Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Is it the mattress?!

I’ve been having severe headaches and body pains lately. Thanks to Advil which helps ease the pain…well temporarily. I keep on thinking what could be the reason as it’s been like this since Monday. At first, I thought of blaming the auto show (which I would be blogging separately later on) that we went to last Sunday. But then again, I should be rested by now having complete number of hours of sleep these past two days. I should have regained my energy by this time! Besides, I don’t do anything that’s really exhausting. And about my job… well, I get tired but not to the extent that I’ll have these flu-like symptoms.

Until one morning, Irvin told me he can’t sleep well in our bed. I asked him again to make sure I heard it right! This time he said maybe not because he also couldn’t sleep well in the old mattress. As a backgrounder, I had a firm mattress for almost 4 years and this is the 1st time that I’m using a plush pillow top one. Sears didn’t have the firm type on display when we made the purchase that’s why we settled for a pillow top. I was even disappointed the 1st time we got it since I was expecting a heavier one (it being a queen-sized bed) compared to the previous twin bed that I had. Tita Laling said that’s how they make the mattresses now…less springs. So going back to my story…Irvin and I dropped that conversation and it was only last night that I said to myself… “Yeah it could be!” I really don’t want to blame the mattress but I couldn’t think of anything else.

Anyway, we need to try sleeping on the futon or on the floor (worst case scenario) so we could compare. I would also have to find out if I could have it exchanged at Sears. Their website says all returns should be in its original packaging which I don’t. The guys who delivered and assembled everything took it with them. I also need to know if they’ll let me do that at no additional cost since I got the mattress on sale. I wouldn’t want to be spending an additional $600!

So do you think it’s the mattress?

Monday, April 24, 2006

food galore

Irvin's 1st dine-in was at Gabby's Pizza and being on a Ash Wednesday, we couldn't have meat. Instead, we had these...

cheese pizza


shrimp parmigiana

This was Irvin's 1st taste of the "American" Chinese food. Why American? They made it specifically to the taste of Americans.

chicken wings


general tso's chicken


hunan beef

After a tiring day at the Statue of Liberty, we indulged ourselves into the great tasting food at TGI Friday's. I wouldn't want to be reminded of how much we spent though! :)

french onion soup


chicken & shrimp combo


chicken bruschetta


hot fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream on top

It was Irvin's birthday when we went to Applebee's. He enjoyed the food very much. Does that mean I will have to take him there again?!

new england clam chowder


honey baby back ribs


sirloin steak with skewed shrimps


chimicheesecake

Aren't you craving for some more?! :)

Friday, April 21, 2006

Cherry Blossoms Festival!

What: Cherry Blossoms Festival
When: 15-April-06
Where: Belleville, New Jersey








More photos here...

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

finally!

The moment I have been waiting for has come… my only sister Aou has graduated from college at long last. It’s also like an achievement for me having sent her to school just so she could finish her degree. I’m just so happy. If only I could be there...

Congratulations, Aou! I know you’ve worked hard for this but you know it doesn’t stop there. You will be facing more challenges in the days ahead. I’ll always be here to support you in any way I can.

Friday, April 14, 2006

upcoming eventsssss!!!

I’m at work right now. We’re not off obviously. Good Friday is not really something that’s being observed by most people here…well considering that NY is basically a mixture of so many religions. Catholic churches definitely still do. This actually reminds me of how it is like during Holy Week in the Philippines…very quiet. Most people are taking this chance to reflect and pray.

We’re going to Chilet’s (Papa’s cousin whom I’m supposed to be calling Aunt but she doesn’t want to) house for dinner tonight. I have asked Irvin to get a strawberry fruit cake from Flushing.

Plans for the weekend?

I was originally planning of just staying at home and do nothing. We’ve been so tired these past few weeks because of the moving.

Anyway, we’re going to NJ tomorrow. But we’ll have to do the laundry first in the AM. We might sleep over. Tita Gie wants us to see the blooming Cherry Blossoms.

It’s also Mickey’s (my brother) birthday tomorrow… hApPy BiRtHdAy, Mic! Blow-out! Blow-out! Blow-out! Haha! Lista ko muna! All the best dear brother!

Sunday PM we’ll be going to Ate Lulu’s house for the Easter celebration. Speaking of which, advance Happy Easter everyone!

I hope I won’t be too tired by then since there’s work again the next day. We’ll see…

Thursday, April 13, 2006

as promised...










More photos can be seen here...

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

our sincere condolences...

A tragic incident shocked Uncle Kenny’s (Tita Laling’s husband) family yesterday morning when his nephew Ronald along with the girlfriend was found dead in their apartment. Ronald used to be a Daytona Beach cop before he went on training for a Deputy Sheriff. He has received some commendations which will prove that he’s been doing great in his job. Though I didn’t have the chance to meet him in person, Tita Laling said he is the quiet type and is a very good kid. They just couldn’t believe it ever happened.

I really feel sad for the whole family especially for Uncle Ronnie and his wife, Coralee (Ronald’s parents). I’m so sorry for your loss.

Details can be found here...

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

where have i been?

I haven’t had the chance to blog for the longest time. I’ve been really busy with the moving. There are still a lot to be done though. And we’re still settling in. I’ll talk more about that later. Let me just tell you what happened since…

Irvin and I went to the Statue of Liberty on March 11th. I bought the tickets a day before to make sure we can also tour the museum. At first, we thought we couldn’t make it on time since the subways going to the South Ferry weren’t working that weekend. Yeah of all days! Anyway, we were there I believe at around past 9AM. There was such a long line for the ferry going to Liberty. Worst is, I also had to wait in line for the ticket pick up. We made it on time still. I think Irvin liked the place. We took lots of pictures but haven’t gotten the chance to upload them. He has also seen Ellis Island Immigration Museum which symbolizes America’s immigrant heritage. I also brought him to Ground Zero. Pictures of the then World Trade Center and the 9/11 tragic bombings can be seen on the tall gates. I took him to TGI Friday’s for a late lunch. French onion soup was good but nothing so special about it. Well at least for me. Chicken Bruschetta with angel hair pasta tasted so great. Irvin liked their mashed potato. Oh and the hot fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream on top was the best. Hmmm yummy! We also took a peek of China Town. Well what can you expect! It’s the same as ‘Binondo’. Lol. I’ll post the pictures later.

Vanessa unexpectedly gave birth to a healthy baby boy on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. The baby had to be in an incubator as he was 6 weeks early. The baby shower was actually set on the 18th which pushed through still. We were there before noon to help Tita Gie with the preparation. Irvin had fun he said but we had to go home the same day. There was a birthday party (Manang Fely’s granddaughter) at 202.

Anyway…Congratulations, Vanessa! I’m so happy for you. I’ll see you again soon!

It was March 23rd when I received an email invitation from Philip Cassanova to join the yahoogroup sasmanila91. At first, I couldn't really remember who this person was but somehow it rings a bell in my ear. Then, I've read the yahoogroup's description and my gosh, I couldn't believe it...finally after 15 years, friends, classmates and batchmates from high school are now in communication through this e-group. Thanks, Philip! It's really so nice to be in touch with all of you again.

Cielo - As I've said in my email, Song and I have been trying to find you. It's just so great to know you're part of the group. There's a lot of catching up we need to do girl! That's 15 freaking long years! We'll find time for that huh! :)

On another side of the story, we’ve gone through so many things with the apartment. I can consider myself a punctual person. So ‘waiting’ for me is like hell. I hate it! Worst is, I’ve been doing my part promptly but it took like almost a month before we actually had the contract signing. The only bright side of it is that I was given another discount…$30 off the rental amount. And in fairness, they gave us a welcome gift… a comforter set (colors and design of which I can’t appreciate), 2 boxes of crackers, and a (never-heard) perfume for me and for him too. We signed for a 2-year contract and took the keys. I showed Irvin the apartment (since the office is at a different location). Then we learned from the super that the elevator wasn’t working. He said they are putting a new unit and it has already been 2 weeks since they started. He’s not even sure when they’ll finish it.

Irvin with the help of Manong Nel, Manong Chu-chu and Lester started moving our stuffs on Monday, March 27th using the stairs. I felt really bad for them having to go up and down 6 floors. I didn’t have to take a day off anymore. They finished everything by the 2nd day. The realty company also provided some assistance to us.

March 30th was Irvin’s birthday. 2 days before that, Manang Fely told me she plans to surprise us with sort of ‘family dinner’. She had to tell me so I could buy a cake. I took the day off. We had grilled pork belly, chicken and squid. There was roasted pork, fried chicken wings, ‘bulalo’, beef with broccoli, fruit salad, I also cooked Spaghetti, and of course he had a birthday cake filled with strawberries on top and in between (from Tai Pan in Flushing). Most of the De Ocampo family celebrated with us. Thanks, Manang Fel! And of course…HaPpY BiRtHdAy, Irvin! All the best always!

Earlier that day, Irvin and I had lunch at Applebee’s in Fresh Meadows. He enjoyed the honey baby back ribs so much and the combination of sirloin steak and grilled shrimp skewers as well. You can check the menu here and here. New England Clam Chowder tasted so good and the best part of all… the Apple Chimicheesecake for dessert.

We moved to the new apartment finally last Saturday. The mattress set was delivered that day too. We were just lucky to have convinced those guys to bring it all up using the stairs. I have informed their office beforehand though and I was told I shouldn’t have any problems since they do it up to the 5th floor. Anyway, we just gave them a good tip. Tita Laling actually shared with the cost of the mattress. Thanks, Tita! Mwah! The apartment is so empty. No sets of furniture at all! We had dinner on the floor you know. I don’t mind anyway. I’ve lived at 202 for almost 4 years and didn’t buy these things on purpose since I was alone then. We went to Flushing at around noon to do food shopping good for a week. Manang Glo came to visit us in the afternoon. I didn’t know it was also her birthday on the 30th. HaPpY BiRtHdAy, Manang Glo!

Sunday, we attended the mass at Incarnation. We had lunch at 202 and Kuya Nel helped us pick up the dining set that Ate Laura and James gave us. Thanks, guys!

We are organizing our things little by little. I don’t want to rush. I’m still tired actually. Irvin did some sorting but doesn’t really want to arrange everything as he thinks I might ask him to redo it again. Haha! I’ve ordered some not so expensive furniture and area rugs from Walmart and got them today. I don’t need too much stuff in the apartment. As a matter of fact, I want the design/arrangement to be European-inspired. Space is better. And it’s more of the feeling that you know you have a comfortable and nice place to live in.

And to some friends who have left short messages, sorry for not getting back soon.

Pao – I was just really busy but all is well so far…trying to balance everything. J How are you? Hope you’re ok.

Caryl – Thanks so much for the birthday greeting and of course for remembering.

Alynn – Hi! How have you been? Thanks for dropping by.

Kaye – Sure you can link me up. Thanks. Take care…