Fil Pride

Well, if you know me, you should know I am always proud of Filipinos/Philippines shining in the world stage. Lea Salonga ( i love, love her), Manny P ( where's my shirt MP), Charice ( she may very well be my child) and a whole lot more. I have seen so many and I am sure you have too... feel free to link up for FilPride.

So, here's two  more for you I caught up recently.

1.Nelson Aquino . He is the recipient of a humanitarian award for his great services and sacrifice in the Haiti earthquake disaster. He actually works in the same hospital as me ( Children's Hospital Boston) but I have not the great priviledge to meet this wonderful Filipino. He might get a surprise if I do congratulate him if I see him at the cafe or lobby. I get "huh, who is she" look all the time when I say "nice bag" or " I saw you were featured in the" chitchat. But I assure you, I will make it a life goal to meet him and I will take a photo of him AND me--yup peeps---together. Dare me? :   )

To Nelson, good job and congratulations. May you share your talent, intelligence and great heart to more people especially fellow Filipinos. Mabuhay!

2. Samantha Sotto. I love the excerpt of her book and I have yet to buy it--- because I am waiting for my Kindle--- Mr. Hubbs promised to buy me on my bday--- which was yesterday... what happened?
I am so proud of her and so many things have been said about her book, how her novel is so vivid and visual--my kind of love story. Amazingly, she wrote the book while on a coffee shop waiting for her kids'
activities to get done. How come I can not write a novel while I do the same thing?! Hmmmm. Maybe I need to stay in Starbucks more. You have to note that she also had to get her own novel around publishers by herself. She needed an agent and she has been rejected ( many times over, she said) but she persisted. As luck would have it-- and her great novel and her perseverance, Random House fuianlly published her book. Believe me, it has gotten such great reviews I am reserving my first ebook download to be Ever After--for sentimental reasons----the title Ever AFter is so romantic and I believe in Filipino talent so might as well be my first book in my Kindle library.

Please click on the links ( their names) to get their full story. Please spread the word and let's all be proud--it might just motivate every Filipino to shine and work hard. Little it may be, let us work hard to be shining example of great Filipino talent and perseverance. Our country is the most endowed Asian country but politics and whatchayoucallit make our country so poor it is disheartening---and very embarassing. I am a proud Filipino but we can do better than this. I know it. I just know it in my heart.

It's my birthday

Yup, it is my birthday.
I am 36 and loving it---embracing my journey to middle age.
I look at the mirror and I like what I see.
Honest. Promise, I really like who I am.
I really, really do.
I have goals still to fulfill but so far I am doing good with my goal list.

What's there to ask?
Great kids.
Good and meaningful job. Better paying, soon.
Mr. Hubbs is uber handsome.
My friends are the best.
I have surrounded myself with beautiful, intelligent and confident individuals.
Everyone's healthy.
I have an enviable bag collection. (So there, I confessed and now you can get envious, if you are that type.) My friends wouldn't be.

I look forward to so many wonderful things.
Second honeymoon--- Spain is calling, Mr. Hubbs.
Helicopter ride. Conquer my fear of heights.
Disneyworld with Mr. Hubbs only. Just me and my Mr. Hubbs. Ohh la la baby.
Napa Valley. Yes, Napa Valley. With my girlfriends and KC.
My Mulberry Alexa. In oak.
Trip to NY to see Nate Berkus.
Two piece bikini in Nantucket. Yes, please.
A milestone photoshoot. I had one on my 26th bday.
Cruisin' the Bahamas baby! With my 2 piece bikini.
Get drunk, for once in my life.
Go back to Nova Scotia with the kids.
.
More awards for kids. Josh' presidential academic award? Soon.
Attending college graduation of Pherry at MIT. Yup.
Attending KC's first fashion show--as a designer or a ramp model. Oh yeah!
Cutting the ribbon of Josh' first restaurant venture. Restaurant named after gorgeous Mama. I take that.
Going gaga preparing for my kids' wedding. Yes, I am already telling you, I will be in charge. Any reaction?
Doting on my beautiful and uber adorable grandkids. I am telling you I do look forward to this thing.

So, now that the cat is out, let me share my random thoughts this morning.

I found another use for my SiPhone.
Pretend to have a phone call to excuse yourself out of the waiting bus to fart.
I did, this morning. At least I have manners and not just fart on the bus.
It's ok to use fur/snakeskin/feathers. PETA be damned.
I used my classic/ vintage snakeskin Oleg Cassini bag today. Because it's my birthday PETA!!!
It's ok to eat at the cafeteria/ restaurant alone.
It does not mean you don't have friends or no one likes you.
What is this, high school? It just means you are now wiser.
Red lipstick can be everyday lipstick. Now, you know. Bust that MAC Ruby Woo baby.
Mr. Hubbs is handsome--like Josh.
I need to call my Inang.
I don't need another bag.
I lie---sometimes. I don't need another bag.
Your co-workers are just that--co workers. Ignore their negativity.
Facebook birthday notifications are the best tool.
For someone like me who forgets even her own birthday.
You don't have to be perfect with everything. Me? I am near perfect. With everything.
You can joke--it's your own blog. So, yeah, I am near perfect.
I don't have to have perfect grammar/spelling when I write on my blog.
It's my blog Miss Prissy Pants, if you care so much, stop reading, better yet start your own blog.
I am a Democrat. Yay!
I am starting to get pissed off with the black sand mining in Punta. Maybe, I need to publish my blogpost about how I feel.
Nail polish is the new black. It goes with anything, anywhere, everytime.
I get irritated with people who pour perfume in their whole body. Syet ka, di ako makahinga.
I am starting to love gardening.
I am not as bothered with dandruff as before, but I still hate dog licking dog owners. Yuck.
Yup, I saw one dandruff laden lady? in the shuttle bus. Yuck yuck.
It's ok to speak Filipino in public places. Stop pretending you are not.
I love Anderson Cooper and Cash Cab.
I think the greatest people in the world are Ellen and Oprah.
Long straight hair is overrated. Kaya kulot na!

On a more serious but random thought--- if I died today, what would people remember of me? I hope they remember that I am a good person. Really, I want people to know I am a good person. Nothing fancy like I was the best friend one could ever have, the best mother in the world, the most beautiful and devoted wife, great worker, dedicated and loyal friend, best sister ever--- blah, blah, blah. Nope. But I can take the fancy one too. You know, to make me smile in heaven.

Have a good day and happy birthday to me.

Block rosary

Every October in the Philippines we celebrate the month of the Holy Rosary by having block rosary. To explain more if you are interested you can watch this video or read up on this. My family have been visited by Mama Mary a few times during my childhood during this time of year.This is one of the religious activity that I really love. I have not been to a block rosary since I got here in the US. We would have prayer meetings or rosary but not the essence of block rosary. You see, the strenght of block of rosary is the group of people. I believe it in my heart that prayer is powerful and there is power in prayer but moreso in a group---community prayer.In the Philippines everyday Mama Mary visits one home for the whole month of October. Since everyone is busy we are only doing it weekends this time. We do intend to do it everyday come next October when we are more organized and when a lot more people are informed.

So, I was so glad that my good friend Sol( you know her here as SisSol) initiated the block rosary among us friends. We do intend to invite everyone else interested. Anyway, we alternate hosting the Blessed Virgin in our homes. We started 2 Sundays ago at the Javier-Llaga residence ( Llaga of PE). We prayed for our various intentions and it was very liberating to have friends surrounding you listening to your heart's fervent prayer AND praying WITH you.

I picked the flowers at the roadside at Llaga's apartment complex

    

Last Sunday, the Blessed Mary visited the home of Venice ( Bamskie). I am sure the Balayo family and everyone who prayed the rosary with them were blessed and all their intentions were heard by Mama Mary.

The next 3 weekends of October will be sponsored by the Surwez couple and my family. I am so happy to accept Mama Mary in my humble abode and everyone who will come and pray with us.

For anyone interested to join us in the Boston area, please drop me an email and we will gladly give you details---we welcome everyone to adore and be blessed by the Virgin Mary.

Happy birthday Josh

Dear Josh,

You are absolutely the cutest kid in the whole wide universe.....

...the sweetest bro...

...the most caring cousin....

the most wonderful son....

...my pride and joy...

...Papa's great buddy

I love you more than anything in the world.

You are my great redemption.

Kisses,

Mama

Friday

What do you do on Fridays? I bet it's the official start of weekend to most people. Sadly, for a very looooong time, that is not the case with me. But now, I can! I can! So, because Mr. Hubbs is feeling generous (? I wonder why?), the Three Monkeys all came and picked me up yesterday at work---not at the train station people... at WORK. Saves me a commute and a book. Woohoo!

Feeling nostalgic, we went and got our favorite crab rangoon at Mr. Hubbs' first neighborhood in the USA. We have been coming here since last year eversince he toured us around the first home he stayed in and where he worked nearby and how he would drop by this small Chinese take out place for the best crab rangoon ever. If you ask me there's nothing special about it but the kids love it and they love saying..." let's get crab rangoon at Papa's place." I love it!

We decided to either eat at Wollaston Beach or at a park but it started raining----so we go to the next best place---the mall. Woohoo! Look at that happy "crab rangoon" face?

After eating, me and KC just walked around the mall and having girl time! Yeah!! Meanwhile, the boys are with their Papa at Apple Store. Where else would they be?

Oh, here's her outfit...

We got her vest at Macy's using her birthday money. It was the cutest thing ever.  Kyootie patooty like her mommy. Shhhh. It was so cute in  fact, when we went to Nordstrom (because I can not go to the mall without going to That Place, yaknow?) the sales associate kept gushing how pretty KC was on her vest, so juch so that one of them wanted to know if they carry her size at the Junior department. Lady, if they did, I would buy itr myself. ok? Ahahhahha, if only they have junior prices too. It would be the best.

Of course I can not help but snap these Papa and me moments. I am totally using the "I was always the one behind the camera" excuse when the mids will wonder why I don't have precious moments like this with them. Always Papa and me. Hmmmp!

Don't they look adorable though? Just makes me squeeze Mr. Hubbs and my darling daughter more!

After 5867 more store visits, we randomly saw this guy. This guy! See? Focus on the shirt Sillies. Not the Guy. I asked him if I could take pictures and he said yes. When i asked him if I could put it in my blog, he hesitated for a moment and finally said to put it wherever I want. Please forgive my photography skills, this is the best shot I got out of eleventy million shots. Yup, eleven-ty. I want this Manny Knows shirt. Please please give me one. And yes Manny P, if you are reading my blog, please send me this shirt. I thank you. Bow.

Here's what my fortune cookie says. See Manny P? If you make me laugh, you not only make Jinkee laugh, you'll make me happy too and paradise is yours. But, but... you own paradeise? Right? With your eleventy five million dollar winnings. Paradise indeed. Kidding.

AND the obligatory shot.  What obligatory shot? Yahknow, that thing bloggers do? Hahaha, there's no such thing. I just feel like putting my after work face here. Happy Friday peeps.

Be bold, be beautiful. Remember my shirt Manny P! 

.

Lab scientists

... are nerdy and cool!
contrary to popular belief, we are not old, boring and bookish.
... we are funny and stylish bunch.
AND yeah, we are good LAB-ers!
Ignore the last part.

PS: no patients ( research or clinical ) were hurt while these pictures were taken. Promise!

Disclaimer: I am a lab scientist, so take this lightly. AND I don't know the people pictured in here.

Laugh!

Day off?

Not quite. Can you say NOT? Yup, not.a.day.off. Naaah.

Eversince I moved to the dayshi*t, I can't have a true day off! I need a spa day or just shopping day--- no, I need a benefactor- or a sponsor- hello there Mr. Rich? Just kidding here my lovelies. Anyway, it was a good day yesterday. Me and the kids went to the mall to spend KC's bday money. Thank you to all the gift cards and the cash--- she was ecstatic while "counting" her own money an paying her "stuff". She goes, " I don't fit into the style of Justice anymore mom." I guess my daughter is more into teenager get-ups now. What does THAT mean? Tight jeans, baby Ts, scuffed up polos and some a&f poster wannabe? Yes and no. Yea, I give her leeway a little bit to express herself but not complete freedom--- even if she says , "all my friends think it's cool." Well then, your not cool, honey. She usually follows what I "gently" suggest--so there is peace in LlagaLand.

On a more serious note, I did 2 very important things yesterday. I can't tell you the other one for now....hold you off giddy, no? Once I can share I will definitely announce on this blog first---befor Twitter and FB, because I love my blog readers more : ). The other one, I can totally share. I love spending a little "lovers" time with Mr. Hubbs. We rarely do this now---what with work and the Three Monkeys around...just kiding. Anyway, we were going to a fancy schmancy lunch but realized quickly that we need to pick Josh--darn! So where do we go? Well, hello Target!

Fancy lunch became salted caramel latte at Starbucks and Pizza Hut's cheesy creamy chicken alfredo which is great---when you are hungry and in a hurry! Then off to pick up Josh and it was nice seeing the teachers at Lincoln-Hancock again. I love that school. After picking up KC and Pherry, we went to Pho Hoa, our favorite soup destination this side of town. See their happy faces? I forced them. No, they just like goofing around until Mr. Hubbs becomes serious and then lunch/dinner is no longer fun. Hahahahha.

KC was goofing around and started taking pictures of me. Of course I will just show you the nice one. One out of so many. That's it. I look good in ONE picture out of 732. Yup, that many.

After lunch, we went home, did homework---did I tell you about homeworks at LlagaLand yet? Wheeew! You don't wanna know. I swear, you don't ! It's like a revolution in there. Seriously. The Battle of Brains I call it. Only, brains are flying out. I reserve homework as another blog post. When we got home, two packages were awaiting us. Packages=happiness. Well, this is not MY packages. They were from good friends for KC's bday. Thank you Tita Yas and Kuya Bryan!

 

Then, off we go to the mall. You know it already, Mr. Hubbs did not come. Of course! Which is good. Really good. Hahahhaha.



KC at Godiva for our free monthly cocolate piece



Isn't my princess darling so pretty in her yellow shoes? Speaking of which, while browsing at Lord and Taylor, she told me the pretty dress was Tahari---just like her shoes. A loyal brand consumer? Our loot? I got a Givenchy earring and a Givency bracelet and the cutest 2 finger ring by Betsey Johnson. KC? Lots. I will just tell you where we shopped for her so you get the drift. We spent her Justice giftcard, Macy's  giftcard and shopped at a&f with her cash money from good friends. Now, if only my friends would give me shopping money too on my birthdays.... ehemmm... my birtday is October my friends. Just like KC, I take giftcards AND cash. Kidding...BTW, you must be wondering where the boys were? Well, while I was having my ring inspected and cleaned ( for insurance purposes), they were gone. They flew to the Apple Store. They might as well hire them, they are always there and probably know more than a whole lot of people there. Just saying.....

So me and KC=shopping.

Pherry and Josh=Apple Store.

Fair enough. Now, don't scold me because Pherry is now 13, so he can babysit his brother okies? He is responsible and can take care of baby bro. Are we cool?

After shopping, we went home. I told them to thank their Papa for being so patient with them recently since he has been the one driving them to school. AND that's when I felt so happy and sad at the same time.  KC wrote a letter to her dad and Josh wrote a poem. Here is KC reading her letter to Dad. I can't post the letter in full because... well I can't. Suffice to say they love having their dad in the morning more than they want me. KC went on to say.." so far, I have not been late this school year because of you not like Mama---no offense). Do I need to tell you Mr. Hubbs cried? I cried. Josh cried. KC wailed. HAhahah.

Here is Joshua's poem.

Oh, I told you I love Wednesday(s)! So today, go home---kiss your mom and pop, hubby and wifey or your sisters/brothers or simply tell them you love them. You do not have to wait for a day off, right?

One word: Family.