decisions...

Tomorrow I'm heading to Rosemont to finally enroll Sophia for their Nursery class for SY 2008-2009. Honestly though, there is still a teeny weeny part of me wondering if I'm making the right choice. I just hope and pray to God I am. Any parent would want the best for their kids right? And I am just exactly one of them. After all the time I spent to give this school issue a thought, here I am still not 100% sure. I guess I got to realize now that we can never really be a hundred percent sure on certain decisions, on certain things. Especially if it involves the future of our children. I know I am thinking too far ahead and being too sigurista to a fault maybe but hey, I just can't help it. No matter how I try not to worry too much and to take things slow, I just can't. Whenever people say that I should relax as its just pre-school, I would want to blurt out that a child won't probably need as much of a great school than now as these early stages of her school life are most crucial to what she will become in the future - study habits, views in learning etc.

All I really want is to instill the love for learning as early as now. I fervently wish I am and will achieve that goal for her in choosing Rosemont.

school stuff

I am definitely getting Sophia these for school ...

Foogo by Thermos Leak-Proof SS 10 oz - Food Jar

Foogo by Thermos Leak-Proof SS 12 oz - Straw Bottle

Product Features

* The vacuum insulated stainless steel interior and exterior is non-reactive to all food and beverages.
* Keeps beverages cold & fresh for 6 hours; Kid proof unbreakable design is perfect for infants and toddlers
* Insulation helps inhibits dangerous bacteria growth
* BPA Free materials ¿ Stainless steel interior and exterior ; Soft drinking spout is made from food contact safe Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
* Dishwasher safe for easy care; Sweat proof design won't leave water rings

rosemont baby

As I wrote in my previous entry, we are now enrolling Sophia in Rosemont for SY 2008-2009. Well, let me correct that statement. I already enrolled the little girl last week actually. I even got her uniforms na, haha. Talk about one excited mommy here!!! She's going to the Nursery afternoon class though as no more slots for the morning already. Ayan, ang bagal ko kase magpareserve. My fault! All the while I thought I was early na but apparently, to Rosemont's standards, I inquired and applied late already.

Anyway, here are the little girl's uniforms. The second is the PE uniform to be worn every Friday. Don't you think the little girl will look oh so cute in them?!?

Brent, not yet.

Visited Brent South Campus and what can I say? I’m impressed. I am, really - with the classes, the surroundings and with the people. Well, atleast those I’ve talked to anyway. People there are so nice! When I stepped inside the campus, parang wala ako sa Pilipinas! Haha I guess that’s one part that explains the SKY ROCKETING tuition fee. It’s almost like buying a car every year, haha.

Anyway, on to my kwento. I pretty liked what I saw although I didn’t get to see the students in the middle and upper school. I had good vibes with the school honestly but the thing is this …

Apparently, Sophia is not eligible to enter their Pre-K yet as kids in this class are supposed to be four by December. Sophia will turn four not until next year - March. She is eligible to enter the pre-school classes though at Brent in ATC but Brent ATC is closing down already this coming May which leaves me no choice but to look for a school to enroll the little girl this June (SY 2008-2009). I wonder now if this is a sign. You all know how I’m having apprehensions of sending Sophia to Brent right? Just so you know, I even pray for it, asking HIM for signs. I wonder now if this is somewhat a sign HE is giving me. Oh well …

Jon and I talked and we came up with the decision to let Sophia go to Rosemont for this school year and we’ll just see what happens next. We have got one whole year ahead of us to really think about it on whether we’ll let her transfer after a year or make her stay in Rosemont and just go straight to Woodrose by grade 1. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll observe Sophia at Rosemont first and just decide after. So I guess my school hunting is not yet over, far from over.

8 random things about Sophia.

Tagged by pretty girl Em. Thanks for this hot momma!

1) Sophia loves playing pretend. She would ask me to put a dress on her and make her wear my “glass shoes” so she could be Cinderella.

2) She adores Dora, period.

3) She used to look like her dad but she’s now a carbon copy of me. Walang aangal, haha.

4) She hates chocolates. Any kind - choco cakes, choco candies, choco ice cream and even choco drinks. Lucky me!

5) She LOVES sinigang - baboy, hipon or isda. When I say love, she can eat it over and over and over and over again. Even when we’re on trips abroad, she looks for sinigang. While in restos too, she’ll order sinigang.

6) She loves smiling for the camera and having her picture taken.

7) She loves to dress up - for any occasion.

8 ) She is very inquisitive. She never runs out of questions with follow up questions even. Never ending “whys” I’m telling you.

Its now time you share your babies’ 8 things Peachy, Joy, Apols, Apple, Jen, Amore, Abie and Thea.

us visa approved

Since a lot of you are asking how our interview with the officer at the US Embassy went, I decided to post the questions we were asked here. The interview was really brief I'm telling you. It was the waiting and falling in line that took so long. We got so hungry! Not to mention, we woke up so early as our interview was set at 8am. We were at the Embassy by 7am and got interviewed almost 10am already.

The questions were very basic and simple. Here they are:

1) What is the purpose of your trip?
2) Have you been to the US?
3)What do you do? (asking Jon)
4) How did you get into that business?
5) How many pigs do you have? (business is piggery kasi)
6) You have a sister studying in the US? Where and what course?
7) How about you, what do you do? (asking me now)

Thats it! He didn't even ask for any document. Easy huh? He just looked at our passports and voila ten years multiple. Kaya to mommies out there who are still having second thoughts, stop worrying and try applying na :) Buzz me if you need help :) I got all the help I need from Abie so I would want to pay it forward :)

online shopping

I couldn't help myself. After reading Peachy's post about her latest online find, I immediately visited https://www.allaboardtoys.com and got Sophia these for school ...

(grabe peachy, you really are the best source for anything online hehe. thanks for sharing ha!)

Dora the Explorer 10oz Big Kid Insulated Straw Cup

Dora the Explorer Insulated Lunchbag

Dora the Explorer Pink and Purple Sip 'N' Snack Canteen

Dora the Explorer Sculpted Floral 2pc Flatware Set

whats up with me

I promise to sleep early tonight and give my laptop a rest. I'm still half done tinkering what and what-not it can do but for petes sake, I need some sleep. My husband thinks so too. He finds it funny that I stay up late ever since he handed me the laptop. Well, I am still familiarizing myself with it thats why. It has features that are new to me as my good old desktop computer just don't have any of them. I'm no techie person thats why and I was completely satisfied with my desktop computer just so you know. I do appreciate and welcome such gifts like this laptop though :D HAHA.

Anyway, I hope in a few more days, I'll be able to master what this new toy has in store for me.

free online classified ads

Are you selling something - a pet, a house, a car, a watch or electronics maybe? Do you need to advertise a gig or a job opening perhaps? Or could it be that you are currently looking for a job? If you are one of those I've mentioned, then direct your browsers now to WebCosmo - an independent website designed to network users, search and post free ads. They are an internet based classified ads site that is very useful and is absolutely for free. Yes, free from any fees or anything. Their main purpose is to make life easy for each and everyone of us as members may post free and unlimited classified ads for jobs, housing, community, events, services, for sale, gigs, resumes, and personals. Their countrywide, statewide, and local free advertising posting features allow users reach countrywide, statewide, and local audience with a single ad. Yeah, advertising is that powerful. We all know that but finding the proper venue to advertise is the key. WebCosmo who is currently serving more than 40 countries but expects to serve more countries in the future is one the the better venues to advertise in. And the best thing is that they don't charge a fee and even promotes freedom of the public to post and express whatever they wish to.

bored.

Okay okay, I'm so cheap, haha. Was tinkering with my new toy last night and here are some pics we took with its built in cam while watching the news (on Valentines Day!). (pagbigyan na ha! hehe) The little girl had a video too - singing and dancing but its too long so I'll just leave you with these pics :D

the get up today

These photos were taken the other day right after Sophia’s class. Now Jen, tell me, has she slenderized? NAAAAH. Just look at the legs! Still patatimish noh! LOL.

Peachy, these pics are for you too. Your long time request to let her wear leggings under her minis. Ayan ang outcome! haha. This outfit solicited compliments from mommies in school ha. They were asking if the leggings came with the mini skirt. Super cute daw. But no, I just put those together. Not for fashion purpose, but to cover her booboo on her leg! Bwahahahaha.

shopping!

Thanks to Peachy for the heads up with the ongoing sale at Old Navy, I got my SIL to order these for the little girl yesterday. ( just in time for my SIL's arrival on march 3 :P )

online casino

Internet casino gambling online is the trend nowadays. I now of people who are hooked on it and continues to get hooked. They like it way better than practically dragging themselves out of the house to a nearby casino. Casino games are now within reach and accessible more than ever with online casino. Not to mention the bonuses and promotions each player gets when he or she plays. At www.joylandcasino.com, another virtual casino online, they give out $808 Welcome Bonus for new players. Now that is big money, right? Better check out the Joyland website for all the up-to-date bonuses and promotions available for you right now.

party plans

Sophia’s 3rd birthday is just a month away. As for our plans, for the first time, none yet. Let me correct that, we have plans but nothing’s really definite yet as of the moment.

Here are my options …

• A school party - Will just get food from Jollibee and hire their mascot. This will be fun and less expensive as Sophia will get to celebrate with her classmates.
  
• Jollibee Party - No explanation needed . Which branch, that is the question.
  
• Big Red Barn or Blue Whale Grill Party (both at Fun Ranch) - This sounds fun but is also expensive, LOL! I doubt it if we can still squeeze a budget for this as we’re planning on an out of the country trip the same month - March. Also a downside for this party, Sophia’s classmates might not be able to attend as its far from Alabang and I’m sure the little girl wouldn’t want that as she’s super close to her classmates.
  
• Pixie Forest Party - Pixie Forest is a small magical park-like atmosphere complete with rides and a picnic grove at the third level of Festival Mall in Alabang (same place Toddlers Unlimited is). They have party packages and whats nice is the party continues as kids have a grand time after the party with their ride-all-you-can wrist tags which they can use the whole day. I have yet to inquire though how much a party would cost there.
  

So far these are our plans. We have yet to decide on one.

Kayo what do you think?

make lifelock your choice

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to brent or not to brent

For a backgrounder, read this first.

I never thought that school hunting will be this hard. For petes sake, we’re just talking of preschool here you know.

As I previously said, to this day, Jon and I are yet to come up with a decision on where to send Sophia this coming June. Although we have paid the reservation fee at Rosemont, we still haven’t disregarded the option of sending Sophia to Brent School South Campus which is a good ten minutes away from our house. Honestly speaking, we have been toying with the idea of sending Sophia into an International School before but we never really took it seriously. Well, not until now that we feel that the little girl is up for a bit of drilling and is ready for big school as she’s already 3.3 yo by June which will make her eligible for Nursery. She spent a great year at Toddlers Unlimited but I believe its time for her to move on.

When Jon and I were discussing, Brent School came up. Jon was convinced its the better choice. And after reading Apols post regarding the school and its International Baccalaureate System which means that if you graduate from an IB certified school (which Brent is) you won’t have to take an entrance exam when you go to college in US or in UK, I am almost convinced too. But not quite. I was deeply thinking about it and for some reasons, I have apprehensions of sending Sophia to Brent. I am worried that Sophia might not be able to adapt to the kind of environment they have there. I am afraid that she might be left out as most of her classmates will be foreigners (this I’m not sure naman and I have yet to see, haha). I am wondering if Sophia will thrive in the setting Brent School has to offer as my initial perception is kids there will have different lifestyles, values and beliefs from us. Maybe, opposite even. I have countless worries. Not to mention the sky rocketing tuition fees! I have all the figures actually as I already inquired. Costs start from $6,000 to $12,000 a year (Kinder to Grade 12). I told Jon about my concerns and he took them well. So well that for a while we haven’t brought Brent up again in any of our school discussions.

Not until today.

My FIL and MIL came to visit today. While in the middle of discussion, my FIL asked about where we’re sending Sophia this June. We told him of our indefinite plans and how we were not too keen on sending her to Brent anymore for personal reasons. What my FIL told us after (which I can’t clearly remember now) makes Jon and I rethink our plans for our little girl. He somewhat convinced us that we should not worry about small things as we shouldn’t underestimate what our daughter can do (smart daw ang apo niya, LOL!). We shouldn’t think so far ahead according to him too like sending Sophia to college in the US etc. Well, he could probably say this because sending a daughter to school in the US is not new to him. My SIL is currently studying in Florida thats why. We shouldn’t scrimp daw on education as it’s the best gift we can give Sophia. But in my mind, is Brent actually the best? In short, now we’re back to square one. We are again seriously considering Brent School for Sophia.

Now, I need your thoughts. First off, are my concerns valid or not? Am I really worrying too much? I’m not familiar with how International Schools are being run so I have no idea. And last but not the least, my question to all of you, If you have the means to send your kid to Brent or any International School for that matter, will you send him/her there? Why? I’m looking forward to hearing from you. I hope to get as much feedbacks as I could. Help us end our misery

popcorn of all popcorns

Mine and Sophia's current addiction!

for your dissertation needs

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tankini

It's almost summer and don't you think Sophia will look so cute in this piece?




I'm hoping to get this one for the little girl in time for our summer escapade :P Where? Who knows! LOL.

Big Bang World Record

Snagged this one from Peachy :P

*Start Copy Here*

You do not have to be tagged to play along. This game is simple and so are the rules.

1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*
2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.
3. Tag or don’t tag, your choice, however, the more tags you create the bigger the list will grow.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and URL by leaving me a comment. I will add you to the master list. (In my blog’s case wherein I’ve disabled the comment’s box, leave it on the shoutbox .)
5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in.

1-Attitude, the Ultimate Power 2-Juliana’s Site 3-Rusin Roundup 4-Grow Rich Along With Me 5-Comedy Plus 6-lynda’s loft 7-Amel’s Realm 8-MAX 9-Speedcat Hollydale 10-Mariuca 11-Complain Complain Complain 12-Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery 13-Life Is A Roller Coaster 14-Sugar Queen’s Dream 15-First Time Dad 16-Life 17-My Life 18-The Painted Veil 19-My Thoughts 20-DatCurious.com 21-Little Aussie Cynic 22- A Nice Place in the Sun 23-DatMoney.com 24-The Down Side OF Up 25- Ladyjava’s Lounge 26- Cat Tales 27-moms…check nyo 28-Colorado Baby 29-It’s a Woman’s World 30-ENLIGHTENED BITS 31-My View of “It”� 32-My Reviews and Finds Along the Way 33-Our Hep Chat 34 - Rantings of a Woman 35- The Callalily Space 36- Mom Knows Everything 37- Hazel 38- Chronicles and Tales Unlimited (RED) 39- From the Mouth of Jabber Jaws 40- Sunny Side Up Foodie & Lifestyle 41-Carmel Corn 42-Daily Stock Picks 43-The Whole New World 44- Wifespeak 45-Slavery Bliss 46- Rooms of My Heart 47- Unpredictable Life 48- My Life, My World 49- At Your Service 50- All About Ebay 51- Everything Amazon 52- Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out 53- My So-Called Site 54- New Wife Blog 55- It’s not the way 56- Nick’s Bytes 57- My Scratch Pad 58- Choc Mint Girl 59- Life Is Just Around the Corner”¦ 60- Amori, poseia, art”¦ virtuali by Hanna 61- Maryannaville 62- monaco - monaco’s 63- Nyumix’s Blog 64- read my mind - my keyboard monologues 65- Shower You Children With Love - The Right Way 66- Secret Agent Mama 67- Pinaymama’s Diary 68- Answers to the Questions 69- Work of the Poet 70- A Total Blog 71- My life, my hope, my future 72- NORTE 73- A Window to Our World 74- Life as a Mom 75- FIELD OF DREAMS 76- lisgold 77- See Me for What You 78- Caught in The Stream 79-Pinay Mommy Online - My Home 80-I’m Running To Win Two 81-CRUEL VIRGIN 82-Garden of Moments in Blog 83-So Cute 84-Love Everlasting 85-WeLcOmE To My CriB 86-WELCOME TO PINAYSMILE’S JOURNEY 87-Ice’s Icelog 88-Jenny’s Wandering Thoughts 89-Hobbies and Such 90-Sweet Paradise 91-Mommy’s Gibble Gabbles 92-Rusin Review’s 93-My Small World 94-Little Peanut 95-Online Ramblings 96-My Mood My Feeling 97-BLOG it with ALLEN 98-Entertainment World 99-Let’s Go Singapore 100-Firelynx 101-Catsy Carpe Diem 102-Every Beat Of My Heart 103-Always Da Fresh Princess 104-Listening.. Learning..Living 105-All About Mars 106- Syii From Afar 107-Some Thoughts I Have 108-From Here and Beyond 109-My Paid To Blog 110-Scholarship Corner 111-Cell Phone Review 112-“Apples of the Eyes”� 113-It’s All About Play 114-The Luttrull Journey 115-RennyBA’s Terella 116-Unchained Melody 117-Out of the Blue 118-The Lure Of the Unknown 119-Maricel’s 120-my blog 121-Spiff, the Spaceman 122-Living Well 123-The Dog Log 124-Catnip Corner 125-A Piece of Idea 126-Observations From the Back 40 127-Poetry by The Redneck Gypsy 128-Odd Facts 129-Juliana’s Lair 130-My life is murphy’s law 131- lisgoldsmemoirs 132-My memories, as time goes by 133-Somewhere over the rainbow 134-Blogging by Sandee 135-Our Journey to this so called life 136-Idaho Daily Photo 137-Memories that Never Fades.. 138-Anything goes 139-Your Caring Angels 140-Little Paces 141-Laketrees 142-PoeARTica 143-fracas 144-Just FraCas 145-Archies Archive 146- Chez Francine 147- La Place de Cherie 148- Le bric à brac de Cherie 149- Cherie 150- Gagiers Striking Zone 151- Gagiers Amazing World 152- Caroland’s Breathtaking Adventure 153- Kusina ni Gagiers 154- Chic Shopaholic 155- Gracie de Guzman 156- Jaqqq in the Blogs 157-I am Dzoi 158- My Happy Place 159-Raising Sandy 160-100% Kelly 161- My Life is Peachy 162 - Me and my two boys 163 - My Joys 164 - My Charmed Life - 165 - Mommy Jane and Little Sophia's Fashion MISadventures" INSERT YOURS HERE

kit is here!

My BE Starter Kit is finally here. Thanks to Peachy and Erika for purchasing it for me and to Gelo too :) Can't wait to use it! But no Peachy, haven't watched the DVD nor opened the package yet as I am busy. No yaya, remember?

Anyway, here it is.


I hope to get one of these next naman :)

****Tonight I'm all free to blog as my yaya arrived today, yahoo! Will finally be able to blog hop and blog like crazy once again.

my flower girl

Here are the long overdue pictures of my little girl as one of my cousin’s flower girls during her wedding last week in Clark Field, Angeles City. Please note, I am ONE PROUD MOMMY. The little was in her element! She walked on her own with an adorable smile plastered all over her face the WHOLE time

And here’s the mommy (matron of honor, ehem …) and daddy with the little girl:

office desks

Now that Jon and I are finished furnishing our house after almost three years, we are now turning our focus on fixing his office space on the other side of our lot. He had an office constructed here at home for him to have a place to meet and entertain his business associates and agents. As we looked around though, apparently, office furniture doesn't come cheap too just like house furnishings. So for now, his main priority is to find the perfect office desks that will fit his office space. He's specifically looking for highly durable modern minimalist desks that will compliment the look of his office. We want something that not only looks good but is also of high quality. This led us to Inter County Office Furniture which is said to be the best palce to buy office furniture online. They have been in the business for 22 years and is currently UK's #1 office furniture and accessories supplier. Their products are guaranteed of high quality. Take for example their office desk top which are 25mm thick while most desk tops only are 18mm thick. Their desks has double upstand legs (2 vertical supports instead of one) which reduces bowing, it has 2mm thick edging whereas most similarly priced desks have 0.6mm thick edging. The desks wven come with an 8-year guarantee, one of the best for this type of desk in the UK. So we're not actually looking nowhere else. We have found the perfect place to get office furniture from.

travel plans

We have a lot for the year. Plan is the operative word, LOL. I hope we get to push through with all of them though as once I get pregnant and have a second baby, traveling will be a lot harder, I assume.

As of the moment, I made Jon agree on two international travels already :) Destinations I'm not divulging yet, hehe. I'm still haggling for a third but no assurance yet. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're currently trying to settle some terms but if and when we manage to compromise, most probably, it'll be clear :) I wish!

Thinking about all our travel plans for the year makes me so excited. I can't wait! There's so much to look forward to 2008 :) 2007 was a good year for us, travel wise, but I'm hoping this year will be as good too :)

yayaless, still

I'm still yayaless as of the moment (read here) so I still can't stay in front of the pc for more than an hour. Whenever I have the chance to sneak in a few posts, it has to be my expiring tasks you know ;p

Anyway, to make the most of my time, I bought Jon's laptop this morning. I was at Starbucks while waiting for Sophia's class to finish and I was able to write a couple of posts which were all expiring today. Hay, buti na lang :)

Tomorrow at 9am, Jon and I are off to Rosemont for our interview. You see, parents are to be interviewed first even before the kids get to have their turn. I wonder what it'll be all about. Jon canceled an important meeting for it, you know. Our motto has always been "family first" daw, yeah right! I hope it goes well :) Wish us luck!

low cost prescription glasses

If you ever feel the need to wear glasses and is on a lookout for nice ones, remember that stylish prescription glasses need not be expensive. I just found a Great Discovery: Zenni Optical! ZenniOptical.com sells stylish prescription glasses online at an unbelievably low cost. Zenni Optical $8 Rx Glasses even comes in cases! Better believe it. If you are wondering of the low cost is that they sell only their own manufactured frames direct to the customer, with no middlemen and virtually no advertising budget. Now, aren't they the Best Thing Found: Zenni Optical?