☮.♥.☆

PIXEL BUG Weekend 004
This is the second weekend since D left for the US. I got hit by the Christmas Blues. I was doing stuff in my room and thought it would be good to listen to Christmas Songs to feel the Holiday Spirit, but I ended up crying! But hey, you gotta do what you have to do, life goes on right?

SATURDAY
I was stuck at home, BY CHOICE
for two reasons:

Reason 01: Pre-New Year Cleaning, Almost Like Spring Cleaning
I'm not sure if you also do this in your own homes or rooms, but ever since I was little, I was trained to make sure that my room is neat and clean, especially when a new year is about to come. It must be one of those New Year Superstitions for goodluck; it is something that most Filipinos have become accustomed to. I believe this is done in most Filipino households before New Year.

I took the initiative to start with my bed before my Mom does her rounds. Saturday was the best time to do it because when I checked my schedule for the next 10 days, they're packed and I'll never hear the end of it if I went partying + going here & there and leaving my room like a huge pile of trash. So the first step's to clear my bed, after that the rest will follow. It's sorting and folding of clothes that ate up a lot of my time.Ö Anyways, it was a success so neither Mom nor I need to worry about that. I won't be scolded.Ü

Reason 02: Wrap Whatever Needs To Be Wrapped
Christmas Wrapping I had to finish all the wrapping that had to be done to avoid last minutes, so the only problem I'd have this week would be the delivery and distribution of presents. I am very pleased with my Time Management this year ─ no cramming, I totally avoided the mall & bazaar crowds, I have all my presents ready days before the big day. I should be like this every year. Really, I intend to.



SUNDAY
My Sunday felt like it just went by. I needed more than 24 hours yesterday. Now if only I could be at three different places at the same time! I had lunch with a former colleague and good friend ─ it was an overdue little get-together. I can't believe that we had lunch for 3.5 hours! Next thing I know, when I checked the time on my mobile phone, it was already 3:30PM. We had to say our temporary goodbyes then because I needed to go to the gym. Gah! After finishing my meal, I'd feel very bad if I wasn't able to at least run.Ö No food shots for this post because I'm reserving them for another day kK?



I wasn't able to go to 2 get-togethers that evening because I had other stuff to do + I didn't want to eat again, that's over-indulgence already. I've reached my quota for the day. The other stuff that I had to do was to shop for pencils and group 'em in twos for "SHARE A SMILE". It's a simple Charity Event / Gathering that a friend of mine organized, happening today.Ü I originally wanted to buy candies, but I heard that our other friend will give tons of it so I opted for pencils instead. They're not to be wrapped separately because all the goodies that we have will be sorted out and repacked in special loot bags ... it's our little way of sharing and giving something back for the blessings we received in 2009.



Now if only my throat doesn't hurt and I'm not feeling feverish, I'd be all set. Please dearest Vitamin C, I need you to work even for this week. I've been taking 2 tabs of Berocca since yesterday.Ö Boo. I like it when it's cold + sunny + not raining but my body doesn't seem to want it.

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If you want to play with us, you guys can join PIXEL BUG WEEKEND.
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Photography is the best way to relive
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Labels: Because I'm Russ, Good Times, Pixel Bug Weekend

Since Mom's little accident, I really have not been getting decent hours of sleep. I have to be awake when she's up: to feed her, get her stuff, bathe her, etc etc. And so on most days, I've come to a point that I am the first to wake up. I bounce out of bed, into the kitchen, prepare Mom's breakfast and start the coffee → Warm. Fresh Coffee. It makes things less stressful and easier for me if I have everything prepared before she's up.

The good thing that came out of this is that I started like the mornings. I I feel alert, energized. Its my time to hang out with myself, catch up on a good book, finish an enticing movie, watch morning shows either on ETC or any local channel or just get a head start on different things from different people via blogs and social networking sites.

I know this kind of lifestyle may just be a phase, but it's a good feeling to sometimes arise before the sun, am stable until around 10 and after I finish helping Mom with her daily morning routine, I can finally have my nap and then am ready to go again a few hours after that. Such as life. Good Morning.Ü

Labels: Because I'm Russ, Good Times

Is it just me or my thoughts are definitely fragmented and I am feeling far from productive and my back hurts. I seriously want to go to the gym and stop whining about it. I am not-too-happy with who I am these days. Does this come with being almost 28 in two months? I'd hate to think so. I'd like to think it's about being unemployed. Yet, I wouldn't consider myself unemployed since I am not really looking.

I know there is a big reason why the Big Boss hasn't wanted me to go back to working. It's prolly because of Mom. So, if it's any consolation to me, D and almost all my friends feel that I'm being a very good and responsible daughter by personally taking care of Mom while she can't walk. I feel appreciated :)

Labels: Because I'm Russ, Things That Make Me Want To Bite Someone

WARNING: I might gross you out with the last photo towards the end of my post. If you're eating and if you have a weak stomach, I suggest that you don't read the rest of this entry.Ü

I am aware that Bulalo and Nilaga are two different dishes, but to me they're the same. I think I just contradicted myself there.Ü Next to any Filipino dish that has tomato sauce, Lechon, and Sinigang, Nilaga and/or Bulalo → Filipino Beef Marrow Stew would be #4 on my list of must-try Filipino food. It's that perfect fix on a cold weather, just like what we have right now.

Anyways, last week I learned that IloIlo has their own version of the Bulalo, which is the KANSI. My friend AJ has been raving about this quaint Kansi place in Makati for months now and it was only last last Wednesday that I got the chance to first eat at PATPAT'S Kansi. The nice thing about this is that we won't have to drive all the way up to Tagaytay to eat at LZM or at Pansol in Laguna if and when we want to have a mean, good Bulalo.



Yes, I do eat that BUT I make sure that I eat it as soon as it's served because it can not look very appealing once it's cooled because I think it does resemble hardened fat or sebo.Ü You'll know what I mean. I've heard people say that the Bone Marrow isn't good for people with heart problems because it has high cholesterol content and true enough, each time I have some of it, I get somewhat dizzy. But what the heck? Anything for good food ─ and besides, it's not like I eat Bulalo every day. I probably eat this dish 3 to 5 times in a year. For 2009 I've only had it twice: (1) in Laguna last January after the Pansol trip that my friends and I had + (2) In Makati at the Kansi place two Wednesdays ago.



I'm sorry I can't give you any specific details about the price because I didn't bother to look at the menu since I already know what I was gonna have and at the same time, I was asked not to pay for my dinner last time.Ü However, I do know that the food is very reasonable. Our total bill was PHP1,100 which is approximately $23. We were a group of 5 so that's about PHP220 per head or $4.75 per person!

I hope I didn't discourage any of you with the Bulalo.
It's one of those best comfort foods that you can try because you're sure to feel sleepy after having it. GRATIFYING is the word. Sounds slothful right, but don't you just love that feeling after a hearty meal?

Labels: Food Trip, Good Times

This is going to be short and sweet.Ü
As Christmas draws near, I am reminded that despite problems God has still blessed me beyond belief. I am alive, breathing the air that God has given me. I have a wonderful man that loves & adores me and puts up with all my crazy shenanigans. I have friends who care. I may not be living in a mansion, but compared to others I am lucky I have a house. I may not have been in the best medical condition since 2008, but I was still given a second chance and am happy with the healthy lifestyle I chose. Though struggling with 4 pounds to lose, what the heck? I've already lost 23 pounds. Life is still good.

Labels: Because I'm Russ, Mid-Life Crisis

I have come to an unusual realization. I'm three types of people in one and that have yet to come to terms to live in harmony… One person is firm, in-charge, and independent. The other wants to be taken care of. And the third is peaceful, secure, and guided.

These 3 have difficulty getting along and sometimes one of them comes out and dominates the other, sometimes at unfavorable moments. This new found aloneness is making me re-acknowledge the people in me: the wants + the needs + the desires in me and hopefully at some point these three very different Russ-es will come to a unified Russ. I know that by coming to a state of solidarity and sameness within myself will I then only be able to become the person I truly hope and know I can be.

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A NOTE FOR RICHARD: I still cannot access your blog.Ö

Labels: Because I'm Russ, Things That Make Me Want To Bite Someone

PIXEL BUG Weekend 003
Last weekend was my first weekend without D ─ talk about a crappy one. Usually, when D isn't here, I make a constant and conscious effort to get out of the house more often. Needless to say, I already had plans last weekend but I wasn't able to accomplish anything. Since Mom's accident and with her condition, my time and schedule have been kind of tied to her, of course, she is first priority.

I was supposed to meet blog friends Circa 2003 in Rockwell, but I had a little emergency with Mom & she wouldn't go to the hospital without me. I had to bail out of my lunch date with girlfriends and ended up wrapping presents after Mom's hospital visit. Yes, I was bummed out that I wasn't able to see the girls, but I was still productive with a good head start wrapping my gifts.



I like gifts. And I love to give presents too. I enjoy wrapping gifts and put effort in it because I want the receiver to feel special and loved. When I write on the cards, I don't just scribble a mandatory "Merry Christmas" message. I make sure that what I say is not generic. I'm very OC when I wrap presents. Cutter and Double-Sided Tape are my best friends because they never fail to give me a super "clean" & "sleek" look. I believe that a way a present is wrapped expresses a lot.



Although I am certain that a lot of you find wrapping presents tedious, it's still good to devote time to Christmas wrapping. Even if you are on a budget, a thoughtfully & lovingly wrapped present tells the recipient that he or she matters and that you care. Yes, the wrappers will most likely end up in the trash can, but the smile that you'd see on the faces of friends and family, that is priceless.Ü

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If you want to play with us, you guys can join PIXEL BUG WEEKEND.
Please visit this site: www.pixelbug.sassymomslife.com

Photography is the best way to relive
happy memories and sweet moments. This is life as I see it ... → www.pixelbug.sassymomslife.com

Labels: Pixel Bug Weekend