$348

The first quarter of the year is about to end. It's time to re-evaluate what the hell happened in the past three months. What have I accomplished? What have I done the past three months? What new problems have come up. Ooohh serious much?

As hubby and I were talking about "restructuring" our budget (read: magtipid), we computed all our expenses again. As in all our expenses. I listed down all my expenses, including my facial treatment. But I forgot to include our yosi budget. So I was like......let's see, we buy a pack a day, and we are able to share it between us...so that's $11.60 a day times 30 days in a month. So that's $348...this doesn't even include those times that we get to puff extra because we're out or having some drinks (or just too stressed).

Wait. What???? $348?

$348???

Holy guacamole! That's enough to cover a maid's monthly levy. And we kept thinking that the levy is such a burden in the pocket, when we can actually just quit smoking and use the money to fork out the levy for our (future) kids' yaya...

Not only that.

$348 is also enough money to cover two months' worth of facial treatments and eyebrow waxing...

$348 is enough money to buy around 6 pairs of shoes at Charles and Keith...

$348 is enough dough to cover airfare tickets to Manila.

$348 is enough to cover our PUB bills (and maybe even our internet and cable bills)

$348 would be enough to buy a new handphone, or a branded wallet or purse.

I want to feel worse... so let me see... since we've lived in Singapore for about four years and three moths...that's fifty one months in total...and let's say, for uniformity's sake, we just use the current retail price of a pack, which is $11.60...then that means, we have spent an estimated amount $17,748 on freakin' cigarettes alone.

$17,748! That's about Php530,000 !!!

Am I correct anot?

Parang gusto ko biglang mag quit.

Teka nga, napayosi ako sa pagcocompute ko. Hehehe.

Shet.

I promise to cut down. Seriously.

last saturday

After teaching two classes in the morning, I went to Tita Drin's to have a pedi...

Then nag-tapao ng Palabok and Hotdog from Jolly-V (really tastes like the real thing! hay naubusan na naman ako ng chicken.)

Then had dinner at the newly-opened Bonifacio restau with Kendz and Lui...

My (condensed) take on the restau: Food was masarap naman but the servings were really small for its price (a bit ex because of the small servings). It looked like a gourmet dish where the servings were really small. Eh shempre pag pinoy food dapat maramihan ang kain hehehe. But the interiors are nice. Great for having quiet chitchats with friends and colleagues. We ordered Lumpiang Sariwa and Chicken BBQ. Nasarapan ako. Kendz & Lui ordered a lot (they came before us and ordered na): Sisig, Inasal, and also Lumpiang Sariwa.

Then Jun and I went to Orchard to buy some some stuff (nah, not the real LV. LV lang as in LeVis hehe)

Then quality time at home with honie.

Livin' the mellow life. Steady lang :)

random

It's been years since I last munched on this. Ang sarap pa rin pala.

What's a draghtman?

Prown? Why are you prowning? May problema ba?

La lang.

Living below your means

I have some definite (and secret) goals that I want to achieve before this year ends. Unfortunately, the fact that companies are kuripot nowadays in giving bonuses this year doesn't help. So my objective is to live below my means. My mom (and Lica) would always remind me to live WITHIN my means, but times are tougher now so we must try harder and live BELOW our means.

So this is my guideline when I'm thinking of buying something:

1. Can I afford it?
2. Do I really need it?
3. Do I need it now?
4. Do I have something like it already?
5. Can I find a cheaper substitute?
6. Is this the best deal?

Hopefully, I can follow this. God help me. Maybe I can. Just this weekend, I bought four pairs of shoes from Charles & Keith's sale for just $70. Not bad, eh. Just got lucky though--most of the stuff in the sale, as expected, are mostly outdated and don't have my size.

Hey, just a thought--I can also use this 6 questions when it comes to planning for a baby! Hehehe. Like--Can I afford a baby? Do I really need a baby? Do I have something like a baby already? Can I find a cheaper substitute for a baby? Is a child the best deal? Hahaha. I remember this ex-colleague of mine who has actually computed the costs of having a baby--from pregnancy costs to education to sending the kid to the uni, etc. Duh! He and his wife decided not to have a baby. No, he is not Pinoy. Pinoys (generally) loooove having kids.

DL

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

-from Dalai Lama's Instructions for Life

Bonifacio: The newest Pinoy restau in SG

Got word that Bonifacio's opening is on Saturday.

The e-flyer looks good. I hope it's a decent Pinoy restau with really good chibog at reasonable prices. God knows we need something like that here in Singapore. There's one at Marina Square but it doesn't really have the "umph" that I was expecting. And there's another pinoy restau in the east (not sure if it's still there though) that "changes appearance" at night, so you gotta go there before 9pm lest you be mistaken for a "seedy character". And let's not even talk about those Pinoy nooks at TP (Tanjong Pagar). We all know Pinoys who frequent the area don't really go there for the Pinoy cuisine, if you get what I mean. (What I meant was, they go there for the CHEAP BEER. Hahah.) And of course, those in LP (Lucky Plaza)--who would want to hangout in a carinderia in LP, right? You just go there for a quick fix, to answer your pinoy taste buds' craving for that leche flan or diniguan, and nothing more.

I'm familiar with the area where Bonifacio is located. It's kinda near Chinatown area. Oh, I can actually take any bus that goes to Eu Tong Sen, then I can just get off at or opposite Pearl Centre, then walk all the way up to Kreta Ayer. I wonder if the restau is way up Kreta Ayer and if it would pass my "walking distance" standard. I really hate walking, and Kreta Ayer is kinda "slopey" pa. Wth, I bet magtataxi naman ako nyan.

Maybe hubby and I can go there this weekend, been a while since we explored a new restau, anyway.

i crash you

Received an e-mail from my sister Cha this morning. I'm sad, wawa naman si Car (I named our car, Car. hehe.). Gamit na gamit na saming tatlong magkakapatid.

Apps is a relatively new driver--she only started to take the car alone for about three months. Cha also had a bad car crash during her DLSU days, as in bad talaga. But she came out fine naman. Fortunately, ako wala namang serious. Just some gasgas here and there. I think the worst one (two pala) was when I bumbed the streest sign which caused a BIIIG dimple at the side door; and when a taxi bumped my rear lights at 3am in Sucat--and it was because I followed the goddamn traffic lights at 3 in the morning. If I hadn't followed it, the taxi wouldn't bump me. I think he expected me na to beat the red light--oh well, sometimes, we just have to think that TRAFFIC RULES IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE MERE SUGGESTIONS.

I'm just happy Apps is okay. Lagot sha kay Mama. I hope she learns from this and be like her Ate Chie (that's me) who's a super defensive driver hahaha. But as my dad always say: Hindi ka driver kung hindi ka pa nababangga. Which my mom refutes, of course.

So this was the e-mail (in verbatim) that greeted me this morning. The subject heading goes: I CRASH YOU.

car crash courtesy of apps. ano ba tlga nangyari?

a. nawalan tlga ng brake?
b. nakatulog si apps? (accdg to mama)
c. nakainom si apps? (accdg to mama )
d. nalito siya akala niya brake pero gas ang tinatapakan nya?

hehe.wawa naman.

photos taken on 03/16/2009.

cute ni nixxie.

my answer is D--nalito sya, dahil siguro nakainom na nman yang Apple na yan at bumagal ang reflexes.

Ay naku, masermonan nga ang little sister ko about responsible driving! Pramis, sesermonan ko talaga sha!!!

Upcoming SALES in SG (Mark your calendars, SG People!)

I am not normally a big fan of Sale Promotions because of all the standing up and queueing up that we need to do. Tiangges, I love, because I still have the luxury of taking my time to walk around. But Sale, not really, because it's mostly like being in a competition with a hundred other shoppers.

But times are tough nowadays. Must learn to save and be practical. As one of Emtee told me last night, recession time is all about going back to the basics. It's about learning how to spend your money wisely. But that doesn't mean we can't shop our hearts out. Thank God for warehouse sales and expos :)

So mark your calendars for the following hunts:

Burberry Sale
11 - 14 March
10am - 9pm
Suntec Convention Hall 303-305

Body Shop Warehouse Sale
Up to 70% savings; FREE Gift with purchases above $50 or more (Valid for the first 3,000 customers only)
11 - 14 March
11am - 8pm
Suntec Convention Level 3 Gallery West (near Pearl River)

Charles & Keith Warehouse Sale
Up to 70% off
12 - 15 March
10am - 8pm
21 Tai Seng St

Crazy Warehouse Sale
Renoma, Goldlion, BUM, The Cocoa Trees etc; Ladies/Men's wear, Undergarments, Kidswear, Accessories, Chocolates etc; Prices from $3
12 - 15 March
10am - 10pm
Suntec Convention Rm 202

Jean Perry Home Linen Fair
Special Buys from $1; Discounts up to 80%
12 - 15 March
11am - 9pm
Suntec Convention Rm 201

I.T. Show @ Suntec
12 - 15 March
Suntec Convention Levels 1-4 & 6
12pm - 9pm

The Lingerie Shop - Knock-out Sale
Up to 90% Ladies & mens
Till 16 March
Mon-Sat 11am - 7.30pm
Sun 12pm - 5pm
B1-07 Palais Renaissance

1-for-1 lunch @ all Swensens
Order any food item from ala carte menu & get another free
Valid till 30 June 09
11am - 2pm on weekdays

Today...

"Our Kaleidoscope World has lost one of its brightest colors".

He was an icon of my generation. A perfect example to show that God allows u-turns.

Francis learned about his condition almost at the same time that Nana learned about hers. During Nana's healing period, I would show her photos from Francis' blog while telling her how strong and happy he is despite his very tough chemo sessions. So I was updated with his battle, and other people's "battles" as well, because I was also taking care of Nana during her own battle. Nana is free of cancer now. Francis...well, he is in a happier place now.

My new baby

I've always wanted a lappie that's light and portable, something small and can easily fit inside a girl's handbag.

I got my wish last night. Hubby bought me a new lappie--an HP Mini 2140. So here's my new baby, Hippie:

(Borrow muna ng pics ha, di ko pa napipicturan si Hippie eh.)

I love how small and light it is. And the keyboard (which I'm very pihikan with) is not so bad too. I can't wait to get a new skin for Hippie! Like this maybe:

Or maybe this:

I wonder if I can ask the skin to customise Hippie's skin, using some of my fave pics maybe?

Thanks honie. I love it but I love you more honie, of course.

Traffic Moments

Reading from Chico's blog made me miss traffic in Manila. Corny ang traffic jam dito sa Singapore--sisiw for a Pinay like me. Lam mo ung usad ng mga kotse pagpapasok (or palabas) ka ng parking sa isang mall sa tin on a WEEKDAY? Traffic na sa knila yun. I guess that's one thing I like about Singapore, transportation systems are so efficient--you don't have time to get pissed.

Some of my unforgettable traffic moments in Manila:

A GIRL'S GOTTA DO WHAT A GIRL'S GOTTA DO. Around 2000, Jun and I were dating each other again (after a five-year break up period). On one of those dates, we were supposed to go to Side A's concert at Araneta. It was sometime July 2000 so maulan. We got stuck sa Edsa (Guadalupe part). Lubog ang kotse sa baha! As in lubog pati headlights.Hindi gumagalaw ang traffic. Si Jun busy sa pagconcentrate para hindi kami mamatayan sa gitna ng baha. Ihing-ihi na ako! La ko choice kasi talga. I found a plastic bag somewhere sa car. Pumunta ko sa back seat and there I relieved myself! dyahe! nagpapacute pa naman ako sa mga panahong yun kay tutuy!

WHY SEATBELTS REMIND ME OF ECHO. Jun and I were stuck sa isang interchange along C5. I saw this red F150 on the lane next to us. We were smoking so down-windows kami. i noticed the driver. omg, it was jericho! mind you, this was the time na he was still smokin' hot and not pa-soshal. I poked my head out a bit and asked him: "Jericho, isdatchu?" (ang bakya ko shet). He gave me (us pala) a big smile, waved a hand and said: "Hi!". Then the traffic light turned green, and before he sped off, he waved at me (us pala) and shouted: "Ingat!". And, when he saw us make a turn to the gas station, he gave us the mandatory-parang-kabarkada honk. Jun said, starstruck: "Shet, binusinahan nya ko! Tropa na kami!" Ako naman, I fastened my seat belt kasi sabi nya "ingat" daw ako e. Haha mga feeling eh no?

LOCK JAW PRINCESS. When I was a kid, up until my teenage years, I would always get "lock-jawed". It was really bad to the point that I 'd get really scared opeing my mouth, especially if I want to yawn. One time, when I was around 13 years old, super traffic sa SLEX. Then out of the blue, I got lockjawed na naman. My sister Cha thought I was joking around so she just kept laughing. And they're so used with my lock jaw episopdes, they think kaya ko naman uli "ibalik" yung panga ko. My dad finally noticed na serious na talaga kasi hindi na ko makahinga at yung laway ko tulo na ng tulo! As in basang basa na ung panyo at kamay ko. So this was like from Bicutan hanggang Nicols hanggang Edsa-Baclaran. My dad insisted on bringing me to his personal doctor kaya sa Pasay pa ko napagamot. Akala ko mamatay na ko! Ang hirap huminga at di ko malunok laway ko! Shet! When we arrived at my dad's doctor's house, tinapat nya lang ako sa pader, and using his own HANDS, attempted to put back my jaw in place. And it took him THREE FUCKING TIMES to finally get it right. Kala ko madudrog na panga ko shet! Whew!

Here's Morning Rush's "August 26, 2008 → The Top Ten Traffic Moments - Astroboy"

1. Homer - My lolo was one lucky person. He was stuck in traffic in the northbound lane on the SLEX. Right next to the airport, an airplane overshot the runway and settled on the highway. He was the last car missed by the plane.
2. Kirei - During traffic along EDSA, my best friend and I found ourselves behind a military truck. I waved at the soldiers, smiled, and blew them a kiss. A couple of soldiers waved back while the others smiled. Sobrang hiya ng best friend ko. So I told her, kahit sa ganung paraan man lang, mapabaunan ko sila ng konting saya bago sila sumabak sa digmaan.
3. Specialist - I was along c5 on my way to the office. After the Katipunan flyover, I saw a plastic bag thrown from the shanties. It almost hit the car in front of me. It splattered and I saw that it was filled with human poop.
4. Riverbanks - Our car and the car in front of us were flagged down by an MMDA person each. The car in front sped off after talking to the MMDA, then that guy talked to our MMDA. Apparently, the girl in front was Kris Aquino, and she told the MMDA that we were with her. If that was really her, then thanks, Ms. Kris!
5. Dru - I was listening to my ipod as I crossed the street. Then this truck almost ran me over. When I looked up, it was a truck of condoms!
6. XtraRice - As I was making sabit sa likod ng jeep (I’m a girl), the car right behind me started honking. When I looked, who should it be? My crush.
7. SC - I was stuck in trafic 0n a jeep somewhere in Blumentritt, when a w0man suddenly screamed, her ear bleeding. Apparently may humabl0t ng earrings niya, a guy 0n a bike.
8. Astroboy - I saw this car sticker on a car in fr0nt of me in traffic: “WARNING: children playng outside the car can cause accidents and adults playing inside the car can cause children!”
9. Carlo - When we were stuck in traffic in Cavite, we decided to ask a jeepney driver what was causing the congestion. The driver replied,”Kasi may umano sa ano diyan sa may ano eh.”
10. Marcus - One rainy August afternoon in 1998, I left the office in Pasig at 4:30pm and reached Alabang at 5am the next. We spent the whole night crawling in traffic along SLEX.
11. Racer - An MMDA flagged down a friend who was on a motorcycle. My friend said, “Ano pong violation?” The MMDA answered, “Wala naman, pa-angkas lang. Trafik eh.”
12. SC - While stuck in traffic in a taxi who happened to be listening to RX, I texted you guys to tell manong driver na pakilakasan ang aircon kasi nagmamantika na ko sa likod. Without talking, he did.
13. SPY Shadow - Our military vicar was apprehended by a highway patrol for beating the red light. But the officer, who was a Catholic, let him go when he recognized the priest, and said “Father, ingat na lang kayo doon sa next intersection kasi hindi po mga Katoliko ang mga assigned doon!”
14. Astroboy - One night, my sister had to take a taxi h0me. Nung malapit na siya, she tapped the driver’s sh0ulder then he screamed! He said after, “Pasensiya na po, 25 years kasi ak0ng driver sa punerarya. Di ako sanay na kinakalabit ng pasahero.”
15. Na name - While stuck in traffic on a bridge, may dad suddenly screamed, “May tumalon!” Apparently a lady committed suicide by jumping off.
16. Sayuri - We were not moving along Roxas blvd, when suddenly a motorcade on the other lane stopped right alongside of us. My son rolled down his window to see the commotion, then the limo that the police were escorting rolled down the windows, and who should peek out — Michael Jackson! He handed his sampaguita necklace to my son.
17. Jose de vengenge - One time in a bus, the conductor shouted, “O sige, pasok lang, maluwag yan kasi laging ginagamit!”