Amelia's Nest

It’s just so nice to be reminded by your kids. A reminder that you will really consider coming from a three-year old child. Every time I bid good bye to my son and inform him that I will be out for few hours to go to work or somewhere he never fails to say, “be careful mom”. He will not utter it just once but as many as he could. After kissing me. Before he closes and locks the main door.

How sweet he was, to remind me always to be careful. Be careful in everything I do, say and think especially at work. Where everyday will be a lot of unexpected events. A reminder to be careful because they are depending on me in a way. A reminder to be mindful of things around me. A gentle reminder that I always keep in mind because I need to and I have to because I have them.

Two weeks ago I was strolling at the new mall in Orchard and also to look for the t-shirt of my favourite author in which you can find only in one store. But haven't release here in Singapore. According to my favourite author they have released the 2nd product last October 6 but still couldn't find any. I was disappointed.

But anyway, I still managed to buy something out of my disappointment. I went to this shop. Initially I was looking for a facial product, a replacement of what I am currently using since I used up the first that I bought. And then eventually the sales lady offered me their new product which is at the same time offers discounted price for members. And since I am a member I can enjoy until 40% discount as well as gift product. Nice deal. But before I bought the product I tested it first and also asked what is the best seller. I was pleased with how the sales lady explained everything to me and since I trust the shop I did get one for myself.


They call the new product as Spa Wisdom Collection. They have three line of products that you can choice from. I picked the Spa Wisdom Africa which includes Africa Ximenia & Salt Scrub, Africa Shea Butter & Sesame Oil Body Balm, and Africa Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Butter. The other line are Spa Wisdom Morocco and Spa Wisdom Polynesia. They also provide magazine on how to use the product.

I am using the product two weeks now and it was all worth it. It's inimitably good. Keeps me detoxify, rejuvenated and relaxed at the end of a days toil. Oops, did I mention it's from The Body Shop?

Yesterday, me and my colleagues went out for lunch. Actually it was one of my colleague who told us about the promotion set lunch meal at Hard Rock Cafe in Orchard Road. The meal comes with one main meal (you can chose either baked Cajun chicken, pan fried Dory fillet or a ham & mushroom spaghetti), soup of the day, refillable drinks (soda, coffee or tea), and a scoop of Haagen Daz chocolate ice cream all for the price of SGD10.00. They call it Recession set lunch and served between 11:00AM - 3:00PM. Simply a nice set of lunch!


We took the opportunity since it was a good offering and also a time to relax and have lunch with team in a nice place. While waiting for our place I went to the boutique shop just to check some items and take a photo of some interesting objects inside. I did enjoy our lunch; the food was really nice coupled with a nice chat with some colleagues. The price is just fair enough considering that it's Hard Rock, you know what I mean? We didn't pay the much compared with our past dinners that we normally pay more than SGD10.00.

It hurts me more seeing my homeland suffered from all forms, corruption, disaster, calamities,oppression and what-not because of some selfish and greedy people who is leading the country or should I also say has lead the country. For the past days after Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) has struck my homeland I never failed to update myself on what are the measures the government is doing and is planning to do for the long-term. But until now nothing has been done. Still people are in pain. And the government is waiting for international help. Are they waiting for the US government to act on it. Poor thing. Is that what you call, governance? What Conrado de Quiros wrote on his article in Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled "Opportunity" dated October 14, 2009 is resounding true. And so I qoute,

"If Ondoy and Pepeng drove home anything, it is the truth that corruption kills. Corruption does not separate fools from their money, corruption kills. Corruption does not just waste people’s money, corruption kills. Corruption does not just divert public money, corruption kills. Corruption is the rope that should have been thrown to the drowning but is nowhere to be found."

It pains me even more that I'm working and living in a foreign country and pays my taxes in the land where I am right now because we were pushed by a not so good situation back in my country for the sake of our children. That I should be there serving my land, the land who nourished and fills-in my hungry senses. But because of these unfortunate circumstances many Filipinos are pushed to leave the country in search of better life for themselves and for their family back home. As they say, there are a lot of things that needs to be done. But how come nothing has been done until now. And people don't even know where to start.

Last Wednesday, I was in this mall to check on some things which I can buy for the homecoming. While checking, I happen to notice this items on sale. At first it didn't excite me but later upon checking all the items that were on sale I started to look for what I want. Those were DVD's. Immediately I checked on those that I really really want. I hurriedly asked the salesman on the item I am looking for. And when the salesman told me that they have the item. Without any hesitation I abruptly buy those DVD's. Impulsive buyer? Not exactly and whatever you may call it, I don't care as long as I have the DVD's with me everything is just oh so fine.


Those were DVD's of Harry Potter. They are Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Actually I have the four books which was a gift to me by hubby back 2006 but it's not enough for me. I consider this as my collection. Things that makes me happy. I bought this also as a gift for myself. Okay, enough of the justification. I think while reading this post your wondering why I like Harry Potter. Isn't it? Yes I know, am too old for these kind of films / materials but come on all of us have this child-in-us. And I think this is the child-in-me. I have a huge fascination with this magic, spells, witch-craft, potion and what-not. And I really like the concept, story-line, movie and the casting as well.

Also I can share this to my kids when they grew up. Right?

There was a certain day wherein I felt so upset with the things happening around. That I felt the sudden need for me to take off and have some breather. I didn't invite anyone and had no plans of sharing the moment with anyone. I snatched sometime and had a nice cup of Java Chip Frappucino and Cheese Bagel with cream cheese at my favourite coffee shop.


There are a lot of times that I prefer to do things on my own. Probably because I was raised that way. Doing things that I know will make me more satisfied and happy. And by doing that I felt I was able to escape from the cruel world just for a bit of time or probably a second of my life time. To engrossedly enjoy the company of nice food and drinks while relaxing deeply on the instance that you have your place, a sanctuary probably and thinking of nothing. And consuming those so-called "comfort food" .

Having known that I will be in the new project, which currently is the biggest that our company has and will handle for the next two years. This makes me proud and excited to be in this team and at the same time anxious. Anxious in a way because the modules that I will be handling are new to me. I don't know where to start and what to do. Yes, you read it right, modules. I will be handling three new modules.

Nonetheless I just think this as a new learning for me. New things that I will be exploring on and later benefiting from it. It's a very challenging task but I believe I can get hold of it. As I always say, "good luck to me" and "good luck to the team".

“Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face.
As soon as one is aware of being somebody,
to be watched and listened to with extra interest,
input ceases, and the performer goes blind
and deaf in his over animation. One can either see or be seen.”
- John Hoyer Updike, American Novelist, 1932-2009

Last Saturday, October 3 me, my mother and kids went to Golden Village at Plaza Singapura to watch the Cloudy with the Chance of Meat Balls. I booked on-line for 4:40pm screening. But before purchasing the ticket I show the trailer to my son and asked him if he wants to watch that movie and he immediate says yes to me. This is the second movie of the kids for this year. The first was the movie, UP.

We reached the mall by 4:00pm and immediately proceeded to the ticketing area to claim the ticket and afterwards went to Aussino, a bed & bath shop. I bought the kid's comforter set for Ralph. Which he personally choose a Mickey & Minnie comforter set.

The movie was inspired by the same children's book by Ron & Judi Barrett. This was locally released last October 1 and which is available in normal and 3D animation. It was a hilarious comedy animated movie released by Sony Animated Pictures. Starred by Bill Hader as Flint Lockwood, the inventor who never stopped inventing things until something came up. The movie emphasizes the love and support of parents as well as on pursuing your dreams. My kids were so attentive watching the movie while munching on a popcorn.


After watching, I asked my son if he likes the movie and he said "yes mum". I asked what was the movie about and he said "lots of spaghetti, doughnuts, hotcakes and ice cream too". It was so cute hearing it from a three-year old child. It makes me even more proud.

I haven't been updating my blog for quite sometime. Got preoccupied with home and office responsibilities. For those who constantly reading my blog knew that my hubby went off to New York for six (6) weeks business trip but five days before his scheduled flight back here in Singapore he received an e-mail from his boss telling that he will be extend for another four (4) weeks. And that brings both of us into sadness. But I guess we have to accept it since this is work-related and non of us wants that to happen.

Having known that he will be away for another few weeks more brings me to the feeling wherein he was away for more than six (6) months for a business trip in China/Hong Kong adding to that he left a week after our wedding back in 2006. The very first time he was away since we got married. Sad but we need to bear the sadness, loneliness and what-not. I always told myself I'll get used to it since before we got married he was always away due to projects and work. But it was never been easy right from the beginning. But as my husband would always say, "this will be temporary, just be strong".

I guess I just have to accept the things as they are and embrace everything that comes our way. And every time this situation happens I just look forward to the homecoming.