Yummy Sunday - Another Crab

My entry for this week: Crab with coconut milk, a dish cooked by my sister. The crab was very healthy. Hehehe. You can see all the yellow aligi (dunno the term in English - pardon me).

it's me,

Scenic Sunday - Sunset at Kota Kinabalu

Beautiful sunset by the beach of Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia. I love the purple hue it reflected. I think it's because of the fog and at the same time the drizzle. Awesome color matching. God is super creative. (And I need to work on my photography)

it's me,

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Have you all seen this movie? I was in Kota Kinabalu with hubby. We were planning to go around KK city but it rained. So we stayed at our hotel. The hotel, Tune Hotel, happened to be in 1 Borneo Mall. So we decided to go around, window shop, and watch movie. It was a choice between Brad Pitt's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Tom Cruise' Valkyrie. We chose the first.

I should say they should name it "The Sad Case of Benjamin Button." The story was very interesting... very creatively written, and the make up was excellent.

What was it all about? Benjamin Button was born old. His mother died after giving birth to him. His father, upon seeing him looking like a monster (he's got all wrinkles and signs of an old man), put him outside the house of aged people. Then a black lady took him and raised him up.

When he grew up (or down?) his father who left him saw him again and met up with him and left to him his properties and button factory. I wonder though whether that time, they were already using work holding in their factory?

He was born old... but he grew young. The exciting part was when he looked Brad Pitt's age... The girl who saw him and fell in love with him for the first time was the girl he got married with. But when they bore a daughter, he decided to leave the wife and the daughter because he was growing young or aging backwards. He thought the wife couldn't take care of two babies. And she deserved a real father... not a playmate. That's what he said that got me amused.

She loved him until he died... although she married another man, for the sake of her daughter. That was indeed a true story of love.

Anyways, the story was sad. There's a bit of humor in it... but all in one, it was a sad story.

it's me,

What Would I Win An Oscar For?

You Would Win Best Documentary Feature

You are very curious about and engaged with the world. Everyone is interesting to you. You have a variety of interests, and you delve into them quite deeply. People are impressed by the sheer quantity of stuff you know, and you're learning more every day. However, you're not just informed. You also are very informative. You share what you know in an engaging and interesting way.

What Would You Win an Oscar For?

it's me,

Yummy Sunday - Apple

My girl loves eating apples. I am glad because it is healthy.

By the way, if you're wondering, I got this apple cutter from Ikea. Makes cutting apples easier, hey?

it's me,

Shopping Spree

I am only exaggerating. I did a bit of shopping but not like I-shopped-til-I-dropped type of shopping. I just bought a few things for the kids (and for myself of course). I actually bought Barong Tagalog (an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked (similar to a coat/dress shirt), over an undershirt. source - wikipedia) two years ago when I came here but he can't wear it anymore. And he looked rather cute with the Barong Tagalog so I thought of buying him a new one... which I did.

I bought Samantha a dress from Gap (that was on sale). Then I realized I didn't buy anything for hubby. I actually thought of buying him one of those Oakley watches. But I couldn't afford it. Maybe next time, when I have enough savings from my bloggy earning.

it's me,

Business Ideas

My sister and I were talking about investing on a real estate today. Then I got an email from a friend that is selling her condo unit in Pasig. If only I had the money to buy... I would definitely buy it. I think with the economy meltdown everywhere, it is good to invest in real estate now or any other businesses i.e. fast food chains, buy and sell cars, auto parts franchises, etc. By the time economy goes up again (am I too ambitious to think about this?), all those businesses will also go up. Hmmm... I am not an economist. I am just trying to make assumptions. So don't trust my judgment. LOL. I am actually just thinking out loud.

it's me,

Going Home

I went to DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) office today to collect my passport. Good thing Kuya Dan was on his way to his office in Makati. I got to get a free ride to Ayala. From Ayala, we took the train to Pasay. It was yet another long journey. But I didn't mind at all. After all, I was going to collect my passport - the reason why I came here.

I'm gonna start packing tonight... I mean later. I didn't bring a lot of things when I came here. But I went shopping. So I need a bigger luggage now. Delsey luggage seems to be the perfect luggage... But right now, I don't have time to buy one. I'm already going to fly tomorrow! So I'll just settle with my not-so-old back pack.

it's me,

When I Met You

I've been so engrossed with Pinoy movies since I got here... I mean since I had my passport renewal resolved. My sister and I went to Robinson's Mall to watch When I Met You by Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion. The story was okay. The pair was not really okay. KC Concepcion looks too old for Richard. Both of them were good looking though. Not a good match. But the story was cool. It's all about a quest of finding true love. A love that doesn't require much... not conditional. I could go on and on talking about the story. Hehehe.

Anyways, I only went to the cinema once to watch a movie. The rest of my movie times were spent at home. The room I am staying at have a wonderful home theater system. The only thing with watching from a home theater system is that all the people look very fat because it is very wide. LOL! I found this Rackmount lcd. It's cool huh? This must be the hottest gadget in town.

it's me,

Home is Where the Heart Is

I've been away from home for almost two weeks now. I am missing my kids so much. I talk to them almost everyday... but the more I talk to them, the more I am becoming nostalgic.

I know I have to enjoy my stay while I'm here. I'd been wanting to take a long break from them. Am I bad for feeling like this? Anyways, now that I am having a break from them... I feel like I'm away forever.

Home is where the heart is, they say... and I believe it so. There's nothing like home. Of course, I have a pretty good lifestyle here. My sister is spoiling me... as usual. So when I'm home, I don't do anything except to check emails, blog, and even watch movies. Hmmm... Quite a luxurous life I have here.

What do I miss about my home? My kids, for sure. I miss cooking too. NOT! Lol. Seriously, I miss sleeping in my bed. I'm not saying though that I don't have a comfortable bed here. I do. But like what I've saying, there's nothing like your own.

I miss my bathroom. LOL! can you believe that? Speaking of bathrooms, I found a website that offers stock clearance sale for bathroom suites! They offer bathroom tiles, bathroom furniture, bathroom taps, baths, mirrors & lighting... you name it! At Better Bathrooms, they promise you of a better price and a better service. And everything they have is on clearance sale. You won't wanna miss it.



Hmmm... what else do I miss? I better not think of something more. Better stop here. .. otherwise I'd be depressed more. Anyways, I'll be home on Sunday. Then I will be appeased.

it's me,

Pasta Dish

I just took another personality quiz. I usually use blogthings.com. They give quite an accurate results. Here's the latest I took: What Pasta Dish are you?

You Are Fettuccine Alfredo

Compared to most people, you have rich and decadent tastes. If you can afford something, you'll go ahead and indulge yourself. You are a true foodie. No food is off the table for you. You're the type most likely to appreciate every aspect of a five star meal.

What Pasta Dish Are You?

Enjoying Philippines

Now that I had my passport renewal resolved, I am enjoying my stay in the Philippines. I'm having a great time here with my sister. In fact, we went to Zambales to surprise my other sister whom I haven't seen for 4 years. I couldn't believe how grown my niece and nephews were. They're even taller than I am. Oh well...

I am enjoying the food as well. I eat, sleep, travel, eat, and sleep. I'm indeed having a good break. I miss my family though. Good thing I have photos of them in my laptop.

I talk to them on the phone too. Hubby told me my boy prayed last night that Mommy would come home tomorrow. So sad. I really can't help it. I am only getting my new passport on Friday. I am flying to Kota Kinabalu on Saturday to meet my hubby and fly back to KL on Sunday. Only then I can see them again.

Not sure whether I wanna go on another trip after this. Not sure whether I'm up for one of those Vegas vacations. It feels like I've separated from my family for a very very long time.

One thing I'm thankful is that I was able to visit my sisters. And eat Filipino food a lot.

And I keep reminding myself: I don't come to the Philippines often... so enjoy it while I'm here.

Yummy Sunday - Waffle

I got this waffle sandwich (with cheese and ham) for breakfast at Coffee Lovers in Phuket, Thailand.Had it with hot cappuccino.

Some Optical News

Have you read this article? Seeing Straight Without Breaking Bank. This article by New York Times was talking about Zenni Optical eyeglasses. Zenni Optical in the New York Times?! Oh yes, they're that famous they even got the attention of New York Times! Indeed, they are famous for their stylish and yet cheap optical glasses. Imagine getting a Prescription eyeglasses for only $8! It's so cheap! You might want to check them out if you're in need of a pair of prescription eyeglasses.

Passport Renewal Update

I was getting ready to go back to Malaysia, without a new passport with me. I was getting ready to take the risk of renewing my passport there and wait for 30 days. When I talked to hubby after knowing it would take 2 weeks to get my NSO (National Statistics Office) copy of marriage certificate, he went to visit Malaysia Immigration Office at Shah Alam where I usually apply for visa to get an advise. They said I could renew my passport and apply for a special one month visa.

Why haven't I thought of getting their advise before deciding on flying? Well, for one... my hubby wasn't in Malaysia when I found out about the new passport system MRP (machine readable passport). The only way you could get this info was to go to the office and inquire there. They don't entertain phone calls.

Good thing was, I blogged about not being able to renew my passport. One of the comments caught my attention. She gave me advise of going to NSO Macapagal branch coz it takes only one day to get the NSO copy. So I thought why not give it a shot.

So to NSO Macapagal branch off I went yesterday morning. As usual, I woke up at 4am, left the house at 5am, hopped into a 5:30 am LRT, got down and jumped into MRT to Taft Station, got down and took a cab to NSO. When we (I asked one of the house helpers to go with me coz my sister was in the hospital) arrived at the place, there was already a long queue... at 6:45 am! The office opened at 7:30 am.

I was happy coz my NSO copy was going to be released at 10am. So I waited again. At 11 am, my name was called. They said they had a problem downloading my file. I felt the whole world crushed on me. Why... oh why... I didn't even know the right question. I just said: Why, oh, why? It's like I felt all odds were against me.

The officer asked me to come back at 2pm. But it wasn't a guarantee that they could download my file.. but they were sure I could have it the next day. I waited there. And called hubby. So once again, we decided that if I couldn't get my NSO copy at 3 pm, I should just stay there and not go to DFA office anymore coz they close at 4 pm.

3 PM... I lost all hopes of being able to go to DFA to process the passport renewal. Then my husband's name was called... at 3pm! After 15 minutes, I was out of NSO office and on my way to DFA office.

I went to the same lady at Gate 2, went back to Gate 1 (window A)to have my documents verified, then another stamping from window B. Then they directed me to Auditorium for payment, had it encoded (she was a very friendly lady, Jeng was her name. I had a good chat with her) and had my documents finger printed.

I finished everything before 4pm!!!

Amazing.

God is.

He's a God full of surprises.

He is an amazing God. I couldn't stop praising Him.

God was not quiet after all.

I could imagine Him looking at me full of grace and love and mercy.

I thank Him, indeed.

And to SweetyTots, I owe it all to you. Thank you soooo much. Thanks for taking time to read my dilemma and giving suggestions. I couldn't thank you enough. You saved my life!!! Again, thank you!

I will have my passport ready on the 20th of February. Will fly to Kota Kinabalu on the 21st. Will miss my Mt Kinabalu expedition. But who cares... the most important is I'm going to have my new passport and be able to apply for my Visa in Malaysia before the 26th of February.

Now I'm going to google some nice places to go to. Have I told you I have the inclination to being a wanderlust person? I found this Machu Picchu travel and thought probably I could do a trail up there too. Hmmm.. I am back to my good ole self, obviously.

Not Able to Renew My Passport

I am in Manila now to renew my passport, after knowing that it takes 30 days to process the passport in KL because they have to send back to Manila the processing because of the new passport system (machine readable passport).

As I have blogged previously, I only have a couple of weeks to renew it since my social pass expires on the 25th this month.

They said it takes 7 days (expedite processing) here in manila. True.

But found out that they have more requirements to pass here in Manila. They required me to get my NSO copy of marriage. The marriage certificate I had which was valid in Malaysia was not valid in the Philippines.

My marriage report has been submitted by KL embassy to the Philippines coz I already reported my marriage there. I have my marriage contract and my report of marriage with me... all original copies... but they were not good enough documents. I must have that report from NSO. So to NSO i went and yes, I found I have a record of marriage submitted already. What disappointed me was... it would take 2 weeks to release the NSO copy of marriage! I was terrified!

As I have said, I didn't have enough days to renew my passport in KL... so I made an emergency exit, leaving my family in KL... only to be disappointed here coz I won't be able to submit my requirements to renew my passport until two weeks later only.

I am writing this so that you would know. Somebody has to tell my fellow Filipinos, especially those whose case is same as mine, who got married with a foreigner in a foreign country. Sometimes, what they put in their website is not good enough. I thought I had all the requirements needed.

I am so stressed now.

Will update more next time. I cannot think. I cannot write. I miss my kids. I miss my husband.

Yummy Sunday - Crab

A friend invited us for dinner and ordered seafood. Since crab is my favorite seafood, he ordered it too. But it's a different dish. Salted crab - I would prefer a black pepper crab. But it was good nonetheless. Crab, anyone?

Arcadia Apartment

We are now getting confused whether we wanna move back in to our apartment at Arcadia. We have been talking about it... and both I and Peter are okay with it. The only thing now is the inconvenience of school distance. Here, where we live, kids' school is just walking distance. If we move to Arcadia, it means we have to transfer our kids to another school, at Fun Gates, which is also walking distance but a little bit farther.

Now if only we could find a house in our area where we live, it would be great to rent again. There's one we saw nearby... but it looks a bit rundown. The fencing doesn't look secured... will probably need to do pvc fence installation if ever we decide to rent that house.

I would really love to stay back in this area. It is just so conducive to everything; kids' school, park, convenient stores, etc.

We have a lot of time to think through though. So I hope we'll be able to decide soon.
it's me,

Dreamer

I am... both asleep and awake...a dreamer. I love to day dream. I dream in my sleep a lot too. Daydreaming is like an escape mechanism for me.

Dreaming in sleep can mean two things for me:

1. stress relief
2. symbolic

When I sleep and I don't dream, it's weird for me. I must have a dream. Dunno why? That's why my favorite story in the Bible is the Story of Joseph, the Dreamer.

Since young, I had been interpreting my dreams. I get symbolic dreams, I try not to forget them; then something happens. I relate it to my dreams. That's how I can interpret my own dreams... through my experiences.

But recently, I seem to be having a new theme in my dreams.

A couple of weeks ago, I dreamt I was on the beach. Suddenly, there's a big wave coming in... and I ran for my dear life. I climbed up the hill with a ladder. I saw the waves hitting the land. It was huge... and in my dream it was like a tsunami. I was just watching the waves coming by... and saw people running away from the waves. Then, out of the blue, I saw that the waves created a beautiful scene. And I started taking photos of it. Funny, hey?

A couple of nights ago, I had another vivid dream. I was going to go somewhere and in the truck/bus... (at first it was a bus then later a truck) that I was in, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I realized I had gone passed through my destination. I went back. I seemed to get lost. I knocked on somebody's door to get a direction... The door opened and I was surprised to see an old friend. He told me that the place I was looking for was just right there. So I went in... and I felt happy coz I could start my work (whatever it was, I didn't seem to remember). Then, again, out of the blue, I looked at the surroundings and noticed a beautiful green scenery. Lots of green trees... just a beautiful scene I saw.

Then as you can guess, I started taking photos as well.

What could this mean?

it's me,

Bloggy Earning Helps!

One thing I am grateful about earning through blogging is that when there's emergency, the money saved from blogging really helps. For instance, my trip to the Philippines was unplanned... which means, we didn't set aside a budget to go there. But thank God for the extra savings I have. Blogging is really a blessing. It not only help us improve our writing skills, we earn from it as well.

I wanna teach my sister how to blog when I go back to the Philippines. She's going to the US soon to join her hubby. Once she's in the US, she can take pro blogging as her career. Lots and more opportunity if you're a US based blogger. The only thing is that you need to have your own computer. That would be a good investment. So it's good to buy one. I think it would be cheap to buy from a wholesale computers dealer. Cheaper, I think.

Anyways, the computer I am using now is not mine. My notebook finally crashed and to fix it is very expensive, might as well buy a new one. But of course, I am not planning to buy a new one just yet. A friend promised to give me hers once she gets a new one. Hmmm... I wonder when that would be. Her husband works in IBM and they get free notebooks from time to time. I hope she'll get a new one soon. *cheeky grin*

Anyways, can't wait to teach my sister. I have influenced (I think) a lot of friends in blogging and earning from their blogs as well. I am happy they're doing well... even better than I do.

it's me,

Separation Anxiety

It has been a long time since I talked about my kids. Fyi, my prinzy girl, who is just 2 years and 2 months old is loving her Q-Dees school. The only thing is... sometimes, she would love me to stay with her... which I couldn't. So you'd find us battling at the doorway of her school room from time to time. She would stop fuzzing though when I leave the school... and loving everything she does in school. I ask her every time what she learns in school. And she would say apple. LOL. She loves apples that's why she remembers it all the time.

Mommy: What's your teacher's name?
Prinzy: ti-ter... as-cha (teacher ashah)

Mommy: What's the name of your school?
Prinzy: Ku Dees (Q-dees)

Mommy: What's your daddy's name?
Prinzy: Pee - ter

Mommy: What's your mommy's name?
Prinzy: Jan!

Mommy: Can you count?
Prinzy: Nay, Ku, Tee, Sfo, Sfi, Sik, Heven, Eight, Nay, Tin!

LOLsss.

I am feeling nostalgic now. I am not going to see them for 2 weeks. That's a really really long time.

Once, I decided to go with girl friends to China and enjoy my trip with other friends without them. But I couldn't bear the thought of me leaving my family behind while I go about enjoying my trip. So I decided to take them along with me... including their grandparents. I thought being away from them for two weeks was unbearable... so I booked tickets for them to go with me.

But now it is unavoidable. I have to leave them behind and do some necessary things to avoid complications later. I am missing them already.

Separation anxiety is at it's worst. I haven't even left yet.

it's me,

Getting Anxious

I know. It's not good. To feel anxious is not good. But I can't help it. I can feel all butterflies fluttering inside. To make things worse, Hubby is not here with me. He's only coming back a day before I leave. I have been reading blogs about renewing passports and all I could get were horror stories.

A friend who is based in France told me that she applied for passport renewal last december 22, 2008. Until now, the passport is not ready yet. It's a good thing we decided for me to fly back to the Philippines to renew my passport there. I know this is like an endless rant about me going back to the Philippines... just that this was unforeseen.

I should have checked long time ago about this. But who would expect this change to be happening now. I just wish there's a way to let all expats/ofw/pinoys based in foreign countries know of the changes. At least we would know in advance and we can do something about it so we can sort things out without going through complications.

I was telling my friend just now that all I've been doing since the beginning of the year is booking my travels and not doing any travels at all. And now, to add to my travel plans is the Philippine trip. And it's not gonna be short. I'll be leaving my kids for 2 weeks! I wonder where else God is going to take me to. To the US? Probably but not too soon. Otherwise I'd be checking out New York City hotel already.

I've been anxious since yesterday, actually. But then, I am reminded by Paul in Philippians 4:6:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

it's me,

I'm Going to the Philippines!

It's confirmed. Tickets bought. I am indeed going back to the Philippines. Oh, the hassle of it all. But I don't mind actually. At least I could get to spend time with my sister before she goes off to the US. And I could travel without kids!

Hubby is coming back on the 7th. I am leaving on the 8th. So now we're taking turns. Hehehe. Oh well... my mom in law offered to take care of the kids while I'm gone. (Parents-in-law were here last night and mom did the dishes. Sometimes, I feel uncomfortable when other people do dishes for me but of course, I am grateful coz one work item less for me. But having other people see my sink like that, I need to look for discount kitchen faucets asap. Need to change those leaking faucets!) So hubby won't be solely taking care of them. He has to go to work!

Anyways... I'm a bit anxious. I have previously blogged about the Philippines New Passport System, the Machine Readable Passport and for how long it takes to process it. I hope to really get my passport in 7 days. That's what they promise. I went to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) website and the requirements look easy:

B. REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF PASSPORT:

Brown Passport or issued prior to 01 May 1995

• Old passport and photocopy of passport pages 1,2,3 (amendment). The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.

• Supporting document with complete middle name.

Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

• Present passport and photocopy of inside and back cover.

• The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.

• For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse:

• Personal Appearance is required

• Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or CTC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

I have green passport. So I only need to present my present passport and some other documents. I hope they don't require more. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. Processing fee has two options:

expedited processing (7 days) is P750.
regular processing (14 days) is P500.

I am hoping that I could do expedited processing without any hassles.

I am praying everything will be smooth. Will you pray with me? Thanks!

it's me,

Promise?

Have you had people come to you and make promises which were never fulfilled? It's quite frustrating, isn't it? Especially when you expect so much from it... especially when your life is at risk... especially when you really really want to get rid of something you're addicted with for a long time and they promise of effective treatment and you don't get good results? Actually there's a lot of treatment centers outhere that promise of effective services. There's one drug treatment center that I have stumbled upon that promises of a very effective drug treatment. At Promises Treatment Centers, they provide the best treatment and best environment for healing from alcoholism and other addictions.

it's me,

Philippine's New Passport and My Dilemma

I had been bloghopping and found a surprising news. The Philippines is issuing a new Machine Readable Passports (MRP)! Since I need to renew my passport before the 25th of February, I was curious with this new information. I checked the Philippine Embassy KL website. True enough, they had implemented the new machine readable passport (MRP) since April last year.

So.. what's my dilemma? My Malaysian (spouse) visa expires on the 25th of February. I need to have my new passport before that. And the new MRP takes 30 days to process because it's a new (totally redundant) system they have implemented and they can only process it in the Philippines.

So if I apply tomorrow, which is the earliest date I can apply, I still cannot make the grade, since it takes 30 days to get my new passport. That would mean I would apply for a few days overstay in Malaysia. That means... I won't have a good record in the immigration office and I don't like that.

Of course, I can cancel my Cambodia trip which is on the 28th of February. Even then, I still have a problem... whether I go to Cambodia or not.

What's the best solution?

For me to go back to the Philippines because the renewal of passport can be done in 7 days only.

Will I miss my Mt Kinabalu expedition?

I hope not. I can fly to Sabah after I get my new passport and meet hubby there.

So what's my dilemma actually? LOL. As I write, I have my problem solved. Have to get off my blog now and book my ticket to the Philippines!

My life is indeed full of surprises.

it's me,

One World One Heart Giveaway - A Book by Paulo Coelho

(This is a sticky post that will run until February 12, 2009. Please scroll down for newer posts. Thanks! Sorry for the inconvenience)

It's been a year since I joined One World One Heart giveaway. It has been so successful last year that I wanna do it again this year. So... my giveaway for this year is a book by Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist. I have read this and I'm not planning to keep it. So it's yours!

Here's how to join:

1. just leave a comment. one comment will do, stating you are joining my giveaway.
   
2. for active bloggers only and please leave an email add or blog address so i can contact you in case you win. that easy.
   

Doing this will entitle you to win this book! Drawing of winner will be on February 12, 2009, by lot. International participants are welcome, shipping cost would be on me.

it's me,