Disturbing...Sick...Evil

Oh my God!!!

This news is indeed very disturbing. I was having chills while reading the entire story at http://www.cnn.com/.

"AMSTETTEN, Austria (CNN) -- DNA tests have confirmed that Josef Fritzl
fathered six children with his daughter, whom he kept imprisoned under his home
for 24 years, police in Austria said Tuesday.

Authorities have said that a seventh child, also apparently fathered by
Fritzl, died shortly after birth.

A police spokesman also said authorities believed it was "improbable" that
Fritzl was hiding other people in another location.

The 73-year-old appeared in court Tuesday as Austrians struggled to come to
terms with its second horrific abduction case in two years.
The retired
electrical engineer faces a possible 15 years in prison if charged and convicted
of rape." http://www.cnn.com/

Shocking and very disturbing. How could a father do this to his daughter? I mean, keeping her in captive for 24 years and continuously raping her and even became the father of her 7 children. So sick. So evil. I just wish he'll rot in jail...in hell.

Tribute to the Boss(es)

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and ev'rything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

~ Bette Midler ~

Call it luck but in my life, I've been really blessed with two amazing lady bosses. They have been very instrumental for whatever I have become now. With that, I will always be thankful to these two women for shaping me into somebody, for pushing me to the limits and for bringing out the best in me. And for all the executives and bosses behind the secretaries and admin professionals... THANK YOU!!!

Here's sharing some photos during last Friday's tribute to our bosses @ City Sports Club...More photos HERE.

secretaries turned executives (except me)...left to right Mam Fili, JPL, moi, Ms. O and Ms. Veradrama ang beauty

ladies in black and blue

newbies

The Slumber Party (PASAP way)

Imagine 36 (plus) secretaries and admin professionals in their pajamies and fluffy slippers crammed in an air-conditioned room filled with throw pillows, mattresses, scented candles, food and drinks. Plus 7 masseuses with hands (and even feet) ready to offer a soothing and relaxing body and foot massage. Plus a casual and very intimate program prepared by the committee. Plus lots of prizes and giveaways.

What do you expect?

A night of never-ending fun, laughter and cam-whoring.

Last night’s Secretaries’ Nite at Park Tower 1 Social Hall was one of the best SEC nite’s I’ve attended so far. In every inch, the Slumber Party also popularly known as Pajama Party was a very unique idea and it was the first for PASAP. It was a well-deserved retreat from the stress in the office and from a difficult boss to some. We simply sprawl there in one of the mattresses and shove chips, pizza and chicken lollies into our hungry mouths. You can hear a little chit-chat on the side and silly jokes being cracked. It was just unfortunate that I had my period and that I was not allowed to have a massage. Whatever the reason for not having a massage when you have your period, I really don’t know. It has something to do with our pores open whatever. But I’m just happy to see most of the ladies getting their massage --- nobody needed it more than them. And the pajamies and slippers were excellent substitute to our corporate suits and stilettos…more of a relief if you would call it.

I was also having fun taking pictures of us and with my fellow PASERs posing like “spa models”. At the end of the night, we declared the “Slumber Queen” and “Social Butterfly” which deservingly went to Mam Edna and Mam Tessie respectively.

Maybe some may not realize it, but despite the usual bickering and the differences, I think we have nurtured a kind of friendship that goes beyond our role as members of one association.

More pictures here.

To Stay or Go

A common friend of hubby and me who now works as a SPED teacher in New Orleans asked me if I have plans taking up SPED course and eventually go abroad. It’s something that I personally want to do. But whenever that topic pops up, it would always lead into an argument with the hubs. He was flabbergasted of the idea and was accusing me of not having concern for this family and prioritizing money over him and my daughter. He was also narrating stories of broken homes and infidelity of spouses either those working abroad or those being left behind. I rest my case. His reasons were valid. He just couldn’t leave their family business considering that he’s next in line to manage it. I don’t want to push the issue. So, I told our friend Aloi that we’re staying and if chance permits, we’ll just pay him a visit sometime soon. Of course, that would be next to impossible.

We leave our country for so many reasons. Why do I want to leave this country in the first place? I’m not ashamed to say that it’s all because of money… money to build my dream house, to buy my dream car, to travel the world, to be able to provide the basic needs and wants of my family. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t worship money nor does my world evolve on money. But sometimes, when you’ve experienced how it is to be deprived financially, you’ll definitely understand where I’m coming at. Yes, I may be earning more than enough to achieve all of those but as to when, I really don’t know. I have lots of dreams for my family --- not just my immediate family but my parents and siblings as well. I want to provide them with a life where they don’t have to worry about where to get tuition fee payments for my sibs, where to get money for food, where to get money to pay the bills etc. And I'm pretty fed up with the way our leaders run this country. The poor become poorer and the rich richer. We pay our taxes yet there's not much improvement in our system and infrastructure. I'm just tired period.

But with such indifference from my husband, I guess I’m bound to stay. Working abroad could be a temporary solution to our financial distress but I don’t want to sacrifice my relationship with my husband and daughter over money. Good thing that I decided to open up to him prior to really taking the course.

Hola Espańa

After visiting some pillars of the Philippine Association of Secretaries & Admin Professionals, we treated ourselves to a hearty lunch at Hola Espańa. It was actually my first time to visit the place and I was clueless of what to order. My taste for Spanish or Mexican food is limited to arroz caldo, lengua, estofado, paella, chimichangas or pizza. I just settled for spaghetti carbonara since I was having lbm at that very moment. But the carbonara was a bad idea as I have to run to the restroom just as we were about to leave. I just made some excuses that I was changing sanitary naps since I was in the toilet for so long relieving myself. Well, part of it is true but that's another sordid story that I won't share any further.

The resto is a quaint little place with very Spanish and Mexican interior. The waiters look like bull fighters sans the hat and cape while the waitresses look like flamenco dancers. And they were really very polite. Though I only tried the carbonara and gambas, I bet everything on their menu tastes really good. If you want a taste of Spain and Mexico, check out the place...it's located in Banilad Road going to Ma. Luisa...just a stone's throw away from Gustavian.

Upon stepping out of the place, it's good to hear their crew saying gracias altogether. We cant' help answering back de nada.

Despite the lbm, I've managed to take a few photos of the place.

Children Portraits

Children are always fascinating subjects for photography. Call it subliminal dream but I guess I always wanted to be a photographer for children just like the world renowned Anne Geddes. Just children. I always wanted to capture that carefree and colorful life of a child . And it's something we can totally relate because for once in our life, we were a child, a kid.

So, here are the novice attempt at capturing the beautiful life of a child using an ordinary point and shoot digital camera.

More to come...

Adulthood...Its Perks & Drawbacks

"Remember when you were a kid and your biggest worry was like, if you'd get a bike on your birthday or if you'd eat cookies for breakfast? Being an adult...totally overrated. I mean seriously, don't be fooled by all the hot shoes and great sex and the no parents anywhere telling you what to do. Adulthood is responsibility. Responsibility...it really does suck. Really, really sucks. Adults have to be places and do things and earn a living and pay the rent, and if you're training to be a surgeon, holding a human heart in your hands...Hello, talk about responsibility. Kinda' makes bikes and cookies look really really good, doesn't it? The scariest part about responsibility? When you screw up and let it slip right through your fingers."

~ Dr. Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy ~

Grey's Anatomy's keeping me company of what's left in my too little ME-time. The first time I saw the first few episodes, I got hooked and try to sneak in the disc despite my daughter's clamor for her Dora or Barney or Blues Clues dvd to be played. I'm still catching up on some episodes though but it's now my favorite series. Talk about adulthood....there's been totally a lot of stuff that's on my plate that's eating most of my time. I feel like there are too many things to do yet too little time. I envy my daughter. She has the entire day watching her favorite cartoon shows and movies, drawing and painting, singing and dancing, eating and sleeping and messing up the house without having to worry about stuff most adults fret about --- responsibilities, money, bills, mortgages, utilities, careers and life as an adult. But you see, as we grow older and wiser, we are always faced with bigger responsibilities that are sometimes bigger than us, bigger that what we could have imagined. I always long for the carefree life of a child with nothing on my mind except school, food and play. My daughter asked me this morning, "Mommy, why do you go to work?". It's the first time that she asked me that question so I was bit shock albeit amused. But I answered anyway, "Mommy has to go to work so I could buy your milk and toys, send you to school and that we could eat what we want to eat, go to Timezone every weekend, pay for our new house, decorate your room".

Yeah, I totally agree with Meredith, adulthood really sucks!

And did I ever mention that I envy this kid?

banging the cymbals like a pro

drum lessons with the shirtless instructor...of course, no less than the daddy

the future rock-chick with a messy hair

PMN FAMPICS: Ain't that heavy?

We may not know it but a woman's purse or bag could pass for a gym weight.

Take this bag for example.

* Wallet with coins and assorted cards = 2 lbs

* Digicam with accessories= 5 lbs

* Cellphone and charger = 3 lbs

* Kikay kit = 6 lbs

* Organizer = 3 lbs

* Perfume, shades, fan, cardholder = 2 lbs

* Various documents (bills etc.) = 1 lbs

* Not to mention our kid's extra shirt, towels, toiletries, milk, feeding bottles, coloring books, crayons, gameboy, little toys, candies, crackers, baby powder and cologne when going to church or the mall = 18 lbs

That's a total of 40 lbs or 18 kilos you got there on your shoulder. If you come to think of it, carrying this heavy bag is like going to the gym. You just have to switch from one arm to the other to create balance. Ain't that heavy?

This is my entry to this month's PMN FamPics theme: HEAVY.

Check out more entries here.

Beware

Beware of this woman who claims to be a rich balikbayan and brags about having a car and staying in a posh hotel. Her modus operandi is that she'll borrow something from you - expensive items or cash. Of course, after making you believe that she's well-off, you will find yourself giving her what she's asking for. Then she disappears without a trace. She goes by the name Giselle but uses other names such as Charli.

Hubby's encounter with her started when they accidentally bumped into each other in Ayala last week. They were classmates in elementary. After a little "kumustahan" and exchange of numbers, they went on their separate ways. She was bragging about her riches and all and shared her intent of buying a house and lot in near the beach. So, hubby referred her to our broker who eventually made her checked a twenty-million peso fully furnished house in Mactan. Our broker was made to believe that she's really buying the house and take note - on spot cash ha! In the process of checking the house, she borrowed a lot of stuff from the owner and even from our broker. She borrowed a digicam, cellphone, two thousand five hundred pesos and another one thousand pesos. After getting all the items, she talked it out with them and made many excuses which they really believed. The day ends and she was gone and never answered any of our broker's phonecalls. Our broker suspected that hubby was involved since he was the one who referred Giselle to him. Hubby, oblivious of Giselle's personality and history, investigated further and discovered that Giselle was a notorious swindler. She was once imprisoned because she was involved in a swindling activity. Friday night, they were able to trace her whereabouts and was able to retrieve the items but not the cash. As expected, she was making a lot of excuses and alibis. The bad thing though was that they weren't able to contact the police during the entrapment. Thus, this woman is still out there just waiting for her next victim.