Djoko wins his 2nd AO title

Yay! One happy camper here.

I was out of the house since this morning. And I almost forgot about Australian Open Men's final match. I was at Pencil supermarket when I remembered. I told the merchandiser to hurry up and off I went home in a jiffy.

Luckily, the game hasn't started yet when I arrived.

I had a feeling that Djokovic was going to win this year's Aussie Open. I mean, he was playing well at the start of the tournament. And when he won against Federer (and how superb his game was with Federer!) I knew he'd win his second AO title.

I don't want him to be a one hit wonder kind of player. Now he's got two. It's time to make it three or more. Be greedy Nole. LOL!

I always like Novak Djokovic. Some people find him arrogant, I find him funny. Only him can imitate other players' mannerism. Hahahaha!!!

It has been a great two weeks of tennis games. Now, I am looking forward to French Open.

Lunch with the girls

No man is an island. And I totally agree with that. We need friends. Friends enrich our lives. At least the right ones do.

Anyway, my friends and I (we like to call ourselves PELUKA girls) had lunch at Champs Elysee, a Chinese restaurant here last Friday.

That's Che, Ate Elms, moi, Jonna, Zarah and Lui. Thanks Jon for the picture. As usual, I had my camera but I forgot to bring my SD card. Hahaha, I am really getting old.

I had a great time and we were so full from the yummy food we ordered. Then we went thrifting, which we all love. I have a couple of great finds that day. I should start posting them here.

To Jonna, hope to see you again and looking forward to your move here in Phnom Penh.

Welcome to the world Baby Julia!

My sister just gave birth to her second child today! It's another girl. Thank God the baby and the mom are both okay.

I saw her pictures at facebook this afternoon. Thank God for the modern technology now. I don't have to wait a long time to see Baby Julia's beautiful chubby cheeks.

I think Baby Julia looks like my sister. Their first born looks more like my brother in law. So now they're even. Hehehe.

They are going home tomorrow and I am sure it's going to be busy in their home for the time being. I just hope they won't forget to send baby shower thank you cards. Or I hope they already did that.

If they haven't yet, I am afraid they will forget. I know how a newborn can make the house totally upside down.

I vividly remember my time. Oh, how time flies!

Welcome to the world Baby Julia and thank you for coming into our lives. I cannot wait to meet you in person.

Appreciating People

My God Whispers today:

~~~

Dear Josiet,

I have sent (and will continue to send) people into your life who will make you discover the gold within you. They will see things in you that you yourself cannot see. They will make you grow.


Love,
God

PS. These people are one of your greatest blessings, Josiet. Appreciate them.

~~~

I always do, especially those who are true.

Quotes, Proverbs, etc

I am back to reading quotes and proverbs since I have my iPhone and since an unhappy incident happened lately.

There's this free app where you get an almost endless supply of quotations and proverbs. Just download it and voila, you can read it anywhere.

Here's my fave so far:

Everyday may not be good, but there's something good in everyday. - Author Unknown.

If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit.

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures. - H. Jackson Brown

The only disability in life is a bad attitude. - Scott Hamilton

My riches consist not in the extend of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. - J. Brotherton

There are no menila jobs, only menial attitudes. - William J. Bennett

A penny saved is a penny gained. - Scottish Proverb

Many who have gold in the house are looking for copper outside. - Russian Proverb

He who has no bread has no authority. - Turkish Proverb

Don't hear one and judge two. - Greek Proverb

~~~

What if you find out, you've been lied to all along? And this person is really good at it? What if this person will tell lies about you to other people in the future?

What if you meet someone who is so friendly that it almost becomes annoying? What if this new friend visits you at least twice a day and talks nonstop , nonsense for at least 2 hours?

Stress!!!!

I have no room for stress in my life. Please go away.

We Xport

It's been a week now since I last visited WE Xport. I kind of miss it. Hahaha!!!

WE Xport is the new addition to the "shopping malls" here in Phnom Penh. We love it because we get to buy branded items like GAP, Zara, H&M, Benetton, Banana Republic, CK, Levis, etc, etc for a fraction of the store price.

The mens and the kids sections have great choices. I love going to the kids section. If only Manila was near, I would have bought a lot of those pretty little dresses for my nieces. You know what's missing in their section though? A bob revolution stroller would complete their items.

The ladies section has some nice items as well. But it easily gets depleted. Hahaha!!! That only means, ladies shop a lot.

I've bought several items which I consider my great buys. I have a two nice Zara blouses. I think I got it for only $8 each. If I bought it in a real Zara store, I guess it would have cost about $20 or more.

Why are the prices so low? Are they original?

I can say the products are original. But I cannot answer why they're cheap. Maybe because they got straight from the factory here? Maybe some of them are factory defects? I don't know.

What I know is that I love going to WE Xports. Not only are the prices cheap, I also have a 20% discount on all the items. I got it by purchasing $200 in a single receipt. Pretty neat, right?

WE Xports has four branches in the city. The one convenient for me is the one along Sihanouk Boulevard. It's just right in front of Lucky Grocery Store.

Sofitel Phnom Penh

I was out with hubby last night. We went to the newly opened five star Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.

We’ve been waiting for them to open since December. I wanted to have our Christmas Eve dinner there. Unfortunately, the opening date has been pushed and pushed until I got tired waiting. LOL!

So last night, for our anniversary dinner date, we wanted to try something new, somewhere we haven’t been to.

I checked Sofitel’s website if they have opened already. Good thing they have. So off we went there.

First impression, the hotel is huge and the AC is too cold. Or I am just getting old. Hahahaha!!!

We had cocktails at their lounge bar first. I had Singapore Sling. It was good.

Then dinner was at La Coupole, an International buffet resto. Before we started our dinner, we saw fireworks.

I wish had a steiner binoculars with me so I could see the show much closer. It was not from the hotel. It was from a nearby establishment.

It was a perfect evening. Good wine, good food, good company and a nice firework display at the background. Life is good!

I want 007

My very own meme and I forgot! *Slaps forehead* Hahaha!!!

I am so busy lately. It's not a complaint. I am just stating a fact. What am I busy with? Well, it's none of your business. LOL! Just kidding.

I am busy with a lot of stuff. Work, business, losing weight, family, friends, FB (hahaha!!!), etc. So let me make it up for not posting my I want meme for about three weeks (I guess).

This week I want:

Longchamp Le Pliage Medium in this color.



Lots of safe diet pills that work.

Boyfriend Jeans from Zara.



Dress from Zara.

I know I want them all this week but patience is a virtue. So I will wait until next month when we are in KL. Wooohoooo!!!

KL, see you next month!!!

Goals this new year

I have said, I have no specific goal this year 2011. But that doesn't mean I have no goals. Far from it actually. I want to do as much as I can this 2011.

The more goals, the better. I feel this year is going to be a great year for all of us. So let's all take advantage of the opportunities that come our way. Let's all be ready.

Money wise, I want to save and pay off one of our condominiums. It's doable. Once we do that, I plan to buy one more condominium, if hubby is amenable. One tip for buyers, check and compare home owners insurance before buying one. It will help you save money in the future.

As for travel, we'd be limiting our travel to about 3 out of the country trips (from Phnom Penh) so we could save. We'll go to KL next month and probably a Tokyo and Manila trips later this year.

Healthwise, that's a continuous process but my one foot is already in. So I just need to make smart choices about food and to always exercise or to just keep moving literally.

We can only do so much. The rest He will take care of. So, let's not forget our prayers, shall we?

Today's Lunch

I usually just eat what's being cooked by our Ate (minus the rice of course) when I am home. I rarely cook lunch because I am always busy in the morning. Preparing my son for school, answering emails, running some errands, exercising, beading, etc, etc...

Today, although busy, I managed to cook my healthy lunch. I was suddenly craving for something spicy with vegetables and pasta on it.

Here's what I made..

Spicy Aubergine Spaghetti. Aubergine sounds better than eggplant. Hahahaha!!!

The pasta is whole wheat and of course I used extra virgin olive oil when I sauteed the ingredients. I have a walnut in our food storage, so I will put some later.

Gotta eat healthy, right?

Dry skin

I am annoyed at having dry skin on my legs. It's been about a month now. I haven't had this condition before. Seriously, it's bugging me.

I have tried putting lotion twice a day, each after a shower. But still it's dry. I switched to a milder lotion but still the same.

I don't wear shorts all the time, but with this condition I don't even shorts at home anymore.

Hubby said it might be from the weather. We've been having a "colder" temperature lately. At night, our usual 24 degrees aircon feels so cold. But I couldn't afford to switch it on to fan mode because my son would otherwise perspire. He's really a cold person. I just might need to buy a heated blanket. Hehehe.

So back to the dry skin, I saw vaseline's petroleum jelly at the grocery store the other day. I remember from somewhere that it helps with the dry skin. I bought one and I have been using it twice a day.

It's working. My skin's still dry but I see an improvement. Hopefuly with a continued use, I will have a perfectly supple skin. LOL!

Thank God, my face and the other parts of my body are not dry.

Promises

Today is so full of promises. I am praying and hoping everything comes into fruition. There's nothing like a day full of hope and promises. It keeps me going.

On a concrete note, I have been invited by the owner to display Josiet Jewelries in their restaurant. Yes, a restaurant. It may not be the perfect match but who knows what it will bear. I am happy and excited about it.

I am going to the furniture shop later to have a custom made cabinet. I love it when I am busy. It makes me happy.

I predict I will be busy (and happy) next week when my supplies are here. I have so many designs in my head. I am just waiting for my supplies.

Oh, by the way, did you notice today's date? 1/11/11? I kinda like it.

Happy Tuesday everyone. Let's keep busy and happy, okay?

I didn't know I will love you like this

I've blogged about hubby giving me iPhone 4 as a Christmas present.

I welcomed it because my old phone was dying. And yes, I appreciate the gift. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with it. LOL!

My iPhone with hubby's new Macbook Pro. But guess who will be using the Macbook Pro? It's me! Hahaha. Hubby has a work issued laptop and the Macbook Pro is not compatible with the system they're using. Or whatever. In short, the new Macbook Pro will be mine, from Monday to Friday. Hahaha!!!

So anyway, I am totally loving my iPhone and the apps that I could get free from the apps store. Here are some we have been enjoying lately.

Storybooks for my son. Very nice and crisp pictures. And very good audio.

Still for my son....Color Me apps. He's been having a grand time coloring the pictures.

For my son and the adults. We love this game - Unblock Me. Makes my brain work. Hahaha!!!

Another game hubby and I play. Interesting!

For me and my cooking needs. I love the recipes from Betty Crocker!

FM Radio from Philippines. I love it!!!

A girl's friend - Zara. Hehehe!

I got two issues of Enterpreneur magazine for free. Let's see if the Feb issue is still free.

So many apps, so many things to do. It's making me busy but I love it!

I just wish there are many choices when it comes to cases, skins and pockets available here. The other day I saw a blackberry case that's so pretty. I wanted something like that in my phone. How come they have more blackberry accessories here than iPhones?

Well, I will be sure to check apple store in KL in month!

Of the healthy kind

After running some errands yesterday, like looking at pergo accolade and hubby buying his first macbook pro, I got so hungry. I was tempted to drop by a coffee shop and buy some cakes or pastries. I almost did.

I just closed my eyes and imagined I wasn't really hungry. It worked until I reached home. Then I prepapred this to satisfy my growling tummy.

Dragonfruit, tomato salsa, orange, apple and nachos on the center. It would have been a perfect healthy snacks except for the nachos. I couldn't help but add the nachos. It has been begging to served since new year's day. Hahahaha!!!

I had a few nachos...okay, more than a few. But I negated it by playing badminton. At least I hope so.

By the way, I only know of dragonfruit when we moved here. At first I didn't like it. But since I see this fruit everywhere, especially in buffet tables of restos here, I've grown to like it.

Have you had dragonfruit before? Did you like it?

Holiday Weight

Holidays are officially over. I am so glad it is. I have been stuffing myself with all the sinful food imaginable. There was guilt but there's no denying that there was immense pleasure as well. I totally indulged during the holiday. It was my plan and I did it.

So now, it's back to reality.

First, how much did I gain? I gained 1.2kgs to be exact. Ouch! On the other hand though, I am happy it was not a colossal weight gain. I was expecting more. But hey, I'll take whatever luck I can have.

I am going to continue phase 2 of south beach diet. I can eat liberal amount of carbs but whites are still not allowed. That means, I can only eat brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pizza. But that's okay. I've learned to love all brown carbs and salads.

This month, my goal is to lose 2kgs. I believe I can do it. I will exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. I have already started yesterday and it felt good. Really good.

I think I have started my year right. I want to be healthy and fit this whole year.

A better 2011

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I have been thinking and I think that despite the lows, 2010 has been a really good year for me and my family. Thanks be to God.

**2010 has seen us travelling to several new places. As always, travelling is fun and educational. We hope to be able to travel to several new places again this year.

**I have started making jewelry and it's keeping me busy and making me happy. I hope this year I could make it into a real and a bigger business.

**Meeting new friends. I thank God for my Peluka sisters. Wishing for a stronger bond this year.

**I have been blessed with my writing gigs. I have saved a considerable amount the whole of 2010. I hope to be able to receive more writing assignments this year. I promise I will try harder to be a better writer.

**Good health. There was a scare but thank God, everything is okay now. We will pay more attention to our health. I promise to eat healthy and to keep on exercising. I will encourage hubby and my son to choose the healthy way of eating.

**Better family ties. I love my family and I hope 2011 will keep us closer and tighter.

I really have no specific goals this new year. I just plan to be me and to try to be a better version of me.

Happy new year 2011! Let's all look forward to a great year. Cheers!