Life's little pleasures

Went to the Filipino Supermarket in Vallejo last night. And look what I found!!!

Really happy about finding the Century Tuna Hot and Spicy. Sayang nga lang 'coz there was only one left. Would have wanted at least 6 cans:0P

A Very Long Weekend Indeed

Weekend Warriors


the momentous first stroke of color

The last weekend of May is the 3-day Memorial Weekend, the unofficial start to summer here in the States. But as most of America plan their start-of-summer trips, my husband and I geared up for our first-ever DIY home improvement project --- transforming our kitchen (including the ceiling) into a warm, cozy sunny yellow from its present cold white appearance.

We worked from 8am to 12 midnight of Saturday, and from the afternoon of Sunday to the early hours of Monday.

And these are just some of the lessons we’ve learned (some of it, the hard way) along the way.

Lesson #1: Take off the painter’s tape while the paint is still wet!

I can’t stress this enough! This is actually our biggest and most time-consuming mistake. We were so tired after painting the top coat that we came around to removing the painter’s tape the day after. And we were so dismayed to discover that some of the paint strips off with the tape :0P What resulted was a long overtime of retouching the stripped areas.

Lesson #2: The preparation time is longer than the actual painting time.

It took us most of the day to prepare our walls for repainting. We scrubbed, wiped, spackled, sanded and primed before we even got around to applying the first brush-stroke of our yellow paint.

Lesson #3: Take into consideration the colors of the switches and outlets.

As we were basking in the glow of our sunny kitchen, the dingy off white switches and outlets seemed to be shouting their desire to be changed. That meant new switches, sockets and plates plus rewiring everything.

Lesson #4: Make a list of everything, and I mean everything, you could ever need for the project and get it in one visit.

Returning to the Home Depot again and again ate into our actual project time thus extending it.

Lesson #5: Share the work.

Mr. A helped in returning everything to its proper place and I helped in rewiring the outlets and the switches. This way, he learned something about balance and design and I learned a thing or two about power drills and wiring.

Lesson #6: Turn off the power of the whole house while rewiring.

We were properly outfitted for the painting job with safety goggles, gloves and masks. But when we were rewiring the switches and sockets, we first tried turning off just the kitchen zone. Mr. A found out the hard way (by touching a live wire; he's ok, just a lil startled at the experience :0P) that one of the switches was still alive.

Lesson #7: Enjoy yourselves!

It was tiring work, I admit. By the time we finished painting, my hand felt numbed and I had zero grip strength, my husband, on the other hand, had neck and arm strain with a VPS of 7/10 :0P But since we talked, laughed, sang and even danced through it all, it was also bonding time for both of us.

After everything, it was rewarding to finally get rid of the coldness of our kitchen. Plus our much brighter and cozier kitchen is another tangible evidence that we really are good together :0)

Destressing


Our bargain finds

After working so hard for the first two days of the weekend, we decided to destressed on the third day. What better way to destress than to shop our fatigue away!

We traveled the ~100 miles to the Gilroy Premium Outlets.

It's 145 stores of shopping heaven :0) Our best bargains of the day were my Hello Kitty bag and cellphone holder, both for just $9, my funky Nike walking shoes for $31 (with a free pair of Nike socks thrown in), Mr. A's Geoffrey Beene shirt and my Van Heusen blouse for just $14 each.

Even found three $5 dollar coupons lying around at the counter when we stopped for drinks:0) Really helped us in making more of a bargain.

Actually bought more stuff to send to my family in Manila, but will just keep to myself how much of a bargain they are lest my family thinks that I'm such a cheapskate hehe :0D

midweek tryst (warning: mushy post ahead)

Had a lunch date with my husband yesterday that stretched into dinner :0)

To take advantage of the lovely sunny day, we went to the Emeryville Marina and had lunch at the dimsum place there. Since the place had floor to ceiling windows, it afforded us a breathtaking view of the San Francisco Bay while we enjoy the yummy dimsum.

We had stuffed tofu, siu mai, spice duck dumplings, shrimp dimsum (deepfried and steamed) and the fun chow noodles with shrimp. Everything was yummy, except for the spice duck which was too gingery for my taste.

After lunch, we strolled around the marina. It was really nice to have my husband at my side, his hands in mine, with the waves as our music and the sun as our guide. We talked about serious things, laughed about stupid things and just mainly enjoyed each other's company.

The day just underlined the facts I've known all along -- that I love my husband very much and that I'm so lucky to have him in my life. I can't help but thank God again that we're finally together :0)

The extraction went well.

It was actually better than I expected.

After filling out some forms, I was whisked away to the OR, with a dental chair instead of an operating table. I was then strapped with a BP apparatus and other monitors for my vital signs.

The most unpleasant part was the insertion of the IV for the anesthesia. But it was soon over in a second since there wasn't a needle in the IV, just a small tube.

What was weird was the fact that I could hear the surgeon and the nurses talking during the extraction. I was even able to follow instructions. When it was finished, it seemed like just 5 minutes to me when in reality, it took almost half an hour!

I guess that's what sedation does to you :0P

I'm actually feeling better now. No painful episodes, just a lil swelling. I even managed to join my two babies at the park for a walk :0)


Mr.A and Tootsie

Pre-extraction weekend

Will have two of my third molars taken out first thing Monday morning, which drove me to convince Mr. A to make the most of our weekend.

And we did!

Saturday, we went to the San Francisco Zoo...



and to the Japanese Tea Garden...



to the Rose Garden...



even managed a short visit to the beach...



Sunday, we were at the Aquarium of the Bay...



walked down Fisherman's Wharf and stopped for caramel apples...



went to Ghirardelli Square for a taste of their famous hot fudge sundae...



walked back to Fisherman's Wharf, stopped for some chicken wings at Hooter's...


and finally reached Pier 39 where we parked our SUV.



It really was a very nice weekend for us :0)

inside a hallmark movie

Refugio Valley Park, 15-min walk from our house

I was in the park this afternoon, watching old couples walking, mommies and toddlers playing on the swings, men jogging, teens playing frisbee, women walking their dogs... and I felt like I was sucked into a Hallmark channel movie.

You know, those stories about families, that always have these park scenes where the family relationship is usually established (or something like that).

Anyway, it was a little surreal to find myself in a beautiful park at midday, reading a book and people watching.

The career woman in me found this such a waste of time. But I've learned to appreciate the time I have on my hands at present. I know that before I know it, I will be caught up in work and would find times like these a rare luxury.

***
I've accepted it.

'It' being the bitter reality that I have to exert more effort than usual to keep my weight stable :0P

I've become friendly with the stepper here at home, and with the weights. But walking to the park is my favorite form of exercise :0) That's why I'm hoping that the spring weather continues.

***
Way to go, Uchenna and Joyce!

I'm so happy that they won TAR7!! I didn't want Rob and Amber to win but I (grudgingly) admire their composure and team work. I was sad for Ron and Kelly, for during their live interview at The Early Morning Show this (duh!) morning, they said that they weren't dating anymore.

I guess going through life-changing experiences with someone can either make you grow closer or apart.

dyosa in action!

Was in full-blown domestic-goddess-in-training mode today.

For lunch, I whipped up tuna-pesto spaghetti for the main meal, with ceasar's salad to start it off and a fondue (fresh bananas, cherries and grapes with Ghirardelli milk chocolate)to end it in style. Even managed to turn our left-over pandesal into garlic bread to accompany the pasta.

Dinner, meanwhile, was a simpler affair. Deep-fried tofu for a tokwa-tokwa entree` and just stir-fried bean sprouts with shrimp and carrots. Our leftovers from the weekend completed the meal.

It was very satisfying to see Mr. A and Tita Mommy (my MIL) enjoy the food I prepared :0)

***

Byebye Doggie



Meet Doggie. We found her yesterday outside Mr.A's office building and gave her food, drink and shelter for the night.

She's intelligent and very playful. She's also very affectionate, as demonstrated by the numerous times she tried to climb up Mr. A to lick him in the face :0)

That's why it saddened us to drive her to the animal shelter this morning. As much as we wanted to keep her, we really couldn't for our beloved Tootsie is already a handful to us.

We hope she'll soon have a family and a home to call her own.

***

Bought tickets for Wicked already!

We'll be watching it a week after my birthday :0)

It's only been a week since ticket sales started but it's already so difficult to find nice seats for a weekend play date. So we settled for nice seats on a weekday.

Can't wait to get the tickets!

where the grass is green and the girls are pretty... (and the mangoes smell lovely)

me and mom

I e-mail my family in Manila regularly but I rarely call.

It's because when I do get to hear their voice, I am suddenly homesick. I start missing them so much, it actually hurts a little.

My phone call to my mom for Mother's Day was no exception. The waterworks started with my hello and went on for almost half of the conversation.

My mom told me to stop crying, and grow up... in betweens sobs :0P hehe Like mother, like daughter.

***

Saw some mangoes in the Asian grocery today. I picked up one to smell it, expecting that lovely tangy scent that Phil. mangoes have. I was sad to find out that there was no smell.

I suddenly missed Manila.

Oh, and it was weird to see mangoes that turn red when ripe.

On a better note, I was able to get myself some Piattos! I love Piattos!!! And having a stash here at home is really a pick-me-upper ;0)

looking forward to summer wicked-ness

Wicked will be in town this summer. Just in time for my birthday!!

Got the book last Saturday at Borders (part of my buy 3, get 1 free bargain). I'm still thinking if I want to read it before or after I get to see the play.

But I'm definitely going to see the play!

fantasy square and garage sales

Inside Nordstrom

Saks Fifth Avenue. Tiffany's. Niketown. Williams Sonoma. Shreve and Co. Macy's. Neiman Marcus. FAO Schwartz. Armani. Versace. Victoria's Secret.

Looking at a few of the names that makes up Union Square, the hub of San Francisco's shopping district, you wouldn't wonder why some people call it fantasy square :0P

Mr. A and I spent the afternoon going around the square, trying hard not to gawk at the prices of the goods and maintaining the nonchalant air of the rich hehe :0D

***
Early in the day, we went around our city, scouting for more affordable finds at the citywide garage sales.

My mother-in-law was fortunate enough to find a dresser that suited her (lots of drawers and a big mirror) for just forty bucks! My find was a Miss Marple mystery (by Agatha Christie) for just a quarter!

I gotta say that bargain hunting sure beats fantasy square scouting ;0)

Another installment of my dental saga

In about a week, I will be sedated and will go home 2 molars less than what I had when I came in.

It’s weird because I am looking forward to that extraction in the way that you look forward to things you dread – so that you can have them finally over with.

I was very apprehensive about it since I haven’t had any of my teeth pulled out in the 27 years that I’m alive. But talking to the oral surgeon who’s going to do the extraction made me feel much better.

My dentist actually recommended having all four of my wisdom teeth removed but Dr. M told me that removing the two lower ones would be enough. For that alone, he has earned my respect and eternal gratitude.

Dr. M also explained every little thing to me, managing to assuage most of my fears and my doubts about the whole procedure. He also recommended sedating me (which he described as “not being unconscious but just not caring”) to make the whole process more comfortable.

(That was a lot of load off my mind since back in Manila, extractions are commonly done with local anesthetic only. And the stories you hear are just downright scary.)

As I understand it, I just have to fast 8 hours before and basically float through the whole process.

Cool.

I’m not yet thinking of the post-op scenario lest I lose my nerve :0P

deep cleaning + sausage on a bun afterwards = very bad idea

I went to the dentist today to have the right half of my mouth deep-cleaned. I have to be honest, I do not know a thing about dental deep cleaning when I went in.

After a 45-minute session, I learned the following:

1. Deep cleaning involves topical and local anesthesia. Which means injecting a local anesthetic around the area. Which means, in plain words, SHOTS ON YOUR GUMS.
2. With the injecting part done, it is not a painful process, just an uncomfortable one.
3. It’s hard to rinse while half of your mouth is numb, not to mention a little embarrassing since the rinse keeps dribbling out :0P

Although the process wasn’t painful, it was still unpleasant. So when we went to COSTCO afterwards, I told my husband that I deserve a big Polish sausage on a bun, slathered with lots of mustard as a pick-me-upper.

I had my sausage, with a big sundae on the side. Problem was, half of my mouth was still numb. It was a very messy and totally embarrassing experience trying to eat with half of my mouth essentially not working. I couldn’t chew, I couldn’t even feel if I have mustard or bits of relish on my lips!

My husband found the whole thing amusing. Obviously, I did not :0P

I was in shopping heaven for a day.

I took a break from my domestic-goddess-in-training mode and spent a day at the outlet stores.

The Vacaville Outlet stores was 2 plazas-worth of premium retail spaces!

Liz Clairborne. Liz Clairborne Shoes. Dress Barn. Naturalizer. Banana Rep Factory Store. Eddie Bauer. Gap Outlet. Guess. Bath and Body Works. Nautica. Tommy Hilfiger. Wilson’s Leather Outlet. Calvin Klein. Nike. Levi’s. Ralph Lauren. Coach.

And these are only the brand names that I recognize!

We only managed to browse through the west block but it was still shopping heaven for me :0)

Mr. A kept telling me that I just have to point out the items I wanted and he’ll buy it for me. And I keep reminding myself to remember the difference between want and need :0P

Needless to say, my practical and my kikay side were on an all-out war.

Kikay Leah: That sleeveless, dreamy, yellow biased-cut floral dress from the Dress Barn sure is perfect for spring.
Practical Leah: Have we adapted enough to the climate here that we can already wear a flimsy, sleeveless dress? I don’t think so.
Kikay Leah: But it’ll show up beautifully when we wear it sightseeing and get our picture taken.
Practical Leah: Are you suggesting traipsing around San Francisco in a dress that would probably lead us to Influenza?

Sigh. Practical me won that round.

But that’s not to say Kikay Leah was a loser all throughout the day. My new pair of Mockup Espresso Suede shoes from Naturalizer and a matching suede bag from Wilson’s Leather are victorious evidences.

(Since the shoes were a gift from Tita Mommy (my mom-in-law) and the bag was from Mr. A, the victories were all the more sweeter :0) )

My two sides even managed to agree on one major purchase – a front zip-up white jacket from Geoffrey Beene. Warm and stylish.

My minor purchases include a hairband to keep my hair off my face at home, a set of curlers and a butterfly clip all from Claire’s Accessories. Also stocked up on my favorite scent, White Tea and Ginger from Bath and Body works. Got both the body splash and the body cream.

At first, it was a challenge not to convert everything into Philippine pesos, but after a while, I soon got the hang of taking the dollar price at face value (Or else I wouldn’t be able to buy anything!). I was also a little guilty since I am spending, what is essentially, conjugal money (my husband’s, in short :0P). But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed myself :0)

nothing irritates like a toothache :0P

My impacted wisdom tooth is acting up again.

I got a topical analgesic to soothe the angry red gums that surrounds it. It worked Wednesday night. But last night, I had to resort to a couple of Advils to keep the hounding pain away.

Looking inside my mouth, I couldn't see the darn tooth anymore. Yup, the swelling was that bad that the gums seem to cover up my half-buried tooth :0P I am even starting to look like a chipmunk with a cheekful of nuts.

I knew then that I needed more than pain relievers to battle the pain and the inflammation. Problem is, unlike in Manila, I couldn't get OTC antibiotics here.

So I went to the dentist today. I had a complete set of dental x-rays taken and I was prescribed with pain relievers and antibiotics. I also had a whole dental treatment plan laid out to me. Last but not the least, I was referred for wisdom tooth extraction.

I am really apprehensive about the surgery but if it means never having to contend with this pain anymore, then I am all for it.

golden weekend

Finally.

Goodbye, Manila. Hello, California.


SFO Airport: Welcomed with love and roses :0)

Seeing Mr. A waiting for me with a bouquet of red roses more than compensates for the physically and emotionally tiring journey from MNL to SFO.


A touching welcome!

The "welcome home" banner and the balloons really touched me. It kept the strangeness and the newness of it all at bay.

There's more to my move than these few sentences but everything's just churning inside me. This is after all the climax of more than 4 years of waiting and planning. The start of more wonderful years of actually living.

There's a mixture of excitement and sadness and adventure to it all.

Happy Birthday Page!

Page1stBday
Originally uploaded by Pinipi.

My inaanak (godchild)Page celebrated her first birthday last Saturday with a luau party :0)

I'm amazed at how fast time flies. I can clearly remember cradling a 2-week old Page... and now, she's practically a teen ager! hehe

I'm a lil sad coz I just realized that when I'm far away already, I won't have the same ringside seat to her growing-up years.

Oh-well.

DAY 2

Can't be heroic for 2 days in arow, that's why I arrived at the clinic at 7.30AM. I was ready to wait the whole day as long as I get a decent sleep :0P

Today involves completing my immunization and waiting for my records to be released.

I was already settling down for a long wait when the Immunization Room opened. And wonders of wonder (but to the dismay of all those who came before me), I was the first one called for immunization! Turned out it wasn't first come, first served this time around, but whoever gets all their records sent up first. Guess I was the lucky one :0)

I dreaded being poked again but I have no choice. Was anticipating getting only one shot, but when I can't point out any lingering sign of my bout with chicken pox, I got another shot as a bonus :0P Now, both my arms are feeling sore.

After that, I just waited for my records. Turned out, I get only the X-ray film and the immunization sheet. All other results will be forwarded to the embassy for my interview.

I was done and out of there by quarter to 10AM.

With the whole medical exam over with and with no unnecessary delays, I feel lighter. Now, at least I only have the interview to worry about :0P

Day 1 down, Day 2 to go...

Finally finished with the first day of my US Immigration Medical Exam. Timeframe: From 4.40am to 11.15am.

I'm crossing my fingers that all results are what they should be (meaning A-OK) so that there will be no more unnecessary delays.

Details to come as I am already cross-eyed with sleep.

***

Got there at 4.40AM (yup, as in before the cock crows :0P). Was feeling proud of myself until I saw the loong line of people already there. Turned out, at that freakin' hour, I'm number 74! Can you believe that?

Spent most of my time sitting down and waiting for my name to be called. Out of almost 6 hours spent in the clinic, probably 5 hours were spent waiting, the remaining hour spent filling out forms, giving out samples of my body fluids and getting interviwed, checked and poked all over.

The most dreaded part, the physical exam, was actually anti-climactic. The MD asked a couple of questions I've been anticipating and spent less than five minutes examining me. Stripping took a lot longer than the physical exam itself :0P

All in all, it was OK. And Im thankful that Im finally done with it.

Constantine and updates

Watched Constantine last night with my siblings and my cousins. The movie awakened the innate Catholic school girl in me. I felt a lil uncomfortable about the plot and all its implications. Kinda like the way I felt while reading the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

Sometimes I really have a hard time reconciling faith and logic.

***

Went in a flurry of updating. I'm that anal that I blog about past events for posterity and organization's sake :0P



You can see from the pictures the range of emotions not to mention the fun I had during my bridal shower last December 17. Click HERE for a full account of that night :0)

While THIS will direct you to a rehash of the first Christmas Eve spent with my babe.

And you can find a (wholesome) collage of memories taken during our Tagaytay honeymoon HERE.