isn't it just amazing...

...that i have everything i want?

my joy is grounded. i make my own happiness. whenever, wherever.

thank you, Lord.

canberra, here we come

i am in the process of applying for australian citizenship. my philippine passport though has expired, and i still need it.

after making a few phone calls to the consulate and the philippine embassy, i was flabbergasted to find out that i need to fly to canberra to renew it. having a new machine-readable format, whatever contraption it is that makes it this new safer and up-to-date kind of passport is not available in all the consulates in the various australian states. only in brisbane, perth and darwin. not in melbourne, and not even in sydney. unbelievable.

this means that i really need to travel to ACT. and lilly. because i am her food and i am her mummy. and ciggy too. because i need him, and he is daddy, husband and pillar of strength. it also means some fiscal damage. plane fares and accommodations and food et al. it also means a few days off work for the daddy. and a few other minor inconveniences.

just to renew a passport. and to change my name, from maiden to milkmaid.

however, i am finding myself getting more and more excited at the prospect of traveling. even if it is only domestic. a good excuse to get out of the house for a few days. and besides, i haven't been to our nation's capital yet.

and i might see k. rudd.

soleil's solace

she's mine, isn't she?

luanne and lilly soleil

photos + comments = too lazy to actually blog

FOUR LITTLE PLEASURES

kept me occupied for the last week and a half
wanna watch 'let the right one in' though

*****

THRIFTING

before going to Camberwell Market
photo taken by a giant

*****
CLEANING OUT MY (SHOE) CLOSET


out with the old
[plaid mary janes -- to be donated to.. my cousin]

in with the new
[enzo angiolini purple t-bar kitten heeled shoes]

*****

HOW TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

white flowers.
the element of surprise.
a heartwarming earnest note.

*****

OVERKILL


in anticipation of australia day (26 jan 09)
blue and white aussie flag havs for him
black aussie flag havs for moi
lilly's jumpsuit
should i get a flag?
oi! oi! oi!

*****

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND

treat thyself once in a while
jewelry is always worth a splurge

*****

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

i found out from my clinique consultant that the little symbol beside the e
actually means something
in this case, my eye cream is good for 6 months after opening

*****

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH A LOVED ONE SHOPPING

hit two birds with one stone.

*****

we're off to the city tomorrow
yay!

new year's resolutions realisms and other stuff

another year, another list. don't we all have this? so yeah, instead of resolutions, presenting my realisms. let's see what i can accomplish. don't hold your breath, though.

1. follow my skincare regimen. religiously. kung gusto mo ng magandang kutis, wag kang tamad! [if you want glorious skin, have a good pedigree.] being blessed with a pleasant face may be effortless, but then again, you have to take care of it. eh pano na lang kung di ka na nga maganda, pabaya ka pa. [otherwise, never mind.] goodluck. my mom never let me go to bed without washing my face, or my body for that matter. having impeccable hygiene has always been a rule at home. and now, with the complexities pregnancy hormones have brought to my body, i need to pile on the following, in order:

cleanser
toner
serum
moisturiser
sunblock (spf 30million, if you please, especially under the harsh australian sun)
lip balm with spf too!

i want happy skin. now. coz im breaking out in all the wrong places. and i can't take any medication because i am breastfeeding. sniff. however, i don't have eyeluggages even if i dont get much sleep every night. yey for little blessings.

2. allow myself a maximum of 5 days to procrastinate. and im right on schedule. this entry was supposed to be a new year's blog. and here it is, five days later.

i said i will call tin on the third to discuss my ideas for our business (ad)venture. (expect it on the 8th, tin!) ugh. i cannot do this to myself! for someone who tends to get impatient, i procrastinate a lot. give me a nudge on the bum. i need to get a move on!

3. read the nikon d90 manual. and start taking real nice photos.

4. shed the pounds, achieve pre-pregnancy figure. damn you, sara lee! for making yummy moccona cappuccino indulgence ice cream. and it really doesnt help having a tita with a cafe (with all the extra bread she gives us that my ate ben makes into beautiful pudding), an uncle with a charcoal chicken shop (think of all the free chicken, chips and salad) and a husband who loves to cook.

daylight saving doesnt help, either. the longer day hours make me eat more.

i should eat more fruit. but not in a trifle, or in a pavlova. lol.

most importantly, i need to change my mindset. a complete 180. i am NOT eating for two. and gaining weight is not an excuse for a change of wardrobe.

5. find melbourne thrift/flea markets. spend less on clothes and shoes, bags and accessories. and i don't mean buy less, just spend less. good compromise, hey?

6. make a realistic new year's realism list. enough goals for the mo, ill make another one after the first quarter. oui? oui.

*****

and on to other things...

i dont know why i still insist on saying my daughter looks like me. and i hate to state the obvious.

cabbage patch kids! ooooh. i am going to collect 'em all. look.

the first plushie in my daughter's collection

best bargain buy of 2008: jewel-encrusted vintage-look gold bangle. i love it so much, i think imma wear it every day!

watch this spot.

yuletide 2008

12:36am, australian standard time, 25 december 2008

after a noche buena feast of lobsters, pineapple chicken, macaroni salad and some cherries and grapes,



sending my warmest yuletide greetings to the cosmos. shout back at me.

(and happy 2nd month, lilly sweetheart.)