2011 Here I Come!

I don't know why but I am very enthusiastic about 2011. It could be that 2010 was all about learning the ropes and roles in life. I won't say that I am an expert though. 2010 taught me the value of time even more especially now I am a mom to my baby boy Ashton.



My niece Anya would say in Lightning McQueen's words, Focus. Speed, I am Speed

I've been rallying myself to FOCUS, it's very easy to be sidetracked by a lot of things. In 2010, I've been mostly distracted so much by blogging and it's social circle. It is fun but like in my previous post, I could be more productive at home.

Another thing most of us are concerned with, even subconsciously is how others would perceive us. How we want to please everyone and in the end, we leave our goals hanging in the air. I think this is a common trait of Filipinos but I've been encountering people (during my travels) who know what they want, and they just go get it. Even people who play Online Casino know how focus can win them a million.

Not that we should become selfish, I am sure there are times when we thought of others and changed our plans because of them, only for those people to disappoint us. In the end, they also thought of themselves first and went ahead with their own plans.

Then there's how we should all learn to say no, and say what we want to say - directly. This is equally important in business and in saving us a lot of time.

So, Lightning McQueen - like him if we focus and try to go fast, we could all win our game this 2011. Kachika!

Staying home making money

This should be blogged on my financial site but I want to spill it like it is, so I am publishing here on my personal blog. Passing on attending functions, I don't call them blog events anymore because the term stinks with issues, is a big step for me.

As much as I would love to be there, I have redirected my focus even more to my son and also realized that I am quiet making more money staying at home. Currently, I am experimenting and hope to reach an equilibrium.

Many advertisers just send me their products for review via courier which is excellent, less hassle for both parties and I can try them on my own time. Some ask me for a quick talk over coffee or lunch which we can schedule in, again, our own time.

I'd have to train myself to become a home buddy because I know babies want their mommies beside them, not their nannies.

I've been chatting with some moms who also do the same, some run a CPC network but I am still reading about it. The most popular one is Clickbooth who said "Google AdWords, Meet Your Competition: Clickbooth "

Thankfully, stay at home mommy bloggers I know are really helpful in teaching me how to become an affiliate. Though I have other projects on hand, I have a financial goal to reach before the year ends.

I am eyeing on investing some of my savings so I have to make more. I love the Internet on how it provides for me and my family, so great that we can do it in our pyjamas. Yet, a part of me wants to move forward and give others a chance.

You see, I love to cook and bake. I wish I can do more of this soon while still blogging as a hobby :) Praying for more blessings this holiday season and the new year.

Though it's not Christmas yet, I want to give thanks to our partners in business, our suppliers, and clients for making this year a profitable one :)

Christmas Shopping Budget

This blog post is for my Christmas shopping budget! It's just simply too hard to resist christmas bazaars, especially the yearly WorldBex Christmas Bazaar that happens at The World Trade Center. This year, because I am trying to save - I want to come prepared with a list and a specified budget for shopping.

Usually (read: when I was still single), I don't care if I splurge all my money buying items and clothes that I wouldn't even wear. Now I want to be a budget planner and thought that I should earn my shopping money online. This week, I am dedicating my online work for it. I am even thinking of making a budget worksheet and a list of things that I want to buy. That should keep me on track whilst making my shopping guilt-free.

I am allotting just $100 for my budget and that should include gifts for everyone including some bazaar finds for my own closet. This is the first year I am trying out this "technique" which should make my Christmas a happy budget-friendly one.

Most people would spend so much during the holidays and start the new year with very few savings. I have a friend who even uses a free budget software and so far, she has kept her finances on the right course.

For Anya's Club Penguin Membership

It's christmas time and the first person I always think of is Anya - she's the first baby in the family and as we all believe - Christmas time is for kiddielets. Since she is in Australia, I always have a hard time sending her gifts unlike when we spend Christmases together, I can give her as many gifts as I want.

Recently, she has discovered an online game from Disney called Club Penguin. She actually showed it to me during her last visit last June. I find it amazing how kids can maneuver laptops, setup Twitter accounts and surf for crazy stuff like funny t-shirts.

Anya, she's passionate about club penguin and although I wouldn't want her to become a net addict like me, it's just so heartwarming to see her smile everytime she levels up. My sister Joni emailed me too on how Anya needs AUD 35 to continue playing. I am now working on my tasks aside from a social marketing campaign so I can raise $35 tonight and send it to her via Paypal.

Anything for my favorite baby girl! :) That's us last year in a Melbourne flat.

I'm also saving so I can go back but I am of course, torn in between investing the money or just use it for travel. God will find a way :)

Work Hard. Party Harder!

Mommy and Baby on a Roll

If Ashton is growing bigger, mommy is getting busy-er. It's been awhile as usual since I last updated this but I just want to say - I love being a mom! It just opened up a whole new world for me and everyday, I live with a purpose.



I love how I rush home to cuddle Ashton, how I imagine the future with Ashton as a toddler like what his favorite food would be, favorite cartoon character, etc. If I can have one wish, I wish I can focus on my baby but of course, Ashton will also grow up like us and walk away someday from being under our wings.

Hence, the other life I live as a writer, blogger, and so much more I just won't right here :) I am enjoying so much right now, I thought - like every new mom, that I'll be in a drab forever singing lullabies and washing bottles. I am lucky I found the perfect mix and have the means to get assistance.

I always veer away from housechores eating so much of your time, I don't want a relationship with squeeky clean floors or shiny spotless glasses - I want a relationship with my family. I want to be able to enjoy the now and I wish more people, especially women do so. Yet, my online career (if I may call it that) is getting demanding as well so I am trying to pace it down a bit.

Lucky too I am able to work at times and attend to occasions with my baby in tow. I treat this lifestyle as the interest earned from the words I've carved in paper and cyberspace. Sometimes I write about business insurance quotes and even business insurance policy, but what I like most is writing about being a mom.

Sometimes, I am too happy I dread the time everything will end or change. Like what happens if cyberspace collapses? weird. But I have read several pieces on being in the now, doing my womanly role instead of trying to do a man's work, and being content with what has been given.

Just writing whatever flows into my brain right now. Later I still have to research on a group health plan and it is 1AM. I wish there is more hours than just 24.

Twin Hearts

When Anya was less than a year old, we used to watch this teleserye of Dingdong Dantes and Tanya Garcia called Twin Hearts.

It played in the background while my sisters and I take turns in minding Anya as a baby. The theme song was very catchy and we would sing it to Anya.. "Twin Hearts, we would never be apart, I will love you for the rest of my life..."



Hay, how time flies! I am sure Anya doesn't remember. But you know how babies love songs and they smile whenever they hear familiar tunes. I also took to heart the lyrics of Twin Hearts (corny!) but really, it was not only my song for Anya but for my sister Joni as well.

When we were young, Ate Joni and I get sad everytime we watch the American Tail. Channel 2 used to air this every Christmas. The scene where they sang "Somewhere out there" and the two rats were apart. Now it feels like that. "It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky". Tissue please!



I still weep everytime I remember this because when I was a kid, I never thought we'd be continents apart. I get to visit though and she does too, but it's just different when you're simply in the same place and time.

Here is Joni and Anya now, looking fabulous! I miss them so much T_T At least we have the same headbands.




We will always be together until the end of time :)

It's still ME, blogging since geocities

I've abandoned this blog because it's just not how it used to be. Blogging has evolved into something more than a personal log or diary into Online Marketing achuchuchu. Now personal blogs seem to look like a joke, why oh why did blogging became so serious here in Manila. Not that I am complaining but I wish there are less chuchu's judging people like they're on American Idol. Not everyone is expecting their blogs to be the next bestsellers. Some people, like me, just want to write.




Anyway, lots have changed including my life with the arrival of my first descendant. From the suzaku, came ash. Now he is 3 months old and I think I've matured faster than anyone could ever imagine. But underneath, it's still me - cos I thought I'd lost myself along the way.

Rawr.

Lace Llanora
blogging since geocities and notepad.

One day at Salcedo

I pushed hard for us to have one Saturday morning at the Salcedo market. I haven't gone there and wanted to experience this with my sisters and Anya, of course my own mini family with the boys - Azrael and Ashton.



We got overwhelmed with all the food displayed in endless stalls. Cotton candies, taho, and yogurt were also on wheels circling the market.

Anya and Liza

Before buying anything else, I promised Anya that we'll have some popsicles.

My sister Joni reunited with Taho

Joni and Liza ended up getting barbecues, I got a spinach lasagna. They also tried some takoyakis which were too hot to eat, I never got a taste of it. We then headed to the park for lunch.



Lots of tables and dining area, but I brought Anya to the playground first.



Here's Anya with Kuya Bernard "because he can push higher" than me.


And then we enjoyed lunch, Joni and Anya were so hot because they came from the bottom of the earth. Both were turning red already so we headed to Shangri-la mall.

I wish everyday was like this, going places and burning money.

Sisters

A lot has happened...


but we still have each other :)

In pictures: Liza, Joni, Lace, and Anya

I love smileys!

Because I plurk a lot and have not reached Nirvana, I am using these emoticons I found on the net instead :)

Mother's Day in Heat

Well I am glad I still have this personal blog to spill on. I am not happy today, the past three days that is because me and my little sister are overly stressed.

We are also a bit disappointed and in disbelief. Hay, I wish I can let out all the poison in our hearts here but my personal blog is not that personal anymore and lots of visitors are coming in and out.

The point is, this mother's day is the worst. Worse than the summer heat, worse than not acknowledging our mother's day card. Do you ever think or doubt if you really know your mother? It's not a good feeling.

Happy Birthday Anya! :D

To the coolest Pirate in Australia - Anya, happy 7th birthday! :) I wish that I was there to become part of your awesome pirate party complete with costumes and candies. But we will see each other next month, yay!



Here is your video singing I'm Yours, because you're just not a pirate but also a superstar ^__^
I hope we can record another one when you arrive.

I love you baby! you are number one cool dude :D

Just Married

To my best friend and worst enemy of five years. Azrael, me, and baby Ashton are all happy and that's the only thing that matters :)

Yeyey the Blogger

Because I find it difficult to go places on my own, I brought my auntie Yeyey with me yesterday. We went to Landmark to finally go baby shopping and after that, I had to attend an event about 7-eleven and their new campaign.



Helen and her media badge

This is Yeyey's second blog event and I am very happy that she enjoys everytime she goes with me.


She is an avid supporter of the Aquino's, now of Noynoy. Hence her choice this upcoming election is Noynoy.

Ate Glow was there, the impersonator of PGMA. We really had a great time laughing our butts off.



Of course, she was more happy because of the overflowing Coke - her one true love.

Mama versus Mango Tree

Ooops!

The mango tree is full of fruits this summer! Mama and Kuya Bernard are very happy. One afternoon they were picking mangoes and Mama asked me to take her photo.

She posed under the fruits, with her hands touching some of the mangoes. Then, the mangoes started to fall off the tree!


Take Two!

These mangoes will turn yellow once placed in the fruits basket.



Delicious!

I want to get away!

I have been trying to be positive especially I am expecting but I just can't take it anymore, I want to escape with my baby in tow. We'd go somewhere peaceful with lots of water, birds, and blue skies.

The first thing I did this morning was to filter all my emails, remove people from my networks, and now I plan to not give a damn about stupid people and their stupid actions. All I will think of is delivering my baby. Stupid people including women who are so desperate of men clinging to someone who is about to have a son are putting me in danger.

I am so stressed out and tired that I had bloody discharge several times yesterday.

I wouldn't care about you, about our stupid router that won't work with my gadgets, and you who don't know how to use your brains.

I can't wait to deliver, go to work, and give my son a great future with or without anybody's help.

Where I'm Blogging

Happy New Year! I finally fixed up my new blog which is all about my current pregnancy :) Sometimes, I throw in other things as well. I think this new phase deserves a new blog and it's currently my focus.



Kindly point your browsers to: http://mommylace.blogspot.com

Tell me what you think! :)

Merry Christmas Anya!

I can't be with Anya this Christmas and God knows when I will see her next. She is fond of Pokemon, everything Pokemon that is. When I spotted this doll at a toy fair, I knew I had to get it for her.



Hugging Pikachu before sending it off to Australia.


And now Anya shared the hug this Christmas!

I love you Anya :D

Mama Papaya

One of the things that always brighten my day are our fruit bearing trees. I've written about them so many times here, but this is now the season of Papaya.


Kilawing Papaya with Corned Tuna + Sardines

The papaya tree bears so many fruits that we had to barricade it from "fruit snatchers" inside the village. Lots of people are asking for some papaya but we have to wait until they are ripe. Our family used the papaya in several ways like for cooking, eating it ripe as dessert, and making atchara out of it.



Here is mama preparing atchara from young green papaya fruits. These will be sent to my sister's family in Australia.