Copenhagen, here I come!

Oops, No, we are not gonna be relocated to Copenhagen (not now at least). The GREAT opportunity I am talking about is this...

http://www.simi.dk/article.aspx?articleid=+78+78

Yes, I have been selected to attend this diploma programme in Scandinavian International Management Institute stretching from August to January. Four modules in total with 4 days per module. So I will be flying frequently to CPH in the next couple of months!

It's exciting to come back to CPH after 5 long years. For those who do not know, I travelled to CPH 2000-2002 for an education spanning 4 modules in 2 years. More in here http://www.mise.edu/careersMiseFrontpage.asp It will be nice to reminisce the good old moments. And what is even more exciting is that I will have a chance to meet some good friends who are currently assigned in our Headquarters office. Stella, Van, Alma, Mark etc... it's a date!

I am thrilled and really challenged with this new opportunity. I know it's gonna be tough (levelling na ito! haha) and I want to put my heart into it. With the trust and the investment that the company has given me, I hope I won't disappoint them.

The reason I hold it a bit is because even if I was already confirmed internally, I had to go for a phone interview from the Institute to ensure I meet the prerequisite of the course. Whew! I had the interview today and it went smoothly. 15 minutes later, I got an email confirming my admission to the program.

What's sweeter is that after the interview, I got a call from our reception telling me that the cake I ordered has arrived. Well, it was a surprise from Che, my dear husband, probably wishing me good luck. Sweet!

This day couldn't be more perfect.

Counting the blessings Part II

When all along I thought that everything is running perfect for us (I blogged about counting my blessings recently), another good news came 2 nights ago. I want to jump for joy! A really GREAT opportunity came unexpectedly. I have never imagined it will one day occur to me.

Maybe it's a fruit of your hardwork. Maybe it's luck. Maybe it's the right time. You will never know. Just maybe. Indeed, life is full of excitement!

No doubt, my twins are my lucky charms!

I'll blog about it more when it's firmed up.

My Marimar and My Serio

Here's my own version of Marimar and Serio...

My bubbly Marimar...

She's loving it! She really poses for the camera...

My handsome Serio...

Weekend update

Last weekend, we stayed at my parents house in QC. Here are some pics of my twins at home after we played with them.

Sophia here wanting to have a picture ata all by herself. Sean looks sad tuloy for Sophia stealing his spot..



Sean looking very serious here but as usual si Sophia pacute (she seems to love the camera)...





Oh, and if you can look closely, they have long and curly eye lashes. Mana sa mommy. hahaha.

Photography

Probably one thing that I did regret in our wedding in 2006 was to hire Mimi and Karl as our wedding photographers. They were our 2nd choice (actually Che's first choice). But I went for someone who is also good because he has been in the industry longer. Mimi and Karl were still starting then and they even do not have an office at that time (we only met in Starbucks). But oh boy, they are really good! And with due credit to them, they have grown so much from 2-3 years ago. At that time, we could have gotten a better deal from them at the same price we paid our official photographer! I am sure they are now one of the best wedding photographers in town. Uh, can I have another wedding again? Hehe.

Mimi and Karl is a young couple (both from UP) and their shots are really so vibrant!

For those who likes photography, check this out...

http://www.fotogra.ph/

http://www.mimiandkarl.com/

Boracay wedding = i like! http://www.mimiandkarl.com/?p=1123#more-1123

I am truly mesmerized every time I blog hop their site. Awesome!

One photographer I chance upon recently is Ging Lorenzo. She is affordable and takes wonderful photos especially of parties (weddings, kiddie parties and baptism). Check out her blog http://www.photosbyging.blogspot.com/

I am just a fan!

Archuleta or Cook?

Just finished watching the season finale of American Idol. I couldn't help but blog about it.

Round 1

Cook - Very good. I thought he was handsome! I heard a lot are already saying this but I just couldn't see that until tonight.

Archuleta - It's more like a winning song! Superb! Too early though to declare victory.

Round 2

Cook - Good but very forgettable.

Archuleta - Good. Slightly better than Cook.

Couldn't wait further for Round 3.

Round 3

Cook - I could feel his emotions while singing the song but just so-so for me. I think a bad choice of song for a finale.

Archuleta - I'm blown away! Really. I never thought that song could be that touching.

Verdict: Archuleta for the win!

I feel like Simon Cowell here. Haha. Well, Archuleta has always been my bet. His voice is very powerful for a 17 year old kid. And I really think he pulled it off tonight! Crossing fingers the voters will agree with me.

I may sound cheesy here. Haha. Forgive me, this is the only show that I watch frequently (not even consistently though). Can't wait for the results!

Season Finale

They're grown-ups?!

Time flies so fast. At 6 months, they look like grown-ups! They look and act like teenagers ready to party! Haha! Yeah, I am guilty for dressing them up like teenies - with longsleeves, maong mini skirt and the converse shoes! :)

They're still my precious little babies. I hope they wouldn't grow up too fast!

Che's 31st Birthday

It was Che's birthday yesterday so I took a leave since Monday. Last year, I was guilty for not doing something special for him and so I tried to make it up to him this year. I initially planned a surprise party at a function room in my friend's condo in Greenbelt but the thought of having to prepare for many guests scared me. You see, I am not a cooking expert so I should better start with a simple celebration at home! Che also doesn't want too many guests as that means entertaining and drinking until late at night.

So with the help of my mom (haha, yeah, mom is someone you first call during emergency, right?!), we prepared for a dinner with the following menu:

Maja Blanca
Kare-Kare (mom's specialty)
Bangus Sisig
Chicken Kebab
Siomai
Lumpiang Shanghai
Pasta Puttanesca
Banofee Pie
Mango Bravo from Conti's

Well, well. Mom did the cooking but hey, I wrapped the siomai and fillet the chicken breasts! Talk about efforts, right? I am also very proud to have done a delicious Banofee Pie and the Puttanesca! Ok, I have to be honest here. For the puttanesca, I did asked mom to taste it and add some salt and pepper. I was scared to fail considering it's my first attempt to do puttanesca. But boy, it was easy!

Here's the recipe in case you may want to try. Promise, it's yummy. The Banofee pie tastes better than the Mango Bravo from Conti's. Both the Banofee and the Puttanesca were smashed!

Banofee Pie



Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of crushed Graham Crackers (equivalent to a pack of crushed crackers available in grocery stores)
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup melted butter
3 tsp ground ginger (optional- i didn't include this)
1 can of condensed milk
3 pieces of bananas (i suggest you add more)
4 tetra pack of Nestle All Purpose Cream

Mix graham, sugar, butter until well blended. Press in a pan. Cool in ref. In saucepan, boil the unopened can of condensed milk for 3 hrs. Make sure you check if the water is enough (should fill the top of the can or at least up to 3/4 level). Set aside and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Open the can and spread it on top of the crust. Layer with bananas and add the whipped cream. Put chocolate syrup and spread with grated chocolate. Keep in the freezer until ready to serve.

Pasta Puttanesca


This is Rachel Ray's recipe in Food Network.com. But more or less I used the following:

Ingredients:
500g spaghetti
1 can (28oz) Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes
1 can (28oz) Hunt's Diced Tomatoes
1 small jar of flat anchovy fillets
1 1/2 small jar of black sliced olives (the more the better)
3 tbsp of capers (i used up about half the small jar)
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3-4 cloves of garlic (in recipe, it's 4-6 cloves, so up to you)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
grated parmesan

Cook the spaghetti until al dente. Set aside. Saute oil, garlic and anchovies until anchovies melt and garlic is tender. Add olives, capers, tomatoes, black peper and parsley. Put some black pepper and salt. Bring sauce to bubble and simmer. Toss the pasta into sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan. Serve with buttered slice of bagette.

It's fun being a girl!

Counting the blessings

Something good happened last Friday. It started not so good and an unexpected happened just after COB (close of business).

I promise myself not to blog about anything work-related so I'll skip the details (of course!)

But key learnings for the day were:

• Don't be afraid to speak up
• Prepare for a good argument
• Speak passionately always - a key to persuading!
• Fight for what you believe in
• Blessings come when you least expect it
• God is always good!

I am truly happy that I've been blessed at work. Whenever something good comes up in my personal life, something good also comes up at work. 2006: I got married and at the day of the wedding, our Managing Director told me I'm gonnna be promoted. Isn't it the best wedding gift? 2007: A month before I got pregnant, I was offered a position which is another promotion (just 8months after I was last promoted). 2008: A radical change did happened in the organization but an unexpected luck still came my way due to another promotion (just a year after the last). And something good came with it too.

Yes, I am counting our blessings and I thank the Lord for all of them!

This is a blissful life

Sean and Sophia turned 6months

Hala! Sean enjoying chocolate cake!

Eating Gerber

Photo session with Sophia

Pano ang mga dress di naman nasusuot, kahit sa pictures na lang! Promise next time Sean naman. This was supposed to be a fashion show para mapicture-an sya sa lahat ng mga damit nya na di pa nasuot (ang dami!) kaso napagod na!

He's like this when he sleeps. Gusto ng kasunod? Nyah!

Wala lang, terno eh!

More pics pa sana kaso tagal upload. Next time if I have more patience, I'll upload them.