Curbside Stories

No Valentine's Day blues for me. I celebrated it with friends over coffee. And besides, Valentine's Day is a year-round event for me because this little guy never fails to give me morning hugs and kisses.

I have a lot of things to be thankful for, the first one would be I am still alive today to greet the new year. Last year was a breaking point for me, to re-think about the life I wanted to be for me and for my child. Although there were many disappointments, the blessings that were given to me are more than enough for me not to hold grudges. I got promoted, I think it was the best part. So, what will 2014 have for me... I bet, it's still the best! Happy new year to all! God bless us!

Getting married? Have you picked up a wedding dress already? I have! I know it is still too early, heck, I am not even engaged, but who knows? It is better to be prepared at all times. Anyway, I have here two of my most favorite wedding dresses from Dress First . This particular mermaid style dress is strapless with beaded lace overlay. The train satin tulle is long enough for dramatic entrance and exit photos. This is available in four colors (white, champagne, ivory and pink) but for a conservative church such as ours, it is white or ivory for me. This is currently on sale for $441.99 previously $579. A princess will never be caught dead not owning even a single ball gown so if you are dreaming of a princess-like wedding, a ball gown type of wedding dress is perfect. I especially like this one-shoulder ball gown with organza train and ruffle flowers. I mean, it is a ball gown yet it is not overpowering the bride. This is currently on sale at $260.00 previously $322...

Click here . Happy Valentine's Day!

My son was born on January 18, 2008 at around 10:15 PM via Caesarian Section. He weighed 7.9 pounds, pretty large boy.  After five years, I could still vividly remember the first time I held him when the doctor put him on my chest when he came out. I was still at the operating room. I was groggy because of anesthesia, but, I could still remember his loud cry, his pinkish and wrinkly skin, and his angelic face. He is such a darling! He is my life and the only person who brings constant happiness in my life.

Merry Christmas! I could not ask for more. God has blessed me with so many things this year that I am deeply humbled by His generosity. If there are things that I would wish to have, it would be for other people. I pray for the victims of Typhoon Pablo and the rest of the calamity-stricken areas to be safe and to continue to gather their faith and strength to build their lives again. I pray for the people to continue to help and extend their generosity to those who need their help the most. I pray for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary and their loved ones to find healing, peace, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may be able to live their lives better than today like what the innocent children wants them to have. I pray for wisdom to all country leaders to exert extra effort to promote harmonious living within their country and among other nations. I pray for Your continued mercy. May You guide us towards the right path through your Son Jesus Christ, o...

It is the time of gift giving and Kris Kringle again. Of course, our office is also in to the spirit of generosity. It is already our third week and I am the lamest gift giver lately. I have to make amends to that since my 'baby' is someone who is dear to me, someone who I trust. I already have the 'something embarrassing to carry in public' and it is too embarrassing for me to show in this post. Let me just focus on the 'something hairy and soft' and 'something wet'. I was lucky to find both in one cute gift set... The hairy and soft teddy bear key chain and the wet but fragrant cologne. Don't worry if I spilled the beans, my officemates have no idea that I have a blog. Do you have Kris Kringle in your office?

Sinigang na hipon (shrimp in tamarind broth). I just had a sumptuous dinner with my family for the advance birthday celebration of my niece who will turn 12 next week. We ate crispy lechon kare-kare, lechon kawali, sinigang na hipon and spicy sizzling squid. Yummy! It is true that food brings the family together.  Spicy sizzling squid. Crispy Pork Kare-Kare (crispy pork in peanut sauce). Lechon Kawali.

My mom told me that when she was pregnant with me, she's fond of eating pineapples... we call it in the Philippines as pinaglihihan. Pineapple is not one of my favorite fruits because I don't like my food sour. I won't eat it unless somebody tells me it is of the sweet kind. So why did I cook a dish with pineapples? I don't have much ingredients in my kitchen. The things that are available are chicken, evaporated milk, bell pepper and pineapple tidbits. I was thinking of cooking adobo but it was just last night that we had soy sauce based dish for dinner. Well, it turned out delicious... my son could attest to that because he only eats chicken when it is barbecued, fried or if it is adobo. If you like to try this dish, here is the recipe:

I have many girl friends who got married in the US. I was not able to attend to all of their weddings because I live half way around the globe so when I received an invitation for a close friend's wedding last February, I was ecstatic. The wedding was held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church while the reception was held at Taal Vista Hotel--both in Tagaytay City. The couple looked so in love even more. I don't know about you, but aside from anxiously looking at how beautiful the bride and her gown is, I also get giddy looking at wedding cakes. My friend's wedding cake was simple. It had four layers, the top layer with their effigies as wedding cake toppers was the main cake. The other layers were cupcakes decorated with colorful icings. And in all the weddings that I have attended, maybe there is some superstitious belief attached to it, the couples keep their wedding cake toppers. Until now, whenever I go to their houses, their toppers are still there sitting quietly in t...

Every woman has her dream wedding. It is like a young girl dreaming of fairy tales coming true. Just like me, I dream of wearing the most beautiful wedding gown, walking down the aisle with my groom waiting on the altar and reciting our vows in front of our dearest guests. Wedding days are special because it opens a new chapter of a woman's life with the man who will be her life long partner. Having said that, women take time in preparing for the wedding--from the date of their wedding, to the guest list and even the wedding decorations .  If I were to have a garden wedding, I'd choose subtle but romantic decorations that will complement the theme. I don't want the guests to be overwhelmed of the grandeur of the event. I don't even want a big celebration, to begin with. I want them to be relaxed and feel that they are a part of the celebration and not simply as guests. I simply want them to remember that on that day, two individuals were united in love by God.

It is still four days away and yet it seems that love is already in the air. And so are Valentine's Day commodities' prices are keeping up with the high. Where will I be on the 14th? In the office. It is not yet proclaimed as a national holiday (duh). And how about after office hours? I will be watching a pageant in support of a co-employee who is a candidate. The organizers of the pageant are so lame... of the 29 days of February, they decided to have the pageant on the 14th. While everyone else will be on a date after work, I will be stuck watching the girls-I-pray-are-smart. I hope my co-employee will bag the title. My most memorable Valentine's Day was five years ago. Instead of dining in a posh restaurant, we had a picnic, watched the sunset and counted the stars. It was one of the best conversations we ever had.

Photo from Psychology Today. It is new year again? Did you do a resolution in 2010 for 2011? Were you able to accomplish your resolutions?  Will you consider doing another list of things that you will hope to change or improve in 2012? According to a research, here are the most popular new year resolutions: 1. Resolution to improve health. This includes losing some pounds and doing a regular exercise. 2. Resolution to quit vices such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and gambling. 3. Resolution to pay debt or to maintain good credit standing. 4. Resolution to finding a job or a better job. 5. Resolution to save money either by depositing in a bank or investing to some business or stocks. 6. Resolution to travel. 7. Resolution to spend more quality time with family. 8. Resolution to do charity works. 9. Resolution to learn new things. 10. Resolution to keep a hobby. Unfortunately, more often than not, only two out of the ten resolutions get to be done...

Let me begin this post by saying 'Thank you!' for supporting Random Thoughts. It wouldn't have gone this far if it weren't for your visits. I hope you'll keep up with me for a longer time. God bless you all! Merry Christmas!

The dreaded question of all in any family gathering or school reunion is "Why are you still single?" Why not? To avoid being questioned, you might as well send a mail or email with a Singleton Holiday Card enclosed so the moment you visit them this Christmas, you will be asked of the more important questions other than your current relationship status. It looks something like this...

Happy Thanksgiving! Aside from the many blessings I have received this year, there is one thing special that I am really grateful for today... it is my son's second life. Last Friday at around 2:30 in the afternoon while I was busy giving directions to my office staff, I received a news that my son was rushed to the Emergency Room because he was hit and run by a motorcycle. That was the most devastating news any mother could hear about her child. I was not prepared for the day. I immediately rushed to the ER to check on him and he was crying and in pain. I heard him asked the nurse "Where's my Mommy? Where's Daddy?". My heart felt like it stopped beating when I saw him drenched in blood. He had contusion and wound on his forehead, arms and left leg. His right leg was fractured and could not move. At 6:00 in the evening he was scheduled for wound debridement, suturing and casting. He cried and cried while waiting for the schedule until he felt tired. I acc...

Manny Pacquiao beat Juan Manuel Marquez for the last time in Welterweight division. The pound for pound boxing champ, Pacman, did not give what was expected of him but nonetheless, by majority decision, he remains the champion. I watched the most awaited rematch on live television and saw first hand how the two fighters performed. I believe that Marquez gave his all to this fight--it was the fight of a lifetime for him, a chance to prove that he is the real champion. Round 1 ended, 2, 3, 4 and 5... both seemed to be even. Round 6 came, 7, 8, 9, 10... it seems Marquez dominated the 5 rounds. The last two rounds were critical for Pacquiao... no knockout. It was a nerve wracking 2 minutes or so waiting for the decision. While the judges tally their scores, Jinkee Pacquiao was teary eyed, Marquez started to make his little celebration on the other side of the ring, Pacquiao knelt to pray and eventually approached Marquez as if confirming the latter's reason for celebration....

It's been a while... My younger sister gave birth to a healthy boy last October 22. He looks like my son when I gave birth to him. He is too cute for words! How I wish I could carry him. They are living in another country so we'd probably see him when he is already walking. I brought up the news to dad and he asked why I didn't name my son that starts with "J"... I broke the unwritten rule... his  name starts with "J' and so are my sisters, brothers and nieces. A few weeks ago I have been busy going around town meeting new faces, meeting clients and taking driving lessons. I don't know if I mentioned in this blog that I promise to have a driver's license before I turn the big 3-0. Yep! I already know how to drive. I'll get my non-professional license before the end of this month. SO HAPPY! We had a Halloween party in our grandmother's house. It was organized by my cousins. They all wore costumes, we played games, we sang a...

Photo from here . Happy 113th Independance Day to my fellow Filipinos!

Photo from here . I think I know now how my mom did it because I am now also a mother. We don't have super powers to begin with, we only have our kids, who, ironically are also our little kryptonites, our weaknesses that make us go bonkers at times. So, kids, bear with us. To all moms out there, you are doing a great job!