Driving Lessons

I know I’ve been neglecting this blog for quite some time now, it’s because we still haven’t had the CPU fixed and I’m still not comfortable using hubby’s company laptop. I mainly use it only for Facebook, Pinterest and minor research. I’m currently searching on where to get the cheapest driving lessons. I seriously want to learn to drive even though hubby doesn’t quite believe in my driving abilities. I don’t know why but it’s probably because the car is still new and even a small scratch would send him to tears. Men!

Anyway, I’ve seen a few driving schools and, boy, are they expensive! The cheapest I found costs 3,000 Pesos and that’s for only three hours’ worth of lessons. Most of the schools require at least 15 hours of lessons for new drivers and that could cost as much as 12,000 Pesos. I’m not willing (yet) to spend that much so I have to do more research and hope that I find a driving school that offers cheaper lessons.

Another thing that worries me is getting a driver’s license. How do I go about that? Do I need to pass an actual driving exam before I get my license? Is there a written exam that I have to take? Maybe I should start taking some dmv cheat sheets practice tests to prepare myself.

I really, really want to learn how to drive. I hope I could learn how before Christmas so I could take myself to various bazaars for my Christmas shopping. 

Most Spoken Words

Uh-oh and Oh No.

Whenever the bed covers are a mess, "Oh no!"

Whenever there are some new writings on the wall, courtesy of him, "Uh-oh."

When something dropped on the floor, accidentally or not, "Oh no!"

When there is a new hole on the window screens because he pushed a crayon into it, "Uh-oh."

When his food dropped on the table or on the floor, "Oh no!", because he hates messes as much as Mommy does.

In certain scenes of his two favorite movies, Cars 1 and Cars 2, Johan says "Uh-oh" and "Oh no!" in great timing.

It is so cute and Johan says it with just the right facial expression and tone that anybody within hearing distance would surely end up laughing.

August Holidays

Here's something to brighten up our days despite the still cloudy skies in some parts of the country. There will be two long weekends this month that I'm really looking forward to. I only hope that our company will adhere and allow us to enjoy these three non-working holidays. Some of my officemates even made plans and are preparing to go on a trekking trip to Benguet. I am invited to join them but I'm not really into those kinds of trips plus I'd rather spend the long weekends with my son and the husband.

I’d love to go somewhere but I still don’t know where we can go. We’ll probably end up in the ever reliable malls and spend endless time window shopping and pigging out. I might buy a few things because seriously, I am in dire need of new, good fitting clothes. It is only during these last couple of weeks of rain, when we were allowed to dress up in jeans at work, that I realized that I only have two pairs of jeans that really fit me while most are all tight in all the wrong places. I can barely pull the jeans up my hips! It would have been nice to have a few pieces of good shapewear from annetteonline.com, I am pretty sure I would have fitted on all those tight jeans.

Anyway, how about you, what are your plans for the long weekends?

The Southwest Monsoon

The Southwest Monsoon or more popularly known as the Hanging Habagat has been bringing huge amounts of rainfall and strong winds to the Philippines the last couple of weeks. Many cities are already submerged in waters, homes and properties were destroyed by the floods, lives have been lost. It's saddening to watch the news because most of our fellow Filipinos are badly affected.

Me and my family are okay, though. We live in the higher part of Cavite which is Dasmarinas so we didn't have to deal with the floods unlike those who live in the nereby towns of Imus and Bacoor.

Where were you when work has been suspended last Wednesday? I am at work during that time. We were asked to report for work in the morning and waited until 1pm when our HR finally decided to suspend our work, too. We even experienced a few seconds of earthquake which is pretty scary when you're working on the topmost floor of the building.

I hope we all get through this disaster and let's all pray that the rains will stop so the floodwaters will finally subside.

God bless us all.

My Little Artist

Any mom who has a toddler at home can surely relate to this. I'm so tired of scrubbing our walls every weekend just to have it filled up again with scribbles the next day. My son's current favorite are crayons and he'd write on any surface, even our LED TV became a victim to his artistic prowess, much to hubby's shock. Hehe.

Here is my little artist caught in the act

Last weekend, I found the solution to my dilemma. I brought out cartolina paper and pasted it on our wall telling Johan to just draw on the paper. And draw he did!

Johan drawing away. Here he's saying "Sta!" for stars, he's trying to copy
the stars that I've drawn

My son's work of art =)

Imagine if I hadn't thought of putting up the cartolina paper, our wall would have looked like that and my hands would have been numb from scrubbing it all off. :)

Inconsistent Weather

If there's nothing I hate more than a very humid day, it's the constant changes in our weather the last couple of weeks. There are days when it's raining so hard, the rains don't seem to have any plans of stopping making it very hard to get up in the morning, take a commute to work and brave the heavy traffic, due to the rain and the floods, that greets me even if it's before seven in the morning.

Hubby's been nursing a cough for the past three days, I have the colds and Johan seems to be starting to have cough, himself. Hubby and I have both been taking vitamins to keep the cough and colds at bay and I've been giving Johan his daily dose of multivitamin for kids, hoping he doesn't catch the bug that hubby and I currently have.

Today's a bit cloudy but still humid enough to make us turn on the airconditioner this early in the morning. Hopefully, the sun shines a bit later in the afternoon so we could head off to the mall to have Johan's hair cut. The boy's been irritable lately because his hair has grown long enough to reach his ears and he's been constantly scratching that area.

Oh please, make it not rain today. Even for just today.

I Want a Neater Home

This is my official entry to the Howard Storage World + Dainty Mom Wow Your Wardrobe Contest.

I have always been an OC person - I wanted everything in their proper places and it usually irritates me when I find my things not where they're supposed to be. Since becoming a mom, I kind of embraced the fact that it is impossible to keep a neat environment with a baby who is now an active toddler. There are just too many baby clothes, toys, shoes and other stuff for the little boy that it takes more closet space than mine and hubby's stuff combined. I swear, my son's stuff occupies 3/4 of our storage space at home and there's absolutely no way I could expand the storage given the small bedroom that we have. Even the space under our bed is full of boxes filled with Johan's baby clothes!

All I can do is maximize what we have and organize, organize, organize. This is the reason why I think I deserve to win a Php10,000 wardrobe showcase from Howards Storage World. I need to have effective organizing tools to maximize the limited space that I have.

With all these great prizes, I'll definitely be in organizing heaven! I want this, I need this - to make my life easier and our home a whole lot neater.

• 2 units of Space Bags
• 2 units of Easi Store Underbed Shoe Box
• Faux Feather Jewelry Tray (Large w/ Lid)
• Allure Earring Organizer
• 5 units of Stackable Bamboo Organizer
• Handbag Holder
• Over-Door 2-Hook
• Flocked 20-pack Hanger (with bar) Value Pack
• Diamond Drawer Organizer
• 2 units Eva Trouser Rack 3-Pack
• 5 units Thick Trouser Hanger 2-Pack (Chocolate)

More Time with the Tot

If there's one thing that's turned out for the positive with our computer breaking down, it's that I get to spend more time with Johan. Before, I only spend 30 minutes to an hour, at most, bonding with him when I get home before I turn the lights off and send him to bed.

For the last two weeks, I spent 3 hours every night playing with my son, watching and dancing with him during the Hotdog Song in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, played basketball and cheered every single time he shoots the ball.

I can see that he loves this "more" time that Mommy spends with him every night and that's the reason why I don't nag hubby to have the computer fixed that much anymore.

Plans for an Early Christmas Shopping

It’s the middle of July already and sooner than I expect, Christmas will be arriving next.  Every year, I make it my goal to start my Christmas shopping early, to which I’ve always failed. I don’t know, but it just doesn’t feel like Christmas to me if I don’t come to Divisoria in the midst of everyone else’s Christmas shopping and that meant being elbowed and pushed from one mall to another. Seriously, you don’t even have to walk on your own because your feet will move accordingly with the crowd. It is tiring, very, but it lifts up my spirits every time knowing that no matter how hard times can become, people still make an effort to buy gifts for their love ones come Christmas.

Anyway, my friends at work and I have been talking about Christmas shopping the other day and we planned a trip to Divisoria by October. I wanted to save for my Christmas shopping so that I won’t have to use my 13^th month pay which is already allotted for something else. My friend suggested we save 1000 pesos per payday and have someone else keep it for us until October comes. I agreed to it because given the many expenses at home plus the monthly car payments, it’s now extra hard to save. How I wish I have an extra income that can go directly to my savings account and I also wish I have an idea on stock trading because I heard people really earn well from it.

Hopefully, my early Christmas shopping plans will push through. Now, I have to think of gift ideas for everybody.

Down with a Broken PC

I have a lot to post about and I wanted to resurrect the Super Nanay blog but one thing's keeping me from all my tasks. Our desktop pc is broken! It's been broken since Wednesday last week and I've been using hubby's company laptop since then. I dunno, but I can't quite concentrate on writing using this laptop. I've been bugging hubby to have the desktop fixed but you know men, it'll take them 10 years to drag themselves up and do as they're told. I even walked out on him last Sunday because he spent the entire day in bed, sleeping. When 5pm struck and there's no sign that he's going to fix the desktop, I went down on the floor, prepped the CPU and acted like I'm going to carry it somewhere to have it fixed myself. But, my gosh, that thing's heavy! Hehehe. In the end, the desktop's still unfixed, I'm still using hubby's company laptop which I pressure him to bring home everyday so I can check my mail, this blog and FB. Hopefully, we can have the desktop fixed by weekend. Fingers crossed.

Busy Mornings

Finally it’s Friday! I’ve been waiting for this day the entire week and have been literally dragging myself out of bed every morning to prepare for work. Johan has been clingy and would cry when he doesn’t see me when he wakes up. He usually follows me to the bathroom and won’t stop knocking until I open the door to either let him in or abruptly finish my bath. He sleeps late as well lately so I go to bed around 11pm max. It sometimes feels like I didn’t sleep at all the whole night and end up getting drowsy on my way to work.

It’s always like this every morning – I get up at around 4:30am, wash Johan’s bottles that he used during the night, sterilize, cook my packed lunch and then take a bath. Every morning is busy and with me not getting enough sleep, it sometimes feels like I’m floating on air.  So, as soon as I take my seat on the van that I ride to work every morning, I put on my glasses from warby parker and drowse off to la-la-land for a much needed power nap. The ride usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and that short time is just enough for me to go through the day.

Amira's Buco Tart House

I first had a taste of this delicious tart when we passed by Amira’s on our way to Calaruega during our honeymoon in 2009. It was by coincidence when we saw a very pink shop along the road going to Nasugbu, Batangas. Hubby and I were so intrigued, we had to stop to look at what this shop has to offer. When I had my first bite – I instantly died and went to Buco Tart heaven! Hehe.

When we went to Tagaytay again two weeks ago, we were surprised to discover that the original location of the shop is nowhere to be found. We didn’t see the pink shop on our way to Nasugbu and that got me upset because I’ve been craving for Amira’s for months.

I finally asked around before we went back again to Tagaytay last Saturday and found out that their shop is relocated somewhere else - it's now in the area of Silang, Cavite just before Hotel Dominique. So, when we finally reached Silang, I asked hubby to slow down so as not to miss the shop and we finally found it!

I immediately went inside to buy the famous Buco Tart and hubby’s fave Blueberry Cheesecake Tart. When we arrived home, we gave in to our cravings and dug in.

A box of Buco Tart contains nine pieces priced at P170.00

It's creamy and has real Buco flesh

A box of  Blueberry cheesecake contains six pieces priced at P170.00

Super yummy with just the right amount of sweetness

These taste way better than they look, believe me. You should try for yourself.


Amira’s Buco Tart Haus
Address: Aguinaldo Highway Maitim 2nd East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact number: (+046) 413-4109

A Short Trip to Picnic Grove, Tagaytay City

We went back to Tagaytay yesterday to celebrate my SIL's daughter's birthday. Six of us - hubby, me, MIL, FIL, SIL and her husband - plus 3 kids squeezed into the car and started the short trip to Tagaytay at around 9am. The morning was perfect for a picnic and the kids dozed off on the way.

We arrived at Picnic Grove around 10 in the morning, paid the entrance fee of 50.00 Php per head for adults (kids come in free) and searched for a cottage to rent. We decided it's best to rent the family cottage which comes for a fee of 300.00 PhP since we need the space with 3 active kids in tow.

The kids were already itching to run around the grass so as soon as we put our bags down, we were off.

Kite!

My son immensely enjoyed the wide open area

Johan with cousins Angel and Cristoffe

Sweet cousins - I hope they grow up this close

Prepping for my Friend's Wedding

My friend from highschool is finally getting married next year. She’s asked for my help in the preparations and as much as I wanted to help her, I could only do so much – what with a full time job during the week and being a full time mom during the weekends. I told her I could only do online searches for her whenever I go online when I get home from work. I’ve helped her look at some event locations, reception venues and bridal gown designs. So far, we’ve booked her church and reception venue.  We’re still on the search for the other wedding stuff but I’m pretty sure that’ll be a breeze because I love wedding preps. Well, I love preparing events – I think if I don’t have a job or a kid to look after – that’s what I’ll be, an event coordinator.

Anyway, going back to my friend’s wedding, I am so happy for her for this huge change and happier for her daughter because I’m sure this is what she wants – her mom marrying her dad – despite all the drama that those two had went through when their relationship is just starting. I just hope that they both learn to accept each other’s differences and work hard to make their marriage work.

Legoland, Florida - Who wants to go?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If only my son could express himself well enough at his age, I am pretty sure he’d be jumping up and down while screaming, “Me! Me!”

Well, actually, the child in me is already doing that. Who would not want to go to Legoland in Florida? I seriously cannot think of anyone. I grew up with all my brothers playing Lego and we would always have a row as to who should build what. I have very fond memories of colorful blocks in yellow, red and green that I make into a castle or a car or a tunnel – whatever I felt doing during those days.
Now, that I have a son, I am slowly introducing him to the world of Lego and he has yet to receive a present from me and his Dad. I can see that he’s interested in building things – turning chairs into cars, pillows into horses – so, a set of Lego will be perfect for him and his wild imagination. And of course, a trip to Legoland in Florida will be more than perfect!

It’s great that there is the Atlantic Luggage and Legoland Sweepstakes. Now, going to Florida will be just as easy as 1-2-3. Here's what we can all win once we join:

• A chance to win a 2 day vacation for two adults and two children to Legoland in Florida. 
• The prize includes hotel for 2 nights (one 4 occupancy room) 
• Car voucher 
• Meet and Greet with a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder 
• A free set of Atlantic luggage.

Tell me, if that doesn’t sound great then I don’t know what is. A Meet and Greet with a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder just seals the deal but a free set of Atlantic luggage is just awesome!

Atlantic Luggage is affordable, durable and lightweight -- perfect for families on the go. Collections include a variety of styles and sizes with something for everyone. I’m sure every family who go on vacations would love to have an Atlantic Luggage of their own. I certainly want one right now!

Anyway, Legoland Florida has a new waterpark (opened May 2012) with wave pool, tube slides and body slides. Families can also imagine, design, and build a unique LEGO vessel and set it afloat on the 1,000ft lazy river. That would be a fantastic experience, one that I am pretty sure my son would absolutely enjoy.
Let’s all join the Legoland Sweepstakes and make all our kids jump with joy!

Fish Feeding at Nuvali

I've heard that Nuvali is a great place for families. The kids will have fun feeding the Japanese Kois at Nuvali's man-made lake and the adults will enjoy the wide array of restaurants and shops that surround the area.

Last Saturday, after we went to Tagaytay, we headed down towards Nuvali to get a firsthand experience of the place. I was so sure Johan would love to see the Kois and I planned to take a boat ride with my two boys. Sadly, though, Nuvali wasn't as huge as I expected or maybe I expected too much. I still think the developers should add more shops, add more variety of restaurants to the place and a playground for the kids would have been great. Still, I saw that a lot of people enjoyed the place, including us. Well, I enjoyed because I saw my son enjoying himself.

I honestly thought I'd enjoy seeing the Kois, but I did not. I was so grossed
out with the huge number of them and how they go on top of each other
just to catch some feeds. 

The little boy enjoyed it, though, and kept on shouting
"Fi! Fi!"

 

I think Daddy enjoyed feeding the Kois more than Johan
and I did

We didn't take a boat ride anymore because the lake is fairly small and there aren't too much to see. We decided to just go the Glass House as per my sister's agent's recommendation because according to her there are some ducks on that part of the lake. My son would love to see one!

The Glass House

 

It is such an interesting architecture and I hope it would house artworks instead of the map and plans for development at Nuvali. Anyway, we went here because of the ducks, but we didn't find any and my heartbroken son kept on saying "Quack, quack, quack." over and over. We'll find some ducks for you, Johan, I promise. :)

Electric powered Jeepney

We weren't able to ride one of the few electric powered jeepneys that goes around Nuvali. Next time though.

All in all, the Nuvali trip is short but good because Johan had fun running around and he not only saw one but  an entire school of actual, live fish! Next time, we'll go to the zoo and introduce him to the animals there. 

Going to a new place every weekend on the new car isn't such a bad idea, right? Strike while the iron's hot, as they say, or according to hubby, take advantage while the fuel is still priced below 50 pesos per liter. :)

Rainy Tagaytay Trip

We headed up to Tagaytay yesterday to break in our new car. The morning was good because even though it's not a particularly sunny day, at least it's not raining when we left the house. But, it's drizzling when we reached Tagaytay City. It's also a good thing though because it made the trip seem like a real Tagaytay trip - with the fog and very cool climate.

On our way to Tagaytay, as soon as the car moved, Johan's already sleepy

Foggy Tagaytay - I love it!

We just drove down the road leading to Nasugbu trying to catch the sign going to the Pink Sisters Chapel but to no avail. I cannot remember where we should turn right nor did we see any signs. So, we just went ahead and drove straight to Calaruega.

The road leading to Calaruega is the same at is was two years ago when we
first came here to visit - still bumpy and unfixed

 

When we arrived, Johan kept on pointing at several things - the trees ("Tee, tee!"), the fountain ("Ter, ter!") and the cars ("Caa, Caa!"). Hehe. I guess he's pretty much excited with the new place.

Johan's at this age where he knows how to follow instructions. In this photo, I just told him to sit and look at me while I take his picture. And sit and look he did!