Shelf Workout

Last Monday, August 29, I went to Makro in Las Piñas to avail of the Last Day of the Buy One, Take One Promotion on the Bookshelf that my sister and I were eyeing.

We had previously went there to look at the shelves and get some groceries. To my chagrin, Makro (our local Price Club) does not accept Credit Cards. Well, at least NOT the Internationally accepted ones. Ergo, my MasterCard and Visa, were not of any help. Since I had very little cash at that time, we left Makro with only the essential groceries.

On Monday, since it was Makro's Last Day of selling that 5-Tier Bookshelf with 1 Door on a Buy One, Take One Basis, my sister insisted on lending me the money to buy the shelves. So, with only 3 Hours of Sleep to my credit, off I went to Makro.

My trip to Makro was fine, except for the long delay on the attendants' part and the wrestle to fit the shelves into the car.

I, literally, had to open all the doors, fiddle with the seats, wriggle in the confines of our Compact-sized car (Honda City), just to fit the shelves inside. Thank goodness the car parked next to mine left a few seconds before I got to my Parking Spot! I was able to utilize more space to ease my struggle with putting the Sheves into the car. It was like figuring out how to straighten a tightly jumbled and twisted bundle of wires!

And those shelves were not light, too!. Each box weighed about 32 kgs. (I exaggerate not!). Right after I was able to figure out how the Shelves could fit in the car, I was out of breath and sweating like crazy (and it did not help that it was a very hot day!).

When I got home, same thing. I had to maneuver my way about getting those darned boxes out of the car! And, I had to haul those things to my Second Floor Bedroom! Ack!!!

After I was able to bring the still-boxed-up Shelves to my room, I felt like I worked out extra hard! I plopped into my Mom's treatment bed and caught my breath. Good thing my Mom was going to the mall, so I decided that it would be the best way for me to relax.

Yesterday, after work, my sister and I decided to set-up the sheves and fix our room at the same time. We, practically, turned our room up-side down! We were able to dig up stuff that we didn't even know we had!

While we were successful in assembling the shelves ("Good Carpenters, you are!" - Yoda), I was also successful in cutting my hand and gashing my leg! Of course, let us not forget, the inevitable Asthma Attack! That's why I hate cleaning my room and setting up new furniture!

Anyway, my sister and I were able to settle things down at around 6:30PM. Although we haven't finished clearing everything out, we were content (and tired) enough with the outcome. Also, my sister had to scuttle off with my Mom and Brother to the mall.

After almost 24 hours awake, I was finally able to sleep at 7:00PM, after a very refreshing shower, only to wake up 4 Hours later, to get ready for work...

Presenting... My Babies!!!

Mariel and Izabella

Matt at Mc Donald's

Auie

The kids that appear above are my kids.

No... I did not give birth to them. They're the kids I spoil rotten! Hehehe! Just kidding. They're the babies in our family, so basically they're not solely mine... They're everyone's! I just love calling them my babies, because in a way, they are!

Izabella is our youngest cousin. She was born 15 years after our then youngest cousin, Aissa, was born. So everyone in our generation doted on her. She was the cousins' baby. Now, whenever she couldn't get what she wants from her Ate Aissa, she asks from me, knowing that I can't refuse her. (I'm trying my darnedest to say "NO" now... Trust me!)

Matthew is my First Nephew (Wait! That Rhymes!), and the First Great-Grandchild of my Paternal Grandparents. He's now the Baby Boy everyone is fussing over. Due to the lack of Boys in our family (the ratio is 2 Girls is to 1 Boy), he's a very welcome addition to the Male Population of our family. And, he's also my Godson, so, I am a Parent-in-Waiting, so to speak. Lol!

Anna Luisa, or Auie, is the latest addition to our growing family. She's the baby sister of Matthew. She was born last August 8 (see my last post). I met Little Auie last Tuesday, August 23, when I visited them in their home in Cainta. I spent the whole day with her and Matt, and it was just amazing! I forgot that I didn't get a wink of sleep the whole day! I learned that I was the first in our family to meet Auie! And I'm so happy! I couldn't wait to see her kasi.

Mariel is our adopted cousin. Tito Dave and Tita Mildred are her Foster Parents. It's great because now we have more kids in the family! And, Izabella has a new playmate! Lol!

Anyway, those are my babies, and I can't wait to see them again!

3 New Princesses

This past month and a half, 3 Little Princesses were born within weeks of each other. No, they're not from any Royal Family, but they're Princesses in their own right. Of course, these little girls were born to people who are very close to me, that's why I only counted 3. Otherwise, I know there were thousands of other baby girls born within those weeks.

The first little girl was born to my colleague and friend, Ash Cortez. She named her first baby, Thea Juliana. Thea came into the world on July 22 at around 11:07 AM.

Thea can be considered as a Miracle, since Ash was advised previously by her OB-Gyne that it is highly unlikely that she would get pregnant. You see, Ash has a very irregular cycle. We used to tease her about being pregnant, since it would take months at a time before she would get her next period. Well, our teasing turned out to be true before Ash left for Japan (for Greener Pasteurs). But, of course, she did not know it then. When Ash came back, after just 4 months in Japan, she discovered that she was already 4 1/2 months pregnant! As if it wasn't obvious with the bump on her belly!

It was truly a great blessing for her and her partner, Ronnie. Thea is also Ronnie's first baby girl (he has 2 sons from a previous relationship).

Next in line was Ishke Mikalah Malazarte. Mi-Yu, as she is fondly called, was born to one of my Closest Friends, Iris Malazarte, on July 29 at 7:45 PM. Iris is just 19 years old, but she is a fiercely independent woman.

Mi-Yu is also a very special baby. Besides being the first born of Iris, she is actually giving her mother the will to live and be strong. I wouldn't go into the details of Iris' dilemma, but she has been through a lot. And thank goodness! Mi-Yu is a beautiful, fair-skinned baby, in contrast to Iris' morena complexion! Joke!

Last, but certainly not the least... The MOST Special Little Princess (at least for my family), was born on August 8, via Ceasarean Section, to my cousin, Ate Mhin, and her husband, Ernest. YES... I have a new niece! Her name is Anna Luisa Corpin-Madriaga. She's the baby sister of my very handsome nephew, Jude Matthew.

It just seems like yesterday, when Ate Mhin gave birth to Matthew. Now, he's a year and 2 Months old, and is already a big brother! Wow! Time does fly fast.

The Corpin-Madriaga brood just got back from La Union last Friday, and I can't wait to see my new niece, and my booey, Matthew, who I heard now walks on his own! I might just visit them tomorrow after work. I will post pictures as soon as I have them.

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome these 3 Beautiful Princesses to this Cool and Crazy World that we live in. And I just wish that they would make the most of their lives and be the special little angels they are to their respective parents.

I Dunno...

I've been out of it lately. Actually, I've been out of it for the past few months. You guys must be wondering what's up... Well, I'm in a state of utter discontentment.

I am not contented with my career, with my work, with my LIFE.

I'm so confused with what I want out of life, that it's affecting the way I view my day-to-day experiences. Doubt slowly creeps in everytime I think about what I want to do in my life.

I want to go into further studies, particularly in the Foreign or Diplomatic Affairs arena, but I am unsure of where it would take me. Would I be successful enough? What type of career would I get into, if I go into that particular field?

I'd want to study different languages, particularly Spanish, Korean, French and German. But would I be able to absorb these languages enough to use them?

I want to get my own pad and my own car... But I don't think I can afford it.

I have a lot of things that I want to do and have, but I doubt the possibility of them coming into reality.

Maybe it's the fear of the unknown, or it could just be procrastination. I dunno...

Survey Says...

Another post, from Melissa's BLOG, is about to be personalized by yours truly, once again.

Meels posted her answers to a Survey sent to her by her friend. These kinds of Surveys actually aid in getting to know your friends and yourself. Well, that is unless you just fool around with the answers! Lol!

Anyway, here are my answers to the Survey Questions:

1. hows your heart lately?
** Still good. It's still beating. But if you want to romanticize the question, I think my heart is emitting faint beats.

2. did u ever cheat during exam?
** It's just normal for students to cheat once in a while. So, my answer would be a YES.

3. first boyband that made you go gaga?
** I never really went gaga over a Boyband. I do listen to them, but I don't obsess. I liked New Kids On The Block first. It was way back in 6th Grade. Don't ask me when that was.

4. how many pairs of shoes do u own?
** Right now, I have 3 good pairs of Rubbershoes/Sneakers that I use daily. I also have 1 unused pair of Black Heeled Loafers, 1 pair of Black Leather Ankle-Length Boots, 1 pair of Silver Sandals and 1 pair of Pink Sandals. Most of these are rarely used, as I'm more comfortable in Sneakers.

5. what CD's are u currently listening to?
** It's a mix of K-Pop Songs and MP3s from Meels.

Oddly enough, Question #6 is missing from this survey. Alright then... Moving along...

7. do u buy pirated CD's, VCD's or DVD's?
** CDs, nope. VCDs, I have no choice (Original Hallyu Movies and K-Dramas are extremely rare here in Manila). DVDs, I don't buy.

8. have you ever been suspended to school?
** Nope.

9. how many different faces can you make?
** I don't really count them. But I'd like to think that I have 1 for every emotion.

10. how many times do u brush your teeth in a day?
** At least 2x.

11. what perfume do u use?
** I don't use perfume. I use Baby Cologne because they smell fresher.

12. do u watch chinese shows?
** Chinese Shows, not so much. Korean Shows, mostly.

13. how about asianovelas?
** I love K-Dramas, especially Love Story In Harvard (Kim Rae-Won & Kim Tae-Hee), Loveholic (Kang-Ta & Kim Min Sun), Winter Sonata (Bae Yong-Jun & Choi Ji-Woo), Sweet 18 (Lee Dong-Gun & Han Ji-Hye), Stairway To Heaven (Kwon Sang-Woo & Choi Ji-Woo), and Full House (Rain & Song Hye-Gyo).

14. favorite cartoon character?
** I'd have to say... Eeyore. He's so cute. I also like Spongebob Squarepants!

15. can u drive?
** Yes.

16. favorite streetfood?
** Corn on a Cob (with Butter and lots of salt), and Quail Eggs (the ones covered in Orange-colored batter).

17. describe your room, what can we find inside it?
** I share a room with my sister, so we have 2 beds. There's also an assortment of tables and shelves with all my sister's stuff.

18. do u like to party?
** Sad to say, I don't.

19. do u still ask permission from your parents about stuff?
** Depends on what stuff.

20. how often do u change ur underwear?
** Everyday, at least twice, depending on the weather.

21. favorite radio station?
** Wave 89.1, RX 93.1, Magic 89.9, Joey @ 92.3

23. what song do u sing in the shower?
** I don't usually sing in the shower. I sing while driving.

24. whats the biggest difference you've made in the world?
** None, at the moment.

25. do u keep a diary?
** I find diaries too over-rated.

26. what do u do when u feel low about yourself?
** I sleep it off. I would also watch a movie or listen to Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory with the volume in full blast.

27. can you cook/bake?
** I'm known for cooking...

28. worst gift you had ever received?
** A can of Planter's Cheez Curls for Christmas!

29. are u facing a major problem right now?
** Financial, yes... I have to learn how to ask my brother to pay up the money he owes me!

30. hows your relationship with your parents?
** Don't ask. I've been interrogated enough.

31. are you in love?
** Unfortunately, not.

Anxiety & Stress Relief

A good friend of mine from College, Melissa, is also a Blogger. As I was reading through her BLOG, I came across a Tag from her sister, which she answered. It was quite interesting, so I decided to answer it myself. Here it goes:

1. What are the things you enjoy doing even when there's no one around you?

Sleeping
Watching My Hallyu Movies and Dramas
Watching Movies in the Cinema
Going Around The Malls (Window Shopping)
Eating Out
Cooking
Driving
Singing
Talking to Myself
Daydreaming

2. What lowers your stress / blood pressure / anxiety level?

Sleeping
Watching Movies, Hallyu Movies and Dramas
Shutting Off My Cellphone
Going to the Beach or Out of Town

Those are just some of the things that, kinda, relaxes me for the time being. It piqued my interest because it made me look inside myself. I learned a bit from these questions as well.

You see, I've been on the brink in the last few months. I always lack sleep, or have restless sleep. Work has been driving me crazy, and the daily commute is just draining me. Not to mention the stress of going home to a house in disarray with no food and everyone nagging each other. Not that I have anything to contribute to changing this situation, but sometimes, I just feel like going somewhere far and just sleep the whole weekend away.

Since I've found ways of de-stressing myself through answering the questions sent to Melissa by her sister, I am thinking of getting away on my upcoming birthday. I just wish I knew where and how I can get away...