Shower Buzz

May decided to host a shower party for Katrine Tiu so we have the best reason to party.  I schemed with her to make it a “surprise thing”.  I supplied the cake and the balloons which was daunting as I want a fondant cake with “baby bottoms in diaper” as the design.  I had 3 days to order this cake so none took my request.  I gave up and submitted to a 3D icing cake of a teddy bear with baby things around.  The result was this: 

 

 

May took care of all the food.  The asado siopao was to die for.  I was tempted to bring some for take home, but remembering that I need to lose weight and that I already got the number of the caterer, I just decided I’ll be placing an order soon.

May and I’s biggest challenge was to make in house caipirinhas!  HA!  Fat chance.  Cachaca is nowhere to be found.  So we resigned to make mojitos instead.  And it is not difficult at all.  Club soda, lime, sugar, spearmint leaves, and a swirl of Bacardi, and VOILA!  We’re on your way to la-la-land.   I have forgotten how much fun it was to mix your own concoctions.  That was such a canadian thing.  Get the liquor and all the supplies to your house, and get mixing. 

IN Manila, people are so lazy to do that.  My sense of adventure is buying beer from beers of paradise and serving it to my guests.  I usually just open a bottle of wine, scotch or champagne.  Who wants to be mixing, right?!  However, playing bartender is half of the fun, and it brings you back to high school days.  There was definitely a nostalgic feeling at May’s house, especially as she played 80’s music the entire time.  You have to be excited about your liquor!  That’s where the fun is!

I went home with a feeling of satisfaction that it was such a fun party.  And I am on a big assignment to stock up my booze selection as I think of the next party I’ll be throwing.  I am centering the theme as “bartender night” and get everyone involved in mixing their own drinks.

Now, all I need is the perfect excuse to host a party. 

 

pressured

As the saying goes, “when life throws you lemons, squeeze them in your san Pellegrino.”  Well… actually, that saying came from John Tiu, so… I wouldn’t be all surprised if he just made it up.  The thing is life has a conspiracy against me and is throwing me watermelons instead of lemons!  I have to dodge but it still hits me right smack in the face, and instead of squeezing, I am left with a mess to clean up! 

I’ve got nothing to offer but rants.  Workload has taken up 90% of my normal life.  Since I normally just put in 50%, the increase of 40% is overwhelming.  I actually clocked in 14 hours last Monday and 12 hours yesterday!  I need to put a stop to this pathetic life while I am still ahead. 

I also disabled my LAN from my laptop so I won’t YM, surf or blog.  I labored like I’ve never labored before, and during this INTESIVE slaving that happened, I’ve also packed in serious pounds.  I couldn’t stop myself from wolfing down the Pringles my sis-in-law gave me from Subic.  They are the best variants if you’re bored with the usual cheddar cheese and sour-cream.  I devoured my SPICY GUACAMOLE, and BUFFALO BLAZING Pringles while I enslaved in the comfort of my 6 x 4 office space!  I curse my self-control during stressful periods! DAMN!

 

So now, I am the fat, uncompromising, peppery, intractable, tactless, and oft times disagreeable me…. and yes, I am larger than LIFE.  Lemons or watermelons, I am here to stay.  Just disconnect me from the junk!

 

Before I end this entry…. I had the best dinner at 22 Prime last week with John, Kat and Jonathan.  The dinner was extra special with the exceptional wine John brought.  Rasteau, was it?  What was ABSOLUTELY terrifying was that we polished 4 bottles and there were only 4 of us drinking.  Oh boy, tipsy again, will be another understatement.  There was no time wasted for pacing.  The wine was too good.  And the best part?  No hangover the next day!

I am now convinced that the best steak in the city is found at 22 Prime.  Hands down they win this battle. (Provided John brings the booze)

I am also on a mission to get Jonathan wasted more often as he gets livelier after every sip of wine.  He became so animated, and lively, you would think he was drinking vodka bull instead of red wine!  Kelly’s right, it would be so dull without jonathan.  I realized that I spend most of my time hanging out with this group, that I am starting to have withdrawal symptoms when we I don’t see them… so… tomorrow again?

Til our next sashay-ing…. And fabulousness?….

Shiyet!  I wasted an hour writing this blog!  I really have to get back to my pile of work.

Got myself a facelift

The new apollo machine at Dr Jonathan Yu’s clinic is a MUST TRY for all ladies who wish to look 5 years younger after one treatment.  I had the fortune of seeing the benefit for myself after he applied the treatment on my face.  First, he applied  oil on the surface, then jon used an instrument that felt like magnet balls on the cheeks.  There was very minimal discomfort unless you’re sensitive to heat.  The only time I flinched was when the instrument slid to the upper portion of my cheekbones, the less fatty area of the face.  Apart from that, the treatment was in fact relaxing as you feel someone was massaging your face. After he finished my right cheek, we compared the difference between the left and right, and REALLY, I saw it with my own eyes.  The other half looked tighter, as if I had a mild facelift. 

The result of this Apollo treatment was beyond expectations.  I attended my dinner without a tinge of make-up, and I looked like I was glowing.  The wonders of technology!  This Apollo device also contours your face, so that you look like you have lost weight.  This is absolutely what I call INSTANT RESULTS!

I recommend it for those who wants an instant lift on their face without any surgery involved.  I feel brand new after this Apollo experience.  I’m already planning my next session and we are zoning on my arms, tummy and buttocks. 

I’ll be the next demi moore. ooooooh….Happy happy joy joy.  The wheel has turned!

 

Boiling point

Meltdown.  I had the worst week.  It started MOnday with my staff losing over 100k.  I hate it that we still don’t know who stole it.  Worse, i hate it that there is now a trust issue hovering in our mini palace. 

Then, I made such a big deal over some petty school issue.  In hindsight, it seems shallow.  But it was huge to me at that time!!!! SO huge that I placed myself in misery for 2 days.  I, of course, got off on the wrong foot with the new headmaster.  I am turning pink just thinking about it. sigh…. 

Setbacks are such pain in the neck that God should really try to fan them away.  I do crack under pressure.  And i do let out unnecessary steam when I do not get what I want.  Irrational according to my father.  He should know, I got it from him. 

I hope friday is the start of a new week.  THe bad vibes need to end.  Perhaps tonight…. as I look forward to dinner and wine with friends.

today

Today is one of those days where I woke up with lots of fears.

Today is one of those days where I cannot place my feelings, but I know I’m restless and unhappy.

Today is one of those days where I’m weak and irritable and it has nothing to do with pms.

Today is one of those days where I feel different from whom I really am. 

Today is one of those days I’d like to be left alone.

Today is one of those days where all I feel is insecurity.

Today is one of those days where the tears are just beneath the surface waiting to spill over.

Today is one of those days where a friend’s sympathetic stare will make me break down and cry.

Today is one of those days where I have to think and remember that I am stronger than I feel. 

Today is one of those days where dark thoughts linger, and I cannot seem to snap out off.

Today is one of those days where I wish I was back at my old home, and cared for by my parents.

Today is one of those days where I feel worthless and worried for those who depend on me.

Today is one of those days where I cannot even think about tomorrow.

 

 

my first heartburn

OK.  So i thought I was going to die…

10AM. Sunday morning.

This is not me being overly dramatic.  This is as REAL as it gets. 

All of a sudden, I was gasping for breath.  My chest felt like it was cramping.  NO matter how I stretch my chest forward and backward, the pain only intensifies. I remove my bra.  I thought it may be the garter of my undergarments.   It wasn’t.

I wanted to cry, but no tears were coming out.  I was too shocked by the pain.  It was quickly spreading to my back.  My lungs felt like it was on fire.  I called out to Kelly.  Embarrassed to ask for help I could not identify. 

Kelly: ”what’s wrong?”

Me: “im in pain.  I dont know what it is.” I plead with him using my eyes.  I can’t speak.

Me: “I think you have to go to the party alone.  I can’t make it” This was me saying I’m near death.  He knows I will never miss Ken & Kristine’s engagement party for the world.

Kelly: ” Let’s go to the ER, let’s just have you checked”  He knows my fear of hospitals.  I did a child’s pose on the bed.  I shook my head no.  But i have no better solution for the pain.  I was just too afraid I cannot go down the stairs in my condition.  Every breath i took sent me to severe chest pains. 

Kelly: “IS the pain on your right chest or your left?”  It took me awhile to answer his question.  I didn’t know how to tell him its everywhere.  Left, right, up, down, top middle, bottom centre, back, front and ALL!

Almay: “right chest.”  I nodded in agreement just so I have an answer.  I was praying for a miracle, and Kelly to say the doctor will cut you open in 2 minutes.  That was how excruciating the pain was.  I wanted to be sliced open. 

Kelly, my doctor, and loving husband, collected himself and got me Nexium from the medicine cab.  It seems like a heartburn according to him.  I was not convinced that one measley tablet will erase all the torturous pain I was feeling.  I had my doubts.  But there was nothing else to do but to patiently wait for the drug to kick in.

I made a mental note to be nicer to heart patients, not just my father.  My breathing was shallow so as not to inflict more pain.  Lots of other things came to mind while I was suffering.  Mostly DEATH. 

Then, I had an urge to throw up.  I told kelly that I think i’ll be ok as soon as I expel this acid reaction out of my system.   I went to the toilet, and gagged myself until all the sprakling apple juice came out, and the banana, and the dates.  That’s one hell of a breakfast combination you should never ever make! 

Just as sneaky as this attack came, it was also gone in a jiffy.  I brushed my teeth, and I tell Kelly, “hey, I’m ok, I’m going to the party! We only have 10 minutes to get ready.”

He just smiles at me.  He knows almay is back.

Death can come next time.  (much later, God… I hope)

Mojito turned lemon drop

Me = tipsy

I remember complaining to Jonathan that the mojitos are not doing anything but just making me fat.  After 2 pitchers of mojitos at café Havana… the traitor kicked in, and I was lightheaded.  Happy happy joy joy! 

Me = tipsy

Means wheeeeee.  And whooooo.  And then some wooo-hooo-hooo.   Oh!  HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!!!!!!   Jonathan is making fun of me.  How I underestimated the power of mojitos. 

WE  walked over to Nuvo.  It was in such a sorry state. But I was too tipsy to care.

Jonathan ordered lemon drop martinis soaked in my favorite Grey Goose.  I copied his drink.  It was more like Kalamansi drop martini.  I knocked over my martini glass and spill all over John’s jeans.  Oh! HAAAAPPPY HAAAAPPPY JOY JOY!!!!!! 

Me = SHAME

And all too soon, the party was over.  John gets a frantic phone call that his mother was rushed to the hospital.  I come out of the bathroom, and everybody was gone.  I lost every happy happy joy joy moment.  It was replaced by instant fear that made my cheeks feel hot.  I have a way of feeling exactly what the affected person should feel.  Even when I am drunk. 

The ride home was of silence as I say a silent prayer.  Now, its WORRY WORRY FRET FRET.

cheating myself

My lunch today is cornish hen with okra from Chef Flora.  I know it is the least appetizing of all the south beach meals I’ve had so far. And it is!!!  Don’t you just hate the word hen?  It sounds like I’m eating a whole fowl straight from the farm.  It made me very suspicious of my meal. 

I look forward to dinner.  I will be cheating on my south beach diet, and going to people’s palace tonight for some nice pad thai and green curry chicken.   I will order rice even if forbidden.  I will also indulge in a few mojitos at cafe havana even if that’s sweet & loaded with sugar.  It seems I am breaking all the rules of my diet program but who cares?!  OK, i do.  But my will power right now is too weak to resist donuts, fries, sausage & raisin bread- all of which was served at the Tiu’s residence yesterday when I visited.  Since my program has been ruined, I might as well give up.  This is all your fault Kat!

But tomorrow, my meal may be eggplant basked in cilantro, smoked salmon frittata with asparagus, and I can say I love you FLora! South beach is funky.  It is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates.

I am completely engrossed in this book called Twilight written by Stephenie Meyer.  So, my heart is not on blogging but on handsome vampires.  It is such a good read.  Well, for girls, anyway. 

 

Birkin, oh birkin!

 

This is my latest spending as I search for some retail therapy.

Although, this would be better but I cannot afford it.

So… i will just sigh and stare at my old blue jean birkin until a lagoon falls on my lap.

 

 

 

Out on a date

My hubby took me out for a real date last night.  It felt strange to have dinner out just the two of us.  I guess it has been so long since we’ve gone out without the kids.

Food was Chinese as we dined at Mandarin’s Tin Hau.  I couldn’t eat as I am on south beach diet, and also suffering from stomach flu.  Food was exceptionally delicious according to Kelly. 

I’ve noticed that service for couples are better than service for families.  I dont know why.  Are they usually better tippers? 

Not sure yet if this marks the beginning of many more “alone” dinners to come.  Will keep you posted.