Swept Away.

..it pours it floods.

And the flood remains waist-deep still.

Extremely overwhelmed with my blogging work (plus the new freelance writing stint at odesk)…I can hardly take time to rest. I’m not complaining though, I’m grateful, in fact.

I just wish to have some extra work hours in a day.

More work = more moolah. More moolah = greater budget for Little Mansion’s stuffs shopping.

Tick tock tick tock…my deadline’s fast approaching.

Later.

Everyone was shocked when the scandal about Tiger Woods’ illicit affairs was all over the news. It’s more of a disappointment for many because Tiger is a very well respected sportsman. He’s at the peak of his golfing career and a lot (especially the youth) look up to him. He had so many endorsements and it’s no surprising that these companies ceased their sponsorship one by one instantly. One of them is the husband’s company, of which pictures of Tiger are all over their ads and website. (Even before the company announced that they are cutting advertorial ties with him, the husband and his team were busily reblasting their website, removing everything that has to do with him).

While Tiger already acknowledged his wrongdoing and apologized, it will require time before all wounds are healed and people’s trust regained. Again, this is a clear picture how an addiction (whether it be alcohol, drug or sex) can ruin one’s life and reputation immensely. Showbiz insiders say that Tiger has been undergoing therapy sessions to combat his sex addiction in a rehabilitation center.

These instances emphasize the need and importance of such rehabilitation facilities. These centers offer different approaches to holistic drug, alcohol and other addictive abuse and utilize techniques that will permanently curtail one’s addiction. In the US, specifically in Malibu, CA, there’s Passages Malibu that is often preferred by celebrities because of privacy and high level treatment. I checked out their site at Passages Malibu blog and truly, their facilities are impressive as well as their tailored and holistic treatment programs. For more information and Passages Malibu Pictures, check out their site.

Gold investment, I think, is one of the least popular option when one thinks of investing for the future. Perhaps, this is due to lack of awareness and knowledge about how the business goes for many. I remember when I was studying about Business Investments in college, our professor tackled a bit about this topic and said that trading gold and other precious metals is a promising investment. For one, gold does not devaluate and able to withstand whatever economic challenges the world may have. One just needs to be smart and strategic when making decisions like deciphering very well when to buy gold coins. Actually, experts say that buying is never seasonal meaning one can buy any time because of the gold’s fair value all the time.

We’re still debating contemplating of what type of window shade shall we get for the new house. After further research about window blinds, the trending prices in home decorating stores, and after seeing how stylish and varied the designs are in stores, I’m more convinced that we really should get such over draperies and curtains. The comparative study I made yielded more pros for the blinds. Among them are:

1. More functional..as a decorative window piece and as a shade with just a simple rolling technique. Not all curtains can totally keep off the sun rays from beaming to the inside of the house.

2. More types and more stylish designs to choose from. I like the zen effect that faux wood blinds exude.

3. Easier to manage and clean. No need to launder and do wrinkling tasks. I believe, it’s faster and easier to install, too.

4. Since it’s easier to clean and do not attract and harbor dusts that much, I’ve read that blinds are ideal for homes who have asthmatic dwellers.

The only problem I have if ever we’ll go with blinds is that I have a destructive toddler and I know for sure that these blinds won’t get away from his heavy and tornado-causing hands. It’s either we have to keep it rolled up or device some other means on as to how to keep him away from the window spots.

I’m not much really decided yet but just the same, I have started browsing at SelectBlinds.com. Their promos that are flashed on their website are very tempting. They offer 30% off for all orders the entire month of March plus free shipping via FedEx or USPS. I’m seeing so many possible options to get. One thing that also caught my attention is that they have a child safety cordless lift system. Just perfect for our house that needs to be babyproofed.

Just want to share a picture of the little one taken a few weeks back at The Block when we passed by Toy Kingdom in the 3rd Level.

Obviously, he wasn’t enamored by the huge PSP monitor. He would also care less even if it’s displayed on a 22 monitor inch LCD or even the largest LCD TVs to date. It’s Barney, thus, the excitement. Fanatic, much?

Someone’s getting a year older exactly one week from now. She doesn’t dread nor fret that she will be turning 29 because age is nothing but a number. Besides, she doesn’t look like one and in fact, some people mistaken her as her son’s older sister.

She doesn’t have birthday plans still because their family also got invited to a wedding on that day. She hasn’t made any birthday wish list and doubts if she’ll still create one. The Amazon books that her husband gave her last Christmas are still untouched (because she’s overly busy with online works), no budget for a phone or camera upgrade and the bloody expenses for the Little Mansion are just yet to start so she perfectly understands she won’t be receiving any lavish gifts this year. After all, she’s so easy to please. Just a round whole cake of Mango Bravo from Conti’s is enough to delight her.

God knows how ecstatic I was when I claimed my blood test results the other week at Patient First Clinic. I’m sure you do remember about how I worried and got scared of the hyperthyroidism symptoms I’ve experienced after giving birth. And I’m sure, you’re as eager (and worried) as me to know what’s up with this drastic lost weight in the last couple of years. So to ward off those doubts and worries as well as to answer those who are constantly asking if I underwent a bariatric surgery or of some sort that’s why I’m so skinny now, I subjected myself for a blood test to check my TSH and FT4 levels 2 weeks ago. They also did a thyroid ultrasound to check the size of my glands and all other parts in the throat for any abnormalities. Thankfully, the blood test yielded normal results. My TSH levels are within the normal range and nothing’s unusual with the size of my thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism is ruled out.

With that findings, I guess it’s just safe to conclude that I’m one good proof that breastfeeding is indeed an effective way to slim one’s body down. And it seems that I’ll still be in my skinny self for a few more months because my dear son, at 2 years old, isn’t showing still any sign of readiness to wean. It’s just okay because I’m not yet ready, likewise.

I initially wanted and saved up for a Jollibee party. But after careful consideration and re-aligning our priorities, the husband and I agreed to forgo the party and just have an intimate and simple celebration with families and friends.

Last Monday, to celebrate as well Paul’s promotion at work, we treated the whole family (Danganans) at Gerry’s Grill in SM North for a pre-birthday dinner. We had a grand time pigging out. Sisig, Calamares, Mango Salad, Liempo, Crispy Chicken Lollipop, Bicol Express, Sizzling Balot and Tofu..we were so full. Our tummies were overly delighted.

Then yesterday, Asher’s birthday was celebrated with an intimate, simple snack feasting at my folks’ place in Makati with some relatives and friends. Spongebob is the little one’s favorite character these days so we got him a Spongebob cake for his candle blowing. His “wowa” (Lola) and ate Jane cooked his favorite spaghetti (a special request) and pansit. We also had lumpia and ice cream. I also made Asher’s favorite graham refrigerated cake. Albeit simple, I’m sure the little one enjoyed his special day with everybody. He had a grand time opening his gifts with the help of his Wowo Raffy. His Daddy and I showered him with what else but Spongebob stuffs: slippers, insulated cup, shirts, and stickers plus 2 lift the flap books that I bought last week from Booksale, a stall in Glorietta that sell textbooks and hardbound books for toddlers and babies.

Asher initially wasn’t in the mood to blow his cake because he just woke up from his afternoon nap. It took him a while before he warmed up so we just had him blow the cake’s candle after everyone has eaten. Much to his delight, he blew not just once but even more than five times, I think.

To culminate the little one’s 2nd birthday celebration, we will be trooping him to Manila Ocean Park this coming weekend. He’s a one animal loving tot so we’re sure that he’ll go ecstatic seeing those beautiful fishes.

Here are some pictures of the party yesterday taken from his Wowa’s camera (the husband forgot to bring Nikky..tsk tsk). The pictures taken at Gerrry’s Grill the other night are yet to be transferred and uploaded.

March 2, 2010: My dear Asher, I officially welcome and embrace today your world of “terrible twos”. Though you’ve been testing my patience already big time in the past few months. But despite your assertiveness which is a developmental sign that you really are emotionally developing just right, I love how you’re growing smarter and sweeter day by day. You may not be as little and as delicate anymore as you were still a newborn but do remember that you’ll remain and always be my baby, my treasure and my precious…no matter what.

I love you…to the moon…

..and back.

It won’t be surprising if the figures for destination weddings will shoot up in the months to come. The romantic and lovely beach weddings of recently wed local celebrities will surely inspire a lot of the engaged couples who are planning to get married soon. Planning for a destination wedding may be a little tedious but careful and strategic planning is the key to hold a magnificent and one of a kind wedding. One helpful tip is to look for all inclusive destination wedding packages in the preferred area. In the Caribbean, the Karisma Hotels offer romantic ceremony settings, value-added packages, efficient wedding planning services and ultra chic honeymoon suites.   This way, the couple will have nothing but a hassle and headache-free planning for their most magical and special day.