Mike and I chose the Godparents for our son people we trust who can give advice to him when he seeks one. Gifts (to be) given to him are just bonus. One particular Godfather was not around because he has work that day, and his mom just handed me a big paper bag with crumpled paper on top. So one would think there’s a big stuff toy inside. But I was in for a surprise. Later that night, when I lifted the crumpled paper, I saw all these inside. Wow!

There were Benetton, Zara, Marks&Spencer and Nike items. That’s what I love about Europe. They have gorgeous items even for babies and kids!

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Anyway, I had a chance to talk to Mike’s aunt who is working in Ireland. I asked if there are many IT jobs there thinking that perhaps we could consider working there, where purchasing power is high. She mentioned that demand is more on Licensed Nurse Jobs.

I still feel comfortable living here in Manila. I know we should consider other countries too if we want the best for our kids. So far, only Australia fits the bill.

This September, we will be part of my brother’s wedding entourage. While my daughter and I will be wearing gowns and husband will be wearing a barong (an embroidered upper garment used on formal events), I thought of buying a mini barong for our son. When I shared this to my mom, she immediately discouraged me as it could be too itchy for a baby. Since our baby won’t be part of the entourage anyway, maybe he could get away with something less formal like this cute outfit.

Since the reception venue will be on the same hotel where the preps will be held, we plan on checking in as well (separately) so I can always run to our room in case my baby wants to nurse or needs a diaper change. I told my husband that I’m looking forward to this since we last had an out of the country trip March last year, we didn’t get to check in any hotels anymore. I sort of miss this luxury. Husband replied telling me we can always check in on our favorite hotels for our anniversary but I always prefer other anniversary gifts like those that he previously gave. No regrets. Just the same, as early as now, I’m browsing at RedEnvelope for unique gifts that I want to receive from him, and also something I’d be giving him for our next anniversary.

When my mom asked me where can I buy a garmin nuvi gps, I looked at her checking how serious she was. I knew GPS from work. I used to program car head units to communicate with a GPS unit. The head units were mostly for the Japanese market, so I rarely heard people in Manila using it. But that was years ago, people probably learned more from the internet. So more and more people use GPS now in Manila. Still, I didn’t expect my mom to be interested to use one. She told me it will be very useful for her and my dad since they love going out of town on their own. Sounds good enough.

Just when I thought summer is over, the temp in our room has gotten up to 33 degrees! Goodness! This, with the AC turned on. Tsk tsk. I wonder how some people can withstand this heat. I saw a friend’s status in Facebook that he went to his province to test his atv power steering this weekend. All the mud in this heat. Whoa!

The family was considering another outing before school starts, just a zoo visit and then swimming to its nearby resort. But we dropped the idea when we realized that it must be too hot in the zoo as well, and the resort isn’t good enough to be visited on its own. It was like a package for us because of the location. It would save us time and gas if we do these two things in one day. No zoo visit, no swimming.

It’s Saturday and I was feeling sad that the husband didn’t allow me to meet friends in Makati. He wanted me to stay within vicinity of QC so if in case I start labor, I can go to the hospital soon enough. I understand his concern but I know myself, I can go on labor for hours before I finally give birth giving me enough time to take a shower, shave my legs (hahaha), and calmly go over my checklist and hospital bag.

Around lunchtime, he asked me if I want to have lunch at Technohub with some of our HP friends. I agreed because I was craving for Mr. Kebab. But we had to buy daughter’s snack box and hot shots from KFC first, which got me full I wasn’t able to finish my Special Cielo Kebab. My daughter who is afraid of fountains, was relatively calm today watching the kids play around them. Still, she did not dare go near the fountains.

I remember that there’s a National bookstore so we bought items that the daughter needs for school. I was happy because this branch has so few customers (maybe because of its location) and buying was comfortable and fast. The only catch was they have limited items. But I only have 2 items that are yet to be crossed off my daughter’s list.

We went to Starbucks next and smelling the coffee was just heavenly. I had to order something, I opted for strawberry and cream. Bad decision because it made me feel even more full.

As if we haven’t had enough, we went to UP for “isaw”. I don’t eat isaw, I prefer fishballs and tukneneng but these ones I had to skip. No plans of throwing up today. Note: Mang Larry has relocated. He is now situated near their competitor (which is our favorite) just a block away from the church.

We went home to change clothes. (It was so hot in Technohub and UP, I was feeling sticky even if I’m wearing a tube dress.) I managed to check emails and twit.

Then off to Trinoma to watch a movie with our couple friends, different from the friends we were with earlier. They haven’t eaten yet so yes, we had to eat first at Cafe Breton before the movie. I had Hamburcrepe and mentally told myself that should be the last meal of the day.

Our original plan was not to watch in 3D. We can save almost half from its price, plus, it wouldn’t be too dizzying. When we got there, there was only 1 cinema showing Kung Fu Panda 2 and it’s in 3D. So I suggested XMEN which I heard is good, but everyone seemed to think so too because 3 cinemas were showing XMEN and tickets were sold out! So yes, we ended up watching Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D. Mikee had fun, talking and laughing through the movie without taking off her glasses (this is her 2nd time to watch in 3D).

One thing I noticed about the Trinoma mall today. IT WAS SO FREAKING HOT!!!

My parents are eyeing Mazda CX7. I’ve reminded my mom that a car is not an investment but rather a never ending expense, with monthly maintenance, annual car insurance and of course, the daily gas. I asked her why she’d want a new vehicle when they each have a CRV. My dad drives an older CRV (2000) though. But my father is retired and my mom will retire soon too and it’s their money anyway, so I guess it’s ok for them to get another car. My mom told me they won’t buy the CX7 unless the old CRV has been sold. That I’m not sure because knowing my parents, they’re not fans of waiting. So I’m giving them a month, I bet they’ll buy it before selling the CRV.

Last week, our family met with the family of my brother’s girlfriend. Customarily in the Philippines that the guy’s family go to the girl’s house to talk to her family and for the guy to formally ask the parents for the girl’s hand. It is called “Pamamanhikan”.

But the girl’s family preferred to meet out instead. So we had dinner at Dads (+ Kamayan & Saisaki) which still tops my list of buffet. While my brother’s fiancee was showing us her scott kay ring, the group of singers approached us and asked whose birthday it was. We explained that it was sort of an engagement dinner.

I was laughing as I thought they would sing Justin Bieber’s “baby” like they did earlier to a young couple. But instead, they sang two modern yet romantic songs (the titles I can’t remember right now haha).

This same night, the couple consulted me on some things. I was told that my brother thinks that the gowns that his girlfriend wants look much like vintage table cloth. I teased and told my brother that he’s clueless and should have no say at all when it comes to the wedding gown. Men are just so clueless. Tsk tsk.

It’s now only 27 weeks to go before I start planning the design of the Baptism invitations of our new baby. The oldies don’t like the idea of planning baptismal parties in advance so for now, the only plan is to plan it when the baby comes.

What I’m interested in, these days, is the design of the kids’ room for our new house. I know it’s too early to think of the house as we are moving mid 2012, but I just thought we can start buying some stuff that are in the same “style” and “color palette” with what we are going to use in the house. I want a cohesive look for each room. What style we are having, that I’m not decided yet. I need to decide before I even try convincing the husband into it, you know.

It’s another Sunday, and as usual, we went to my parents’ house. And again, I forgot to bring the Dan Brown book that I’ve been meaning to lend my dad. Oh yeah, the Last Symbol, I think. I’ve never read it. But since it’s of the same genre with Da Vinci code and “angels and demons” (which I both have read, by the way) so I’m pretty sure my dad would enjoy reading it.

What I didn’t forget is to bring all photos from our SD cards of all the dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and what-have-you’s for the past 5 years. It’s not that I haven’t given them these yet, I did give them a copy once like two years ago hahaha, but their PC had been reformatted for I could no longer count.

Alas, when I got home, I realized I was tagged by my brother to a photo of me pregnant with now-4-year-old daughter. Geez, I was fat… and I looked very much like how I look nowadays. Eeeew!

Now that mother’s day has passed. It’s time to think of father’s day presents! Hahaha. Too early? I say not so.

After thinking for gifts on my father’s birthday and for Christmas every year, I think I’ve ran out of ideas. Well, he is a collector of chess sets, clocks, umbrellas and Rubik’s cube. His current addiction is the Sudoku but he has this digital Sudoku now. Oh, a book maybe? :p

Besides, I need to think of something to get for my husband too.

But aren’t we girls just too happy that guys are so easy to please?