Lightning strikes yet again!

There I was minding my own business and doing my online activities when a loud piercing lightning struck! Strangely the power didn't go out. The next thing I know .. all the electronic appliances which were plugged went out! That includes the TV upstairs, the DSL modem and the ACER laptop. Boy oh boy am I in deep trouble with my sister. She will get really angry when she finds out her laptop has been grounded.

Argh.

I never learn. I should have immediately shut down everything once it started to rain. I reckon I was too engrossed with my Scrabble game on FB to mind the freaky lightning storm which came out of nowhere.

Financial advice

Every now and then I would receive a call from my personal banker. I've been a loyal patron of a bank so she would give me a complete sales talk on how to better invest my money. Her startup advice involves long term investments in venture capital firms. Terms which I am quite unfamiliar, truth be told. It is also in my opinion a bit risky therefore so far I haven't made a decision yet. I tend to stick to the familiar savings accounts and time deposits variety. But with the low interest rates nowadays, I just might take heed of her financial advice soon!

A decade of extreme lows and ultimate highs

Today marks my 10th year of being back home here in jolly old Pinas. Funny how one whole decade can fly by so fast!

I distinctly remember how heartbroken I was when we left Dubai, UAE. The last assignment post of my dad who had to retire at the mandatory age of 65. I was so overwhelmed with grief that I started crying buckets of tears during the entire flight. It was very embarrassing yet I couldn't control my sadness.

For the few first weeks back home, I was so depressed. I wasn't used to the tropical climate. I didn't have the energy to make myself presentable. I felt like everything was at a standstill. In short, I was miserable.

Three years down the road, I wasn't able to sustain my long distance relationship so I gave up on it. Long distance phone calls took a heavy toll on my expenses. Not to mention the airfare(s) that burned a deep hole in my much abused credit card! I figure the only good thing about that whole LDR was the increase in my frequent flyer miles. Due to those points, the whole family was able to travel to Bangkok, Thailand with a side trip to Singapore sometime in 2004.

I believe that 2005 was a turning point for me. I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I decided to take better care of my psyche and my body. I also developed a positive attitude. I turned 37 that year with nary a hint of a love life but I was quite content in my spinsterhood. :D

The saying 'the best things in life happen when you least expect them' (or something to that effect) is quite applicable to yours truly. In 2007, I 'reconnected' with D. We first corresponded through text messages and emails before he finally decided to meet for real. Yeah, I admit it took him such a long time to decide I was this close to giving up on him. :P

The next chapter of my life commenced on May 15, 2008 when we were united in the sacrament of matrimony. 3 years of marital bliss and we still act like newlyweds. Naturally, there are an equal share of highs and lows but we strive on together. After all, life would be pretty boring without any challenges that strengthen our determination to face the numerous battles ahead.

So yes, it has been quite a journey. But I am thankful that my parents are in good health. My sister is doing well in her career. My marriage is striving on the right path. Here's to more blessed years! =)

Childhood memories

The above picture circa 1979 was taken at Meli Park in Belgium. This huge theme park is located near the town of De Panne on the Belgian coast. Meli Park was opened in 1936 and operated until 1999. I read that it was restored into a new park that opened on 20 April 2000. It has been renamed Plopsaland.

I remember that Meli-Park was an amazing place to visit. It was bought by a honey company and they decided to adopt a honey bee theme. Most of the different types of rides were all based on bees. Our parents would take us there during weekends and we would ride all of the attractions. I guess I was still pretty brave back then. It was and always will remain a very pleasant childhood experience for me and my sister. It would forever hold a special place in our memory warehouse.

Ah yes the good old times. Don't you sometimes wish that we could all travel back in time? If you could, where would you go? Please share your fondest childhood memories! :D

Funny queasy feeling

It has been almost two weeks since my sister left and I've fallen into a slump. A general sense of malaise has encumbered me. I have lost my appetite. I feel sleepy, most of the time. Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed with hot flashes that make me sweat buckets of perspiration. Other times there is this funny queasy feeling that resembles the sensation of having butterflies in my stomach. The same sentiment one feels when one is in the early stages of a new relationship.

I consulted my doctor about it and she said it's the effects of the injectables coupled with the meds I need to drink on a daily basis. But somehow I feel there is more to it. Or perhaps it is just my paranoia creeping in along with fatigue. Drinking peppermint tea soothes my nerves. Taking a nap in the afternoons also allows me to regain my balance.

Hopefully I snap out of it sooner than soon. It isn't a pleasant feeling that I wish to sustain in the long run. I am slowly losing the battle in my quest to maintain a positive attitude in life.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

I need to believe in this quote by Winston Churchill and turn it into my mantra!

Who you are (a Flickr meme)

A Flickr meme c/o of Toni from Wifely Steps.

The concept:
a. Type your answer to the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste the html into your blog or Flickr stream. Or use the Mosaic Maker at fd’s Flickr Toys.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Looked up your flickr name and see what pops up.



1. Daphne, 2. Clam Chowder, 3. St. John's Altar, 4. Blue Morpho, 5. JOHNNY DEPP, 6. Water pattern, 7. Bali / Summer / Landscape, 8. Ice Cream, 9. A mothers love, 10. peace of mind, 11. Optimistic, 12. Daphne

August highlights

Naturally August can't pass by without us celebrating my father's natal day (August 22). There was a pre-birthday lunch on a Sunday so D could join us. We had lunch at Little Asia in Greenhills. Then on his birthday itself, we had lunch at Tony Roma's located in Glorietta 4.

Granite kitchen tops

One of the first things I check when I visit model homes is the kitchen. After all, it is the most important aspects of a home. It is the place where meals are prepared and dished out with much warmth.

A clean well organized kitchen with all the major kitchen components like countertops, electronic gadgets such as microwave, oven toaster, range is essential. A nice kitchen will inspire you to cook more.

Another good source of kitchen inspirations are comprehensive websites that feature everything you need to know about kitchen items. These items certainly don't come cheap. An online estimate tool is quite an effective program. In just a few minutes, it dispenses granite countertops price so you get an idea if it fits within one's budget.

I wonder when I'll get to own my own granite kitchen in my dream home!