Mauie Flores

In celebration of our 11th wedding anniversary, our small family of 3 is bileted at The Legend Villas for the weekend. We were fortunate to have arranged an early check-in and late check-out the following day. What made us more happy was that The Legend Villas still has their 40% promo until tomorrow!










Since my husband and I promised each other that we'll spend this weekend with our boy work-free and worry-free, I have to leave my small office table with this cute pendant lighting now and join them in our private jacuzzi. Oh yeah, I'm loving this kind of life. Even if it's just for this weekend.


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There's a happy feeling in our home today. The husband's finally moving on to a new company. I am so happy that he's finally got the job that he wanted and in a location that is more convenient and nearer to our home. I'm also feeling optimistic because I know that he'll be less stressed out. Oh, and we'll finally be having our weekends with him!

IT Jobs are aplenty these days but my husband found it hard to find a company that is stable enough in the industry for him to take the giant leap. He's sailing in a week's time. Nope, not overseas. We just tell friends and family that he's sailing soon because he's crossing over to a global shipping company based in the country.

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My husband is not vain. In fact, I keep on bugging him to be one. Or at least have a facial treatment every once in a while. This is why I was so happy when he finally agreed on having one while we were bumming around in SM Megamall last Friday. Guess what made him give in and have his facial done in Beauty and Butter?

It's the free use of the salon's Apple iPad, hahaha! Customers get to use the iPad for every treatment worth 500 pesos or more. My husband's facial was only 350 pesos (and that's inclusive of the anti-aging mask) but I had my facial, foot spa, and pedicure done so our bill was more than a thousand bucks.

Finally, I got to bond with my spouse in a salon. He has also finally realized the value of getting a facial since he observed how his skin got cleaner and clearer after his treatment. After this, I might also influence him into blogging. I should probably start sending him some zencore links to read at Mens Blog Talk to get some ideas. What do you think?

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Yay! My husband has finally decided to join me in my blogging adventures. Could it be that he wants to join me in blog events? Hahaha, I'm not really sure. But I'm all happy and excited at the same time that he showed interest in blogging.

My husband is smarter and more creative than I am and I know he'll have lots to write about. Since he's still new to blogging, we're planning on having a writing project that we'll work on together. I think it would be a "he said she said" format but I'll also give each of us solo posts where we can write about things that interest couples like us. He can probably write muscle milk reviews or whatever he wants to write about. Sounds exciting, don't you think so?

I'm still thinking of a domain name for our future site. Do you have any suggestions?

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Before you go on reading, promise you won't laugh or think that I am stupid. As in promise!

Last week, I went to my OB-Gyne to ask for help since I didn't have my monthly period since July. The home pregnancy test kit showed a negative result and that's when I knew that my bleeding had to be induced... again. It is never healthy for ladies to forego three months without the monthly menses. Especially so if your ovaries have cysts, like how my ovaries are.

So, anyway, my doctor instructed me to take Duphaston, one tablet a day for five days which was something new for me. My former doctor had prescribed it once for ten days and I always bleed anytime within those ten days. This time around, five days have gone and not a single drop of blood. I had my morning urine tested and the pregnancy test kit still showed a negative result. I was worried and I decided to go back this morning to my doctor.

She was surprised to see me back so soon! OMG, I was really embarrassed. She reminded me that I had to expect my menses within ten days after I finished taking 5 Duphaston pills. I'm glad that my doctor was a funny and approachable one. And I am glad too that my visit this morning was free care of my health insurance provider. I could have wasted 400 pesos for this doctor's visit that was 9 days too early. Take it from me, if you don't have a health card, now' the time to ask around for an insurance quote.

Lesson learned: I am getting forgetful by the minute so, I guess, I need to bring someone with me when I visit my doctors. Just in case I forget the instructions, there would be someone to remind me. Today, I was with my husband. And just in case I forget again and he's not around, do remind me that I need to visit my doctor on November 3.

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The Filipino Mom Blog is hosting the Love Month Meme this Love Month. This is my entry for this week.



Here's how I met my Dadijun.

We met in cyberspace, in a chatroom, believe it or not. I was in my last year in college, he was already working. I was just looking around, he was nursing a broken heart. We didn't actually jived at first, he thought I wasn't female because of the nick I was using. (I used my then bf's name, hehehe...) Every chatroom schedules a grand EB, and that is where we met. Actually, up to now, I do not remember meeting him. He said we were introduced by a common friend. After that, he sent me pm's and the getting-to-know-you stage began.

I was committed to someone back then. Obviously, I wasn't happy and serious about the relationship (or else I wouldn't be looking around, right?). I found relief in our chats. Hay naku, if you've known my bf back then, maiinis kayo sa kababawan. As in walang kwentang kausap. Kaya lang gwapo kaya nakakapanghinayang na i-discard. (Ay, maldita at ganda-gandahan ako noon fyi!) Si Daddyjun, ang sarap kausap. He's smart and sensitive.

After sometime, we had our first date. I told my bestfriend and I wrote in my diary these exact words: not boyfriend material. The second date came after two or three months pa yata. I introduced him to my barkada and they liked him instantly. Eh paano ba naman ipinag-drive kami hanggang Bataan for one of our gimmicks! Then came numerous dates after that Finally, we became a couple. And, guess what, we married after 11 months of going steady. Why so soon? Hehehe... go figure!

I was the one who chose our themesong. Naman, first time ko lang magka-theme song. I find it corny. Pero pag in-love ka pala nagiging corny ka. Anyone At All is part of the official soundtrack of You've Got Mail. Our sorority sponsored the premiere of the movie and I invited him to come. Guess it somehow reflected our story, too. (Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fell in love in cyberspace, too.)

Enjoy listening to our song. I included the lyrics below so you can sing or read along with it.

Anyone at all - Carole King


Anyone At All
by Carole King (You've Got Mail OST)

Funny how I feel more myself with you

Than anybody else that I ever knew.
I hear it in your voice, see it in your face
You've become the mem'ry I can't erase.

You could have been anyone at all,
A stranger falling out of the blue.
I'm so glad it was you.

It wasn't in the plan, not that I could see.
But suddenly a miracle came to me.
Safe within your arms, I can say what's true
Nothing in the world I would keep from you.

You could have been anyone at all,
An old friend calling out of the blue.
I'm so glad it was you.

Words can hurt you if you let them.
People say them and forget them.
Words can promise, words can lie,
But your words make me feel like I can fly.


You could have been anyone at all,
The net that catches me when I fall.
I'm so glad it was you.

You could have been anyone at all.
An old friend calling out of the blue.
I'm so glad it was you.

You could have been anyone at all,
I'm so glad it was you.

Daddyjun, up to now, I'm still glad it was you. Thanks for loving me. Love you more!

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I was at the flu vaccine seminar last Saturday when my aunt-in-law called me up to ask about the shutdown of Intel Philippines' Cavite plant. I sadly confirmed the news to her. She was overly concerned about her friends and other neighbors who were working for Intel. I assured her that these people will be properly compensated for sure. Yet, I still feel bad because Intel Philippines is such a big part of of lives. My husband was part of the company for nine years. We had so many good times while he was with the company. Somehow, I felt relieved that he was able to move on to another company (a global beverage company this time around) in 2005, just nine months shy of his supposed to be 10th anniversary in Intel.

Still, I feel that there is nothing to be completely happy about it. We still have close friends who did not have the options to find another job before the company announced the shutdown. We expected that it wouldn't be during this year. Most people who have stayed still hung on to the hope that things will be better. I am so worried about our friends who still have existent car loans and housing loans and those who are sending children to school. They have bought their homes in Cavite to be near to the plant. What should do they do now? Approximately 1,800 employees will be affected. The Penang plant and also two wafer fabrication plants in the US will also be closed down. I guess there will be a surge of new members of the "Intel Outside" group.

As I said, Intel has been a huge part of our lives. Even now that my husband is with another company, the values and culture that he learned from Intel still remained. He even instilled their "Safety First" policy in me. We have so many properties that we may call "Katas ng Intel". Sitti (our Honda City) was acquired through the company car loan program. Our eight-year old HP desktop computer was given by the company during the good times in 2001. Every employee got a desktop computer package for their home use.

Reality bit my senses today when I read that Texas Instruments will be laying off 400 of their Baguio plant employees . I think it is about time for people in the semiconductor industry to think about other options before it's too late.

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I certainly did not care to follow Filipino New Year's Eve traditions this 2009. I needed a clean break. (Naks, sounds so Edward Cullen 'no? LOL!) I urged my husband to give in to my desire to attend the New Year's Eve Countdown at Eastwood City Central Plaza. I was so thankful that my uber cool mother-in-law was so happy with the idea. We both wanted to dance the night away and watch some bands perform. So we did not bother to prepare food or even round fruits to set on our table. We dropped the firecrackers that my father-in-law gave us to my sister's place for them to light up. We just got ready late in the afternoon, locked the doors and windows of our home, and drove off to Eastwood City, Libis. Thankfully, we did not go home disappointed.


It's our first time to have a Western New Year's Eve celebration. Don't Westerners welcome New Year's Eve this way? We all found it more enjoyable and practical. We spent a little below Php 2,000 for all the food and entertainment that we enjoyed that night.


We arrived at the Central Plaza around 6:30 in the evening. The party was supposed to start at 7 pm so we were just in time. Luckily, we were able to find good seats at Fazoli's fronting the stage. The mood was festive and jolly. Mime artists, superhero impersonators, and men on stilts roam the plaza. It was drizzling now and then but the weather failed to dampen our excited spirits.








Ginger Conejero of ABS-CBN's TV Patrol was on site to cover the event. Ralph kept on checking TV Patrol on my TV phone hoping to see us on TV. He was jumping with joy when he saw us along with the other people in the place.


Three bands were scheduled to perform that night. Urban Nation started the party with popular R&B songs. I kept on grooving to their music because most of the songs in their repertoire are my favorites. Rap also enjoyed them and even said that they're good.


Amber Davis was next to perform. She sang mostly pop and R&B and I was amazed on her singing prowess. She sang her rendition of "Listen" by Beyonce and I can say that she's really good.



A ledge dancer dressed up as an angel.
The last band to perform that night was The Rage Band. Their repertoire were pop, rock, and new wave songs of the 80s. The crowd went wild probably because of the songs and the excitement since we were only minutes away from 2009.


I can't describe the euphoria that I felt while we were all counting down the seconds from 15 to 1. And as everyone shouted "Happy New Year!", fireworks light up the sky, confetti was showered, and we were hugging each other with happy smiles on our faces.









I regret that I failed to bring our handycam last night but I do not regret that we spent a different New Year's Eve this year. It was practical, enjoyable, and totally fun!

How was your New Year's Eve celebration? Was it as unorthodox as ours? I'm excite to read all about it.

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My husband and I agreed that he will be picking up from Sta. Lucia East last night after Rap's taekwondo class. Rap and I were with my mother-in-law because we went straight to Rap's class after working out from the nearby gym. After Rap's class, I decided that we wait at the basement food court for my husband to arrive. A few minutes before the time I expected my husband to arrive, I left the table and went up to the next level so I can cross the street to the nearest off site ATM.

I had a hard time crossing the street that connects the mall's two buildings. I was even kind of pissed off with the guard on duty because he didn't even bother to stop the cars so I can cross. When I had the chance to cross, I spotted a black Hyundai Tucson stopping a few feet away from me, right in front of the ATM where I was supposed to go. It was ours! In my mind, I thought that my husband already saw my crossing the street and that was the reason why he stopped. With a wide smile on my face, I went near and knocked on the glass. Guess what? He was suprised to see me outside the car. I caught him trying to send a message using his Blackberry. He said it was supposed to be a message informing me that he's already there. Another thing was that he was asking me if we would like to have dinner somewhere else which was exactly what I was also thinking of asking him. Now, was that just coincidence or what?

After eight years (going nine this January!)of being married, I notice that my husband's thoughts and mine tend to get more connected. Most of the times, we get to be surprised that we're thinking or planning the same things at the same time. I believe I was really able to marry my soulmate.

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For a weeks now, I have been looking for the perfect wristwatch for me. I did not bother with wearing a watch before. The clock in my cellphone suited my needs. However, my present work requires me to follow the clock by the second and it's a hassle if I have to check the time in my cellphone every now and then.

I scouted the tiangges to buy the cheapest fashionable watches that I could find. I thought that, with a few hundred bucks, I can buy myself even five wristwatches of different styles and colors that will go with my daily outfits. A wristwatch in a typical neighborhood tiangge only goes for as much as Php150. When I went with my mother-in-law went to Divisoria last year, I was able to buy a watch that was very uso for only 80 bucks but the battery went dead in a week and I had to replace it with one that cost Php100 so I ended up paying more.

Dadijun scolded me for buying cheap wristwatches. He kept on showing his watch that has been with him since 2001 or so. He stressed the fact that buying an expensive, yet reliable, watch is better than buying cheap watches every now and then. I got his point when my latest watch died down on me again lately. My scouting spree for the new wristwatch began. Still, I was not looking for an expensive find. I had a Seiko given by an OFW cousin before and I lost it when I get held up on my way home when I was still in college. The memory still haunts my mind. It's either the fear of losing an expensive property or the fear of being an interesting victim to robbers. Whichever it is, it's still the same banana. As I always advise my friends, "Purdoy look is safer nowadays."

For two Saturdays, I went back to a store in Sta. Lucia East that sells ionized watches. It's like a band with a small digital panel that showed the time and costs Php495. I showed it to Dadijun for some solicited advise and he told me not to buy it. Then last Sunday I watched on Jessica Soho's show that the health benefits of using ionized jewelry is not yet scientifically proven so that watch is definitely out of the list.

Naawa yata ang asawa ko. He called me up yesterday and sent me a picture of watch that was on sale in their Coca-Cola online sari-sari store. He said it's just for 700 bucks and it's strap is made of leather. He showed me two pictures, one was black and the other brown. I chose the latter. It looks classy and casual. It's not that too attractive to snatchers and the like. It's also not that expensive and, most of all, it's FREE! Another gift from the best husband in the whole wide world! (Ehem, halata bang nambola pa? Hehehe!)


I am now awaiting the delivery of my watch. I'm expecting it today or maybe on Monday when Dadijun goes to the office again. My hunt for a wristwatch officially ended yesterday. I just hope that the next wristwatch hunting begins after five years or so.

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