Jakie and the Beadstalk

I always make it a point to make the most out of everything. As a working mom, I should know how to budget our family's needs - this includes balancing our expenses, yet making sure that we are not so deprived.   So I have to make sure that every peso we spend is "sulit". This includes making the most out of a rewards card.    The other day, I went to a Savemore near us to buy my kid's "baon" for school, and bought some other essentials.   When I went to the cashier, I asked her if I could use my SM Advantage Card points to pay for the grocery items. She said yes, and proceeded to check out the items. My bill amounted to P661.00. When she checked my points, it was 660 points already! So she said, "Ma'am, piso na lang ang ibabayad niyo." Wow, nakakatuwa. I bought items for one peso.  Here's the list of items that I bought: 1 pack Oishi Pillows 2 Highlands corned beef (150 gm) 1 box Zesto Choco 2 packs Lucky Me Pancit...

Photo credit: http://www.harlancoben.com/ I started my love affair with books late. While members of the family were already enjoying novels, I was still stuck with Enid Blyton's children's stories, Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. I started reading the more serious novels in college.   Not too many few people know that I try to finish at least two books in a week. Yep, that's my goal. If I get to finish three in a week's time, then that means I have a lot of extra time in my hands. (Gasp! I do?!?!!?!)   Anyway, a year ago, someone (Ms. Dawn) visited me in my former office and saw a book I was currently reading perched on my table. After that, she gifted me with a copy of "The Woods" by Harlan Coben, her favorite author, and another book, the first book in the series of the same author. The name was so unfamiliar, I was scared that I won't be able to finish the book (what a waste!) I started reading The Woods, just a few page turn...

My room for two nights Last November 20 was the awarding of the Tupperware Women of Confidence for 2013. There were five of us, but unfortunately, two were unable to attend. Remember my post about that?  If not, you can view it here . Anyways, here are some of the photos.  As a sidenote, we were housed by Tupperware Brands Philippines at the Holiday Inn (for an overnight stay).  Venue for the awarding was the Oz Bar at the Holiday Inn Makati. The three of us didn't know that the awarding ceremony was for that day. (I didn't properly read their email for me).  We thought we were attending the workshop. I arrived at lunch with my bags, thinking that we were just having lunch and when I got there, everybody was dressed - except the three awardees. Oh well!    The staff of Tupperware were so nice, they insisted to take my bag and bring it  directly to my room while I ate, and my camera was there. So yep, I just stole the photo belo...

Last December, I was seeing signs of tear and tear (not wear and tear - dahil di pa naman sila masyadong gamit ) on two pairs of shoes that I bought from Zalora.  They weren't sulit , I tell you.  So I told myself, I need to buy a replacement soon, in case I accidentally leave behind the soles of my shoes while walking along Taft Ave.   Malls offer big inventory sales usually after the holidays, until the second week of January. It's a good time to shop for yourself, you know. Then I passed by a mall on my way home, and saw that there was a sale on Payless.  I have never bought anything from there since I didn't like their shoe designs and their price.  I've only gone inside Payless twice in my lifetime.  Third time was the other day, when there was a big "SALE" sign outside.  First thing I saw was this cute black stiletto from Fioni Night, which was originally priced at P1250.00. It was on sale then for P300.00! Siyempre, bumili agad ako...

A few days ago, I got a Linkedn invite from a student ( he was my student in Consti three semesters ago, and he sat in front).   The signature on the mail contained his fullname, with the name of the company where he is currently associated. Thinking that he has graduated, I replied, "Hey ____, congrats, you work at _______ na pala." And he said, "OJT lang po". I further replied that still, it's a good opportunity. Then I read his next reply a few minutes ago, which was:   "uhmmm sorry ahh , san nga po ba tau nagkakilala ?"   OH MEYN!!!!!!   I am not sure if the Linkedn invites are usually sent by its members, or if it's just an automatic thing. But the thing is, he was in my address list, and he usually sent me emails since some of my classes' requirements are passed through email, so I ASSUMED that he still new me.   Too bad, I made an ASS out of myself.   I always thought teachers somehow leave a mark on their student...

Every year, I make a list in my head of things I resolve to do (or not to do) and every year, I fail because I forget what's in the list. I remember a year though, when I jotted it down, and forgot all about it all throughout the year.  So it's not just my head, I realized. It's just that I am not the "new year's resolution" type. Just to be different, last January 1, I cleaned the house. Okay, one-fourth of the house... or one-eight of the house. It's so not easy for me, since I am not a domesticated wife, but it was an achievement. I even broke a sweat. I even tended the garden (again, a bit, since it was bigger than the house hehehe).  I also washed the dishes and gave hubby a break since he was sick. On January 2, it was "selfish" time. Hubby encouraged me to have a massage in the morning, his treat, since according to him, when I return to the office, I will again be so busy that I wil forget to take care of myself.  I didn't take...