Expomom

EM-FLYER_11X17-fa_lower, a photo by juicevill on Flickr.

Is your life exciting?

What we mostly see on TV is the exciting, controversial, on-the-edge life of famous people. In truth, most of us live routine, ordinary lives. Do the usual, regular preoccupations. Enjoy momentary thrills of movie dates and reunions. We find comfort and security in such regularity. A simple, peaceful way of life. Yet deep down, we have that nagging feeling of dissatisfaction, a hunger to find the full extent of our capabilities. A desire to do something good. Or greater. Over time, we find ourselves thinking if we should be doing more. Then, reality kicks in and we got bills and mortgages to pay, we have sales quotas to fill, deadlines to meet, and a trillion other trivial things. You go about your work while imagining yourself to be floating in some random beach in the Philippines with emerald green waters and glistening, white sand. You power-dress when all your feet really want is a comfortable pair of flip flops. You eat a greasy takeaway when you wish you were having grilled seafood with eggplant and salted egg on the side. Yet you go on and on in doing it because that's what you set out in life for. To do something acceptable, meaningful and rewarding-- financially and in other ways. It's what will make your parents confident and proud about you. We feel safe planting seeds here and there, waiting for that bountiful harvest one day. These sacrifices is what will assure you that you can live comfortably till you're about 60. And when you're 60, when all the children have left, or you say goodbye to your job-- you'll finally get that grand vacation. But you have to do it with arthritis, hypertension or diabetes. But first, pray that you make it to 60. It is indeed trivial. But don't let all your decisions hinge on your quest for money.


Follow your heart – There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart … pursue those. – Author Unknown

This is why I encourage all of you (myself included) to pursue our passions. Never mind that it doesn't earn anything. You need to find what you love doing. Never mind that you don't take away any practical application. If you want to read for the rest of your life, do so. It's what will make you, YOU. If you like to fish, then fish. If it is what excites you. If you like to spend hours and hours on band sessions knowing your chances of fame and fortune is small, damn right do it. You got to keep your creative juices flowing. Just remember that any successful person follows his dreams and conquests responsibly. To live a well-rounded life, is to create balance, and not selfishly contain yourself to one thing, but rather generously give everyone a portion of the pie.

Now, the money part. There's gotta be a better way to have it than rob banks and wish on Chinese money trees, isn't there? Suggestions are welcome.

Charice Sings the National Anthem at Pacquiao - Mosley Fight

This just came in from Charice Pempengco's twitter officialcharice:

”Thank you Sir. Manny Pacquiao for choosing me to sing the 

Philippine Nat’l Anthem for your fight. Feel really blessed.”

"I look J-Loey."

Charice + Manny Pacquiao, that would be stellar! Spell MAJOR INTIMIDATION Shane Mosley! LOL. The 18 year old singing sensation will be singing the Lupang Hinirang (National Anthem) at the Pacquiao-Mosley fight on May 18th, in sold-out bout at Las Vegas, Nevada. Filipinos are going to go stupid crazy. (I just hope she does justice to the song---without all the silly alterations, in all its perfection, without mistakes and issues.)

Let's Go Manny! Go Charice!

I will always be a Charice fan. I'm always so proud of her. She never fails to make that WOW factor in each of her performances. I love how she belts ridiculously high songs--- these will always be her forte. Here she is at this year's David Foster and Friends concert- a must watch. Of the many times she's sang this song, this is her best "All By Myself" yet.

A Blessed Holy Week

Sorry for the momentary lack of posts in this blog, the holy week is certainly the most anticipated for most folks and families--- mine not excluded. The holy week takes on different forms --- whether to contemplate, fulfill a "panata," or devotion, pilgrim, or take the opportunity to spend more time with family or friends, reunions and out of town beach trips. Whatever you do and wherever you are this holy week, take time to pray and thank God for the gift of life and his sacrifice for humankind. I am spending the holy week at home. Exciting? Not. But wouldn't trade it for the world.

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone!

AJ Perez dies from car accident

So young and so good-looking. He had a full life ahead of him. RIP AJ.



We've seen him in Boystown, Tanging Pamilya and Sabel.

Story from yahoo.com.ph:

AJ Perez, or Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez in real life, was pronounced dead at 12:20 a.m. The cause of his death, according to reports, is "multiple head injuries," which he sustained after his car got hit by a bus and a truck in Paniqui, Tarlac.

He just finished a show in Dagupan, Pangasinan, which celebrated its annual Bangus Festival. His last tweet—which was posted four hours ago, or around 11:00 p.m.—read, "On the way home already from Dagupan.Long drive ahead.. Thanks to everybody who watched..."

Darlasauler.com stated that the Star Magic talent was with his dad, a security personnel, and a driver, at the time the accident took place.

Read more at ABS CBN News

Hit Summer Adventure for Kids at Shangri-La

One of the great things about having kids is you totally get to relive your childhood. I picked this line up from Muhammad Ali, "Children want to make you start your life over." What this means for me is you get to re-experience the wonders and excitement of childhood through the eyes of your child. When I bring my kids to "congregate" with other kids and see their favorite characters, they tend to open up more. Miguel is particularly shy and not too trusting. Marco as well, but he can communicate his feelings better and we can talk about trust now that he's a wee bit older. Mateo has zero shyness level at this point. Children encourage adults to tap in their spontaneity and joy of un-self-conscious, childlike creativity.

Shangri-La Plaza opened today an event called Hit Summer Adventure which runs up to April 17, Sunday. Event sponsors had different activities for kids for free like face painting by Popitas, pizza and bread making by Breville, drawing and coloring by Maped and Elmer's Glue, Thomas and Friends story telling and drawing, free Ceelin Vitamin C supplement from Unilab, Shakey's free balloon creations and discounted DVDs from Magnavision.  Honestly, Miguel didn't care about anything because he was obsessing about this gigantic Thomas and Friends train tracks. Anak, when we become millionaires, and we have a house which can fit toys this size, okay? :)

Kids are free to tinker with Thomas and Friends play sets (not pictured)



Bob the Builder came out for a song and dance







I think I was more excited about Bob the Builder. I had to have this photo! Miggy did recognize Bobba Bilder but got scared when he's this big.



I think this place will be more packed tomorrow when there are more kids.



Free facepaint and popcorn by Popitas



Bread-making and Pizza-making by Australian kitchen and appliance company, Breville











Ceelin guys in catchy helmets





And Miggy came home with three Barney workbooks.



And his new playmates, Chuck and Barricade the Decepticon (not pictured)



The little man is now asleep, deadbeat from all walking plus the chores we did today.



Have a fun weekend!

Summer Hit Adventure can be found at the Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium

Shaw Boulevard cor EDSA

Mandaluyong City

Schedule a Midweek Pursuit

I think everyone should have scheduled mid-week activities. Just to make things more interesting and spice up the mundane Monday to Friday routine. Making an effort to do something out of the ordinary makes one feel like getting a special treat. Other people make badminton dates after office, a yoga class, a Tuesday movie night, pursue a day-to-day photography habit or a Monday ladies' brunch. Fridays are usually reserved for office affairs, it's almost obligatory. But scheduling action on an ordinary weekday will be sure to perk up the rest of your week.

Since we just love hanging out and talking endlessly, it's dinner by default. It's not healthy, hahaha! But it does the job. Yesterday it was a Wednesday stress buster dinner with friends at Crocodile Grill in Shangrila Plaza. We also made plans to try out a Bataan beach resort on May.








































Krocodile Grille can be found at 
Ground Level, Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza 
Shaw Boulevard cor EDSA
Mandaluyong City

Chatime Addiction

Tea and milk are two things poles apart in taste. But when blended together, tastes amazing! It's just so damn good. Perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day. CLICK HERE TO READ CHATIME PIONEER OPENS!. It is hot, hot, hot in the afternoons in the city and just as humid at night.

This time we tried Chatime roasted milk tea with grass jelly. (P80)




Taiwan Mango QQ (P95) -- non-tea beverage









Miggy tries it out...



Uhm...



Uh oh, for a minute he felt the nata de coco weird in his mouth.



Second sip..






Happy!



Chatime can be found at Pioneer Center Supermarket, Pioneer Street cor. United, Pasig City


Disclaimer: Paid for my drinks. Nothing to disclose.

No Fear

Imagine being thrown in a pit filled with cobras, in your plain clothes, with no defense whatsoever but a broomstick. Think about a hundred cobras preparing to strike at you, all at the same time. Well someone's worst nightmare is someone else's tea time.

Apparently, a cobra-ninja does exist. He can toss cobras without a twitch on the eye. He does not feel fear in the face of a venomous 15-minute death. His reflexes beats that of Michael Johnson. He can chat with a friend while cleaning cobra poo and eggs. And I am sure there are other cobra-ninjas where he came from.

Let him show you how to keep your cobra pens clean.

Sunday at The Fort

Hubby's job requires him to be "on-call," he needs to be there en pronto. As a matter of fact, he's very dedicated to his work. In our years of marriage, I have seen him wake up in the middle of the night to answer office calls and groggily drag himself in front of the computer. And not return to bed, until the trouble is fixed. He is the most dedicated systems administrator that I know. I think he won't be taking a Holy Week break, but would have his Lenten off on a different schedule.

So this Sunday, he was called into office early in the morning. He asked me to follow course so that we can still spend our weekend special time together. We follow this 40-hour-a-week couple time. Hehehe.





We had a late breakfast and took a stroll. Miggy gamely smiled at the camera. He's such a pro!





Doting Dad


There's an extra tire around my waist, I know.



Fair, sunny summer day. I like!



Miggy pointing at a pond



Goofing around





Rich foliage





Works of arts here and there



Looked around a few stores



The man of my dreams -- who keeps making dreams come true



Siberian huskies hyperventilating. (There were two.) It was nice of their owner to let us take photos.







And of course the occasional crying bout when we stopped by Krispy Kreme.



Enjoy the rest of the week!