A's first birthday in less than a month

This month of July, before it would end, I have then made already a plan for Ashley's birthday in black and white. Her theme would be a Princess Party where she'll dress up with something like these tutus/dresses

It's a garden princess party, I have to look for something cutesy but still comfortable for to wear. 

WHAT TO SERVE THE GUEST?

This actually was kind of hard to plan (still not final tho) cos I'm not having lots of kids as guest. But still I wanna serve finger foods/Pica-pica just like how babies/toddlers eat their food, right? Not gonna mention what exactly my menu is but it'll turn out like a brunch style. 

As for her cake, I want it to be castle-like. A pink, purple and satin white with an upside down cones like serves as the castle's roof with flags stick on top of it. that'll be nice, at least for me. Hahaha! 

How I wanted to personally make her her first birthday cake. Icing or fondant. I'll try, really. 

Her Invitation would have a "She's sweet, she's cute and so much fun, Our Princess Ashley is turning 1!" - I've seen that online, I just find it very Ashley. :-) 

I'm still planning for the games and loot bags. And also giveaways for some guests. :-) It so hard wanting to give her the best with a few time and busy schedule. Not to mention the budget!! :p

I am what my parents named me.

I just can't stop her from growing up. If only I am capable of doing it, I will with no hesitation or I will let her grow old slowly. But reality speaking, she grows up too fast I can't catch up sometimes. Sooner she'll turn 1 year old. Just a two months away from now. I just want her to stop from growing for a while and be that innocent one that gives me an honest affection and depends on me. The one I can cuddle without chasing her first. Sooner or later, she'll learn how to walk and run and be that makulit baby of mine.

Ever since I got her, my life has changed. It's like having my pathetic life forced into something worth. I need to be responsible now. All my actions and decisions in life should always be the right one. Because everything now has something to do with her and will might affect her. She's everything to and Archie. It's like having the whole world inside of our arms.

I remember those months where Archie and I were debating on what to name our baby girl. It may sound lame that we come up with her name "Ashley Gail" from the internet but no, we make sure that the name has its meaning that is related to us. We thought of naming her something that is meaningful. 

ASHLEY - is an Old English appellation meaning "of the ash tree". Again, it may sound non-sense but ash tree in Celtic literature symbolizes healing - I'd rather keep it to myself on which part of my family's lives where healed the moment I gave birth to Ashley. All I can say is that I am healed in all aspects and views I have for life. Especially transformation - long term transformation, in our lives, our dreams, our plans. everything has changed even at the time that she was still inside me. and empowerment in matters of life -I guess everything I do now always involves Ashley. She is the one who has the authority to say yes or no without doing anything nor saying anything. Every little thing to decide, I always have to think of how will it affect Ashley. Will it do good to her or not. In this sense, application of force to destiny may bring peace through resolution of a conflict - which would be seen as healing.

The Ash was seen as the feminine counterpart to the All-Father tree, the Oak:
"In these, two trees the oak and the ash, the concepts of the All-Father and the all-embracing world mother found the widest lodging. They are still found by many to be deeply symbolic and meaningful"





GAIL - comes from the name Abigail means "father's joy" from the Hebrew "abba" (father) and Latin "gail" (joy) We decided to give her the name "gail" for her second name since she's not going to be her Father's joy but to everyone she'll be and she is right now. 

It was hard naming your baby. I have had tons of ideas and meanings I wanted. I'm happy we named her Ashley Gail. They say that, whatever the meaning of your baby's name or whoever you named her after will be eventually her when she grows up. Like when you name her with a meaning of "pretty" "witty" etc. At least for me it is. :-) She heals every pain I have, whenever I feel exhausted, she simply takes away the feeling with her toothless smile. She transformed me or more like changed me into a better and responsible person that now values life and future more than anything else. She brings so much joy not only to me and Archie but to our Family. I am so blessed that she is my daughter. 

For my hater

You're someone that is:
Sad and jealous. You don't have to go each night looking for someone to fuck with. All you gotta do is to grow up (don't tell me to grow up, I already did). Leave me alone. Go find a decent job so that you can afford the things you've been wanting and dreaming to have. So that you won't get jealous and end up being this online psycho-stalker. And if yes, my grammar was kind of messy then why do care so much? I know you're just looking for something that is bad and ugly on me but trust me, whatever you say doesn't make or destroy me. Diba nga, you make yourself perfect so that you can find a decent companion (bf/gf) that hopefully, will be your spouse. Diba nga, you made up yourself, make sure that you are always presentable, well-groomed and perfect for you to find a decent job, that'll make you save up for your future. Honey, I don't need to make yabang and impress people around me, what for? I'm happy and contented with who I am, who my husband is, my daughter, my in-laws, my family, my work, my friends, my social life. I don't need to make "yabang" (if you call it like that) to make people like me. People I have right now in my life are just enough for me to be happy. So I hope all goes well with you. Forget about your issues. Trust me, you'll be happy and contented. And when you do, trust me, you're not gonna care whatever people might say negative about you as long as you're happy, as long as the people who value you the most and the people you value the most are with you. 




I feel so mature blogging this. Can you just stay calm. Accept my advice. It'll not benefit me but you. I am not mad at you nor plastic to whoever you are. I've been into your situation were I think of something bad to a person who is not, were I judge someone on something that is never her/him. I understand you. Totoo, im not being sarcastic. So no sarcasm, cheers, doll! :-)


I am still open about you sending me messages via text or email. I'm waiting. So that if I really affect you in any bad way maybe we can do something about it. :-)

Facial products I am using

I've never used Garnier product before because I thought it was expensive but I was wrong. It was actually very affordable. So I've been using Garnier Brightening oil control scrub for almost a month now. My face gets oily most of the time specially during and after working since I am exposed to heat. I cook for living, btw. :-) 


I got this Garnier Brightening Oil Control Scrub in very affordable price (I seriously forgot). 

This is obviously for oily skin. It has Eucalyptus Extract + Micro-beads: A eucalyptus extract to exfoliate dead cells and remove oil and dirt instantly.


It actually works for me. My skin now is less oily than before and there were no visible black heads since the facial scrub should cleanse deep down my clogged pores.


..along with my Garnier Scrub I got this Garnier's Pore tightening astringent w/ mineral zinc that is anti-shine. Just perfect. This is what I wanted for my face. It tightens pores, dries imperfections and even skin complexion. 

I didn't get the moisturizer. I don't really need moisturizer cos my skin gets oily at the end of the day. But I make sure to cleanse it to avoid make-up and germs clogging my pores. 


When you're expose to heat, your pores open up and take all the oil, germs and bacteria that clogs pores and can cause your face to show up white and black heads. And don't forget about the zit. :-) 


*tip: Always wash your face to clean away dirt and oil. Moisturize when you need it. 


Each individual has its own skin type. Doesn't mean it works for me means it will work on your skin. I found a product for my face after using different kinds of facial product. It's trial and error at first. For oily skin and exposed to heat like me I recommend this Garnier products I use for my face. 


Take care, Garnier! :p

Threesome

So today we went to a secret trip somewhere during the morning. (Haha, I just can't tell cos I just can't) 

First of, we had lunch at Kanin Club, Westgate. Click to view their Menu.

We had Seafood Kare-Kare paired with Aligue rice! Truly unhealthy and yummy! 

Seafood Kare-Kare.

It has prawns, mussels and squid rings with its rich peanut-y sauce that taste sooo good (trust me!) 

You'll definitely come back for more! It's actually my second time eating their Seafood Kare-Kare and I'm still looking forward eating it of course with the Aligue rice. 

The sinful Aligue rice.

The eating didn't stop there.. on our halfway eating the Seafood Kare-Kare and the Aligue rice, there the Beef callos came..

Beef Callos

I haven't took a picture but we actually ordered plain rice for this viand. 

Our plates and food end up like this. I know right. And it was just the three of us and each dish is good for 4 persons. And not to mention how annoying the guy/gay behind our table, he's just too noisy the whole time we were there!

After lunch, we went to some things we need to do and by night time we went out for a two buckets of Tanduay Ice. I felt so gay drinking tanduay ice with the boys. A night of undecided decisions. First plan was to go to Kyss bar in Makati for Junko's birthday (Hi Junko! If you're reading, happy birthday!) but since it was the three of us lang, we got lazy. Second plan was to just drink in Lighting Bar in BF homes. Didn't like the place so you know what's next.. Third plan, we head off to 19 east ( I hope I'm right) we were suppose to drink and watch a band there but yeah.. to cut this short we end up drinking gay's alco-pop un Cosa Nostra. It didn't disappoint me, really. It's a new place in Bf homes. Nice air-conditioned place where we can smoke while drinking. Hi mommy lhen! If you're reading you'll gonna love the place. :-)

No, it's not a monster. :p

Their menu.

<3

mother's day, after all

Just so you know, I had my 9am duty for work. I was expecting (actually, we) that it'll be a lazy and slow Sunday since the Manny Pacquiao- Mosley fight. But hell, no! There were little guests dining in during lunchtime but a lot of them were taking out the food, alot of them! Plus the deliveries and not to mention our busted POS that makes the peak day more complicated. It's not our ordinary Sunday - I understand that it would be a peak day since it's Sunday but the number of guests coming in and out of our store were super extraordinary. We didn't stop cooking and prepping all day. Our production was not enough, our stocks were emptied. Hence, I had to work overtime until 8pm and missed out the Mother's Day dinner held at Ninang's house. :-( 

Why. It was so peak and so busy. It's a Sunday, we usually have little number of guests when it's dinner time already. It was raining outside that it is hassle to go out of the house. Well, I guess, the people were treating their mothers. If only I have the time to treat my Mom out and celebrate Mother's day with her, I will. That is what happened today. People took their Mom out. 

Tired and sleep deprived... It's Mother's day, after all. :-)

She's Jane Laboriante - My mother. :-) and I love her even though I dont really tell her everyday. I know she knows that I value her the most. We had ups and downs (who doesn't anyway?) We had little and serious fight. I ran away from her before - literally and emotionally. But it wasn't her but me. But still, Mama accepts me whole-heartedly. Mama is the only one aside from Papa who gives me unconditional love. (no cheesy) I've given her lots of problem in the past yet I remain her favorite among my other sibling. HAHA. Kidding aside, I know she loved me after all. I'm her daughter, she's my mother. Now that I am a mother as well, mama never fail to give me advices and supports me all the way. I love her. <3 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMMIES OUT THERE! :-) 

May 8, 2001

So what's gonna happen?


Here in Philippines we have two important reason to look forward on our May 8th this year 2011: Mother's Day and The Pacquiao-Mosley Fight! :-)


Too bad I couldn't watch the fight in pay per view nor big screen since I have work. (insert sad face) Haha. It's okay, actually. I am more on excited about my official Mother's day since the last year was a sort of Mother's Day cause I'm just 6months pregnant to Ashley. I got the opening shift hence, I'm gonna be out early to work and get to celebrate it with my little baby and family. 


Who do you think will win the fight?


How will I be spending my Mother's Day?


Wait for my next blog! :-) Tata! :-)