You Know You're a Mother When

This morning I folded a mountain of clean clothes, put away my own and tucked it in my closet.

Then something dawned me.

My closet is not as full as they used to be. My wardrobe is the same as last year’s. Nothing is new. Yet, we are still having problems with closet space because my son has more clothes and shoes than he needs.

Perhaps it’s a mother thing.

I remember the time when I was out at the mall to buy a pair of flats, since my old one’s already worn out. Then I came across Gingersnaps and saw a funky shirt, pictured out how it will look on my son and I knew it was perfect. Moments later, I strutted away from the mall with an empty wallet on my right hand and a shopping bag of toddler clothes on the other. I did not get the flats that I wanted, but I went home wearing the most contented smile.

Motherhood has really caught me. It doesn’t matter now if I do not get anything for myself as long as I give everything for my child.  Ultimo bagong panty hindi ko na mabili. hahaha. But it really feels so good, so satisfying and so rewarding.

I really am proud, happy and thankful to be a mom, even if by being a mom means having nothing for myself. :)

Do Not Read This

I’ve been selling online for more than a year and everything went well until today. I just received my first ever negative feedback on ebay. It was from a buyer who got disappointed for not getting the item that she ordered. When in fact, I only sent her exactly what she bid for. It was a $29 worth of brand new authentic perfume, which she only paid for less than $20 by the way. I believe I have accurately described the item, stated all the details that a buyer has to know (which I assume she did not read), and even posted the actual picture. She said it’s not the type of perfume and the scent she wanted. Geez.

It does not only happen in ebay. It happens everywhere. People can read but they choose not to. How many times have we been a victim of our own stupidity just because we are too lazy to read?

Reading is sexy.

Read the announcements. Read the reminders. Read the labels. Read the fine print. It can save your life.

Read a little. Read a lot.

Read.

Because it pays to read.

Although with all honesty, I never cared to read the EULA and ToS. LOL

Back When Romance was Different

This morning, I was rummaging on a pile of boxes to sort out what has to be thrown out and what has to be kept. I found old notebooks, handouts, old photos, wedding souvenirs, collectible cards, empty boxes inside the boxes, trophies, cobwebs, and a hell lot of thick dusts. Then I stumbled upon this shoebox. It was old, dirty, and full of memories.

Inside, I have kept a lot of letters written on scented stationery, random notes on a piece of scratch paper, greeting cards, gift tags, bookmarks with dedication written at the back, candy wrappers, and a Linkin Park cassette tape, all from friends (and admirers) that were given to me mostly during special occasions or given heartily on any random day.

But my most treasured of all was the first letter given to me by a high school love. It was made of cheap cardboard paper. It has 3 pages and each page is colored with crayola with a stenciled I ♥ U on the background. Outside the letter are poorly cut popsicle sticks on the side, a printed picture of a red rose at the middle, and behind the very thin paper are bold handwritten words in fancy writing that say ‘Something that makes you feel special’.

It was placed inside a custom-made envelope shaded in different colors and it has a pop-out like feature that when you pull it down, you will see the words ‘miss you’ that is shaped like a heart. It looks like a mini-book, a 3-page letter made of fancy cardboard paper, popsicle sticks and words coming from pure teenage love.

We were 16. His penmanship is awful and his art skills suck. But there’s nothing more romantic to see someone try his best even though he knows how bad he is at it just to make you feel special.To see this shy type teenage boy in an all-out effort to tell me how much he loves me makes my heart melt. And this is something that I would want to feel over and over again.

This is something that you may not always see. And I am so thankful that somehow, in one part of my life I have felt this way...

...because courtships and romance nowadays are too digitalized.

The 1-peso worth text messages have replaced those sappy love letters. Saying I love you has become too straightforward and impersonal. Love quotes and those “kuto-ka-ba?-kasi-di-kita-maalis-sa-isip-ko” lines are everywhere. It’s just a matter of who copies and pastes the most lines and who forwards the most texts. Thanks for the internet,  I love you is just a chat box away. Everything is now way too EASY, too EFFORTLESS, and LESS SINCERE.

Bah!

Of Logo Designs and Fashion

For the past few months I have been joining logo design contests. Now, I have savings for a car and I owe it all to my amateur designing skills! LOL. Wishful Thinking.

Recently, a new logo contest was launched and it is about fashion. I have to make a logo for a social site where you can get fashion inspirations. At first, I was ecstatic. Probably because it’s a girl thing and almost all the other amazing graphic designers out there are males. It’s going to be an edge. It’s going to be easy for me.  And I was so determined to win it.

But as I started to hold my mouse, nothing came in. Not a single idea came. I stared at the monitor for a long time thinking what the hell am I going to do?

Then it came into my senses: how am I supposed to make something for fashion when I haven’t any idea about fashion at all?

I think I am still living in the time when gladiators are Roman fighters and pumps are devices used to move fluids. I didn’t even know what cropped tops and jeggings are. I had to google them. Really.

Honestly, I have no fashion sense. I do not know what’s in and what’s not. As long as I am comfortable with it, I can walk with it on a fast pace or shove my way to the crowd without worrying about my outfit, I wear it. I have no other style aside from my simple shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

I don’t fancy designer boutiques either. At malls, you may see me most of the time at food courts, arcades, sports stores, or consumer electronic shops.

And what’s on my closet? Shirts, jeans, running shoes, trainers, sneakers and a pair of killer heels that I only use on very special occasions.

Most of the time, I buy my shirts and jeans at a flea market. Those vintagey and 60’s-70’s rock band tees give me the high, and they are my most prized possessions compared to those overrated and overpriced brands that I bought in malls.

Yes, I know nothing about fashion. I’m no fashionista.

Which is probably a good thing.

It saved me a lot of money and I don’t have to worry about feeling left out. Having no fashion sense defines what I am: SIMPLE. I can be totally ME and know that I am beautiful even in my simplest form.

Anyway, back to my logo design, it took me almost a whole day to think of a concept and I came up with something I really do not know if it speaks of fashion. I just felt like doing it. It doesn’t matter now if I win or lose. I just want to wish every one of us who submitted an entry good luck. ;)

Oh and here’s a glimpse of my new baby. That’s 50% off the rack! Sweet

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Paella Valenciana

After spending the whole day at the beach we gave ourselves a sumptous dinner treat!

Paella Valenciana from Paradise Island is a must-try! I'm a bad food blogger. So yeah, I can't really give you a lot of details. I don't know how much it costs, what ingredients are there, what other dishes are on the menu, and whatnot. All I know is that we ordered a serving good for 5 devoured only by 3, including a picky eater toddler. haha

Yes, it's that yummy and tummy filling.

De-stressing

What could be more rewarding to go out away from the buzz of the city life, leave a pile of work, and just chill out on a beautiful white-sand beach? This. Is. Life.

I wish weekends are always like this.

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

I was just about to whine of the too much hype everywhere about the new iphone 4s. And  I know how much I wanted it and I am very well aware that don’t have the money to get one. LOL. But i’m good with my current phone. It served me well for a long time. Despite its dents and heavy scratches, it’s still the most beautiful, and yes, useful thing ever. Thank you Mr. Steve Jobs.

Apple will never be the same without you. Rest in peace.

Fried Oreos

A friend shared me this recipe. Thought it was weird. Well, it sounds kinda gross.

But I was soooo wrong. I never thought fried oreos would be this yummy! Ha! You should try it too. Making it is as simple as A-B-C!

For the ingredients you only need these:

Egg, Vegetable Oil, Pancake Mix, and Oreos! The candy sprinkles are optional for presentation. Although, my friend’s recipe includes milk, I figured out that milk would only make it sweeter, and I don’t like it too sweet so I ruled out the milk.

Actually, I do not know the right measurements of the ingredients. Haha.  Don’t ask me how many cups or scoops are needed because I was only playing with the ingredients.

Just mix the egg, a bit of vegetable oil (i used only 1/2 teaspoon), and pancake mix until you get the right consistency. It should not be runny and not too thick. Mix these until no lumps remain.

Dip the oreos into the batter.

Then carefully place the cookies into a pre-heated vegetable oil. The oil should be enough to deep fry the cookies. Cook until the cookies are golden brown. This should only take less than two minutes.Then take out the cookies and drain it with a paper towel.

And voila!

Best when served hot. Enjoy!

PS - Eat moderately. We really don't want this sweet treat be a sweet threat.