"drenched"

We had a really bad storm yesterday. It was pouring and the wind was just unbelievable that my umbrella was useless. I just had to cross the bridge to take the bus (right after I got off my co-worker’s car) and it left me soaked. I was literally wet from head to toe not to mention including my “undergarments”. It was the 1st time I experienced that in this country… ever.

IFC called me around 841PM to tell me that the subway was down. He was at VanWyck Expressway and he didn’t know which bus to take. I told him to look for Queens Boulevard then I could guide him. But then I remembered it’ll be easier (I thought so) to just go to Sutphin which is nearer and take the Q43. The problem was there was a long line and no bus was coming. And that’s the only bus that he can take there going to our area. He decided to walk 24 blocks just so he could have more choices. Poor him! Well, he got home at exactly 957PM.

Here’s a related article courtesy of abcnews:

Severe weather leaves Tri-State in a mess
Flooded roadways, Transit problems, Airport delays & Power outages

(New York - WABC, June 28, 2007) - Heavy rain and powerful thunderstorms ripped through the area on Wednesday night causing heavy flooding throughout the tri-state area, especially Queens and creating a transit mess.

Powerful thunderstorms swamped roads and train tracks, tore down tree branches and knocked out power in parts of the city. Cars were stalled on flooded roadways in Queens, including the northbound Van Wyck Expressway, Grand Central Parkway and Jackie Robinson Parkway.

Long Island also took quite a beating from the thunder storms.

Read the full article here.

Excuses for not blogging...

1. There is something weird in my blogspot account for quite some time now. I can’t see my shout box when other readers can. I still have to go to my shout box account to retrieve the messages. Sometimes I also don’t see the links on the side but if I click the refresh button, it works. There are also instances that when I open it, you can literally see a "philips screw driver" and a "spanner"... that when you click the image, it says this:

Page Not Found

The requested URL was not found on this server. Please visit the Blogger homepage or the Blogger Knowledge Base for further assistance.

Notice the new template? I changed it thinking that it will correct the errors but it didn’t. I already asked Caryl, who said that everything seems to be working fine after she did some tests.

2. I ran out of topics. And even if I want to, I couldn’t come up with “good” titles for what I like to blog. I just feel like my mind is so stagnant these days maybe because there is too much going on in it.

3. I’m slowly losing the enthusiasm to blog. Hopefully I won’t lose it completely?! This is the best way so far for families and friends to get updates about me… us!

it's a girl "thing"

Did you ever experience something that you were so embarrassed about?! Not that it happened in front of other people but… simply because you were caught in a situation that you don’t know what to do unless someone gives you a hand!

Well, I had my most embarrassing experience (as far as I can remember so far) yesterday. I’m not going to specify it but just look at my post’s title and maybe you can figure it out. I made a total mess of myself that I had to ask a co-worker to take me to the mall to get this, this (in solid colors), this and this (in white). I really had a total makeover!

Thanks for being my savior Zaida! :)

birthday greetings!

Happy Birthday Adoy! All the best!

compo!

We always listen to music through the computer. I've been telling IFC to decide on what kind of music player to get. And finally, we got this...

give me some MONEY!!!!!!!!!

I usually buy things when they are on sale or better yet when they are on clearance. And since Memorial Day is coming, I want to take the opportunity of the holiday sale. I have to start shopping as early as now for our Philippines trip on December. I’m having second thoughts though since we’ve used our Visa and Amex a lot lately… IFC’s glasses, shopping at Marshalls and Target for me (since I don’t fit anymore into most of my summer clothes last year arrrggghhh), music player from PC Richard, fee for the medical exam (not covered by the insurance) and the plane tickets (which get the biggest portion). All of these totaled $4500. And it doesn’t even include the regular spending like MTA and phone cards Whew! What a pain! Sometimes I wish I’m rich so I don’t have to worry about money huh!

And about the shopping, I have to buy stuff for our families anyway so… bahala na!

" in limbo "

In limbo?! Well, sort of...

A lot of crazy things have been going on lately. I wouldn’t go into details but we were so disappointed with how the supposedly “long wait” seemed useless… and sad to say, it is not within our control. We took that "only" chance to fix it. We had to shell-out a kind of significant (well at least for us) amount of money.

Two weeks later, we received good news for the other request. Sometimes it’s really a matter of timing! If this was just released earlier… ***sigh***

But... it has to stop right there as we didn’t reach their quota. We don't even know how long we have to wait again. Two days passed and they revised it… which means to say, we can proceed. Yey!

Thank you, Lord for making all things possible!

Are you still with me?! I know you’re kind of confused with my story. I’m sorry but I just can't say what IT really is... for now. I hope you understood it in a way?!

Oh and one more thing…

I called my agent last Tuesday just to say hi. I had no intention of inquiring on the tickets or anything because she said some time last year to call her around August for that. Then, she just blurted-out… “uy when are you going to book your flight?” I was like duh it’s only May! Who would ever think that most of the airlines are already booked this early! I didn’t even file for my leave yet. Everything just happened so fast… and voila! We have our plane tickets! Yes, we’re spending Christmas in the Philippines! Another Yey!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday, Mommy! (my mom-in-law) Wish we could be there to have some spaghetti! I Hehehehe.

Happy 33rd wedding anniversary, Paps and Ma! May you have more happy and meaninful years together.

Saving or not?!

This very great and helpful idea came from Glo. Thanks, Glo!

Anyway, I’ve been freaking out trying to think of ways to save money considering that I already have a budget for everything. All this time I was thinking we’re not saving at all. I feel so especially guilty whenever we’re buying food or dining in at a restaurant. I always tell myself I should cook no matter what. But on the contrary, both IFC and I agree that we need to treat ourselves once in a while… not just in food but also on things like watching movies or shopping.

So I’ve laid out all our earnings and expenses for the last 4 months and made a graph for easier interpretation…

Summary:
38% - savings
18% - rent
10% - padala
09% - other expenses
07% - shopping
05% - groceries
05% - utilities
04% - personal allowance
03% - transportation
01% - restaurants

Notes:
- Rent gets the biggest portion of our monthly expenses… something that is not within our control.
- Utilities include telephone, DSL internet, electricity, laundry and phone cards for overseas calls to the Philippines. We try our best not to use IDD. Our electricity bill only peaks up during the summer because of air conditioner’s use.
- The restaurant expenses only came up to 1% because some of our eat-outs come from our monthly allowances. I still think it is minimal even if you add it up to the allowance’s 4%.
- I am proud to say that the 7% share for shopping included some of the Christmas gifts which we charged to our credit card, thus, paid in January. We’re not really crazy on shopping or should I say, we know how to control the urge. Lol.
- For the “others” portion, there was just an unexpected expense that we incurred last month. Had we have control of it we could have saved a total of 45% instead of only 38%.

Overall, I think we did great!

TAGGED!

I hate it when days pass and I don’t even have any new post in my blog. My excuse this time?! I can’t think of any interesting topic to blog about. But now I do! :) Thanks to Caryl for the tag!

A - Available or single: Married
B - Best friend: hubby (pakopya Caryl), Caryl, Ruby, Maridel...
C - Cake or pie: Cake
D - Drink of choice: Raspberry Iced Tea
E - Essential item you use everyday: computer
F - Favorite color: white
G - Gummy bears or worms: both
H - Hometown: Manila, Philippines
I - Indulgence: desserts (i.e. crepes, ice cream, chocolates, cakes, etc.)
J - January or February: January (why? I don’t know. I just chose it!)
K - Kids & names: Wala pa eh.
L - Life is incomplete without? God, family & friends… computer & cellphone?!
M - Marriage date: October 1, 2005
N - Number of siblings: 3 = 1 sister + 2 brothers
O - Oranges or apples: oranges
P - Phobias or fears: heights (but I love to fly! Weird noh!)
Q - Fave quote: “Live life to the fullest”
R - Reason to smile: I’m alive and kicking!
S - Season: Fall (I love the changing colors of the leaves & the feel of the weather!)
T - Tag 5 people: Abby, Marj, Pao, Gracita, Mhay
U - Unknown fact about me: I sleep on my chest with my feet hanging on the other end of the bed.
V- Vegetable you don’t like: Okra
W - Worst habit: Pricking blackheads and whiteheads (thus, the black marks!)
X - Xrays you've had: chest & tooth x-rays so far (I think?!)
Y - Your fave food: anything saucy (most esp. Papa’s caldereta)
Z - Zodiac sign: Cancer

The "Incredible" Martin Nievera

A lot of people didn’t make it to Martin Nievera’s concert last Sunday. (The Nor’Easter should be blamed for that. The rain wasn’t that bad though. It was the wind which made it horrible. We were left soaking wet and the commute going home was a nightmare.) Everyone in the back had to be moved towards the Orchestra Level to fill up the empty seats. It started a bit late and Chapter 2 opened the show by rendering a few songs. It ran for almost 2 hours I think.

Martin’s latest CD entitled “Awit ng Puso” was also on sale there. He did an autograph signing and posed for some pictures too. There was even this time when one of the organizers said they only have 30 minutes left and Martin got up from his seat saying… “Konti lang o… tapusin na natin” That was really nice of him!

He also made a correction to what was published in the Filipino Reporter where it said “His marriage to Pops was his biggest mistake!” He said he meant his FAILED marriage. I think he’s still affected by it up to now. He became very emotional when he sang “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin”.

And while it was only our 1st time to have watched Martin perform live, I would still say IFC and I are such huge fans. His talent not only in singing but as a total performer is just unbelievable. He handled the crowd very well. He knew how to do adlibs... which everyone really enjoyed. We had fun! And having said all that, I came to a conclusion that he is, indeed, THE CONCERT KING!

Sorry medyo madilim lang mga shots... not sure if it's because of the lighting or maybe my camera is no good at all. :)

more pictures here...

Belated birthday greetings to my brother Mickey who celebrated it on April 15th!

Happy Birthday Bro! Hope you had a blast!

Martin Nievera XXV!

I told IFC we have to watch Martin’s (25th Anniversary) concert the very 1st time I saw the poster in “Palengke” (Filipino store near our apartment). He just gave me a plain “yes”… without any excitement in his voice not to mention that I was so giddy about it. :) That was in February if I remember it right. We always talk about it but there was nothing definite until today. Yes, we are going to be at the Lehman’s Center in the Bronx this Sunday and we’re going to be seated at Row O of the Orchestra Left Center area. I convinced him to get the $78 ticket so we could be near the stage compared to the $58 (that he initially wanted) in the mezzanine. Yey!

Happy Easter!

IFC's bday celebration

Irvin’s birthday fell on a Friday so we couldn’t eat meat (in observance of Lent). We have agreed to just go out this Sunday for lunch. It’s more practical that way than cooking for just the two of us. I told him I’ll just cook sardines for dinner.

On my way home yesterday, I told him I would pass by Kohls and check on the items on sale. The truth is I went to Tai Pan Bakery in Flushing to buy him a birthday cake. I also ordered Shrimp Parmigiana, 2 slices of Cheese Pizza and 2 slices of Mushroom Pizza from Romeo’s as soon as I got home. The thing is he got here before the delivery. *Sigh*

Tita Laling sent him the Eagles’ Farewell I Tour DVDs earlier this week. And I got him the Lacoste Shoes that he wants along with some Green paper bills.

IFC's Birthday!!!

Happy birthday, Sweetheart! May all your wishes come true! Keep in mind that I'll always be here for you no matter what. And that I love you... today... tomorrow... and forever.

Snow/Ice Storm on Friday, March 16th

Here are the pictures I took on the way home during the storm…

IFC's birthday card from Miggy

It’s IFC’s birthday on March 30th and he received a card made by Miggy… a 5 year old kid who’s very creative…







Thank you, Miggy! From Tito Idols...

WifeSpeaks' Anniversary!

Happy 2nd anniversary to WS! And as a reader, I would like to share my As to the “Misis Slumbook” Qs as follows:

THE BASICS:

1. What is your (screen) name, and why did you choose that as your screen name? faye070574… it’s a combination of my name and birthday so it’s easy to remember.

2. How long have you been married? Have kids? A year and a half… with no babies yet…

3. What is your favorite color? And how has your color preference influenced your life (if it has)? Red. Many people perceive it as bold and strong. I think I have been one having surpassed all those times that life seemed to be a little harder.

4. What are your hobbies?
Blogging
Listening to music
Cooking

5. What is your motto in life? Nothing can be achieved the easy way!

6. Do you have pets? Nope.

7. What are the three adjectives that best describe your spouse?
Kind
Loving
Responsible

8. Give three songs that best describe you.
I am what I am by Gloria Gaynor
When I See You Smile by Bad English
You’ve got a Friend by James Taylor

9. What satisfies you about the work that you do? Talking to different kinds of people… difficult to deal with or not.

10. Do you blog? Where? Can we visit? Yup… right here. :)


CHIKAHAN:

1. Define Love. Love is patient and kind.

2. Kakaibang talento mo. I easily remember numbers… be it money, telephone number, etc.

3. Share your adobo recipe. Palpak adobo ko eh. Pwede yung kay Irvin na lang?! Hehehe

4. Describe your current screensaver/wallpaper. A picture of the beach I took in Club Paradise Palawan.

5. During your teenage years, what fad/s did you follow? Why? Wearing mini skirt with hi-cut shoes… Nenuco… Angel’s breath… and Aqua Net. Lol. Uso nga po eh.

6. How many times have you had a broken heart? Which was the worst and how did you recover from it? I think only once. I just realized one day after losing so much weight that it’s not worth crying for. Besides, I was young then. I told myself someone would come along and then there was hubby.

7. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? I want to be RICH so I can help the less fortunates.

8. What frightens you about getting old? The feeling of being alone… the feeling that people seem to care less for you or simply that of being neglected.

9. Do you have a guilty pleasure? None that I could think of.

10. What's your favorite chore? Cleaning... that's why some calls me a "neat freak" Lol.

11. Describe your wedding ring. It’s white gold with 5 princess cut diamonds.

12. If you could have a tattoo, what would it look like? Sorry but I’m not really crazy on tattoos.

13. What book would you like to be made into a movie? Who would you like to star in it? The books I’ve read so far (based on what I remember) have already made into movies... I think?!

14. Share something that you do not believe in. People tend to overuse the term “busy”. No offense intended but for me, a simple hello whether through emails or on the phone can mean a lot to someone. It wouldn’t take much of your “busy” time to do this don’t you think?!

15. What qualities are important to you in friendship? Trust and constant Communication.

16. So far, what WS topic have you found most helpful? Most entertaining? Most controversial?
Helpful – dealing with sensitive topics like financial issues.
Entertaining – beauty tips.
Controversial – dealing with in-laws/extended family.


QUALIFIED TRUE OR FALSE:

1. First love never dies. TRUE. I believe in the saying that no one forgets anything which happened or felt the 1st time.

2. You can change your partner once you're married. FALSE. It's a commitment that you accepted when you got married so any differences have to be sorted out the way they should be.

3. The Philippines is worth it. TRUE. There's still no place like home. I'm in my adopted land right now just because this is where the opportunity is. But i'll definitely go back to the Philippines.

4. Women are moodier than men. TRUE. I think women easily gets irritated than men. Women in general makes a big deal out of small things. Well at least for me...

5. James Yap is innocent (Sorry Kris!). FALSE.

6. 80s fashion is coming back. TRUE. Hello mini-skirts! :)

7. Angels. TRUE. That's why we're always safe...

8. Good and bad luck come in threes. FALSE. Everything happens for a reason.

9. Destiny. TRUE. It will happen if it's meant to be.

10. It is better to have love and lost, than never to have loved at all. TRUE. Being loved is the bestest feeling ever and that is where you learn your lessons too.


TIPS:

1. What is your favorite skin care product? St. Ives Apricot Scrub

2. What do you do to keep fit? Eating right since I’m already too tired to do some exercise.

3. Where do you do your bargain shopping? Walmart, Target

4. Recommend an effective household cleaning item. Water mixed with a little vinegar

5. Sex. Keep your spouse happy.