A Girl’s Notebook :)

I have been vocal about my love for books. I believe that there are many people who can relate with my passion with books. Looking at my books makes me feel happy and brighten up my day! They sure do.

My current collection is Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mystery Series. They are the ones in blue and yellow hard bound original mystery. I was in elementary when I first read a Hardy Boys Mystery Series. That book was mystery number 11, While the Clock Ticked. The book was owned by my late paternal uncle, Tito Udy. That started my interest with Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Since, I do not have money then, I just read some of the mysteries when I visit a library that carries them.

Few months ago, when I went to a bookstore, I found the newly printed Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mystery series. Ah, that started my collection. I was really happy finding these books and I have this dream completing the whole series. It may cost me a lot but who cares, it would really makes me happy.

I’m a practical buyer still though. I tried to visit different book sales and patiently look for one of these books. I also take advantage of the bookstore sale! Well, I hope buy.com offers good deals about these books.

I hope that I would be able to complete the whole series. I really enjoyed reading the mysteries. These books inspired me once to be a detective. Well, I ended up being an Engineer.

If you found a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew in your old shelves, try to read them and you would really enjoy reading it. If it happens that you don’t get interested, my shelves are open for those books! Just let me know and I’ll pick them up.

Ciao!

The recent weekend has been a productive weekend me. Well, more productive than the last! I hang out with my colleagues and friends at Rufo’s in Eastwood City. Ney’s cousin, Maggie is the branch manager but we are not that close and I do not know if she still remembers me so I just didn’t pay attention to her. We chat and drank few bottles of San Mig Lights. I was actually looking for Cruiser Vodka but they do not offer it. It is my current favorite. Hehehe! Oh, don’t get me wrong I just had a taste of it when Boss Benj’s wife threw a surprise birthday party for him. We stayed about 4 hours at Rufo’s then we bid each other a happy weekends.

I arrived at home at 7PM last Saturday. I took a hot bath then went to bed. I woke up early the following day. I always woke up early on Sundays to do chores. My youngest sister was working on her assignments so I washed the dishes for her. My mother cooked lunch for us. After our meals, I iron my clothes and my daughter’s uniforms. I heard mass in the evening. God is so good that the heavy rain stopped when I am about to leave the house for church.

It was a day of work and I slept right away after I finished dinner. I woke up around 5:30AM today to work on my online journal, and also to browse the net for wholesale lots. You see I am looking to getting a house of our own already.

I wish everybody a productive and safe weekend! Be happy and God bless you always!

Ciao!

My sister went to Palawan about 2 weeks ago. She said that she really enjoyed her trip. Of course, she brought my camera with her.! As for her “pasalubong” to us, each of us received a T-shirt; she got two Bamboo rainmakers, which my daughter loves to play. She also brought different kinds of dried fish. She got herself a dream catcher; one that can be hang on a wall and an earring.

I remember that she always ask our Tita Evelyn to buy her a dream catcher earring when our Tita visits Baguio. But she always forget. Until, finally, she got one for herself. I know what a dream catcher is but what is it a dream catcher that made my sister like it so much? I wonder why?

Well, I did my own research and I learned that dream catcher originated in Ojibwa.”The Ojibwa believe that a dreamcatcher changes a person’s dreams. According to Konrad J. Kaweczynski, “Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through . . . Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day. Good dreams would pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.” (Source: Wikipedia)

I have the dream catcher given by my sister hanging above my pillows. So far, I haven’t had any bad dreams yet. Sweet dreams come occasionally but not always. I guess there’s nothing wrong in hanging one of those pretty dream catchers. But my secret in having sweet dreams is listening to my favorite music from MP3 players and praying to God to bless me with beautiful dreams and goodnight sleep.

Ciao!

I paid my credit card dues last Friday at Robinson’s Galleria. Whenever I go to the mall, I cannot help but visit a bookstore. I love checking on books that are on sale and I always get something very interesting. Oh I love books! I can give up an expensive signature clothes for books! Books make me feel good. Of course I read the books that I buy. But I have to be honest with you, I am not finish reading all the books I have bought in the past. But I always find time to read them while seating on one of those patio chairs we have.

After going to the bank, I decided to visit Best Seller on the fourth floor of Robinson’s Galleria. It is like an “extension” of National Bookstore, but here you can find only books; no other stuff that a regular National Bookstore offers. I was surprised that they are on Sale. The books have a price cut down up to 75%! I took advantage of the Sale and I got a new dictionary and thesaurus. Our old dictionaries are worn out already. From Php 720.++ price, I got the Dictionary for Php 179.75 and the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus for Php 98.75. I also got Nancy Drew Mystery Book that has a 20% off the original price and The Book of Lasts. The Book of Lasts is very interesting to read. I’ll tell you more about it on other post.

I believe the sale will run up to August 22, 2010. My sister told me that NBS in Galleria has the same sale as well. Get up now and grab your favorite books! Take advantage of the sale.

Ciao!

It’s a good thing that we have technology to use to keeping close to our love ones overseas. Few days ago, ney was able to use one of his colleagues portable. Ney is one of those “pre-schoolers” when it comes to the use of computers and the technology around it. His co-worker taught him how to use yahoo messenger and how to use the webcam. He was so excited about it and he called me first to tell me that he will be online.

I setup my webcam and waited until ney is online. You bet, ney and I chatted for almost 5 hours! I am so happy to see ney. I believe she is happy to see me as well and our daughter Antoinette. He also said hello to my mother and my sister Pau. He said that he will buy his own laptop when he transferred to middle east. He is lucky to be employed at an international company. His immediate superior told him the other day that he will be transferred in the middle east for his knowledge will be used and utilize more in there. From snow to sand. Well, as long as he is okay and safe, then it is fine with me. Besides, he told me that gadgets and appliances are cheaper there because there is no tax. He also learned from his father that during Ramadan, items would really go on Sale. That’s a good side of his transfer!

I am just happy that he was able to learn to use the technology we have today. We may be miles and miles away from each other but the tools we have today made it easy for us to keep in touch and stay close to each other!

Ciao!

I woke up around 3:30AM this morning. Well, I slept at around 6:30PM last night. I am on leave from work for 2 days. I am so happy that the first person who greeted me today is ney from abroad. I have friends who have been wishing me a happy birthday since yesterday, too. Oh, I just turned 29 today and I am not getting any younger, but growing wiser (I hope!). I’m afraid that I might be getting adult acne, too.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank God for another year of life. A life so wonderful and beautiful inspite of all the challenges that came with it. I guess that’s what make life beautiful. Thank you Lord for everything. For all the blessings you have given me and for all the blessings yet to come.  Thank you for all the “angels” You  have given me here on earth.

I have inteded to hear mass in Antipolo Cathedral. But I decided to attend the noon mass in our parish here. Mama is cooking pancit and my favorite relyenong bangus for my birthday. She would also make biko  and gelating.

I don’t have any guest. Just me and the family. My cousin Anne will be here, too. Well she’s always present in all family occasions. Hehehe!!! I am not sure if we’ll drink the 2 bottles of Vodka which were “left overs” from Pauline’s birthday. I will enjoy this day and would stay happy always. :) 

Ciao!

I was checking on Pauline’s debut pictures when I stumbled upon these pictures. These were taken 2 days before ney left to work abroad. We called it pre-departure date. Hehehe!!!

I took the above picture when ney and I went to see a movie at Ever Gotesco Mall. Well, we actually went to SM Taytay but wasn’t able to find an interesting movie to watch so we landed on Ever Mall. After seeing Shutter Island (which gave me a terrible headache!), ney watched some peeps playing the “giant” chess board. Ney then took his turn in playing chess. It was a tough and tight game. In the end, ney has to give in because we were both hungry!

This one was taken when we had our date with our daughter at SM Megamall. Nonet enjoyed the horse ride.

Antoinette watched her father hit the drums. Ney’s passion is playing the drums. He is a musician by nature. It may take a while before he would beat the drums again. So, while we’re at the mall, I let him enjoyed it! I guess we spent around 200 pesos for the tokens!

Nonet and I are looking forward to playing at Tom’s World and Worlds of Fun with ney again.

Ciao!

Last week has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. There had been happy and sad days. In my fb status line; I said that “Behind the cheerful smiles is a lonely heart.” Well, asking the current status of my heart I still feel sad and missing honey so much. I have cried 3 days because of the pain I felt when he left to work over seas. :(

Last May 25, Nonet and I bid farewell to ney who has a 2-year contract abroad. My daughter saw me cry and tried to ease my feeling by telling me that daddy .

I must admit that ney and I had a lot of misunderstandings. We are not a perfect couple and you bet we often argue even if we don’t live together. But I guess, it is true that you would only realize how important a person is, on his absence.

I wrote him a letter before he left. I told him to read the letter on the plane and when he misses us. I entitled the letter I made for him, Our Love Story. In my letter, I stated my own “point of view” about how our relationship started; the obstacles that our love went through and thewill work so he can buy her many toys. That when she would turn 7 years old, her daddy will come back again promise that I would wait and be faithful to him during the time that he is away. One of this days, I will share that love story with you.

I told him that while he is away I will keep myself busy by doing productive and meaningful things. I needed to wait few days after he left to ensure that I wasn’t pregnant before I start my diet. Hehehe! Although ney doesn’t mind my weight, I would still wanted to look good and feel good especially during these days. I know that if I lose just a little weight then that would add my to the confidence I have. A little help from elliptical machines will do the trick.

It may sound expensive but we made sure that we talk over the phone atleast once a day. He had set his number to roaming so I can send him text messages as often as I can. I told him about my diet plan and he said that it was a good idea. He also said that I continue working on my cross-stitch which I started when I was in 2nd year college. Hahaha!!! That was about 10 years ago!

Well, I pray and I hope that ney will be safe there. I always pray to God that He would keep ney away from all harm and temptation. He is many miles away and the only thing I can do for him is to keep the love we have for each other and to pray so hard for him and for us.

Ciao!

We ney and I and our daughter went to Mall of Asia, we passed by BookSale bookstore. There I was able to buy Books 4 and 18 of Nancy Drew’s Mystery Series. My other Hardy Boys books were bought from Booksale. So whenever, I see a booksale outlet, I stopped a while and check if a Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew series is on sale. When I went to the bank last Friday, I decided to drop by SM Megamall and check Booksale. They have a branch in the said mall. 

I am starting to collect Nancy Drew’s Mystery Series Books. The yellow-hardbound books. I got Hardy Boys’ books 1-12 already. I am planning to get Nancy Drews’ books 1-12 as well, then I will start buying books 13 for both series. I have visited different bookstores already trying to find Nancy Drew’s Book 1 but I failed. So when I got the chance to drop by at Booksale’s branch in SM Megamall, I went there. I almost lose hope when I got to the store. There were several Nancy Drew and Hardy Books on Sale but those were not the one’s I am looking for. I decided to ask the salesperson and she showed me some of the hardbound Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mystery books. I am so glad and thankful that Nancy Drew Mystery book 1 was there. I got the book right away and paid for it. The book is not in a very good condition. It seems to me that it got wet for some reasons. I checked on the pages and those are complete.

When I went to Galleria, I couldn’t help myself and bought books 2 and 3 of the said series from National Bookstore. Luckily, there was a 20% discount off the price for the books. Yipee!!!

Right now, I already got Series 1-4. Those are (1) The Secret of the Old Clock; (2) The Hidden Staircase; (3) The Bungalow Mystery and (4) The Mystery at Lilac Inn. I get books 5 and 6, as soon as I have the budget for them. Oh I really love those series!

Ciao!

Pau’s and mine’s birthday is just 7 days apart. When she got the phone, I decided to get myself my birthday gift as well. I went through the different gadgets stalls and found there a new digital camera! I fell inlove with the specs and the price! I don’t need a DSLR type of camera. I used camera for the main purpose of “capturing moments for memories”. It is a 10.2 MP camera with 5X optical zoom. I have always wanted Nikon’s 10X optical zoom but I haven’t found that model from any camera stores I went to. I bet it would cost around 30K. Wew!

The sales person hand me over their sample. I checked on it and I fell in love with it! So, after we finish our transaction at Nokia, we went to AV Surfer and got me the Samsung ES65 Digicam. Yey!  I can pay it in terms as well. One thing I love about the camera is that I can adjust the level of pixels I can use. If the picture will be uploaded then I can just set it to either 1, 3 or 4MP. So that the pictures will be easily uploaded.

After getting the camera, we went to the department store’s mens ties department and I got ney a Batman-designed necktie. Well, he will use it for any special gathering in his new found job! He loves Batman that’s I got it. He love it!

Ciao!

It’s Sunday again! This is the time for the family to relax and loosen up. After my mother finished  listening to the radio for the great music of 60s, 70s and 80s, we played some of our dance cds and started dancing to the tunes hoping for a quick weight loss! We enjoyed dancing to the music of VST and Company’s Rock Baby Rock, Swing and Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko! I am not sure if you still remember these songs. It was not released during our genre but I love those songs. You can ask your parents about this legendary OPM group and I believe that they would agree with me when I say that VST sang great song and made good music!

Listen to these and you will really find yourself on the groove!

Enjoy it ?!? I know you did.

Ciao!

It was my first time to visit DFA yesterday. Oh yeah don’t laugh at me. I didn’t have any business in the said office up until ney needed to process the authentication for his LTO certification. It was a funny experience because only ney was allowed to enter the building, chaperons are not allowed! Ney has the claim stub for the authenticated LTO certification. When he went in the building to claim the certificate, he found out that there was a problem with it and he needed to report to LTO’s main office in East Avenue. He was advised by LTO to hand carry the certificate to DFA. 

null

Since I will accompany ney in DFA and in the agency, he thought of a way that will make me enter the building as well. He entered DFA gate 3 first and showed the guard the claim stub he got from LTO. Then, when it’s my turn get into the building, I showed the guard the LTO Certification. When we were in, ney proceeded in processing his document while I waited inside the Authentication room and read Nancy Drew Series. After two hours, ney’s name was called and he got his authenticated LTO Certification, or what people referred to as the “Red Ribbon”.

We went to the agency afterwards and he submitted the said documents. He was advised that his flight will be on Tuesday next week. I felt sad upon hearing this but I know that ney will be doing this not only for himself but for us as well.

God bless him.

Ciao!