pregnancy and having AC. It was no surprise that shopping for self was the least thing in my mind.

It is now 2015. Just a little over the half year mark. And I just came to realize that I have busted my shoe shopping budget big time.

Here is the first of the series. Quite expensive Tory Burch so I was thinking back in January that this would be my last shoe purchase for the year.

I was doing great. No purchase since January. Then came the walking shoes which I bought at Aerosoles in May. Something that I said to myself I needed given the amount of walking I was about to do in my business trip to London.

July. Sale season. I have been wanting to purchase another Kenneth Cole as it was the only shoe my feet love dearly. I did not dare getting a pair for the longest time because they cost almost P8,000. But shoes were 50% off this month.

And last but not the least, another damage caused by the July sale season. Reason was to support the British economy through Dune. And oh, I never had any sandals for so long.

I guess things catch up pretty fast. You thought you have lost but no. A shoe shopper by heart will always be a shoe shopper. 

I must point out, though, that I never ever buy shoes that are not on sale - it just does not make sense to buy at full price.

That is it. I am done for this year - let's extend to next year.

Oops. I still need to buy one more for my sister's wedding. Shucks.

Two Kids. Several Roles.

I know that having two kids is difficult. But I never thought it would be THAT difficult.

It is really literally juggling different roles on a daily basis. I am not only a Mom, I am also a:

• wife
• a boss at work
• a subordinate at work
• a colleague at work
• a chief operating officer at home
• a teacher to my 7 year old

Let us not forget that I, too, am a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, an in-law. Thankfully, those roles do not take much of my time but, of course, I need to be where I should be when necessary.

And then there is myself. I do need to do a cameo regularly, don't I?

Oh, I do not want to be glorified for my superhuman-ness. I really have no time for that. They say it is a choice I made so most definitely I have to swallow the consequences of it - and yes fully aware of that. But sometimes, whenever I am in my most sacred alone time (short but sweet nowadays), I do think why things have come to this. Not my choices, but the fact that there needs to be choices between home and non-home stuff.

And that is a bigger question that I do not think will have enough answers. So I carry on as usual and look forward to the time when things get easier - I am sure they will.

Changes.

My life changed all of a sudden. I am now a Mom of two. My sweet boy (let's call him JG) and my new pretty baby girl.

Hubby and I were blessed with a second baby six years after. Imagine the years. I feel like a new Mom. Good thing my boy can fend for himself... and is even another hand when my two ones are not enough.

Honestly, I wanted another boy. I did not believe that I am a Mom fit for a girl. And I love the way boys adore and "fear" their Moms -- oh yes, selfish reasons.

But my girl is so adorable. I cannot believe I wished for a boy. Never mind how cranky she becomes when sleepy. Never mind how hard it is to bottle feed her -- she likes my boobies more. Never mind that she mostly does not sleep long during the day. She makes up for them with her numerous bedimpled smiles, her interesting goo gaa stories, her 7-8 hour sleep at night and many, many more.

Blog, meet my AC. You will hear a lot about her.

Awesome Stuff.

Isn't it great that there are so many intelligent human beings who have a passion for inventing things to make lives better?

We are waaaay past the Stone Age or the Renaissance period so we may not have a 'rock-my-world' kind of invention anymore. And we do tend to take new things for granted now... because things change so fast and life is overly complicated. So, many of the good stuff go unnoticed.

Anyway, I do have a list of awesome stuff that are extremely useful to my boring life. While I can still imagine life without them, I am still raving the fact that they exist and are very affordable to common people like me.

The 3M Command

3M describes it as "Damage-Free Hanging Solutions". And yes, it is true to its promise. The secret is actually the sticky mounting strips and a user who is willing to follow the instructions carefully. 

Our home is filled with it -- for picture frame hanging, hooks, even bathroom stuff.

It can be a bit pricey but your walls are kept intact and bathroom tiles are not damaged. If you do have heavy paintings to attach to the walls -- still best to do it the old way though.


Colored Printers, Photo Papers

At this day and age when a kid's homework involves the use of too many visuals, I am so thankful for printers and photo papers... add on the digital cameras and Google. We do not need to scramble through numerous magazines (cutting them would be heartbreaking, too), rush to a nearby Photo ID shop, or rummage the old cabinet for old photo albums.


The Bra Strap Extensions

I know this is old stuff but has been a very useful bit while pregnancy. For a mere Php50 (price of each one), I was able to manage additional pregnancy girth with this sweet little thing.

The Epilator

This is one of the best advices (if not the best) my sister has ever told me.

Gone are the days of spending too much time plucking. Gone are the days of hair ingrown and chicken skin underarm.

Hello to quick and easy hair pulling. And the best part is... hair grows back thinner!

Why didn't I find out about you years back?!

Ladies, if you don't have one... get one!


I do have some more in my list. But these are my favorites. Whoever invented them, thank you so much. You all made things easy indeed.

David Rocco's Meatball Spaghetti

David Rocco is hubby's favourite chef to watch (man crush?). Probably because he is suave. Lol.

Once in a while I watch Mr. Rocco's cooking show with him. I chanced upon his Meatball Spaghetti that is surely Italian, exciting to taste and looked easy to make.

Ingredients for the meatballs...

Lean ground beef, about 1 Kilo

Ricotta Cheese, 200g

 

1 egg

Sundried tomatoes, chopped

Parmigiano cheese, 1-2 cups grated

Your usual salt and pepper

For the tomato sauce...

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

1 onion, chopped

Tomato sauce (or puree if you have)

Salt and pepper

I have given measurements above but please feel free to experiment. I am sure your sense of smell and taste will find their way.

How to prepare:

1) Combine the ground beef, ricotta cheese, egg, sundried tomatoes, grated parmigiano, salt and pepper. Make sure they are mixed well and evenly.

2) Using your hands, shape the meat into balls.

 

3) You may add the meatballs uncooked to your sauce or fry them with EVOO. I wanted them fried!

4) For the sauce, cook the onion in EVOO until translucent. Add the tomato sauce then bring to a boil.

5) Add salt and pepper to taste.

6) Throw in your fried meatballs then cook for 5-10 more minutes.

7) If you opt to put in the uncooked meatballs, throw them in the sauce and cook for 30 more minutes on medium heat.

8) Don't forget your pasta.

9) Plate. Serve. Enjoy.

Have some wine to achieve a more Italian dinner!

A More Personal One.

Dear Blog,

I suddenly felt disconnected from you. You should have known by now because it took me months to visit you again.

I did become busier and more distracted. And perhaps, one indeed loses passion at some point.

One sleepless night.. I just thought about how I call you. You seem to be one of the many blogs in Google. You do not sound like you are mine.

And so I thought... maybe it is time for a change. You are all about me and should have a name close to my heart.

My home is where I am happy, where I find myself and where I feel so loved. So, I am changing you and giving you the name of my happiest place on earth.

Hello again, Blog. You look good in lavender.


Sincerely,

Lalaine Ann