We said "Cheese!"

It's been a week since we had our group photo shoot and I still get molar-to-molar smiles every time I look at our pictures. I had no idea how hard it is to be a model in a photo shoot, whew! I think we spent the first hour and a half just trying to loosen up to get rid of our awkward smiles and poses. None of us except Eisilane, who has worked as a local model since we were in high school, has ever had any camwhore-ish inclinations so you can just imagine how difficult it was for us. When we finally did start getting the hang of it, it also began to rain to we had to pack up early and go home.

Anyway, here are a few outtakes of our hilariously fun day together. And please humor us old fogeys. ;)

The "Queen's" transformation.

Olga getting her makeup and hair done then trying out Keith's wig.

Keith tried to get a close-up of my eyes but ended up snapping my big face.

In-between shots.

Eisilane's still doing the post processing for the photos that came out well and I'll share a couple once she sends them out to us. We also talked about planning another shoot in August. That should give us enough time to lose some weight and for Keith, our "queen", to minimize his sun exposure and get a little fairer skinned. I also think we'll be more at ease next time because we now have an idea what's expected of us. 

All in all, it was a wonderful day spent eating, heckling and laughing at ourselves and at each other. There's nothing quite like the comfort of spending time with people who've seen you at your best and worst.

"Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters." - DMB

Mood Music: Best of What's Around by Dave Matthews Band

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Strike a pose

Last Wednesday, I met up with three of my closest friends from high school. We discussed the group photo shoot we'll be having this Saturday over bowls of halo-halo and platters of pancit. Originally, the shoot was supposed to be for Keith alone with Eisilane as his makeup artist/stylist/photographer (she's our all-around artist). But since Olga and I couldn't bear to pass up on an opportunity to heckle the bakla to death, we said that we'd tag along. Eisilane's hubby then suggested that we turn it into a group thing with him doing the photog work instead.

I've never been the subject of a real photo shoot that's why I'm feeling a bit apprehensive. I don't want to end up looking like I tried too hard. However, knowing my friends, I know it's going to be a riot on Saturday. Plus I'll be getting an impromptu lesson on taking portraits from Elaine. :D

Anyway, I hope all goes well tomorrow. If it does, I'll try to post some of our behind-the-scenes photos next week. And if it doesn't, at least I'm sure we will have had lots of fun trying. 

Posted with Blogsy

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His second name is "Sugar"

Yesterday morning when I brought Jeolo to school, his K1 teacher told me of what happened in her class the day before.

The kids' break time had just finished but most of them refused to settle down even after she repeatedly asked them to go back to their seats. The boys were especially rowdy while the girls chatted with their friends. She suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed and sat down on her desk while staring at her class. Jeolo stood up and approached her.

J: "Teacher Rica, what's wrong?"
TR: "I want to go home, Jeolo."
J: "Why, Teacher Rica?"
TR: "Because I have a headache."
J: "I'll give you a hug."

And he went and gave her a hug. Then, Jeolo asked:

"Tighter?"

She said she couldn't help but laugh and be touched. :)

I have the sweetest and most sensitive little boy. I'm very blessed. <3 

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LOL for the day

I guess you can gather from my last post that I was quite in a bad mood yesterday which extended up to this morning. Fortunately, I spent the rest of my day with a toddler and two preschoolers who were busy watching videos and playing games on an iPad and they managed to distract me from my murderous rage.

Here's my favorite exchange from today:

Kloe: Tita, asan yung tooth fairy (referring to a video my son played earlier) dito?
Me: Andyan lang yon, hanapin mo lang.

After a few seconds...

Kloe: Tita, wala yung tooth fairy dito.
Kishi (2 year old): Eh di toothpaste na lang!

Mood Music: Laughing at Life by Billie Holiday

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falling in love for the third time

Two weeks ago, on August 24, I had another prenatal checkup with my OB. She saw me at around quarter to one in the afternoon and after doing an internal exam, we found out I was dilated by 2cm. She sent me home to get my stuff and asked me to return ASAP for admission.

By 3pm, I was in the labor room. I'd started to feel mild contractions but didn't really expect it to progress very quickly since it took me 20 hours before my firstborn came out four years ago.

But by 4:30, my contractions became stronger and came closer together. After that, everything seemed to whiz by in a haze of pain and by 6:10 that evening, the newest addition to our family was born.

I'm pretty much zombified at this point but I'm not complaining. I've fallen in love again and having three wonderful men in my life is just awesome.

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Top that!

I recently wrote about Jeolo's new book, Guess How Much I Love You, and answering it immediately turned into a game for him.

This evening, he managed to best the final answer of "I love you right up to the moon and back." His retort? "I love you up to the SUN!" :h

Photo Credit

Mood Music: Butterfly Wings by Owl City

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funny hubby

I'm finding the husbo very amusing lately. We've gone shopping for some pregnancy stuff a couple of times and that includes clothes that can accommodate my burgeoning tummy. What's funny is that he's been so involved in choosing the stuff I'm going to wear. He was the same way with me when I was pregnant with Jeolo but never when I was baby bump-less.

The last purchase we made was a short empire-waisted, spaghetti-strapped casual dress that's perfect for the summer from Pull and Bear but something he wouldn't be very comfortable seeing me wear under normal circumstances. When I commented on his enthusiasm in letting me wear something like that, he said it's because no one's going to hit on a pregnant lady anyway. :r

Dada, you're so funny sometimes! :P

Mood Music: Sorry for Laughing by Josef K

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of fathers' names and angry birds

One of the joys of having a young child is that you never know what they're going to say or do next.

Yesterday morning while practicing with some basic personal questions with the kiddo:

Me: What's the name of of your father?
Jeolo: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.


Then, in the afternoon, he asked to watch some Angry Birds videos so I did a search on YouTube and let him choose. After about 2 minutes of viewing them, he suddenly burst into heart wrenching sobs.

Me (alarmed): Why are you crying?
Jeolo (in between sobs): Angry birds is crying!

He cried for nearly 10 minutes because he was so affected by this video (from 0:09-0:15).


Mood Music: You Are My Sunshine by Boxcar Willie

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Heaven blessed... again

As it always happens every time we go for our vacation, I fail to update my blog despite the promise I make to myself to do so. Virtual cobwebs have accumulated in the corners because of my absence. ;)

We've been back in Riyadh for a week now but I've been feeling kind of homesick. I couldn't bring myself to write about our holiday yet. Then something happened yesterday that snapped me out of my gloom.

We hadn't exactly been actively trying to get pregnant despite our decision that we were ready to have another baby some time last year. Our attitude was more like if it happens then it happens... and it did! :D

What a wonderful blessing to start off our year. Thank you, Lord.

Mood Music:  Capri by Colbie Caillat

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counting down

In just 18 more days, my main men and I will be flying home for the holidays. Yippee!

We're lucky that this is the third consecutive year that J has been able to get his annual leave to coincide with Christmas and New Year. There's really no place better to spend them than in the Philippines with our families. Who cares if it's going to be hot, humid and smoggy? :D

I've already began taking note of the stuff we need to prepare and take home with us. We need to do our Christmas shopping as soon as possible, too. Time to get really organized now.

Pilipinas... here we come!


Mood Music: Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel

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conversations with a three-year old

For those days when I feel like hanging Jeolo up by his legs because he refuses to eat anything or he's just being really stubborn, I think of these exchanges with him and I remember how happy he makes me.


After waking up from his afternoon nap, I noticed two wet spots of drool on his pillow.

Me (in a teasing voice while pointing): Baby, what's that?
He looks at his pillow then back at me with a naughty smile:
Jeolo: Sweat, mama. Sweat!


As I was tucking him into bed a week ago...

Me: Good night, Jeolo dear.
Jeolo: *whimpers*
Me: I love you, baby.
Jeolo: *whimpers*
Me (sad face): Why aren't you saying "good night" and "I love you back?"
Jeolo: Jeolo puppy, Mama! *whimpers again*

Mood Music: The Entertainer by Scott Joplin

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Slumbook

Do you remember that notebook filled with questions like "Who is your crush?", "Describe yourself" and "What's your motto in life?" that was passed around your high school barkada for everyone to answer? Yes, I'm talking about the slumbook. The correct term is actually slam book but we Pinoys have coined our own colloquial equivalent for it. A friend recently found her old one and has promised to bring it with her during our annual get-together this December. Cringe-inducing moment coming up! :O

Anyway, a Plurk pal shared this hilarious find yesterday and I WANT ONE!

Images from HERE

This is absolutely perfect for high school reunions with your clique. I've already asked my sister to order one for me and I can't wait to share it with my barkada.

And if you want to get one for yourself, too, you can check it out at Witty Will Save the World, Co.


Mood Music: My Generation by The Who

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the sweetest thing

Every time we pass by a flower shop, my son never fails to nag his Dada about buying me flowers. He'll excitedly say, "Dada, buy Mama flowers!" I think he latched on to the idea last June when J gave me a bunch of roses for our anniversary.

Yesterday evening, while we were at the supermarket, he saw a flower shop while we were going in and again repeated the same words to his dad. Thus, before we left, J went inside the shop and got one red rose. He then gave it to my son who, in turn, gave it to me followed by a wet, sloppy kiss and an "I love you". :L

I do hope that he'll remain as sweet and as thoughtful as he is now when he's all grown up.

Mood Music: Sweet Child O' Mine by Capital Children's Choir

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a tale of two animals

My little boy's turning three in a few weeks and I can't believe how time has flown. He's still quite a handful and his struggle for independence can be maddening sometimes but he also makes us laugh like no other could.

He loves animals and always insists on imitating their sounds that's why we often play this game.

Me: Bebe, what sound does a cow make?
Jeolo: Moooooo!
Me: What sound does a dog make?
Jeolo: Woof, woof!

And we went through several more. Out of the blue, J joins in.

J: Jeolo, what does Mama sound like?
Jeolo: ROARRRRR!!!

I started laughing. I couldn't help but wonder if I was really that mabangis.

J: What does Dada sound like?
Jeolo: Tweet, tweet, tweet!!!

Bwahahahaha! :O


Mood Music: At The Zoo by Simon and Garfunkel

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Gracias!

This is today's entry from one of my favorite blogs, Things We Forget.

Things We Forget #534

It doesn't matter how our day turned out. There's always much that we can be thankful for in our lives, be they big or little things. If we focus on that, we'll be so much happier. :)


Mood Music: What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

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trigger happy

"To take a picture 

is to capture a moment,

to stop time.

To preserve the way we were,

the way we are."

A few days ago, my blog friend Abbie wrote about her reasons for getting herself a DSLR cam and I couldn't have agreed with her more.

I always feel kind of awkward when people I know assume that I'm a wannabe photographer, or that I'm a really good one, because I own a DSLR. Let me make it clear: I'm not. Yes, I have an interest in photography but only because I'd like to take better pictures of my family, my friends, the places we travel to, etcetera, in terms of composition and image quality.

Last year, I bugged J for a Canon EOS 450D. I have to admit, I was initially carried away by the novelty of owning a newer model but after doing research and seeing my cousin Tanya's beautiful shots that were taken with her lower model (and cheaper!) DSLR, I realized it was perfect for me. And that's what the husbo got me when we went to Singapore in December 2009: a Canon EOS 1000D that I've named Conan.

A couple of friends have wondered why I settled for it when I could've inveigled J to get me the more expensive, higher resolution alternatives. Our flatmate bought a Nikon D90 about 3 months ago, which he had no idea how to use, and asked J if he wanted to buy it from him. I told my husband I'd rather he buy me a really good lens instead of selling off my Canon to get the Nikon. That's how contented I am with my choice.

There's still a lot I need to learn about composing my shots and maximizing my camera's full potential though. Riyadh, unfortunately, isn't a very conducive place to practice so I'll have to wait until our next vacation.

Here's to capturing more beautiful moments!


Mood Music: People Take Pictures Of Each Other by The Kinks

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España - Campeones del Mundo!

Image from the Toronto Sun
Spain celebrating their first World Cup win.

Image from the Toronto Sun
Team Captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas 
holding up their well-deserved trophy.

Image from The New York Times
Andres Iniesta ecstatic after making 
the goal that won them World Cup 2010.

Mood Music: We Are the Champions by Queen

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good morning!

If yesterday was crappy, today started on a beautiful note. 

Usually when my husband arrives from work, I'm still buried under the covers and it's Jeolo who jumps up to welcome him home. It's their hour of the day as I try to extend my snooze time by a few more minutes. This morning, I regained consciousness almost immediately after he came in because he surprised me with breakfast in bed (and I still can't get this silly grin off my face!). Okay, it was store-bought but he served my hot chocolate and club sandwich on freshly-toasted bread while I was in bed so it counts. It counts for a whole lot.

Isn't it wonderful how sometimes the simplest of gestures can mean the most? Needless to say, today has turned out to be a very good day. Thank you, Dada.

Mood Music: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by James Taylor

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it's my Plurk-versary!

I got a little sidetracked yesterday because of my mini-breakdown. I'd been planning to blog about my Plurk anniversary but my drama got in the way.

I've been on Plurk for  two years now. I never really expected to enjoy it as much as I have or to last as long as I have or that I'd actually be able to meet new people through it. Before Plurk, I used to feel quite iffy about going online and chatting, or anything resembling it, with people I'd never met. I barely even YMed with my friends as it was. But, one incredibly boring day, I came across the widget on a blog friend's site and I decided to try it out. I didn't know any of the people I added although I did check their profiles and browsed through what they posted to get an idea of who they were. And I was really lucky because I became Plurk pals with people who were funny, smart, witty and crazy who could make me laugh like silly.

What's even nicer is that I've had the chance to meet a few of these wonderful people with whom I share my frustrations, inane thoughts and comments, rants, raves and what-have-yous every day. And I'm already looking forward to having dinner with them again and hopefully get to meet a few more.

I don't know how long any of us will continue to hang around in Plurk but it's been a great run so far and I'm just happy to have had the chance of knowing them online and in real life.

Mood Music: Lift Me Up by Geri Halliwell

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long weekend

Note: My husband, who reads this blog once in a while, pointed out to me that my timeline was a little skewed. Blame it on my terribly faulty short-term memory and the fact that it was 2am already when I was typing out this post. Anyway, I obliged him and edited it accordingly.

J was off from work from Saturday till Monday hence the blog silence the last few days. We were busy with household chores and spending quality time as a family. We also went out for three consecutive evenings despite the suffocating 45-degree heat outside.

Saturday morning. Ikea has always been one of our favorite places to go to here in Riyadh not only for the furniture but also for the food. Evenings have always been the time we visit but since I've long been intrigued with their breakfast offering, J decided to humor me. There wasn't anything extra special about their breakfast but it was nice to go out and have a morning date as a family. And browsing through the store after has always been a delight.

Sunday evening. Our first stop was the bookstore. After quickly browsing through the shelves, I got myself three books: Mr. Shivers, The Postmistress, and a nursing handbook. Jeolo also chose two for himself and couldn't wait to have us read it to him. 

J asked me to try and take it slow in going through the two novels and I've been trying very hard. Thank goodness a Plurk friend sent me a PDF copy of Changes, book twelve of The Dresden Files, that's why I'm able to put off devouring the ones I acquired. As for the medical-surgical nursing one, I need it to refresh my knowledge which has lain pretty dormant for the last 3 years or so. Now, if I could only find a way not to fall asleep five minutes into it. Any suggestions?

From the bookstore, we headed over to the grocery across the street then had dinner at Steakhouse before heading home.

Monday evening. We were off to Jeolo's favorite mall. He loves going there because of the big "oasis" in the mall's center. There are fountains, fake trees, plants and animals. We didn't do any shopping because we're waiting for the big midyear sale this coming July which is the absolute best. After walking around and a quick dinner, we were homeward bound.

Tuesday evening. We hadn't really planned on going anywhere but J remembered that I'd been craving for pizza this past week and that I wanted to try out Papa John's Pizza and decided that we go out for it. Unfortunately, the one nearest to our place was already closed. We drove off to find the next branch but the rush hour traffic was pretty bad and we ended up ditching Papa John's for another day in favor of Pizza Hut, which was more accessible. It's going to be another several weeks before we indulge again so the trip was worth it.

Aside from my relatively occupied weekend, I've also been avidly following the 2010 FIFA World Cup being held in South Africa. I've always been a football fan but, in the last couple of years, I haven't been able to watch and follow the leagues and my favorite teams as obsessively as I used to but I can't stay away from the World Cup matches. Go, Brazil!

That pretty much sums up my weekend. Nothing grand but wonderful nonetheless because I got to spend it with my main men. How'd yours go?

Mood Music: Flight of the Bumblebee by Rafael Lukjanik & Orchestra

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