Gift goodies

This year my family gave me really great and practical gift items for my 40th year on earth. My darling D surprised me with this slick device. I say surprise because he has never given me anything since I've known him well except for his unwavering love ... but that's different! hehe :D



The first film we watched together on our brand new DVD player was the horror musical, Sweeney Todd. Our TV is located downstairs (because I refuse to have it in the bedroom - it will be a big distraction) so while watching we had to contend with a series of irritating distractions. The din of passing tricycles and vehicles, the never ending chatter of our neighbors and all kinds of ambient background noise. I thank the person who suggested putting subtitles to DVDS because his clever suggestion made the film viewable enough for us without losing our sanity ala Sweeney Todd.


My family wrapped up this gorgeous bag and filled it with more gift items (perfume, hankies, a dolphin brooch and gift certificates galore!) inside to warm my heart.



Bless them!

E-See Club Reminder

Last year for my birthday, my generous sister gifted me with an E-see Club membership. This card allows me to accumulate points every time I watch a movie at the Sh@ng Cineplex. However during that period last year, I was already busy planning my wedding so I hardly had time to see a film. Nowadays, I live too far away from that specific mall to merit a visit at the drop of a hat.

Last week, I received an email which states:

Dear Ms. Qxxxxxxxxx:

Our records indicate that you have not used your E-see Club card over the past 90 days. As you know, your membership will expire after 90 more days of inactivity.
We have several very good releases up, among them TROPIC THUNDER, THE STRANGERS, MAX PAYNE, IGOR and BODY OF LIES .
Hope you can visit the Shang Cineplex soon so you can enjoy the perks and benefits of your membership. See you at the Shang Cineplex soon!

Yikes!
I didn't realize it has been that long since I watched a movie, well at the Sh@ng Cineplex. The last time I was there was for the Cine Europa run but admission to those films were free of charge thus I didn't have to use my E-See Club Card. A quick check on their website reveals the current bunch of movies showing there don't appeal to me, one single bit.


Bummer!

Field Trip (kuno)

The usual SOP for my past birthdays was to have lunch, watch a movie followed by dinner then partaking of any cake to cap the day. This year I wanted to deviate from the norm.

I wanted to explore Fort Santiago.



Funny idea I know. But ever since my sister told me that it has been renovated and made more appealing to draw in tourists, I was curious about the place. The last time I went there was ages ago. I was merely 4 years old and my sister was still wearing diapers. I don't recall it at all but my parents would recount with fondness our pasyalan there after hearing mass at the Manila Cathedral. So after that filling lunch at Shanghai Bistro, we headed to Intramuros for our field trip! :D











We explored every nook and cranny of Fort Santiago. From the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the dungeons, the Park and the fountains. We also walked on those brass footsteps which traces the path Rizal took from Fort Santiago where he was detained all the way to the now Luneta Park where he was executed by firing squad.







The most interesting part for me was at the Rizal Shrine. A three storey building which encloses his clothes, his writings, his detention cell, his sculpture pieces, pictures of his family as well as his urn. I learned more tidbits about our national hero from my dear husband who teaches "Buhay, Gawain at Kaisipan ni Rizal" at the university.





So even if I sweated enough perspiration to flood a small African village and my feet were aching from walking all over Fort Santiago, it was worth it. I had so much fun reliving a part of my past as well as exploring an important landmark, a testimony to our rich cultural and historical heritage.

By the way, entrance fee to Fort Santiago is P50 per person. But by November 1, they will be charging P75. Do wear comfortable shoes and please watch out for horse excrement while walking around the park area!

My Birthday Lunch

Days before I turned a year older, I still couldn't think of a place where to treat my family for my birthday lunch. For some strange reason, I wasn't as enthusiastic about celebrating it compared to my previous birthdays. I simply had too much worries on my mind, I didn't feel like making such a big fuss over turning 40 which is a milestone but well you get my drift.

Anyways the eve of my birthday I was still wracking my brain for a suitable place. Then as I was sorting through some documents, it dawned upon me to simply go back to the place where I hosted my wedding lunch, 5 months ago. After the 11 am mass at the Edsa Shrine, (yes, where I got hitched) which I haven't visited in 5 months and really miss because it is airconditioned, we proceeded to the Sh@ngh@i Bistro at the Eastwood City in Libis Q.C.

We feasted on

Happy Birthday to Me

A beauty product ad says "It is ok to be 40 just as long as you look 30."

Well guess what?

Today I turn 40! =)

This is what I looked like when I was 30.




This picture was taken at the Ist Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece.

Capella University

With the proliferation of online universities, it is important one is armed with detailed and relevant information about these higher education institutions which offer a valuable school mba program.

Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited and fully online university. Capella University which was founded in 1993 offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety, and bachelor’s degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety.

They have just released their latest Inside Online Education podcast. It features Beverly Enns, Capella’s faculty chair for reading/literacy discussing their status as the only online university offering a master’s degree program with a state-approved specialization in reading and literacy. The online university currently serves more than 23,400 students from all 50 states and 45 other countries.

They also feature regular pod casts interviews with Capella students, faculty and staff who share their online education experiences from a personal point of view. These pod casts are usually about 15 minutes long and are available at http://www.capellacommons.com. They are also available via subscription from iTunes.

Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.



“This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.”

M for Meme

Toni of Wifely Steps tagged me with the letter



Here are 10 things I love which begin with this letter:
1) Movies - you all know by now how much I love to watch movies.

2) Magazines - I used to read the Time Magazine from cover to cover but I hardly have time for it nowadays. I only get to browse magazines when I'm having my hair treatment at the salon.

3) May - is the month I got married and when we celebrate my mother's birthday.

4) Mother - The person who molded me into the woman I am today.

5) Magic Crackers - my fave snack item.

6) Mineral Water - I drink this all the time.

7) Mail - I love receiving snail mail.

8) Mayonnaise - my condiment of choice.

9) Milestones - I love celebrating milestones. It doesn't have to be a grand affair. What's more important is we remember what the day stands for. I will be celebrating my own milestone in 10 days time, I will be turning 40 on October 19. =) For the longest time, my original plan was to visit New York on my 40th birthday. But life does have a way of intervening with our plans, doesn't it?

10) Because I got married! My Marriage well so far so good. It is made extra extra special with the fact that I married a very lovingly nurturing man. New York can wait! hehe

Sisterhood

I'm back home after I spent two nights (Thursday & Friday) at my former residence. Reason: Pelikula, the 7th edition of the Spanish Film Festival is currently ongoing at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.

Last Thursday (October 2) was my everdearest sister's birthday. We had Chinese food for lunch at HK Chef located at HK Plaza in Macapagal Avenue. Then we watched a Spanish film at Greenbelt 3. D joined us for dinner at Restaurant Pia y Damaso, a Spanish themed eatery situated at the posh Greenbelt 5.

Friday was my pamper me day (waxing and hair treatment) after I heard first Friday mass at Megamall. Then last night D picked me up after my sister and I watched 2 Spanish films at Greenbelt!


Obviously this family loves to eat and we have the expanding waistline to prove it!

HK Chef: Chopsuey, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Beef in Black Pepper Sauce, Seafood Noodles for long life!


Special request from my sister: Steamed Crab and Lapu Lapu with Garlic Sauce





Dinner at Pia y Damaso: Lengua, Pumpkin Puree Soup, Chicken Pastel and Rellenong Bangus.

Note: We were all wondering who Pia was. It turns out she is the mother of Maria Clara. Information c/o of my husband who teaches Rizal.

I guess I was wrong

I've always believed that my husband wasn't the romantic type of guy.

But yesterday he surprised me.

First of all he came home early. A bit too early that I was still taking a shower so the deadbolt lock was still closed. I had to rush out of the bathroom all soapy and wet to let him in.

Secondly he had a pasalubong for me. Jollibee's 2 piece burger steak. The previous day when we went out for grocery shopping, I wanted to have lunch at Jollibee for some strange reason. He told me that it would be too crowded and service would be slow. Besides he said I didn't fit in the Jollibee crowd whatever that meant. So yesterday he passed by Jollibee for takeout.

Thirdly, he had another surprise in the ref. A regular size Zagu (chocolate flavor), one of my favorite beverages. He must have sneaked it into the ref when I resumed my bath. I discovered it when I opened the frigo for a glass of water.

So yes he has a romantic streak in him, after all. A streak which manifests itself in pleasant surprises from time to time. Although I have to add that he still continues to amaze me everyday with his relentless energy to do house chores - even after a long tiring day at work and much against my wishes! But hey alright I won't complaint nor insist if he wants to do the dishes - so be it! =)