Thursday, August 21, 2008

Paolo and Nina 08/17/08

beyond words ... i'm so happy for the both of you ... and very glad i was a part of this very important day ...

http://threelogyvideo.com/blog/?p=249


Thursday, July 31, 2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008

ready, get set, go home

countdown meter: 0 days to trip.

technically, this trip was thought of, planned, coordinated, executed in a span of 10 months. for a more dramatic flair, this trip is in essence - 7 years in the making. i haven't stepped foot in my house since i left in july 31st, 2001. on august 1st, my long overdue visit is finally happening. this boy is coming home.

a few hours before i hop on that plane that will take me home - i am overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. happy, excited, giddy, anxious, scared. when i lost my father in 2006, i had the vaguest idea when i will actually have the chance to visit 'him'. for someone in my situation, i dealt with 2 major struggles - losing my father and finding closure. i hope as i stand over his grave, i will understand it all and accept. my life unfolded as it should be - as painful as it may have been - but there is a reason. i will realize it soon.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

jacen

how quickly he grows ...


5 months later ...

Monday, June 30, 2008

manila manila




Countdown: 28 days to trip

Monday, June 23, 2008

Moon and Venus

i get a weekly email of my astrological reading courtesy of Astrocenter and once in a blue moon i would actually find it in my inbox loaded with a gazillion emails from the weekend. here's the weekly reading i got today and i felt it's worth posting...

What Do You Want?

The Sun and Venus in Cancer make this a time of reflection, APM. It is a good idea to slow down and to take a look at your priorities. This process happens about the same time every year, and it gives you the opportunity to conserve your energy and to affirm your direction by tuning into your inner guidance. If you can plant the seeds of your future desires in your subconscious mind while it is more accessible to you, you will set great forces in motion that will enable you to bring your dreams to life. This week is rather like a period of gestation when you are waiting for the right time to make a move. Forces beyond your control are working on your behalf so that once the Sun moves into your sign, you will be ready to take action and bring these exciting ideas to life. You have a lot of energy at your disposal but may not have a focus for it. It may help to use it in order to clean out clutter, clear up any backlog, and give yourself plenty of room to maneuver once you know where what you are doing.


hmmmm.

Friday, June 20, 2008

can hardly wait...

Countdown: 37 days to trip

Hong Kong

From century-spanning traditions to progressive modern innovations, touring Hong Kong offers a unique look into the history of this magical land while providing a glance into the future of the country. Colorful works of art, sprawling forested hills and one of the world's most advanced cities and economic centers are just the tip of the iceberg for those ready to experience Hong Kong travel.

As your plane lands at Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok, you'll be instantly aware of just how innovative Hong Kong is. The airport, which opened in 1998, is highly regarded as one of the best in the world. With full-service efficiency and modern facilities, your Hong Kong flight arrival will be just the beginning of an incredible experience.

A brilliantly magical and complex land, there's no shortage of places and sights to discover when you vacation in Hong Kong, China. Modern Hong Kong is separated into four major regions which include Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Each region holds its own secrets.

Hong Kong Island is home to the primary city and it's the heart of Hong Kong. With a breathtaking skyline, it's a gorgeous view, especially when seen from atop The Peak which overlooks both Victoria Harbor and the cityscape. The southern coast of the island is where sun worshippers gather for a respite on the gorgeous beaches found there. The beaches at Repulse Bay are both the largest and the most popular. For an inexpensive treat, take a tram ride and get a good look at the city from ground level. Also, make sure to take in the significance of Golden Bauhinia Square and try some of the best restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong. Believe it or not, there's even a Hong Kong Disneyland Resort which is located on Lantau Island.

A trip to Kowloon will offer an equally great experience. Here, you can expect to find the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Kowloon Park. Every night, you can enjoy the Symphony of Lights, a brilliant light display featuring many of Hong Kong's skyscrapers. Another scenic joy is a trip on the Star Ferry where you can get a beautiful look at the city's skyline from the water. Be sure to bring your camera! If the shopping of Hong Kong Island is a little expensive for your budget, then you'll find the opportunities in Kowloon to be much more reasonable.

From Kowloon, a pleasant ride along the Kowloon Canton Railway will have you on your way to the New Territories. This is where you can get a glimpse into the "real life" of Hong Kong's residents. While Hong Kong Island and Kowloon offer a more modern approach, the New Territories is where the traditions are kept firmly intact. Enjoy a lesson in the region's history with a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and take in the spiritual temples in the area. Some of the must-see temples include the Man Mo Temple and the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. The many outdoor parks hold plenty of excitement and photographic opportunities as well. Enjoy a jog in the Tai Po Waterfront Park or visit the monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park.

Hong Kong nightlife is an experience unlike any other. To begin planning your visit, or to learn more about this enchanted land, the Internet is your best source. Plan your vacation, make your reservations and even pay for it all up front, right from the comfort of your couch! By making your plans online, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap airfare, deals on hotel accommodations and sightseeing tips for your memorable visit to exotic Hong Kong.

SOURCE: AOL Travel

38 days to trip.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Father's Day

when was the last time you cried?

last night i had very vivid dream. my family was around the dinner table. my mom, sisters, brother and my dad were all present. in fact, i was sitting right beside my father. he was talking to me. the voice is exactly how i remember it - clear, fluid, strong and dominant but caring. he was telling me how happy he is for me and that everything is ok. he goes on to tell me that he wants me to have his watch and that i should keep it no matter what and 'even if he gets hurt'. in my dream, i started to cry. tears streamed down my cheeks like crazy.

i woke up - crying. tears streaming down my cheeks like crazy. my pillow was wet. the dream felt real. his voice so solid. and his words resonated in my head for the rest of the day.

'even if i get hurt'

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Six Most Fattening Summer Cocktails

Summer's here, and that means it's time for frosty cocktails and outdoor bars. But not all icy drinks are created equal: A couple of your after-work favorites can be equivalent to a whole day's worth of calories—or a nice big piece of cheesecake. Here's where some summer favorites stack up on the health scale. (The most calorific drink may surprise you.)

6. Daiquiri. A frozen strawberry daiquiri, made from strawberry schnapps, rum, lime juice, sugar and strawberries, contains about 220 calories. Using a prefabricated mix or fruit juices will boost the calorie count even more, says Jackie Warner, a fitness trainer and the star of the Bravo network's "Work Out." "You really want to not combine juices with liquor, because juices are loaded with sugar, and then liquor has alcohol sugar, so you're loading the sugars together," she says.

5. Mojito. The classic mojito—a mixture of lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, rum and soda—will run you about 242 calories, according to cookinglight.com. Rum is already a little more calorie-heavy than other liquors, so Warner suggests asking for a sugarless mojito to up the health value. "People would be shocked how tasty it really is," she says. "And the hangover the next day is much, much less." (A big dose of sugar can contribute to your morning-after headache.)

4. Mint Julep. You don't need a straw hat or a horserace to drink a mint julep. But the concoction of bourbon and mint-and-sugar syrup might set your diet back. One glass contains about 472 calories, according to allrecipes.com.

3. Piña Colada. If you like piña coladas, watch out: the rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut drink can contain up to 650 calories. Using crushed pineapple, fat-free ice cream, sugar-free syrup and Splenda will make the drink significantly healthier, although maybe a little less fun.

2. Mudslide. A 12-ounce frozen mudslide—made with vodka, Kahlua liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and vanilla ice cream—tastes like an alcoholic milkshake and is just about as unhealthy. It has 820 calories and 27.2 grams of fat, according to drinksmixer.com. That's equivalent to a Carl's Jr. Loaded Breakfast Burrito or two 44-ounce soft drinks and would eat up more than half of a 1,500-calorie-a-day diet.

1. Margarita.Jimmy Buffet fans might not be too happy to hear it, but Margaritas may be the summer's least healthy drink. If you use a sugar-saturated Margarita mix, add tequila or Triple Sec, and then pour the drink into a salt-rimmed glass, the result could set you back 850 calories, Warner says. "That's insane," she says. "I would much rather have a slice of cheesecake." (Margaritas prepared from scratch can have half as many calories.)

But there's hope for the thirsty partygoer: Warner recommends opting for lower-calorie options, like a vodka mojito, or cutting back on unhealthy mixers like juices or sodas. "You can get sugar-free mixers or anything diet," she says. "You can get diet tonic [water] now, so you can add a little spritz of tonic and you can add lemons. There's all kinds of ways to flavor it with no calories whatsoever." Her drink of choice? A vodka on the rocks (115 calories). You could also go with a simple glass of rosé, which only has 105 calories and is probably cheaper than a frozen drink, too.

By Tina Peng | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Sunday, June 01, 2008

the countdown begins ....

the tickets have been bought, the hotel in Hong Kong reserved, day tours in HK and Macau are booked and the balikbayan boxes are on its way to Manila.


the countdown begins!

56 days to trip.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

new favorite word

Manorexic

A man who thinks it is attractive to be skinny and lacking in muscle mass or any outward physical appearance of masculinity. The most amusing example being young, metrosexual males who weigh 120-140 pound and go to the gym to "tone" and "get cut", but fear "getting too big."

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

flexibilty and tolerance???

for a quite some time my daily Tarot Readings has been way off. so way off that sometimes i don't finish reading them or even ignore them entirely. but yesterday's reading is completely on spot!

"Things aren't running too smoothly today, dear APM, and if your relationship has reached a critical stage, Justice and the Tower are suggesting that the idea of a separation, even a divorce, could be in the air. If you want to avoid the situation becoming bitter and reaching the point of no return, you need to be more flexible and show some tolerance."

and below is the reading for today the 18th, the day after the storm.

"Today you're going to be rather unsure about your choices and decisions in matters of the heart, dear APM. The Magician brings a breath of fresh air, either in the shape of an unforeseen encounter or another event that opens new perspectives for you. Seize this opportunity in order to banish any feelings of uncertainty that are a source of anxiety for you. There is no good reason why you should torment yourself with all these questions!"

sigh ...

Friday, February 29, 2008

Dancin for Dollars





leap year

do you know someone born on February 29th? if you do, make sure you give him a ring or invite him to dinner, coffee or drinks. give him a hug.

happy leap day!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

welcome! (part 2)

more pics of baby jacen...


jacen with big sis - jaina

Monday, February 25, 2008

soul sisters!

Happy Birthday Lesley! you rock!


more pics at - http://web.mac.com/starmaker2.2

Thursday, February 21, 2008

so weird ....

i was browsing thru francis' blog and came across these 2 pictures he had recently posted... hahaha... what happened to my hair?!


Monday, February 11, 2008

welcome!

welcome to the family - Jose Alberto M. Baltazar. born February 9, 2008.


i look forward to meeting you ....

Friday, February 01, 2008

i heart JM

can't wait for the new CD

Thursday, January 31, 2008

enero ... enero ... enero ...

i'm back!

the month of January flew by. it's as if it was only yesterday when i finished unpacking from my Canada trip. the holidays came and went - a fact that i'm both pleased and sad about. i'm pretty happy the holiday insanity, often referred to as holidaze, is over. incessant holiday parties, dinners, and get togethers while tremendously fun, eventually wore me out. meanwhile, my first sojourn outside of the United States in 6 years, ended even before i can finish saying Happy Ho Ho Ho. it was great to have the opportunity to spend Christmas family once again. it was a truly unforgettable eight days - my first white christmas, seeing my sister pregnant for the first time, finding a new meaning of christmas day as seen in the eyes of my niece, and exploring a foreign country with joel. i definitely look forward to the next visit.

everything has been a blur since then. work has been crazy busy. and as i struggled to find my footing and a complete sense of normalcy, i had to deal with my annual performance evaluation. on top of that, i have a new boss - yet again. it's certainly beginning to feel like im getting a new one every umm, six months. =( a new year, a 9% salary increase, a new commission scheme, a new boss equals a promise of a great 2008, adjustments in the work environment and more responsibilities. it's all in a day's work.

another major highlight of the month is jun's 30th birthday! woohoo!!! an awesome, talented and true friend! i wish you all the best and many more birthdays to come.
L-R philip, josh, rd, joel, alex, phil, jun


tomorrow is February 1st. fourteen days to V-day. let the countdown begin.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

world's largest malls hmm mmm...

Heading out to the mall--isn't that yesterday's way to shop?

Not in Asia, where a building boom has enormous shopping malls popping up in China, Malaysia and the Philippines...


AHA! Forbes.com recently came out with a list of the world's biggest malls and 3 of the top 10 are in the Philippines. no surprise there. it always amazes me how these massive commercial malls thrive in 3rd world countries such as the Philippines. it's just completely beyond me.

here's the complete list.
1. South China Mall
Location: Dongguan, China
7.1 million square feet

2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall
Location: Beijing, China
6 million square feet

3. SM Mall of Asia
Location: Pasay City, Philippines
4.2 million square feet

4. Cevahir Istanbul
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
3.8 million square feet

5. West Edmonton Mall
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
3.8 million square feet

6. SM Megamall
Location: Mandaluyong City, Philippines
3.6 million square feet

7. Berjaya Times Square
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3.4 million square feet

8. Beijing Mall
Location: Beijing, China
3.4 million square feet

9. Zhengjia Plaza
Location: Guangzhou, China
3 million square feet

10. SM City North Edsa
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
3 million square feet

mall highlights:
SM Mall of Asia has a 20 seater tram to take you around the mall, an olympic sized swimming pool and the first IMAX theatre in the country. SM Megamal has a skating rink. SM North Edsa is a 5 story complex with 100 retail shops.

ok now im ready to go shopping...

Monday, January 07, 2008

first entry in 08

Here's your horoscope for January 07 to 13.

Your work and health zone looks fabulous this week, APM, with influences that can help you reap the success you deserve. Jupiter has moved into Capricorn, which is encouraging you to be bold and to step out of your comfort zone. You are going to be eager to sort out aspects of your everyday life and be more adventurous in the process. You are also likely to want to mix and mingle with those who pull the strings and who have both experience and status as well. Take a look at your routines and see whether they are serving you, especially when it comes to living a meaningful life. If you are bored with your job and your health is letting you down, then you certainly need to think about change. So why not begin this process this week when you have a New Moon in Capricorn? This is the perfect time to start afresh! Start a healthier diet, begin to exercise, and apply for new jobs that you are truly passionate about. The more you feel connected to what you do, the more energy and vitality you will have. A meeting on Saturday may result in a whirlwind relationship. Take it easy!