Well not really. But I have been hooked on reading again. I just started reading "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and it's good so far. It's funny how I can relate so much to the main character, Rebecca. I remember once upon a time when I was just as careless with money and just didn't accept my responsibilities. Like what, really, I have to pay credit cards back? haha.
I'm not saying that I'm no longer a shopaholic, but I am more aware of bargains and sales and all in between. I don't throw money around like I used to and definitely don't spend much on myself these days. But like everyone else, I still want nice things for the house, comfortable clothes for the family, delicious food on the table, so I am just much smarter with the money I do spend.
Anyway, back to the book. It's set in England so there are a lot of terms you have to get used to (like loo for restroom, bloody for damn, etc) but it's a pretty easy read. I am trying to get to the end so I can go see the movie in a couple of weeks. I am betting Isla Fisher will make a good Rebecca. She's so darn cute.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Bath time is fun!
The kids still take baths together and it's so cool seeing them play together and having fun. Some nights they end up fighting a lot more than playing but they are just as cute. They have their own spots in the bath tub (Connor's closest to the faucet) but now that they are older, they lie down together and "float" (which they think is swimming). It's really cute listening to them talk out loud when their ears are under water. How I wish this could last forever...
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
DO'S AND DON'TS FOR 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day..
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake..
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your resent happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Share this with everyone you care about.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Ugh, back to reality...
So today I woke up and realized we were back in school again. The kids and I take a Mommy and Me class on Monday mornings and we were about to miss it, if I hadn't remembered like 20 mins before class started (at 9 am). I hate having to wake up, get ready and actually be somewhere before 10 am. I might be a stay at home, but I still enjoy vacation.
Now I'm gonna start working on organizing the house. It's fun being able to do whatever I please to our home. It is just so time-consuming and I'd much rather hop on the computer and rampage through the web. But blah, back to reality. Back to waking up and actually having to be somewhere on time. Yuck.
Now I'm gonna start working on organizing the house. It's fun being able to do whatever I please to our home. It is just so time-consuming and I'd much rather hop on the computer and rampage through the web. But blah, back to reality. Back to waking up and actually having to be somewhere on time. Yuck.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Addicted to Twilight series...
Oh my gosh. It's been a long time since I've been addicted to reading any book series. I mean, I just couldn't put them down! I just read Twilight and New Moon within 3 1/2 days. Now I'm eagerly awaiting for the arrival of Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. Stephenie Meyer is a great writer and I thank her for my new addiction! The books are super easy to read and the characters are so easy to get attached to. I seriously have gotten lost in their world for a couple days and I haven't felt like this in ages. I love it.Thanks Corinne for the books. Now I understand what all the obsession is all about. My sister Charmaine has seen the movie 3x (or maybe even more by now) and was so anxiously awaiting for my other sister Christine to finish the other two books. Now I know what you guys were talking about. I am hooked!
Can't wait to see the movie on Thursday with you Corinne!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Goals for the New Year...
I usually make New Year's resolutions but who am I fooling by saying that I stick with them by the time March comes around? I usually work better with short-term goals so I will start marking dates off on my calendar. As for general goals, I thought it'd be easier for me to attain these goals by visualizing them on-screen. I vowed to start up a new journal again this year as I am really missing writing. Typing is just too much work and plus, I have great penmanship. LOL. So I bought a pretty purple journal to begin writing again...but I have also vowed to keep up with this blog. I must post something at least once a week! Now on to more important goals!
Beginning January 4th...
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Every year, I manage to lose weight but gain it right back after a few months of hard work due to some "special" day. I must admit, I don't mind that process. I love to eat so I can't NOT indulge when good food is present. So I'm not gonna fool myself and say yes, I will eat healthy food 100% of the time. That's just stupid, as I know I will fail on every birthday, holiday, party that exists. So my goal is to eat healthy every normal day of the week and mildly splurge on days that are considered "special". The rule is to not make up days as being "special" but only consider those that everyone else will consider special (such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays). I will continue to follow the South Beach Diet (SBD) plan as I have, since August of '08. It is the only lifestyle I know I can lose belly fat within days. I followed Phase 1 to the T for 2 weeks (without exercising, just to test the theory of losing the belly fat) and it really works! I was doomed ofcourse when we went on our 7-day cruise to Mexico at the end of September but it's so easy to get right back on the bandwagon on the SBD. I am honestly thankful I found this healthy lifestyle as I was at my wits end after trying several diets that didn't do much to my waistline, even after working out 5x a week. So SBD...you rock!
- Starting this week, I will be heading to the gym 3-5x a week and work on getting fit again. It's been weeks since I've worked out and my body shows. It's amazing how quickly your body can turn into flab in like 3 days with no workouts at my age. I've never quite had that problem before until after Isabella was born. But luckily, my muscle memory comes right back after just a few days of working out. Plus, I need to incorporate more walks with Jer and more outdoor activities for the kids. I WILL get my butt in gear again.
Short-term goals:
Jan-March: Run a 5K in March
Bi-Weekly: Go on a hike at least once every 2 weeks
April-August: Be absolutely tone by the time we go to Hawaii (probably in August)
FAMILY & FRIENDS
- I would love to be able to spend more time with family and friends. God has blessed us with Jer's work schedule so that we are able to spend 3-4 days each week together (though that leaves me like a single mom for the days that he is working). So the goal is to spend more QUALITY time together, like going on dates at least once every 2 weeks with Jer and take the kids out on a special outing every month (Chuck E Cheese, museums, zoo, etc).
- I would like to build on the relationships I already have and plan to spend more time with them. I have offered my idea of game night once per month to our circle of friends so hopefully that will become a new tradition this year. I am determined to bring all my friends together, in hopes that we can all hang out together all the time as it's proven to be very difficult to split time with different sets of friends. I guess it was a blessing in disguise then when I lost a handful of friends this past year. Just kidding!!!!
- I plan on spending more time with my mom, dad, sisters and brother this year. The past year has been a difficult one for my parents & siblings and I would like to offer my love and support to them as much as I can after all that has happened. Just being with them makes me happy so I will make more of an effort to spend time with them as much as I can. The only thing that sucks about it is that everyone is spread out throughout Cali (Sacramento, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Orange County and San Diego).
- I plan to return phone calls as soon as possible. This proves to be my most difficult challenge every year as there never seems to be the best time to talk on the phone, especially with 2 crazy banshees playing in the background. So let's try this one AGAIN. Oh yeah, I'll add emails to that too. I love reading them but writing back is a whole another issue. I'll work on that.
MONEY
- The holidays are over and there really isn't any more excuses to waste money hastily. I am a true shopper at heart and though you can say I am quite addicted to shopping, I am not addicted to feeling financially strapped. With the economy's loom over the horizon, I really need to be more careful with my spending! I don't like stressing out my husband so I will retreat from my impulsive behaviors and start tomorrow. It's too late for the last 2 days already. (insert half-hearted laugh here)
- Coupons, coupons, coupons! I still have to buy food and household junk to maintain the home so I plan to buy things only when on a significant sale and especially when coupons are available. I started the grocerygame.com a few weeks ago and I'm addicted to saving money whenever possible. It definitely fulfills the aching need to shop and it feels great being able to spend much less than what I normally would spend for the things I need. I highly recommend this system. Please use me as your reference when signing up (megaland@yahoo.com). It's so wonderful to hear the check-out ladies say "Wow, you've saved 80% on your groceries today. That's amazing!" It truly is.
- Eating out is probably the best leisurely activity we participate in each week. I realized how much money we spend on food each month and it just makes me sick to my stomach (literally). The goal is to NOT eat out every week, maybe twice a month at the most. I love to cook anyway so I can try more recipes out this way.
- We need to lower our monthly bills somehow. I will work on finding ways to do that this very week.
PERSONAL TIME
- I need to get in bed by midnight every single night. As I get older, I realize how badly my brain and body needs my beauty sleep. It's important to have a keen mind when dealing with a 4 and 2 year old on a daily basis. Tonight however is an exception as it obviously is past midnight.
- Less time on the computer! I love my computer. I love internet access. However, I love myself and family/friends more. I waste waaaaaayyyy to much time on my PC and will vow to turn it off every night before getting into bed as it's too tempting to keep it on for the next morning. 3 hours max. That's the goal. Yikes, that seems so little of a number but I must focus on other projects...like cleaning! LOL.
- I need to start working on little projects around the house. Our home seems complete but it's time to start moving the kids in their own bedrooms and transitioning the garage to our new office. Each room is also starting to pile with up with CRAP (mostly my fault) and I need to start condensing the never-ending collections of I don't even know what anymore. I admit I'm a pack rat...must must must get rid of stuff!
- Start my own little garden this spring!!! I'm researching on what varieties I will include in my garden. I will definitely include green onions, tomatoes, herbs, and squash. I've been wanting to do this for years, so I'll be elated once it's all done.
- Read a new book series every 2 months. I just started the new Twilight series and I am hooked!!!! I miss getting lost in the world of books. I've been reading several books at a time, but all of them were informational, based on personal well-being, true stories or plain ole magazines. I plan to start reading the Shopaholic series and Nicholas Sparks books this year. I also am gonna start paying attention to the Oprah Book Club and see if anything sparks my interest there.
I've got soooooo much more to add to my list. But I will have to bid farewell for now as the bed is calling my name...
Beginning January 4th...
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Every year, I manage to lose weight but gain it right back after a few months of hard work due to some "special" day. I must admit, I don't mind that process. I love to eat so I can't NOT indulge when good food is present. So I'm not gonna fool myself and say yes, I will eat healthy food 100% of the time. That's just stupid, as I know I will fail on every birthday, holiday, party that exists. So my goal is to eat healthy every normal day of the week and mildly splurge on days that are considered "special". The rule is to not make up days as being "special" but only consider those that everyone else will consider special (such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays). I will continue to follow the South Beach Diet (SBD) plan as I have, since August of '08. It is the only lifestyle I know I can lose belly fat within days. I followed Phase 1 to the T for 2 weeks (without exercising, just to test the theory of losing the belly fat) and it really works! I was doomed ofcourse when we went on our 7-day cruise to Mexico at the end of September but it's so easy to get right back on the bandwagon on the SBD. I am honestly thankful I found this healthy lifestyle as I was at my wits end after trying several diets that didn't do much to my waistline, even after working out 5x a week. So SBD...you rock!
- Starting this week, I will be heading to the gym 3-5x a week and work on getting fit again. It's been weeks since I've worked out and my body shows. It's amazing how quickly your body can turn into flab in like 3 days with no workouts at my age. I've never quite had that problem before until after Isabella was born. But luckily, my muscle memory comes right back after just a few days of working out. Plus, I need to incorporate more walks with Jer and more outdoor activities for the kids. I WILL get my butt in gear again.
Short-term goals:
Jan-March: Run a 5K in March
Bi-Weekly: Go on a hike at least once every 2 weeks
April-August: Be absolutely tone by the time we go to Hawaii (probably in August)
FAMILY & FRIENDS
- I would love to be able to spend more time with family and friends. God has blessed us with Jer's work schedule so that we are able to spend 3-4 days each week together (though that leaves me like a single mom for the days that he is working). So the goal is to spend more QUALITY time together, like going on dates at least once every 2 weeks with Jer and take the kids out on a special outing every month (Chuck E Cheese, museums, zoo, etc).
- I would like to build on the relationships I already have and plan to spend more time with them. I have offered my idea of game night once per month to our circle of friends so hopefully that will become a new tradition this year. I am determined to bring all my friends together, in hopes that we can all hang out together all the time as it's proven to be very difficult to split time with different sets of friends. I guess it was a blessing in disguise then when I lost a handful of friends this past year. Just kidding!!!!
- I plan on spending more time with my mom, dad, sisters and brother this year. The past year has been a difficult one for my parents & siblings and I would like to offer my love and support to them as much as I can after all that has happened. Just being with them makes me happy so I will make more of an effort to spend time with them as much as I can. The only thing that sucks about it is that everyone is spread out throughout Cali (Sacramento, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Orange County and San Diego).
- I plan to return phone calls as soon as possible. This proves to be my most difficult challenge every year as there never seems to be the best time to talk on the phone, especially with 2 crazy banshees playing in the background. So let's try this one AGAIN. Oh yeah, I'll add emails to that too. I love reading them but writing back is a whole another issue. I'll work on that.
MONEY
- The holidays are over and there really isn't any more excuses to waste money hastily. I am a true shopper at heart and though you can say I am quite addicted to shopping, I am not addicted to feeling financially strapped. With the economy's loom over the horizon, I really need to be more careful with my spending! I don't like stressing out my husband so I will retreat from my impulsive behaviors and start tomorrow. It's too late for the last 2 days already. (insert half-hearted laugh here)
- Coupons, coupons, coupons! I still have to buy food and household junk to maintain the home so I plan to buy things only when on a significant sale and especially when coupons are available. I started the grocerygame.com a few weeks ago and I'm addicted to saving money whenever possible. It definitely fulfills the aching need to shop and it feels great being able to spend much less than what I normally would spend for the things I need. I highly recommend this system. Please use me as your reference when signing up (megaland@yahoo.com). It's so wonderful to hear the check-out ladies say "Wow, you've saved 80% on your groceries today. That's amazing!" It truly is.
- Eating out is probably the best leisurely activity we participate in each week. I realized how much money we spend on food each month and it just makes me sick to my stomach (literally). The goal is to NOT eat out every week, maybe twice a month at the most. I love to cook anyway so I can try more recipes out this way.
- We need to lower our monthly bills somehow. I will work on finding ways to do that this very week.
PERSONAL TIME
- I need to get in bed by midnight every single night. As I get older, I realize how badly my brain and body needs my beauty sleep. It's important to have a keen mind when dealing with a 4 and 2 year old on a daily basis. Tonight however is an exception as it obviously is past midnight.
- Less time on the computer! I love my computer. I love internet access. However, I love myself and family/friends more. I waste waaaaaayyyy to much time on my PC and will vow to turn it off every night before getting into bed as it's too tempting to keep it on for the next morning. 3 hours max. That's the goal. Yikes, that seems so little of a number but I must focus on other projects...like cleaning! LOL.
- I need to start working on little projects around the house. Our home seems complete but it's time to start moving the kids in their own bedrooms and transitioning the garage to our new office. Each room is also starting to pile with up with CRAP (mostly my fault) and I need to start condensing the never-ending collections of I don't even know what anymore. I admit I'm a pack rat...must must must get rid of stuff!
- Start my own little garden this spring!!! I'm researching on what varieties I will include in my garden. I will definitely include green onions, tomatoes, herbs, and squash. I've been wanting to do this for years, so I'll be elated once it's all done.
- Read a new book series every 2 months. I just started the new Twilight series and I am hooked!!!! I miss getting lost in the world of books. I've been reading several books at a time, but all of them were informational, based on personal well-being, true stories or plain ole magazines. I plan to start reading the Shopaholic series and Nicholas Sparks books this year. I also am gonna start paying attention to the Oprah Book Club and see if anything sparks my interest there.
I've got soooooo much more to add to my list. But I will have to bid farewell for now as the bed is calling my name...
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wow...it's 2009. It seems like yesterday that I was hearing "Party like it's 1999" over and over again on the radio. And look at us now, 10 years later. It's super crazy how fast time really flies.
2009 is going to be a busy year. We'll be traveling a lot like usual and hopefully we will be able to continue this for years to come. Our 1st trip will be to the snow (hopefully next week). It will be the first time we're bringing the kids, so they will be very excited. I already bought all their snow gear (oh wait, that reminds me, I need to get them gloves). Next will be a special trip to somewhere (don't know where yet) in February for our 5-year anniversary, my 32nd birthday and for Valentine's. February is a really full month for my poor hubby. :) In early March, I will be going away for a weekend with my sisters to celebrate birthdays and just being together. It will officially be our 1st "just us" trip together. It should be amazing. Then as soon as I come back, I think Jer is gonna take Connor to San Fran for their annual trip to visit friends and go to the Zoo. Isabella and I will surely find something to do while they're gone. Then at the end of March, Jer and I will be traveling with his sister and her hubby to Palm Springs for 5 days while the kids stay with Grandpa and Grandma. Phew, to think, that's only the first 3 months of traveling! We're still trying to figure out when we're going to Hawaii...but we are definitely intending to go. It will be our first time going together! I am so looking forward to that! So this month, my goal is to start planning out our trips from April til the holidays...
There are just so many great things happening this year. Jer's sister will be having her baby in June, Connor will be attending kindergarten (yikes!), I might be heading back to work (or school...undecided still), Jer will be working a new position, the kids will be starting new activities, and so much more. I am actually really excited about the New Year, as I can begin "fresh" again with my goals and will work hard to attain them. I think I've pretty much reached all my goals in 2008 so I HOPE that 2009 will just be as great, if not, I will MAKE it great no matter what.
Anyhow, I wish everyone a wonderful new year and hope & pray that 2009 only brings great peace and joy!
2009 is going to be a busy year. We'll be traveling a lot like usual and hopefully we will be able to continue this for years to come. Our 1st trip will be to the snow (hopefully next week). It will be the first time we're bringing the kids, so they will be very excited. I already bought all their snow gear (oh wait, that reminds me, I need to get them gloves). Next will be a special trip to somewhere (don't know where yet) in February for our 5-year anniversary, my 32nd birthday and for Valentine's. February is a really full month for my poor hubby. :) In early March, I will be going away for a weekend with my sisters to celebrate birthdays and just being together. It will officially be our 1st "just us" trip together. It should be amazing. Then as soon as I come back, I think Jer is gonna take Connor to San Fran for their annual trip to visit friends and go to the Zoo. Isabella and I will surely find something to do while they're gone. Then at the end of March, Jer and I will be traveling with his sister and her hubby to Palm Springs for 5 days while the kids stay with Grandpa and Grandma. Phew, to think, that's only the first 3 months of traveling! We're still trying to figure out when we're going to Hawaii...but we are definitely intending to go. It will be our first time going together! I am so looking forward to that! So this month, my goal is to start planning out our trips from April til the holidays...
There are just so many great things happening this year. Jer's sister will be having her baby in June, Connor will be attending kindergarten (yikes!), I might be heading back to work (or school...undecided still), Jer will be working a new position, the kids will be starting new activities, and so much more. I am actually really excited about the New Year, as I can begin "fresh" again with my goals and will work hard to attain them. I think I've pretty much reached all my goals in 2008 so I HOPE that 2009 will just be as great, if not, I will MAKE it great no matter what.
Anyhow, I wish everyone a wonderful new year and hope & pray that 2009 only brings great peace and joy!
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