10 Random Things About Pio Miguel

I was tagged by Rachel to do this meme, a tag for my son Pio. We enjoyed doing this tag together. Here's what we've got:



Pio is an only son.


celebrated his first birthday (October 18, 2003) at home


the narra tree Pio planted on our farm.


Pio rides his bike every morning as his exercise.


likes to bum around bookstores


likes carbonara so much


He would like to be a professional car racer and a lawyer when he grows up.


Pio is homeschooling, currently enrolled at the Catholic Filipino Academy.


likes to pose for pictures



Pio is fond of riding cars at Timezone arcade

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Wenchie Means

You are very charming... dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts. You know how what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it. You have the power to rule the world. Let's hope you're a benevolent dictator! You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Mommies Nite Out

Last Friday, we, mommy-bloggers went to another dinner get-together. This time, we tried the newly opened Italian restaurant named Bellissimo (which means very beautiful). The restaurant, which is managed by Cesar Montano's daughter Angela, takes up two apartment units along Scout Castor street corner Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. The food was great, staff are friendly, the place is cozy which just perfect for endless chats. By 10 p.m. we have to leave the resto because my bodyguard (my only son, Pio) is sleepy already. Anyway, we all had fun.


the wine cellar


the pizzas, which are baked in a brick and wood-fired oven, thus preserving the authentic Italian flavor


the resto


with Bellissimo owner, Cesar Montano


mommies posing by the wine cellar


mommies nite out (Cookie, Chats, moi, Julie and Lynn)



mommies chats and cookie



my son busy with his food



Pio's choice- seafood pasta



four seasons' pizza



cookie's pick - seafood pasta


chat's choice- pasta montano


julie's pick - carbonara (with chicken)

MD 101

The little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say
"I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and
demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo
or the wife to have wings of an angel.



It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner,
it is being the right partner.

Share this with all the married folks you know!!
and those thinking about it too!!

How to Give a Great Kiddie Party

Can your child’s party be a success without having to spend the money that should go to his tuition? It is possible to set up an old-fashioned, homemade party – with games, prizes, cake, ice cream and hats – without finding yourself wrung out at the end, as long as you design a party that matches your child’s level of development and encourages children’s active participation. What’s more, a home-made party will certainly cost less and have a more personal touch.

Limit the number of guests. The younger the child, the fewer the guests. Large groups of children tend to over stimulate one another in a party situation.

Plan a series of activities. To assure the smooth flow of the celebration, don’t leave chunks of unfilled time. That’s when children run amok. For instance, play few games, do an easy project, eat, and then end with something quiet-like a song or a story. Older children enjoy a special outing before heading back for the cake and ice cream, such as bowling or biking in the park.

Involve your child in planning. Let your child have some say about the flavor of the ice cream and the cake, color of the icing and what to “say’ on top. Children enjoy choosing napkin, plates, and flavors. A two-year old can help fill the party basket. A four- or five-year old may enjoy making invitations. A six- to ten-year old can choose games and help select a special outing.

Prepare one simple project. Pre-schoolers enjoy making things to wear. Why not consider making crowns or party hats?

SOURCE: NESTLE CLUB WEBSITE

21 Things to Remember....

Here are 21 things to remember.... ...


1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.

2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.

3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.

4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.

5. Success stops when you do.

6. When your ship comes in... Make sure you are willing to unload it.

7. You will never "have it all together."

8. Life is a journey...not a destination. Enjoy the trip!

9. The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want, I will be Happy."

10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.

11. I've learned that ultimately, 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.

12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.

13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.

14. We often fear the thing we want the most.

15. He or she who laughs...... lasts.

16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.

17. Look for opportunities... not guarantees.

18. Life is what's coming....not what was.

19. Success is getting up one more time.

20. Now is the most interesting time of all.

21. When things go wrong.....don't go with them.

Happenings Last Year (2007)

Just posted some pics from last year, showing my kids bumming in our newly-opened laundry shop, posing with the giant tree at the Shang mall, eating their fave carbonara at home, opening gifts on Christmas day, family reunion at a Calamba resort on New Year's day and the very enjoyable pre-Christmas mommy-bloggers' dinner get together (with Myrna a.k.a Anna Manila (Ode to Old), Chats (imomonline), Cookie (SchroochChronicles), Cess (Occupation: SAHM) and Chesca (Skindiving) plus special thanks to Toe (KUROKUROATBP) for her handmade soaps. The year 2007 was really a good year and I'm very thankful for all the blessings we have received and wonderful friends gained. Cheers to that!

My 2008 Horoscope

I saw this tag from Rachel's blog and excitedly did the same. You can visit the LINK to check it out too. Here's what my 2008 horoscope says:



Pisces Horoscope 2008

brings only good news, success and better luck in all phases of life for people born under this sun sign. The best period of the year would be the time after the month of July. Before that, small hurdles or problems may occur for the Pisces people. As per the horoscope, commitment is the main theme of the year for the Pisces people. The horoscope 2008 advices Pisces people to avoid any kind of distraction in life, as these may lead to unnecessary problems and hurdles.

The year 2008 would witness a steady rise in income for the entire period. As for the career, the stars have only positive to say about this aspect. The Pisces people are said to not only have a stable but also an upward moving career.

Dealing with Aging

5 Essential Strategies to Combat Aging
By: Gary Small

Most of us protest against the idea of aging in the way our parents did and vow to fight the process as long as possible. We are looking for a safe, convenient, medically sound way to live longer, empower ourselves, and remain healthy and fulfilled throughout that long life — what I refer to as "quality longevity."

To achieve quality longevity, we have more control than we think. Genetics accounts for only one-third of what determines our health as we age. That means that simple everyday lifestyle choices have a major impact on how well and how long we live.

Empowering ourselves for the future requires learning new skills as well as honing the ones we already have. Try some of these strategies to live longer and feel and look younger.

Strategy 1: Sharpen your mind
With a sharp mind, we're more inclined to stay fit, have good relationships, eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. Doing mental aerobics can improve memory and lower your risk for Alzheimer's disease. A recent UCLA study found that when we keep our minds active, brain efficiency increases dramatically, even after just a few weeks.
Consider these tips to sharpen your mind:

• Try different approaches to expanding your mental horizons, whether it's traveling to new destinations, learning a musical instrument, taking up ballroom dancing or going back to school.

• Learn and use the three basic memory techniques:
o Look — focus attention on what you want to remember
o Snap — imagine a mental snapshot of the information
o Connect — link the snapshots together in your mind's eye

• Stay mentally active through puzzles, games, reading and other stimulating hobbies, but be sure to train and not strain your brain — find the level of challenge that keeps you interested without frustrating or exhausting you.

Strategy 2: Cultivate healthy relationships

Socially connected people have longer life expectancies than isolated individuals. Cultivate intimacy with your partner since good sex makes for a longer life. Not only does it bring people closer together, it lowers blood pressure, reduces pain, promotes restful sleep and boosts the immune system so we are better able to fight off infections.

Empathy — our ability to understand another person's emotional viewpoint and to express that understanding — is the social glue that keeps us together. Although not everyone is an empathy expert, we can improve our skills through simple exercises that teach us to express our empathic responses.
Try this attentive listening exercise: Ask your mate or friend to talk about a feeling or issue important to him and just listen without interrupting or interpreting. Maintain eye contact and stay focused. After five minutes, talk to each other about how it felt.

Strategy 3: Reduce stress

We can't completely eliminate stress from our lives, but we can learn healthier responses to it. Here are some steps we all can take to minimize stress to live longer and better.

• Control clutter in your home and in your life. Sometimes we have people cluttering our lives that we need to cut loose so we have more time for those we really care about.

• Get more realistic about how much you take on each day. Try eliminating just a few items from your to-do list.

• Watch for multitasking. Slow down and take one thing at a time.

• Learn to meditate. Regular meditation not only reduces stress but boosts the immune system and promotes healing of various medical conditions, from arthritis to chronic pain.

• Empower yourself with the word no. When we don't say no enough, we take on too many responsibilities and feel anxious, resentful and trapped. When you say no to a request, you are saying yes to something else that is more important to you.

Strategy 4: Think positive

Optimists have a greater life expectancy than pessimists.

• Make an effort to see the cup half full. Recent studies show that we can learn optimism when we set our minds to it.

• Discover your spiritual life. Attending a house of worship once a week is associated with a seven-year-longer survival compared with never attending.

• Take care of your needs. Satisfied people are twice as likely to survive compared with dissatisfied individuals.

Strategy 5: Manage your environment

Our environment has a big influence on how we feel and how long we live. Whether it's traffic, noise, smog or other aspects of the environment at large, or more personal environmental issues such as aesthetics or bedroom temperature, our quality longevity requires that we not only adapt to these influences but learn to shape them to meet our individual tastes and needs. Consider the following personal solutions for environmental issues.

• Bear in mind function and aesthetics when designing your home and work space. Control clutter and noise and arrange the bedroom in a way that enhances sleep and restfulness.

• Minimize your exposure to sun, smoke, mold, smog and other airborne toxins.

• Stay safe on the road — let someone else drive if you can't handle it.

• Make your workplace safe and comfortable: Consider ergonomic designs for comfort and safety.

• Manage your technology to avoid information overload.

Source: iVillage Total Health

Christmas and New Year's Wish

I was so, so late with the tag from Ipanema. I promised her I would do this before I sleep (that was 2 weeks ago)...I would like to do this tag anyway.

My Christmas and New Year's wish:

good health for my family esp. to hubby (who has diabetes)

peace in our country, in my community and in our home

success in my new business venture

less poverty in the community and the country as well

spiritual healing for all our leaders


I am so thankful for all the blessings I've received last year and all the wonderful people I've met through the blogosphere. I hope this year would be another fruitful and blessed year for all of us. Happy New Year!