Working It

Last weekend, my friend Portia spent the Memorial weekend with us in Atlanta. We, of course, did the usual rounds of what there was to see downtown, midtown, and at the perimeter of the city. Ending our weekend was lunch at The Varsity – the world’s largest drive-in restaurant and a veritable Atlanta institution, serving customers since 1928.

My Ninna, a die-hard hotdog fan, had a blast! And with her Varsity cap, definitely a happy customer.

What’ll ya have! What’ll ya have! (She’s a natural! No sales training needed.) :)

As for Ninna, it’s obvious that she can’t wait to dig in into her naked dogs.

No chili cheese dogs for this girl. Au naturelle is how she digs them.

The Atlanta experience is complete! :)

One for/from the road.

And then we went shopping. But that’s a whole other blog entry. :)

You can read more about what we ate here.

~~~
More weekend snapshots HERE.

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.31.2009 :: WeekendSnapshots :: 4 Comments »

These are the magnificent Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcons of the US Airforce. We caught them at the Thunderbirds exhibition at the Dayton Air Show a few years back and, despite the ensuing neck cramps from looking up so much, we really enjoyed the show. One can’t help but oooh and ahhh at the speed, power, and precision of these machines and their pilots. And it was good that we were able to catch the show a little bit before the heavens turned on its holy Grohe faucet – it started to rain so much that they had to cut the show short. Anyway, I’m glad we got to see this. My daughter enjoyed this high-speed spectacle a lot. :)

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.29.2009 :: Photo Friday :: No Comments »

For ChikaTuesday, what gross, weird, ugly, or even unnatural things did you discover about your husband after you started living together under the same roof?

My husband hardly reads my blogs so I hope he will not make an exception for this particular entry, haha! Here goes…

The snoring. Aarrgh! But surprisingly, I think I’m the only person in the known world who can sleep through this phenomenon. In fact, I really can’t have a good night’s sleep without my nightly lullaby. It actually comforts me in a way nothing does.

He does the number two every morning without fail. And if, by some freak event he doesn’t get to do his thing, for sure his whole day is flushed down the toilet, hehe!

As opposed to me, hubby can be pretty OC about sticking to a schedule, working on a plan of action, keeping our home clutter-free and organized, and wanting to know each and every little thing that happens in our life. If something goes awry, or if he feels he is left in the dark, he easily gets panicky, phobic,  or frustrated – which is pretty easy to be when living with little ole me, haha!

But, he does cook like a pro. I am so happy that I snagged a guy who is unnaturally good in the kitchen. Everything I learned about cooking adobo and sinigang, I learned from the master. Not a lot of wives can lay claim to something like that, so I definitely know a blessing when I see one.

Finally, and in order not to unneccesarily strain our marriage any further with my erstwhile confessions (haha!), he’s surprisingly a very hands-on dad. Just like the cooking thing, I really don’t know how I could have survived without his direct involvement in the household and  in raising our daughter.  For a guy with a seemingly tough exterior, he really is a highly responsible and adept softie inside – thus, effectively canceling out every gross or weird idiosyncracy that currently exists (or may eventually manifest) about him. :)

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.19.2009 :: WS Chika Tuesday :: 1 Comment »

Another Ten on Tuesday list, just so I could catch up. :) Anyway, most of my (loyal) readers know that my family and I move and travel around a lot, so I guess there’s really no reason why I can’t complete this list with ease. :) Just the US for now, ok?

1. New York City
I just love the vibe here. It’s different, it has a lot of character and culture, and a visit to the city never fails to give me a thrill of excitement.

2. San Francisco
If not for, NYC I can definitely leave my heart here.

3. Chicago
As evidenced by my love for #1 and #2, I love old cities with beautiful skylines and Chicago more that holds up its own.

4. Atlanta
Having lived here for a while, I can honestly say that its probably one of the best places to really settle down and live a nice southern, but definitely not slow, life.

5. Dallas
I don’t know why but, when I first stepped foot here, I had a really good feeling about it. I loved it better that I loved Houston (where we actually lived) and I wouldn’t mind making it our next home.

6. Miami
South Florida, all around, is wonderful. I do love this city for all that it has to offer – the beaches, nightlife, shopping, the beaches, food, eye candies, and most especially the beaches.

7. Las Vegas
I don’t really know if its the best idea to raise children on the strip (haha!) but, you all have to admit that this city is pretty exciting!

8. Monterey
Its the most charming place I’ve ever visited. Very charming!

9. Baltimore
The Maryland Crabs. Period.

10. Louisville
I’m partial to this city because, even though we’ve only lived here for seven months, the city welcomed us into its arms – with its perfect weather, its gracious people, its beautiful lush lands – and we really really made a home here.

So now you understand why an annual travel insurance makes sense for my family – truly, modern nomads are we.

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.19.2009 :: Ten on Tuesday :: 1 Comment »

This list is supposed was supposed to have been for last week but, I wasn’t able to do it because the shopping muse was not with me (as if that’s even possible, haha!). Anyway, here are the ten places I love to shop in. This is actually my second list (as this topic was already discussed before) but I did add some other stores this time around. And also, I’ll probably just limit myself to the US because otherwise ten won’t be enough. :)

1. Target
There’s just something about the red bulls eye that makes me want to “charge!”, hehehe!

2. Neiman Marcus
This probably is a little self-explanatory for designer label junkies like some people you might know.

3. Neiman Marcus Last Call
It’s up there together with Saks Off 5th and Nordstrom Rack.

4. Macy’s
When they go on sale, they really go on sale.

5. TJ Maxx
My official go to for ukay-ukay out of season goodies, hehe!

6. Whole Foods
I can live in this grocery store for ten years and you will still have a hard time kicking me out.

7. Online
Technically not a “place” to shop but, really, where can you ever find the best deals anything, including unlocked phones?

8. Best Buy
And my husband will love me more for including this in my list.

9. Sur La Table
Where my stuff of (kitchen) dreams reside.

10. Any Outlet Mall
Because I am a bargain-hunter by heart, I live to stalk prey after prey after prey.

Where do you love to shop? :)

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.19.2009 :: Ten on Tuesday :: 1 Comment »

This is how I would describe “The Day After”. Marriage is like riding a roller coaster – you know its scary, you know its harrowing, you know there will be highs and lows, and you know that the only thing that will save you from certain death is a flimsy harness – yet, even despite a long wait, we still go on it with our hands up in the air, heart on our sleeves.

Because, to me, what’s the point of going around and around in the circle of marriage without the thrill of a dip, a hairpin turn, or some corkscrews here and there? And, when the ride is over, you emerge from it as you want to emerge. Shaken? Sick? Stronger? Immortal.

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.18.2009 :: WS Memoir Monday :: 2 Comments »

Another one from my friend Kate via Facebook. Don’t you just love easy peasy tags? I do! :)

You can ONLY answer Yes or No.
You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks. — and believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming nothing is exactly as it seems.

Now, here’s what you’re supposed to do. . . Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag as many of your friends as you’d like to.

Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? YES.
Been arrested? — NO.
Kissed someone you didn’t like? — YES
Slept in until 5 PM? — YES.
Fallen asleep at work/school? — YES.
Held a snake? — NO.
Ran a red light? — YES.
Been suspended from school? — NO
Experienced love at first sight? — YES.
Totaled your car in an accident? — NO.
Been fired from a job? — NO.
Fired somebody? — NO.
Sang karaoke? — YES.
Pointed a gun at someone? — NO.
Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? — YES
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? — YES
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? — YES

*wait a minute, the last three questions gave me a sense of dejavu, haha! anyway, moving on…

Kissed in the rain? — NO.
Had a close brush with death — YES.
Played spin-the-bottle? — YES.
Sang in the shower? — YES.
Smoked a cigar? — YES.
Sat on a rooftop? — YES.
Smuggled something into another country? — YES.
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? — NO.
Broken a bone? — NO.
Skipped school? — YES.
Eaten a bug? — YES.
Sleepwalked? — NO.
Walked a moonlit beach? — YES.
Rode a motorcycle? — YES.
Dumped someone? — NO.
Forgotten your anniversary? — NO.
Lied to avoid a ticket? — NO.
Ridden in a helicopter? — NO.
Shaved your head? — NO.
Played a prank on someone? — YES.
Hit a home run? — NO.
Felt like killing someone? — YES.
Cross-dressed? — NO.
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? — YES.
Eaten snake? — NO.
Marched/Protested? — YES.
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? — NO.
Puked on amusement ride? — NO.
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? — YES.
Knitted? — YES.
Been on TV? — YES.
Shot a gun? — NO.
Skinny-dipped? — NO.
Gave someone stitches? — NO.
Eaten a whole habenero pepper? — NO.
Ridden a surfboard? — NO.
Drank straight from a liquor bottle? — YES.
Had surgery? — YES.
Streaked? — NO.
Taken by ambulance to hospital? — NO.
Tripped on mushrooms? — NO.
Passed out when not drinking? — YES.
Peed on a bush? — YES.
Donated Blood? — NO.
Grabbed electric fence? — NO.
Eaten alligator meat? — NO.
Eaten cheesecake? — YES.
Eaten your kids’ Halloween candy? — YES.
Killed an animal when not hunting? — YES.
Peed your pants in public? — NO.
Snuck into a movie without paying? — YES.
Written graffiti? — YES.
Still love someone you shouldn’t? — NO.
Think about the future? — YES.
Been in handcuffs? — NO.
Believe in love? — YES.
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? — NO.

How about that? There’s some things there that probably need a little explaining but, I’m not telling unless someone asks, haha! Although I’d probably answer a question about Wilmington NC real estate stuff better than I can explain some of the stuff that I did here. :D Oh well, that’s done!

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.15.2009 :: MeMeMee :: No Comments »

I am answering this one from my friend Kate (whom I haven’t seen in a while and miss a whole whole lot!). It’s another FB tag and I kinda like the idea of seeing how much of it I can say “been there, done that” to. :)

The Bucket List. Place an X by all the things you’ve done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then send it to your friends (including me).

Things you have done during your lifetime:
(x ) Gone on a blind date. (Yep, I was adventurous that way.)
(x) Skipped school.
( ) Watched someone die.
( ) Been to Canada. (Not yet!)
( ) Been to Mexico.
(x) Been to Florida. (Yes, lived there even! :D)
( ) Been to Hawaii. (Sort of. To echo Kate, does a stop over count?)
(x) Been on a plane.
( ) Been on a helicopter.
(x) Been lost.
(x) Gone to Washington, DC.
(x) Swam in the ocean.
(x) Cried yourself to sleep.
(x) Played cops and robbers.
(x) Recently colored with crayons.
(x) Sang Karaoke.
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only.
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t.
(x) Made prank phone calls.
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere.
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue. (Yes, and its a skill I recently taught my daughter, hehe!)
( ) Danced in the rain naked.
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus. (I even asked for a tv stand to go with my husband’s LCD tv wish, hehe!)
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe.
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone.
(x) Blown bubbles.
(x) Gone ice-skating.
(x) Gone to the movies.
( ) Been deep sea fishing.
( ) Driven across the United States. (But we plan to :D)
( ) Been in a hot air balloon.
( ) Been sky diving.
( ) Gone snowmobiling.
(x) Lived in more than one country.
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets.
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish.
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser.
(x ) Seen the Statue of Liberty.
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise.
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding…
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car.
(x) Been to Disneyland or Disneyworld. (Both!)
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer.
(x) Been in a rain forest.
( ) Seen whales in the ocean.
(x) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant.
( ) Swam with dolphins.
( ) Been to the Olympics.
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China.
( ) Saw and heard a glacier crack.
( ) Been spinnaker flying.
( ) Been water-skiing.
( ) Been snow-skiing.
( ) Been hang gliding.
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
( ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Jumped in the ocean when it was 20 degrees
( ) Gone skinny dipping

Not so bad, no? The last few ones are tough, though! But I promise to try to cross out some more on this list. Someday. :)

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.15.2009 :: MeMeMee :: 1 Comment »

Parang kailan lang noong nagsimula kaming gumising ng maaga para paghandaan ang unang araw ng pasukan. Ngayon, isang linggo na lang at matatapos na ang unang taon ng kanyang pagpasok sa paaralan.

Ang bilis talaga ng panahon.

~~~

Nang magtapos ang kanyang paghahari DITO, ang aking isa pang LP entry.

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.13.2009 :: Litratong Pinoy :: 24 Comments »

Name three celebrity couples that defied the norm and stuck to their marriage through thick and thin, fire and brimstone, and paparazzi and tabloids.

Barack and Michelle Obama

Aside from the fact that both of them are good-looking, their marriage inspires me because although both are highly self-actualized as individuals, together, they are formidable. They have a clear picture of what exactly they want for their family and their country, and they’re not afraid to show their love and support for one another. They are truly a very good role model for every family in this country.

David and Victoria Beckham

A pop star and a star athlete, after almost 12 years of marriage, they still look good together and look soooo much in love. Who knew, right?

Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan

Going local, I first wanted to include my idol, Sharon Cuneta and her hubby, Sen. Kiko but, because of all the chismis about them that never seemed to end, I just decided to post the other Pangilinan couple. I admire Anthony and Maricel because, from the very start, they already know that they need to have God, each other, and their family as the center of their relationship – everything else comes second. Plus, I also love that they are very hands-on with their kids, not a lot of celebrity couples can lay claim to that.

MrsWorkingGirl :: May.12.2009 :: WS Chika Tuesday :: 2 Comments »