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We're currently here in Manila. We arrived yesterday morning by Cebu Pacific Air. The flight from KL was at 1:20AM. The plane landed in Manila at 5:10AM. I don't think I'd fly during this time schedule with any airline. It was exhausting and I wasn't able to sleep (well, I don't usually sleep on a plane). EJ did sleep on the plane but what good a three hour sleep is to a baby? He was cranky the whole day yesterday while I had the most terrible headache yesterday. Poor us!

However our flight time from Manila back to KL is at 8:55PM. Our ETA in KL is 12:35AM. I guess this is okay. We'll be at home by around 1:30AM so we'll still be able to get some relevant shut eye then.

And I just have to say this, Cebu Pacific crews suck! Well at least on the flight we were in yesterday. I don't think they were paid to think. We had a little situation regarding our seats. I didn't wanna argue because it might have caused more delay. The flight was already delayed as it was. But then how can I possibly expect great service when I am flying low cost airlines, right?
I will still probably fly Cebu Pacific because, well, it is cheap. But if I have more money to spare or if I am travelling with a toddler, I don't think I'd fly with them.

Anyway, as I was saying I had the most terrible headache yesterday. So we decided to hit the Spa in the afternoon. Hubby and I were able to go together. We left EJ in Dave's funhouse in Megamall with my brother's helper while we ran to the nearest Spa, in Megamall itself. We took the 1 hour and 30 minutes couple's sweddish massage.

Since we were in a hurry, we ditched the sauna. We just took a quick shower. While in the shower my paranoia kicked in. What if they have like spy camera? Geez! Hehehe.

After the massage my headache was gone. It might have been the scalp cream they used on my, well, scalp. It was soothing. If you haven't had a one and a half hour treatment/massage, I suggest you try it. One hour massage for me feels like it's always rushed, always "bitin". But not with the extra 30 minutes. It was perfect.

Today we'll be off to process some papers. This will be a busy day. But I am ready for it.

We went to Putrajaya last Wednesday to process hubby's I-card. On the way back home, I noticed EJ looked a little tired. I thought he was just sleepy because he kept on waking up the night before. It was his first night without a pacifier.

When we reached home, I put him to bed immediately and read his current favorite book. He was sleepy but couldn't sleep. After a few more minutes of reading, he closed his eyes. But when I kissed his forehead, it was burning hot. We lost the thermometer so I had no way of checking his temperature. I put my palm on his forehead and I know that his fever is quite high.

I wanted to wake him up to give some medicine but he looked so tired earlier, I hated to wake him up. So I decided to wait until he wakes up before I give him some paracetamol.

He had the fever until Friday evening. We didn't bring him to the hospital because he didn't look sick for two days that he had the fever. He was his normal self. I just continued to give him paracetamol for his fever, and it seemed to work.

On Saturday he had no more fever. But he was a bit fussy. Still, we went ahead with the plan to visit KLCC Aquaria. We were there before it opened at 11AM. Talk about starting the weekend early!

Inside the aquaria he has transformed into an eager beaver. He was so happy to see the turtles. At one point when he couldn't see the turtles he uttered "Tuh-tle, whereareyou?" Hehehe.

When we got home, it was another story. He was fussy again. But he wasn't hot anymore. So we thought he was just being a toddler :)

Yesterday, we got alarmed when we saw some rashes on his face. I immediately googled what it could have been. EJ's symptoms closely resembled that of Roseola. I know we should have brought him to the doctor instead of self-diagnosing ourselves. Sometimes, we're really dumb.

This is what I found on babycenter.com:

"It's possible to have the virus without having noticeable symptoms. But roseola usually starts out with a sudden, relatively high fever, often above 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

The fever typically lasts three to five days and may end abruptly, followed by the telltale rash. The rash may last for days or only hours.

The rash is pink and may have small flat spots or raised bumps. These spots may have a lighter "halo" around them and may turn white if you press on them.

The rash isn't itchy or uncomfortable, and contact with the rash itself doesn't spread the illness. It's usually seen on the trunk and neck, but it can extend to the arms, legs, and face.

If your preschooler has roseola, he may also be irritable and tired and have mild diarrhea, a decreased appetite, and swollen eyelids. The lymph nodes in his neck and at the base of his skull may also be a bit enlarged. In general, children with roseola don't appear especially ill, considering how high their fevers get."

As if on cue, EJ started getting irritable and fussy. Example 1: He said "mommy, bed!" So I carried him to the bed, but when he was there, he started crying. Example 2: He was playing with his toys and suddenly for no reason at all he cried. He was like this all day yesterday. It was so frustrating! If we didn't know any better, we would have thought he was being a royal pain in the a**.

Hopefully, no more fussiness today. I can only handle too much. :D

Alright. Not everything.

I thought we were on our way to having a pacifier-less baby. We started taking the pacifier away two weeks ago . It was almost a success. But we stopped.

We started again last Tuesday night. When we went to bed, he immediately asked for his pacifier. I didn't mind him. I distracted him by reading his books. After the fourth book, he was already sleepy. I told him to close his eyes and I turned off the light. Surprisingly he didn't ask for his pacifier. It was a long while before he finally closed his eyes. He slept the whole night without a pacifier on his mouth. Although he kept on waking up. But that was okay.

He woke up the next day earlier than his usual waking up time. He looked sluggish but he was okay. I thought he was just lacking some sleep. We went to Putrajaya that day and when we came back and he had a nap, he was burning hot already. He was a little cranky so I gave in and gave him his pacifier to make him sleep.

I know I shouldn't have. But I didn't want to have to fight with him especially since he was sick. Hubby feels the same way too. A sick child almost always gets his way around.

Since he's still a little sick, I didn't continue with our pacifier-less training. It can wait for a while. Just like the potty training is also on hold (I was already counting the savings we'd have with less disposable diaper in the household expenses).

I think we'd start again after the holiday in Manila.

Last Sunday I was supposed to have a fish spa with my Pinay friends Grace and Cris at the Pavilion. I went there without hubby and EJ. I took the monorail and stopped at Raja Chulan station. I was praying it wouldn't rain yet. But it did. So I called Grace and told her I was stuck at the station. She said she's also stuck in some building. So we agreed to wait out.

But the weather had other plans. The clouds grew darker and it didn't seem it was going to stop raining any sooner. I texted Grace to just cancel the plan as I was going back home. I didn't think it would let up anytime soon. I boarded the train, but guess what happened? The rain stopped. Geez! So I texted Grace again and said I was coming back. She said they were on the way to Pavilion.

When I arrived at Raja Chulan again, the rain was on again too. I couldn't risk getting wet. I was nursing a cold and cough that day. Then the rain grew heavily too. I texted Grace again that I was going home. They were still stuck in another building this time.

So I went home. But after about 30 minutes, the rain had stopped and the sky was clear. I told hubby I was going back to Pavilion. I really wanted to have the Fish Spa. I told hubby to just follow at the Pavilion when EJ woke up.

On the way to Pavilion, I received a text from Steph (another Pinay here in KL). She was on her way to Pavilion too. It was our first meeting.

I called Grace to check if they were on the way too. She said they just finished the Fish Spa. Apparently they were able to go to Pavilion without getting wet. Sayang! I didn't want to go to the Fish Spa alone.

So we just met at Starbucks. Steph came with her cutie 2-year old daughter. I wished I brought EJ too. He would have loved meeting another "baby".

It was a getting to know stage. We agreed to meet again soon. Hopefully with more Pinay next time.

After Steph left, hubby and EJ arrived. We went to this bookstore (I forgot the name already..grr). Anyway, the bookstore was quite big. EJ seemed to like it there. He was checking out the baby books. Hubby liked it too because he found a lot of office supplies there. He has complained that he couldn't find a store with a decent office supplies. Now he found one. There's a coffee shop inside and a place for children to sit. Not exactly like our favorite bookstore in Berjaya Times Square but at least now we have another place to visit.

Next time we go to Pavilion, we will definitely hang out there.

EJ has a love and hate relationship with the bath tub. There are times when I have to carry him screaming "mommy, don't, mommy, don't" and kicking to the bath tub because he doesn't want to take a bath. But there are days (sometimes night) when he stays forever in the bath tub.

Below, he is having fun playing with his bath companions.

I think we do need a dehumidifier in our apartment. I cook almost every night and it bothers me that the whole apartment smells like the food I have cooked. We don't have exhaust so naturally the smell just lingers inside the house for quite sometime.

I just found about this equipment recently. It keeps your home smelling fresh. It reduces the moisture level and inhibits mold growth.
So if you're staying in a condominium with no exhaust to speak of like ours, then you know what to do =)

Last night I couldn't sleep properly. I thought I was still sick because I felt hot. I took off the comforter and went back to sleep. After a few minutes (or so I thought) I woke up again because it was getting hotter.

It couldn't be blackout or power interruption because our bedside lamp is working. So I stood up and went to check the a/c control. I was surprised because it read 23. Usually that is already cold enough. Anyway, I dialled it to 21 and went back to bed.

After a few minutes I woke up again because it was so cold. I looked at my baby and hubby. They were sleeping soundly. Is it just me or the a/c compressor is acting up again?

I put on the comforter again and tried to sleep. But I couldn't because it was way too cold for me. Grrr...I stood up again, went to the a/c control and put it back on 23.

By then it was already dawn. I went back to bed, closed my eyes and wished I wouldn't wake up anytime soon. No such luck. I wasn't sleepy anymore. And the a/c temperature has already stabilized.

What a beautiful start of the day!

I have almost forgotten to write and post EJ's 2nd birthday. I got caught up with other things but here it is now :)

I was happy that EJ's birthday fell on a Sunday (August 10) this year. Last year we celebrated his birthday a day after his actual birthday because it was on a Friday.

Unlike his first birthday, this year it was just a simple birthday with family and friends. We had it at Jade Palace Restaurant along Shaw Boulevard. The food was very good at very affordable prices. The drinks were another story though. I think half of the total bill was for drinks only. But compared to other restaurants, I think Jade Palace was still a better choice. We even had a lot of left overs and brought it home. Their lemon fish was a winner!



Would you believe that we only had a total of three pictures during the party? I know. Hubby was busy entertaining the guests and I was busy running after EJ. He was hyper that day, running, dancing and playing with other kids. He was also itching to blow the candle right away.

We got the cake from French Kiss. It was just a small cake with a thomas the train design but it was perfect (Price - P1,200) I ordered it while we were still here in KL. I didn't even pay the deposit but they trusted me and made the cake (though they only put one candle, hehe). EJ wanted to take the train. He thought it was a real toy train! The taste? I didn't get to taste it. We gave the whole cake away to my MIL.

EJ's first birthday was different. We had a theme, a clown, Barney mascot, games for the kids, souvenirs for the godparents, etc. I guess it's kind of obligatory to have a "grand" first birthday party. It was fun. But his 2nd birthday party was just as fun.

I think his third birthday will be celebrated at home only with family. It will be less stressful and more meaningful that way :)

We haven't even begun to explore that other part of the world and yet...


New Zealand's Mount Taranaki. Photo swiped from: Bluehourphoto


We have officially declined the New Zealand job offer.

Well actually, hubby did sign the contract at first. But while waiting for the supporting documents to arrive so we can lodge our visa applications, we had a change of mind. And it wasn't about the salary that made us really change our mind. We did consider everything.

Sure, NZ offers a quality life. Sure, the job there is permanent. Sure, it is a lot of Filipino's dream to live in NZ. But is it our dream too?

Some people would think we're fools for letting this opportunity pass. And they might be right too. But to go to NZ just because everybody is clamoring to go there is not wise either.

Speaking for myself, it was one of the hardest decision I have to make. I know NZ offers stability and as I have said above, quality of life. It will also give me the opportunity to don pretty coats and boots (one of my dreams..hehe). But I also know that if we go to NZ, I will have a hard time finding a job. Besides being jobless for almost three years now, my skills aren't really the skills NZ is looking for at the moment. I would either have to continue being a SAHM or be contented working part time, which will be fine. Hubby's salary will be enough to support the family and save some for the rainy days.

But my brother asked me this "What if Eric gets sick (knock on wood), will you be able to earn as much as him?" I have to agree this makes the most sense. How can I earn as much as him? My skills are not technical, I will be useless in NZ.

But going back to our dream, is NZ a part of it? Yes, we'd be financially stable there but is that what we want? Haughty as it may sound but the answer is no.

Our dream is to be financially independent. We couldn't do that if we are dependent on hubby's salary and mine (if I ever get a job) only. The only way to be financially independent is to go into business.

And that's what we are going to do. It is a risk and a sacrifice but I know that if we succeed it will be sweeter than any other job offers hubby might have. And besides nothing beats living in the Philippines, including traffic, political drama and all.

We can always visit NZ anytime, can't we?

I have already decided what business to go into. I am brimming with ideas. I even dream about it in my sleep. Talk about being over excited. LOL.

I had plans of putting up a travel agency before but the enthusiasm has died down. Now it's coming back and I am reading everything about the business. I still haven't decided yet if I would be a home-based travel agency or I would go full blast and open a "store".

The game plan is to start the business early next year. But I have already gathered my data and consulted a travel agent (hello cas!). I might put up the website before the year ends.

We went into business before I gave birth to EJ. We had to close it down because we moved to Maldives then. No regrets. I'm just wondering where I put the other stuff in our old office. I know we had office chairs, fax, table, digital signage, printers, etc. I don't remember if I sold it or left it in my brother's storage area. I would need those in case I decide to go full blast with my travel agency.

So goodluck to me. I'll be pestering you guys with travel deals soon. LOL.

There are so many things I love about being a stay at home mom (SAHM). But lately, I've been consumed thinking I need to have an income of my own.

I've stopped working since I was two months pregnant with EJ. And now EJ is two years old. That means I have not been earning my keep for almost three years now. Since I started work, I have never stopped. So this has been the longest time ever that I have no income-generating job (because being a SAHM is a job itself, only no monetary rewards). I had a hard time adjusting during the first year. But on the second year, I eased into the routine and kind of accepted the circumstances.

But the urge to earn something for myself is currently at its peak :)

My mother is in Manila right now. She went there to have her final check up after her six months of chemotherapy. Yeah she has cancer. This is her third one. She survived the last two cancer and is now battling another big C. God bless her, she's such a brave lady. Anyway, I called her last week to ask for an update. I was positive she's free of the big C. I wasn't prepared to hear that the cancerous cells are still inside her body. She has been given two options: operation or another round of a more extensive chemotherapy. My mother said, she couldn't take another chemotherapy. It makes her so weak. So she's opted for an operation.

This is the time when I feel so sorry for myself. I want to help her but how can I? I have no money. Of course, hubby would give me the money if I ask him but that's another story. Although my mother didn't ask me for financial help, I still feel guilty. Blame it on being a Filipino and its sense of fillial obligation or just the love for my mother.

Honestly, I thought it would have been much easier for me if she asked for help. But the fact that she didn't, it made me more sad and feel pity for myself. I actually envy my hubby. He can easily send money to his family whenever they ask him. Technically it's his money after all.

I am not going to be a martyr and say that I would like to support my parents at their old age, not that they would need support either. But how nice would it feel if once in a while, I can give something to make them smile?

It might be the PMS making me all sentimental. But at least I know what I want now.

I have been a SAHM for the past two years. My baby is not even a baby anymore. He is becoming a young man and sooner or later he won't be dependent on me anymore. I think I have to move forward too and think for myself. I need to be able to buy something for myself without feeling a tinge of guilt.

After all a happy and satisfied woman makes a better mother.

That's right and we're going to spend the long weekend in Manila. Yay, that's five days (from October 1 - 5).

I have booked thru Cebu Pacific online. It was fast and easy. I even chose our seats already. Though I did pay an additional fee for the front seats at RM15/seat/way. But that's okay. We'll have extra leg room and space when EJ decides to play on the floor.

It will be our first Cebu Pacific international flight. The only thing I don't like about Cebu Pacific is the time schedule. The departure time here in KL is 12:55AM. Then we'll be arriving in Manila at 5AM. I am expecting EJ to be antsy because I know he wouldn't be able to sleep the whole night peacefully. But I'll be sure to bring something to distract him in case he gets unruly.

We actually just came back from Manila about a month ago. So what are we going to do there? Secret! LOL.

We're going to iron out some things and plan our future. But of course, I'll sneak in a trip to the Spa for sure. Hubby has been wanting one. I told him to do it in Manila. It will be cheaper there. Hehehe.

Three nights ago EJ slept without a pacifier. Hubby and I were so happy and excited. But it was short-lived.

The following night, EJ was crying and looking for his pacifier again. We didn't give in. After a while he stopped whining and crying. When I checked, he was sleeping already. I gave a prayer of thanks and went to sleep myself.

In the middle of the night however, EJ started to cry. He looked like he was just dreaming. So I hugged him. He didn't ask for his pacifier so I didn't give him. I just continued to comfort him. But he wouldn't stop crying. Tears were rolling down his chubby cheeks already. It was a silent cry, not the screaming kind of cry. It was so pitiful. I wasn't sure if he was still dreaming.

Hubby woke up and told me to just give the pacifier. I didn't want to but I didn't kno how to comfort EJ anymore. When I gave him the pacifier he stopped crying and went back to sleep.

I guess we have to be more firm if we want him to get rid of his pacifier. He slept without one already so I think it wouldn't be too hard anymore.

Now that he understands us, I think we just have to talk him out of his pacifier.

Business runs in our blood or at least in both of my brothers. Both of them have stopped working in the corporate world and has gone into business of their own.

Kuya Jed went into business some few years ago. Now he has his hands full with several business ventures: ink refill, peanut butter, car for hire and the recent condo for rent. My Mano Jeff only started his business about a year ago. I guess it is really doing well because he is constructing a beach vacation house in Consuelo beach, Cantilan (neighboring town in our province).


Soon to rise is the first and premier beach vacation house rental in Surigao del Sur. This property is facing the sea and its beautiful stretch of shoreline. If I were in the Philippines, I would beg to manage this place.

This place has a lot of potential. It is in a secluded (well at least for now) area, surrounded with small and beautiful islands. I can already imagine what I would do if I were there: snorkeling, fishing, island hopping, watching the sunset and drinking cocktails, and most especially eating fresh barbequed seafood.

Oh, I can hardly wait.

I am thinking about replacing my current Gateway laptop. After a few minute's use it gets hot. It really bothers me especially when I type. My left palm becomes hot. I tried using the notebook cooler but it doesn't seem to work. I just bought it six months ago. I don't think it qualifies as cold. Hubby's Compaq Presario doesn't get that hot.

So anyway, I checked online for a replacement. The replacement shouldn't exceed my budget of $750. I was surprised to see laptops for less than that. I thought I can only buy cheap laptops here in KL.

Meet two of the Toshiba Satellite series.


The second laptop though is quite expensive. It retails for more than a thousand. But the specs are quite good. And it looks quite sturdy too.

But before I make a decision, I think I should visit Plaza Low Yat First. I might be able to trade in my Gateway laptop.

Yesterday, I had a chance to meet other Pinays here in KL.

Grace has graciously offered to round up other Pinays who are staying in the same building as she is. Apparently, there are more Filipinos in their building than she originally thought.

She invited us all for lunch. I know it would be a challenge to prepare food especially since she also has a little baby, so I asked her if I could bring something. She said she has cooked pancit and roasted chicken already. What a superwoman! Bilib talaga ako sa kanya. But later on she asked me if I could bring some junk food instead? So we have something to munch on during gossip time :)

Before taking the cab, EJ and I dropped by 7-11. I bought a junk food and bought a juice for EJ. When I was about to pay, EJ saw a hotwheels bus. He took the bus and said "mommy, buy a bus please? I didn't want to buy it but the look on his face was enough to melt my heart. The "please" was just an icing on the cake. So I took the bus and paid the loot.

So off we went to Grace's place. I met two more Pinays (aside from Cris). One has a cute three years old daughter. EJ immediately said hi to the 3-year old kid when they walked in. He was so excited to interact with another kid. Poor baby.

It was nice to be able to get out of the house for a change and talk to adults and fellow Filipinos. We were a rambunctious group. Everybody was talking at the same time. It was fun!

It was just too bad they all had to leave early. EJ and I stayed for a while. While EJ was watching Playhouse Disney, Grace and I had tea and a slice (okay two slices for me) of cake. Grace's cakes are so delicious. Nasira na naman diet ko..hehehe.

When EJ was yawning already, I took it as a sign to leave.

Now, our (EJ and I) social life is starting to take shape. Thank you for the lunch again, Grace. Hope next time there will be more time for tsika. Hehehe.

Wohooo! This blog is featured on today's issue of Malay Mail on their Cyberspot section.

Here's how it looks on the newspaper, page 16:


Here's how it looks on their website :



If you're interested to read what I said on the interview part, click here.

It's my first time to be featured in a newspaper, and a foreign newspaper at that! I am so tickled pink. Hehehe. Thank you to Malay Mail and Mr. Goh (the reporter) for featuring my blog.

How did I get featured? Read it on my other blog.

Here's another video of EJ identifying and reciting numbers 1-9.

Translation:
Semen = Seven (7)
Fort = Four (4)

Hahahaha! Forgive the 2-year old. He'll learn the correct pronounciation soon, I am sure :)

We had a chance to record EJ identifying and reciting the alphabet tonight. Notice how he got ahead of himself and immediately say "J" after "E"? Hehehe. Since he learned his name, he couldn't stop chanting it. But after pointing the letter "F" again, he got it correct.

Translation:
Dabada = "W"

Hahaha! He still can't say "W" properly. But I am sure he'll get it right soon.

Did I say he is only 24-month old?

One proud mommy here :)

I always have food cravings. Sometimes I crave for salty food or spicy food or sometimes food that I haven't tasted for a long while. So I asked my hubby, "have you ever had a food craving?" He said never. Weird.

But last week, I was surprised when he told me he's craving for a seafood. "Really, I thought you never crave for any food?" I said. "Apparently, I do" he responded. LOL.

So I searched online for a new seafood recipe with rice, of course. And I saw this:

Mississippi Redfish Courtboullion with Seafood Dirty Rice

Courtboullion
½ cup raw bacon, chopped
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3 cups + 3 tablespoons flour
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
¾ cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup green bell pepper, diced
3 cups okra, chopped
6 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 ½ tablespoons Creole seasoning
¾ cup white wine
1 lemon, zest and juiced
1 cup fish stock1 cup peanuts
½ pound fresh Gulf shrimp, peeled and chopped
1 lb. Mississippi redfish, cut into two inch cubes
½ pound Gulf crabmeat2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Seafood Dirty Rice (recipe below)

To make the courtboullion: render the bacon. Add 3 tablespoons each of butter and flour, and make a light brown roux. Stir in and sauté the onions and garlic until tender. Add and sauté the bell peppers. Stir in the okra and season with salt and black pepper. Add tomatoes and Creole seasoning and bring to a simmer. Stir in wine, lemon, and fish stock, and then bring to a boil.

Chop peanuts in food processor and blend with flour. Dust shrimp with peanut flour. In a separate sauté pan, sauté redfish and shrimp in remaining butter as needed, in batches until lightly browned. Add the shrimp and redfish to the courtboullion, then add the crabmeat and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, Tabasco, and Creole seasoning to taste. Serve over Seafood Dirty Rice.

Seafood Dirty Rice
½ cup bacon, chopped
½ cup chicken livers
½ cup shrimp, chopped
¼ cup onions, minced1 tablespoon garlic
3 cups rice
2 tablespoons butter
3 ½ cups fish stock
1 cup Shock Top beer
¼ cup parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cook off bacon. Add chicken livers and cook through. Remove, chop, and return to pan. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Add onions and garlic and sauté. Stir in rice, butter, and fish stock. Then pour the beer into the fish stock. Bring to a simmer. Cover and finish in 400º oven for 20 minutes. Season with parsley, salt, and pepper

As I looked over the ingredients, I wasn't disappointed. I know that I will find fresh seafood here, the key to a great taste. I am just worried about the "shock top beer". If I can't find it, I hope a regular beer will do.

I am excited to try this recipe. It looks delicious. But aside from that I also found out that it is the 2008 American seafood cook off winning recipe! It was created by Chef John Currence from Mississipi.

Later on I also found out that there is still an ongoing votation for the best seafood recipe. This time, it's the people's choice. I think I may have to try this recipe first before I vote. But then again, why wait? The presentation looks good and I am sure the taste will be too. Even the judges said so.

If you'd like to check out the other recipes, visit greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com. You can also vote and enter to win a trip to New Orleans. Isn't that great?:)

Public service time :)

Calling all Madrid (Surigao del Sur) High School Batch '95, there will be a grand reunion next year.

Okay, before anything else this is not confirmed yet. And I have not been tasked to broadcast anything.

But there have been initial talks already. I just took the liberty to announce it here so that all my classmates and batchmates who read my blog can tell others too.

I am currently gathering email addresses of our batch. I only have a handful right now and you may have received my email already. If you have an email address of our former batchmate, please email it to me.

I am also conducting a survey regarding the preferred reunion date. Some have said December is the best time. But I would like to hear what the others have to say.

It may look like it's a long time from now, but it is better to plan early. That way, I'd have more time to lose weight and look good on the reunion day. LOL.

So please spread the word and email me if you have the email address of batch '95.

I am designating myself as President of the planning committee. Anybody want to contest, just email me. Hehehe.

All these thinking and decision making is giving me anxiety attack. Seriously. So I am taking a breather.

I found this cute game online "Ultimate Flirting Championship" from Extreme Style by VO5. As the title of the game suggests, it is a test how flirty you are. Hehehe, just kidding. It's actually a fun game where you can test your "pick-up" lines and see how it will fare with your "opponent". To choose your own avatar, you get to pick a hairstyle you think is flirty enough from their wide selection. I chose a straight blonde hair with bangs. Why not? I can only get blonde in this kind of things. Hahaha!

So being a sucker for romantic movies and armed with several romantic movie lines, I was confident I would win. Ha! It didn't get me anywhere. And I thought the lines I used where good enough.

Anyway, here are my favorite romantic movie lines. I may have forgotten some but these are the ones that stick to my mind:

"May I ask your name, my lady? Or perhaps angels have no names, only beautiful faces" - A Knight's Tale. If somebody had said this to me, I would have responded "marry me, now!" LOL.

"If you love someone you say it... you say it right then, out loud... or the moment just... passes you by.. " - My Bestfriend's Wedding. This is so true!

"Look, I guarantee there will be tough times. I guarantee that at some point one or both of us is going to want out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don’t ask you to be mine, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know in my heart you are the one for me." - Runaway Bride. Isn't this the cutest? And realistic too.

"You... complete me" - Jerry Maguire. Who can ever forget this line? From my favorite movie of all time.

"I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it." - City of Angels. All together now, awwww! Hehehe.

What's your favorite romantic movie lines? Do share.

Questions have been answered. But a decision is still hard to come by.

I've been glued to my laptop every night, looking for anything that can help us make the big decision. If anything it just made us more confused.

Here's more. The NZ employer is going to give us relocation allowance, an airfare for hubby and has added another benefit: parking allowance. Great news. But hubby is now positive that his contract here in KL will be renewed after the present one expires. Talk about being tormented.

The lure of free education for EJ and medical benefits make us want to fly to NZ right away. But there's this nagging thought "what if hubby will still continue to receive an endless stream of offers or what if we'll hit it big if we go into business in Philippines?"

Should we trade a life of unknown to a life of certainty? Can we still afford to risk our future? I know it sounds melodramatic. It probably is. But when you want a better future for your kid, you'd want to make it right in just one try. Or is that being too perfectionist?

This decision making just overwhelms me. I am asking for signs from the one up there.

Thank you to those who have cared to leave a message. We truly appreciate it.