happy hubby's hp lappy

Last night, after months of searching, I was finally able to buy the laptop hubby wanted.

During last year’s Gitex, he mentioned that he wanted to replace his old laptop because it was, well, old. Plus, he needed a new updated model where he could work on his templates and whatevers if he needed to bring home some work. So, that time, I told him that that would be my birthday gift to him (his birthday was still 2 months later). Unfortunately, we couldn’t find one that he liked. We looked around the shops, but still there was nothing. And then, Ate Cel came and we had all these expenses, so hubby said that it would be better to delay buying the laptop for a while. Little did he know that I had already put aside the money and had no intention to use it except to buy his gift; I was ready anytime.

barney

Yesterday, while walking around DFC, Caila met one of her favorite tv characters.
I’m not sure if she was just shy or starstruck, because she didn’t seem really excited when she saw Barney. He even offered to carry her for the photo, but she preferred me. Then, when she saw Barney walk away, she started crying and wanted to run after him.
Haaaay! Toddlers...go figure!

make-up...no make-up

This morning, I decided to wear make-up and use contact lenses instead of glasses.
I don’t know how to put on make-up and I’ve never worn make-up to the office before (I always just put on face powder and lipstick), so I just experimented with eye-liner, eye-shadow, mascara, blush, and red lipstick.

27.01.11 = 68, 32, 23

Today is the 27th of the month...
68 months of being in a relationship with a great man.
32 months of married bliss with a loving husband.
23 months of motherhood to a wonderful daughter (she’s growing up so fast!).
It’s celebration time once again!

the mv logos hope

Last Saturday, I read in Gulf News that the MV Logos Hope was docking in Dubai until the 5th of February, and since I love reading and I’ve been reading to Caila lately, I wanted to check it out. When I was still a kid in Papua New Guinea, my dad took me to the MV Doulos when it docked there (either in Rabaul or Madang) and I remember I was amazed at the thousands of books they were selling.

another lunch at al dawaar

Ohhh...I'm soooo full!

I just returned to the office a few minutes ago from a lunch meeting at Al Dawaar in Hyatt Regency.
Actually, I thought it was just going to be an ordinary meeting that would last 1 hour max. The meeting was scheduled for 2:30pm, so naturally I had my lunch during the break from 1 to 2pm, and left the office at 2:10pm. However, as soon as my boss and I arrived at the hotel lobby, our account manager informed us that she had made a reservation at the revolving restaurant. Of course, I was happy (free food!), but then I had just had a filling lunch and I didn't have any room left in my tummy for more.

selosa?!

Last night in bed...
Hubby: O, anak, goodnight kiss na kay Daddy.
Caila plants a kiss with matching MWAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Hubby: Ang sarap naman! Si Mommy naman, goodnight kiss mo rin.
Caila also kisses me with matching MWAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Me: Wow! Ang sarap! Goodnight 'nak.
Hubby: Si Daddy naman, mag-goodnight kiss din kay Mommy.

talking with caila

When you ask her to identify the parts of her body...
Eyes!
Ears!
Nose!
Mouth!
Chin!
Cheek!
Neck!
Tummy!
Ulo!
Kamay!
Paa!
Toinks! Bilingual?! Hahaha!

japanese pasalubong

Yesterday, our big boss from the Japan head office came to Dubai for another short visit.
For 2 weeks prior to his arrival, he had requested me to book flights, make a hotel reservation, and change his flights and hotel booking several times.
When he arrived at the office, he handed me 2 different boxes. One box was for me and my family only (as per his instructions), and the other was for the rest of the staff to share.

'wawa caila

We had to rush Caila to the hospital last night (which, fortunately, was just across the street) because her temperature had suddenly shot up to 39.3 degrees. She wasn’t delirious or anything; in fact, she was her usual playful and active self, but of course I was alarmed. Before leaving our apartment, we gave her some paracetamol, so by the time the nurse checked her temperature, it had gone down to 38.6.

the cooling patch

Since yesterday, Caila has been sick with fever.
She hates wearing the fever cooling patch, and it’s always a struggle to put and keep it on her forehead.
Yesterday, just so she would keep wearing it, I had to tell her “Mommy will also use the patch.”

plans & conversations with the mister

Ever since we renewed Piper’s registration last year, she has undergone numerous repairs and tinkerings, and several of her parts have had to be replaced. Of course, they haven’t been cheap.
Tonight, she has another appointment at Emarat Fast Track, and it’ll cost around Dhs3,000.

nighttime routines

For the past few evenings, Caila and I have gone through a routine.
Before dinner, we would settle ourselves on the carpet in our living room and I would take out my mobile phone and play Caila’s latest favorite song.
My daughter would then hold the phone and sway her head from side to side while sitting in my lap. The song is played over and over until it’s time for us to have dinner.

happiness

This version was sung by Lea and Gerard Salonga when they were very young, and lately, it's Caila's favorite song.
When she wants to listen to it, she hands me my mobile phone where it's saved, and says "Mommy, Happy-aness. Please?" Of course, I oblige, and we sit down to listen...

(Spoken)"You know some kids ask us what happiness really is.
Well, to me happiness is a hamburger, going to the movies, new clothes.
Well, what's your happiness, Gerard?"
"My happiness is a hotdog sandwich, new rubber shoes, new t-shirts, new jeans.
And also my favorite part of happiness is LOVE."

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream
Finding your skate key, telling the time
Happiness is learning to whistle
Tying your shoe for the very first time
Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band
And happiness is walking hand in hand

Happiness is five different crayons
Knowing a secret, climbing a tree
Happiness is finding a nickel
Catching a firefly, setting him free
Happiness is being alone every now and then
And happiness is coming home again

Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime, too
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you

Happiness is having a sister
Sharing a sandwich, getting along
Happiness is singing together when day is through
And happiness is those who sing with you

Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime, too
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you

lucky seven

Today I’m celebrating my 7th year in Dubai...SEVEN years! Wow!
Looking back to that day when I boarded the plane in Manila, I was fearful and anxious because I didn’t want to leave my (then) boyfriend and I was unsure of what was waiting for me. It was my first time to travel to another country all alone, and although I knew my sister was going to be there to guide me, I still felt scared. I didn't want to let go of the comforts I was accustomed to, and I knew I had to become mature and more responsible if I wanted to survive. That time, I told myself that I would stay here for 2 years max. Obviously, God had different plans for me.

playtime at mirdiff city centre

Over the weekend, we took Caila to Mirdiff City Centre at the kids’ play area at Play Nation. It was still pretty early and there were just a handful of kids, so the lady at the entrance allowed all of us (me, hubby, Ate Cel) to go in with Caila. You can imagine that she enjoyed herself immensely! There were so many things to do and see...but just enough for her to discover in the allotted 1 hour.

et's january connection

6-7 January 2011
Archie, Jenny, Caloy, Jeanette, Eugz, Pia, Joel, Lhen, Dhenzio, Hubby, Me + Caila and Ate Cel (the others were in the Philippines or KSA).
Sinigang na Hipon, Chili Crabs, Tinolang Tahong, Rice, Fruit Salad + water, softdrinks, red wine and sparkling grape juice.

our little fashionista

When she knows we’re going out, and if she doesn’t like our choice of the clothes we lay out for her, Caila makes a fuss and then pulls out whatever she wants to wear. More often than not, she does know how to coordinate the colors.
There was a time when I was trying to force her to wear a white blouse because she was wearing greenish-gray pants, but she kept crying until I gave in and let her wear the blue blouse she wanted.

dating again

A month ago, hubby suggested that since our offices were (slightly) near each other, we should have lunch together once a month.
No special occasion or reason, and the place where we would eat didn’t have to be posh; this would just be a chance for us to take a break from our busy schedules and spend some time together. Of course I agreed.

how we spent 01-01-11

My mom told me that as much as possible, we shouldn’t spend for anything on the first day of the year, otherwise “tuloy-tuloy ang paglabas nyo ng pera sa buong taon”. I think it’s an old wives tale, but just to be sure, my family and I decided to enjoy January 1st as simple as possible to avoid bringing out money. So, we thought of going to the park which is just a short walking distance from our new apartment, and is open daily from morning to late at night.