I am sooo glad I did my shopping ahead in Oz, and only had to buy a couple of stuff here. The malls are just pure madness these days, so I dare not enter them unless the need is great.

Speaking of shopping, I’ve been comparing prices between here and back down under. It turns out that for clothes and fashion accessories, you can definitely get them way cheaper here. But as for your gadgets (like the popular iphone and such), your best bet is Oz.

Anyway, we’re off to the Oceanarium today, so here’s hoping that God is on our side when we battle the roads today.

You Are American Thanksgiving

When it comes to Thanksgiving, you like to go big. In fact, your menu probably gets a little bigger every year. The meal is definitely important to you, but sometimes you get distracted by parades, football, and shopping. While you enjoy Thanksgiving for what it represents, you never forget that it kicks off the holiday season. By the time you’ve polished off that last piece of pie, you’ve already started planning for Christmas!

Are You Canadian or American Thanksgiving?

Two things I agree with is my distraction for shopping and that I’ve already planned for Christmas. Heck yeah! In fact, I am almost done with my shopping. All’s left is for me to pack for our trip home.

To somewhat coach her with her pretend conversation, we suggested to her to ask her cousin questions such as:
“Anong ginagawa mo? (What are you doing right now?)”;
“Gusto mo bang kumain sa Jollibee? (Do you want to eat at Jollibee?)”

I tell you, everytime we suggested a question in Filipino, she would relay it to her cousin still in English! And I’ve also noticed that when we ask her directly in Filipino, she replies in English. The latter is a bit concerning because we would have really wanted her to converse in Filipino as much as possible. But to her credit, there are occasions when she can speak the native tongue voluntarily, though not as often as we would have wished. Even so, I will continue to persist!

Anyway, it’s time for me to doze off. I better get off the net while I can. Good thing, we don’t have Cyber Monday here, or I will surely be up all night on the net, being the shopaholic that I am. Adieu, and see you around!

Anyway, onto the questions, before I get too absorbed reading about Branson vacation packages!

1. What do you consider your hometown to be?
I’ve actually lived in so many different places in my life. But I reckon I’d consider Manila to still be my hometown.

2. What’s the hardest part of your average day?
Dealing with difficult clients. My job entails a lot of customer service, and there are definitely days when you need to be really patient and more empathetic.

3. The easiest? Why?
Spending some bonding time with my little girl.

4. What beverage do you reach for to quench your thirst?
Ice cold water if possible. If not, an ice-cold zero sugar cola will do. (Bad! )

5. What is one not-so-secret goal you have for your life? I’ll let you keep your secret ones to yourself.
Losing a lil weight by exercising more. Got a little tummy now from my poor eating habits.

6. What physical pain do you fear most?
My pain threshold can be quite high in the presence of medical practitioners. So I guess labor pains would top the list! But then again, I can let out a scream even if I just stub my toe. Go figure!

7. Where do you find solace?
Spending some alone time, or talking to my best friend or my mom. Prayer helps too.

8. What makes you the saddest when you read/see the news?
Children (as in very young children) being abandoned or killed by their own parents. Breaks my heart all the time.

9. What do you eat for a favorite snack?
Sour cream and onion/sweet chili potato chips!

10. What movie could you/would you watch more than two or three times and still enjoy just as much as the first time?
I saw a bit of ‘Serendipity’ a few nights ago on TV. Haven’t seen it in years, but still had a ball watching it, even for a short while.

11. What boy/girl first made you cry?
I was in 5th grade and he was a classmate of my younger brother’s. He was just teasing me. When I think about it now, it all seems so petty and silly!

12. What brand of coffee/tea do you drink most often?
Moccona. I rarely drink tea — only when I have a bad tummy ache.

13. Dig in the dirt with or without garden gloves?
With please! I’m O-C with regards to cleanliness.

14. James Taylor or Carly Simon?
Sorry Carly but JT’s my guy.

2. Do you allow your pets on the furniture?
We have no pets, and we probably never will, with the amount of hayfever and asthma this family has got.

3. What were your final words for September?
Welcome spring!

4. What are your first words for October?
Time to count down to our christmas trip!

5. Do you think you’ve ever seen a ghost?
I don’t think so.

6. What is the one color that represents this time of year?
Yellow?

7. Which of your senses do you think is most sensitive this time of year?
My nose!

8. What is your favorite thing to do at the county fair?
I’ve never been to a county fair, but maybe I’d go food tripping!

9. What do you like when you have a cold?
To stay in bed, with a good book to read.

10. Are you willing to spend over $100 for a piece of winter clothing, like boots or a coat?
Oh yes! Already have…

12. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?
Sweets and savouries… I always stock on chocolates and salty snacks.

13. What gripes do you have about this time of year?
Just the pollen I guess. The weather at this time of the year is normally gorgeous.

14. Other than yourself, are you responsible for getting anyone ready in the morning?
J and I are both responsible for the little girl.

15. When was the last time you cleaned your gutters?
I can’t even remember cleaning them the first time!

16. So, it’s after Labor Day. Will you still be wearing white?
I’ll wear anything…

17. What shows are you most looking forward to this Fall?
Mainly reality TV shows. I’m enjoying The Block, Undercover Boss, RPA, and Masterchef at the moment.

18. What three things have you just not gotten around to from the summer, but probably should do before snow flies?
Get out more — maybe go on a road trip, walk more and not just rely on fitness equipment or maybe just having a picnic in one of the parks.

You can definitely manage a small family, and having kids is one of your major goals. That being said, having kids is not all you want to do. Two is a perfect number for you!

You want to make sure your children have the best upbringing possible, but you still want to live a balanced life. Having two kids will leave you just enough time and money to do the things you want to do for yourself and your family.

We certainly would want one more. I saw my workmate’s little boy yesterday, and I just missed the time when the little girl was about his age. I definitely would not care if I needed a major fat-burner as a result! I continue to pray for another little miracle.

I’ve just got too many things happening at the moment, that I reckon, if I add another thing more to the list, I shall fall down and collapse. I noticed, because my skin is starting to break out, hence the need for possible acne treatments.

We have got about 6 weeks left until our trip, and I cannot wait for that time to come. I think I have worked really hard this year, and I deserve this break — totally. I have got a list of self-pampering stuff to do in my mind already. But I reckon it’s better to write it down so I can make sure to do all of them when we go home.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I need a haircut, and to exercise!

2. How much cash do you have on you?
40 bucks, I think.

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Floor?

4. Favorite planet?
Earth!

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
A co-worker of mine, asking if I was coming in for work that day.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Empire state of mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

7. What shirt are you wearing?
Black sweater.

8. Do you label yourself?
Nope.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
No shoes right now. Just got up from bed. I’m wearing slippers from Her Bench though.

10. Bright or Dark Room?
In between.

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon’s 70th yesterday?
Nope…

12. What does your watch look like?
It’s a citizen two-tone watch, given to me by my mom when I was 19. I really should get a new one and update!

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Trying to sleep. Erin keeps kicking me, so I keep waking up.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
“Good timing. Just got home. Feeling better, just tired.” This was from my mom when I asked if she has gone home from the hospital.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
I don’t really know.

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?
“Hurry!” That’s to Erin.

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
My little girl, before she went to sleep last night.

18. Last furry thing you touched?
Erin’s Minnie Mouse stuffed toy.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Nada.

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
They weren’t rolls as they’re all digital pictures now. Just recently had about more than a hundred pics developed last week.

21. Favorite age you have been so far?
Late 20′s I reckon.

22. Your worst enemy?
I hating having a debate with J. I always lose.

23. What is your current desktop picture (extra points if you post it.)?
I don’t have one, would you believe it?!

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
“Possible showers, 12 degrees” when J asked what the weather forecast was today.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
Million bucks!!!!!!!!!!! No brainer.