Getting married and having a baby really changed my perspective in life. I thought I'd be the cool, working mom able to handle both the corporate grind and family life. But only a few months after I gave birth I'm willing to kick off my heels and just stay at home to be with my baby. I don't care if I spent two years in business school... I just wanna be a stay-at-home-mom.

What's up with our generation today?!!! I've had several friends who quit work after giving birth. Some, after years of being successful in their careers, are ready to give up and be a housewife. Remember the 60's when this was all the rage? When moms and dads have very defined roles at home?

Well, I won't actually be a full time housewife. My friends and I are cooking up something - a business venture we know we will enjoy doing and we know we're really good at. Maybe I wouldn't be ready to quit work if only I was doing something I LOVE.

I've been bugging hubby about this. At first he wasn't happy about it because his dad died when he was quite young. And he would always tell me, if his mom didn't work, he probably wouldn't be able to finish school in one of the prestigious universities here in the Philippines. But since he became a father, he's also concerned about raising his son by a nanny.

I guess despite what society thinks about "housewives", more and more mommies would rather embrace their true calling as nurturers. And I am one of them.

Lea Salonga

This June, Lea Salonga graces the cover of Metro. I just had to grab a copy. When I was in 4th grade, when Miss Saigon was gaining it's popularity, and Lea Salonga as Kim as well, my classmates and I would memorize ALL the songs in the musical. Until now I knew all the songs. My favorite was the confrontation between Thuy and Kim.

When Miss Saigon came here in the Philippines, it was Joanna Ampil who we saw. She was also good but of course, Lea Salonga will forever be Kim.

The feature article was very insightful. Love her fashion spread as well. Before Charice Pempengco and Manny Pacquiao, it was Lea Salonga who brought pride to us Pinoys.

Soup #50

A month (used to be a week) doesn't go by that I don't drop by one of my favorite resto to gobble up my comfort food. It's the #50 soup on the menu of Pho Hoa. Sorry, I never could remember the Vietnamese name for this one.

I don't know what the soup has that I just feel happy and giddy inside whenever I eat it. I love it spicy so I put several drops of their version of hot sauce. I don't put the local basil and lemon in it. I just want the simple, spicy taste. I'm very adventureous when it comes to food and would try anything. But this is my staple meal in Pho Hoa.

I love Vietnamese food. I love their sandwhich too.

I wish I could go to Vietnam and have a food fest...

Japanese Invasion

I hate places like Japan Home and Saizen... I end up buying stuff I don't really need coz they have stuff you don't really think about but it's there. And suddenly you say to yourself... "ay, ang cute!"

I was at Market! Market! the other day with my bff and I did just that when I went to Japan Home. Ended up buying some embossing thing. While walking we saw Blades... supposedly a store for automotive stuff. But half the store sold Japanese anik-aniks. Good thing we just came from Japan Home and sweldo was still a week away, or else I'd end up buying some of these things.

I tried talking as much pics I could. But the saleslady was always right behind me. I think she wasn't very happy I was talking photos on my phone.

memo pad in a cookie. it smelled like a cookie too!

just one of the phones they sold. they had beer bottles and soda cans

i love this! it's a tissue holder. sosyal way of bringing your tissue in the bathroom at work while doing #1 or #2!

also a tissue holder. open the cap and pull the tissue out.

my favorite! old school pencil case! i thought they didn't make these anymore... remember pushing a button and out comes the sharpener or the ruler???

They had lots of cute pens, keychains and picture frames too. I wonder where they get all these stuff?! It's addicting!

Pinoy Pride

This Independence Day, Havaianas Philippines celebrates our national pride by coming out with a limited edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection. Four different styles to choose from, all of which bear the Philippine flag stud. Hurry to all Havaianas stores coz only available while supplies last.

The exclusive Havaianas Filipinas Collection will be available starting June 12, 2009 in the following Metro Manila outlets: All Flip-Flops, Aloha Boardsports, Celio, FiveForty Surf Shop, J&S Surfshop, Manila Polo Club, Moana, ROX, Rustan's, Sepatu, Stoked, The Zone and Kidsports. For provincial outlets, please contact the retail outlet nearest you, found via our website: http://www.havaianasphilippines.com/main/.

You've Got Mail

Frank: What about you, is there someone else?

Kathleen Kelly: No. No, but... but there's the dream of someone else.

Sigh... I miss these kinds of movies...