Where has this week gone? I can't believe it's already Thursday night. The days just flew by - whoosh! I've been busy at work - but it's a good kind of busy - the kind that keeps me occupied but not stressed. This week we have a major deadline we have to meet and everyone is working extra hard - myself included, even if technically this is only my second full week at the office. I don't mind, though. In fact, I kind of like being part of a group effort where everyone is working towards the same goal. So far, work has been okay. There are ups and downs (luckily though the "ups" definitely outweigh the "downs").
But it hasn't been just work that's keeping me busy. I've been juggling the things I have gotten used to doing before I started this job. I'm trying to squeeze in time to go to the gym. I'm still trying to make an effort to prepare home-cooked meals (although I am now learning that semi-homemade is just as good as made-from-scratch!). I am still doing my best to keep house and do all the chores around here (although Jojo has been absolutely wonderful about picking up his fair share!). Jojo and I still go out and find time to spend with family and friends. We also still try to set time just for the two of us. I am trying to keep up my blog, my Facebook page, and even my emails. I still set aside some time to read every night before I go to bed (that's my "me" time). Plus, I am still trying to maintain my good sleeping habits (7 hours a night - at the very least!). It's been a bit hectic getting everything done ... but I'm still managing!
Of course there are some things I've had to give up. I miss talking to my mom and my sisters (Joy and Atsi). When I wasn't working, Atsi and I would chat during the day and then I'd be on the phone with mom and Joy (almost every single day!). Now it's a bit hard to coordinate our schedules and the time differences! Haha. Then there's not getting to go shopping. I used to spend a lot of time doing that and now I'm too tired to even think about it! Also, I find myself having to give up watching tv. I guess when most of the day is filled with so many other activities ... watching tv kind of falls to the wayside. I guess, as with all things, there are always trade-offs! =)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Dance Recital
We attended my nieces' dance recital at the Cerritos Sports Complex today. Faye, Maddie, MJ and Sydney have been taking ballet and tap dance lessons for a few months now and today they got to show off their talents. They were so unbelievably cute as they danced on stage. No stage fright for these performers! The entire Ordinario family was there to cheer them on. We were all so proud of these 4 young ladies - each one of them did a wonderful job! Here they are after their performance. Aren't their costumes just too cute for words and complete with tap shoes too!
And here they are on stage (it's not a very good picture because the sun was so bright!).
And here they are on stage (it's not a very good picture because the sun was so bright!).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Food News
If the West Coast has "In & Out", the East Coast has "Five Guys Burger and Fries". Recently, a Five Guys chain opened up at the Carson Mall. Jojo and I have heard the hype and read the reviews. We've talked about trying their burgers for a while, but only got the chance tonight. It was time to set it straight and find out which burger chain was best. Tonight was the Battle of the Burger Joints!
For starters, ambiance-wise, it is a definite tie. Both places are typical of fast-food joints with bright lights and formica-topped tables. Both chains even had the signature red and white colors that give off a diner-like vibe. We walked up to the counter and scanned the menu. Just as with In & Out, there is not much choice. Just burgers (different sizes and your choice of 1 or 2 patties). They also served hotdogs but we decided to pass, after all tonight was all about the burgers. Five Guys lets you choose up to a dozen different toppings that go on your burger. My choice was grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapenoes. Jojo had cheese, mayo, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes and steak sauce. All the burgers are cooked to order and served well done. We also ordered a side of cajun fries.
We sat down to wait. Since the burgers take some time to cook, we helped ourselves to shelled peanuts which was available in 5 pound containers around the restaurant. I thought this was a nice touch since the food does take some time to be prepared. After about 15 minutes, we had our dinner.
I didn't take pictures because honestly these were not gourmet burgers nor was this a cool dining place. It's really all about taste - nothing fancy. Burger-wise, I have to give it up for Five Guys. Their burgers were juicy and almost savory. A far cry from typical fastfood burgers that taste like frozen patties where the condiments mask all the beefy taste. I also liked the fact that you got to choose your toppings. Fries-wise, I still prefer In & Out's. It's a personal preference though since I like long, thin and crispy fries (like In & Out's). Five Guys serves their fries, extra thick with malt vinegar on the side. Not my favorite way to eat potatoes. Drinks-wise, In & Out wins because they have delicious extra-thick milkshakes while Five Guys just had soda.
All in all, I'd have to say that in the Battle of the Burger Joints, East Coast vs. West Coast, it's a pretty even tie!
In other food news ... today is also memorable because it is the first time EVER that my husband baked cookies! Yes, you read that right. Jojo baked cookies! It started with Jojo buying a cookbook specifically for diabetics. Since Jojo LOVES dessert but has high bloodsugar, he often has to pass up on sweets. He decided to start making his own desserts. (I like to cook but I do not like to bake, so I told Jojo he would be pretty much on his own here).
Anyway, today, while I was at work, he decided to surprise me by baking me something to eat when I got home. He started with an easy recipe - peanut butter cookies (one of my favorites!). I missed most of the action in the kitchen but came home to the wonderful aroma of fresh baked cookies. Sorry there aren't any pictures but take my word for it, the cookies turned out great (although a little bit lopsided - but I think that just adds to their charm). They were warm, soft, gooey, peanut-buttery and tasted just as sweet as the guy who baked them for me! =)
For starters, ambiance-wise, it is a definite tie. Both places are typical of fast-food joints with bright lights and formica-topped tables. Both chains even had the signature red and white colors that give off a diner-like vibe. We walked up to the counter and scanned the menu. Just as with In & Out, there is not much choice. Just burgers (different sizes and your choice of 1 or 2 patties). They also served hotdogs but we decided to pass, after all tonight was all about the burgers. Five Guys lets you choose up to a dozen different toppings that go on your burger. My choice was grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapenoes. Jojo had cheese, mayo, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes and steak sauce. All the burgers are cooked to order and served well done. We also ordered a side of cajun fries.
We sat down to wait. Since the burgers take some time to cook, we helped ourselves to shelled peanuts which was available in 5 pound containers around the restaurant. I thought this was a nice touch since the food does take some time to be prepared. After about 15 minutes, we had our dinner.
I didn't take pictures because honestly these were not gourmet burgers nor was this a cool dining place. It's really all about taste - nothing fancy. Burger-wise, I have to give it up for Five Guys. Their burgers were juicy and almost savory. A far cry from typical fastfood burgers that taste like frozen patties where the condiments mask all the beefy taste. I also liked the fact that you got to choose your toppings. Fries-wise, I still prefer In & Out's. It's a personal preference though since I like long, thin and crispy fries (like In & Out's). Five Guys serves their fries, extra thick with malt vinegar on the side. Not my favorite way to eat potatoes. Drinks-wise, In & Out wins because they have delicious extra-thick milkshakes while Five Guys just had soda.
All in all, I'd have to say that in the Battle of the Burger Joints, East Coast vs. West Coast, it's a pretty even tie!
In other food news ... today is also memorable because it is the first time EVER that my husband baked cookies! Yes, you read that right. Jojo baked cookies! It started with Jojo buying a cookbook specifically for diabetics. Since Jojo LOVES dessert but has high bloodsugar, he often has to pass up on sweets. He decided to start making his own desserts. (I like to cook but I do not like to bake, so I told Jojo he would be pretty much on his own here).
Anyway, today, while I was at work, he decided to surprise me by baking me something to eat when I got home. He started with an easy recipe - peanut butter cookies (one of my favorites!). I missed most of the action in the kitchen but came home to the wonderful aroma of fresh baked cookies. Sorry there aren't any pictures but take my word for it, the cookies turned out great (although a little bit lopsided - but I think that just adds to their charm). They were warm, soft, gooey, peanut-buttery and tasted just as sweet as the guy who baked them for me! =)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Smart Streak
Funny thing happened at work the other day. A group of us were sitting in the staff lounge having lunch, when someone turned on the t.v. and the game show “Cash Cab” came on. For those that don’t know, “Cash Cab” is a game show held in a New York City cab. Contestants (passengers) get asked trivia questions that earn them money. They basically play till they get to their destination and if they get three wrong answers before arriving, they get kicked off the cab.
So, anyway, the show comes on and a table full of guys, sitting closest to the tv was really getting into the show. I was half watching and half having a conversation with the two people I was eating with ... when I heard the question “what South American animal, that closely resembles the llama, is bred for its fur which is used to make sweaters, socks and coats?” and without really thinking I blurt out “alpacas”. The room is quiet and when the Cash Cab host says, “The answer is alpacas”, the guys yell out “You’re a genius!”.
The next question was “which Middle Eastern capital is declared by NATO as the most unsafe place to live and work?”. One of the guys yells “Iraq!”. To which I said, “Iraq’s capital is Baghdad.”. Honestly, I didn’t really know if the answer was Baghdad, I was just saying it is the capital of Iraq (and the question had asked for a Middle Eastern capital, not country). The host then says, “The answer is Baghdad” ... I swear they all looked at me like I was Albert Einstein.
Next question was “Who was the first of Henry VIII’s 6 wives?”. I didn’t really want to answer since I didn’t want them to think I was some know-it-all, so I didn’t say anything. But then one of the guys said to his friend “I’ll bet $5.00 Joanne knows the answer”. And he looks at me expectantly and I said “I think it's Catherine of Aragon” which turns out to be right. It was so funny how amazed they looked.
After that my “smart streak” ended because the next question was a Science one and had to do with acidic compounds - I didn’t know the answer to that (I can’t even remember the question). Good thing no one bet anything on my knowing that! Anyway, after that, I think they started thinking I was normal again and not some freakishly smart alien being! =)
So, anyway, the show comes on and a table full of guys, sitting closest to the tv was really getting into the show. I was half watching and half having a conversation with the two people I was eating with ... when I heard the question “what South American animal, that closely resembles the llama, is bred for its fur which is used to make sweaters, socks and coats?” and without really thinking I blurt out “alpacas”. The room is quiet and when the Cash Cab host says, “The answer is alpacas”, the guys yell out “You’re a genius!”.
The next question was “which Middle Eastern capital is declared by NATO as the most unsafe place to live and work?”. One of the guys yells “Iraq!”. To which I said, “Iraq’s capital is Baghdad.”. Honestly, I didn’t really know if the answer was Baghdad, I was just saying it is the capital of Iraq (and the question had asked for a Middle Eastern capital, not country). The host then says, “The answer is Baghdad” ... I swear they all looked at me like I was Albert Einstein.
Next question was “Who was the first of Henry VIII’s 6 wives?”. I didn’t really want to answer since I didn’t want them to think I was some know-it-all, so I didn’t say anything. But then one of the guys said to his friend “I’ll bet $5.00 Joanne knows the answer”. And he looks at me expectantly and I said “I think it's Catherine of Aragon” which turns out to be right. It was so funny how amazed they looked.
After that my “smart streak” ended because the next question was a Science one and had to do with acidic compounds - I didn’t know the answer to that (I can’t even remember the question). Good thing no one bet anything on my knowing that! Anyway, after that, I think they started thinking I was normal again and not some freakishly smart alien being! =)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Waking Up
One of my least favorite things about going back to work is having to wake up early every morning. Actually it's not so much the idea of "waking up early" that I hate, it's more the "waking up at a designated time" that I hate. When I go to sleep, I normally like to wake up when I'm good and ready. I absolutely hate having to wake up to the sound of an alarm clock buzzing.
Because of this, my ever thoughtful husband recently bought me a new alarm clock. Mind you, our old one was not broken, but it made the most annoying sound when the alarm went off. It literally jars you awake when it goes off and you wake up feeling disoriented and slightly deaf. We tried all the other alarm tones but they all pretty much sound the same. Of course, we also tried turning the volume down, but then we both slept through it the next day since it buzzed ever so softly. So basically with our old alarm clock we had two choices: get rudely roused from sleep or enjoy sleeping in and not waking up on time.
Which brings me to the new alarm clock that my darling husband got me. We now have a Homedics Soundspa Sunrise. Does that not sound like an awesome gadget to have?
Basically, it is not just an alarm clock, it also helps you fall asleep by playing soothing sounds of nature. My favorites are Spring Rain (you fall asleep while listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops) and Ocean (imagine hearing waves rolling on the shore). Also, it projects the time in a muted blue light which is perfect for nighttime viewing but without the illuminating glare. Then there is the "alarm clock" features but instead of the loud ringing in the morning, the Soundspa Sunrise gently wakes you up by simulating a sunrise (you plug in into your bedside lamp and it slowly brightens the room). It also simultaneously pipes in soothing nature sounds as well. We've programmed it so that we wake up to the sound of birds chirping! I have to say, after using it the last 3 days, it is an absolutely fantastic way to wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Because of this, my ever thoughtful husband recently bought me a new alarm clock. Mind you, our old one was not broken, but it made the most annoying sound when the alarm went off. It literally jars you awake when it goes off and you wake up feeling disoriented and slightly deaf. We tried all the other alarm tones but they all pretty much sound the same. Of course, we also tried turning the volume down, but then we both slept through it the next day since it buzzed ever so softly. So basically with our old alarm clock we had two choices: get rudely roused from sleep or enjoy sleeping in and not waking up on time.
Which brings me to the new alarm clock that my darling husband got me. We now have a Homedics Soundspa Sunrise. Does that not sound like an awesome gadget to have?
Basically, it is not just an alarm clock, it also helps you fall asleep by playing soothing sounds of nature. My favorites are Spring Rain (you fall asleep while listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops) and Ocean (imagine hearing waves rolling on the shore). Also, it projects the time in a muted blue light which is perfect for nighttime viewing but without the illuminating glare. Then there is the "alarm clock" features but instead of the loud ringing in the morning, the Soundspa Sunrise gently wakes you up by simulating a sunrise (you plug in into your bedside lamp and it slowly brightens the room). It also simultaneously pipes in soothing nature sounds as well. We've programmed it so that we wake up to the sound of birds chirping! I have to say, after using it the last 3 days, it is an absolutely fantastic way to wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
So Far, So Good
Sorry for the delayed post ... it's been a little hectic lately. On Tuesday I had to run a million errands (stuff I normally spread out over the week) since I was starting work on Wednesday. Then on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had work - my schedule this week is from 10:00-7:00. Which is awesome because I still got to sleep in and could take my time in the mornings. On Wed night, Jojo and I celebrated my first day back to work. On Thurs night we had dinner at Seafood Town with the family for my sister-in-law's sister (Kat) who was heading back to Manila. Then on Fri night we had a backyard barbecue for our friends Joe and Arlene who are moving to New York. So there hasn't been time (till now) to write about my new job. Actually, there hasn't been a time to do a lot of things ... like go to the gym for instance (I am going to have to try to work that into my schedule).
Work-wise, it has been all good so far. My co-workers seem really nice and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. I don't know if this is because I am now working for a school with a younger crowd as compared to my last job which was with a bank and therefore much more "corporate". There has been a lot to learn and my first three days has been mostly doing that. I am slowly getting acclimated to going back to work and so far have not suffered any withdrawal symptoms to my formerly "bum" lifestyle (haha). Also, can I just say it one more time, I am so loving my commute!!! It takes me 5 minutes to get to work. The time I am saving is a real luxury - especially here in LA where long distances and horrible traffic is a way of life.
Anyway, enough about that. It's the weekend and even if I have only been at work 3 days out of 5 this week, it still feels good to have 2 days off =)
Work-wise, it has been all good so far. My co-workers seem really nice and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. I don't know if this is because I am now working for a school with a younger crowd as compared to my last job which was with a bank and therefore much more "corporate". There has been a lot to learn and my first three days has been mostly doing that. I am slowly getting acclimated to going back to work and so far have not suffered any withdrawal symptoms to my formerly "bum" lifestyle (haha). Also, can I just say it one more time, I am so loving my commute!!! It takes me 5 minutes to get to work. The time I am saving is a real luxury - especially here in LA where long distances and horrible traffic is a way of life.
Anyway, enough about that. It's the weekend and even if I have only been at work 3 days out of 5 this week, it still feels good to have 2 days off =)
Monday, April 12, 2010
I Love Weddings!
Last Saturday was the wedding of my brother-in-law, Jay, and my new sister-in-law, Charmaine. I know it sounds cliche to say "it was a beautiful wedding" but this one truly was a beautiful event. It had all the right elements. There was the beautiful bride, the dashing groom, a happy gathering of family and friends, a majestic church, a wonderfully-decorated ballroom, good food, lots of dancing and everyone having a great time.
The wedding was held at the Mary, Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro while the reception was held at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Here are some pictures from that special day. (FYI - these are pictures from my camera ... so they are not very professionally done. I will try to get pictures from the professional photographer so you can see how lovely Cha's gown was, how gorgeous the flowers were and how much work went into decorating the ballroom!).
The event started on time. The bridal party walked down the aisle. The grand entrance was of Cha's mom walking her down the aisle.
I didn't get any shots during the wedding but here is one at the end. From this moment on, they will be known as "Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Ordinario" =)
The bride and groom with their wedding party - mostly their friends from high school and college.
Jay and Cha with Cha's sister, Kat, her mom, Jay's parents (my in-laws), and the flower girls and ring bearers.
With my sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, friends and family.
Here's me and my very own handsome groom! =)
My nieces and nephews (except Jeremy) ... it was really hard getting them all to standstill for this picture! But it was worth it because don't they all look adorable?
The entire Ordinario family ... minus Ogie's family (wishing they were here too!)
At the reception, we started the evening off with a blessing led by Father Jun (the groom's uncle). I wish I had taken some shots of the ballroom. It was really very tastefully decorated and the wedding colors (yellow and orange) really made the place look very festive.
Their first dance as husband and wife. Don't they look absolutely happy?
Now everyone on the dance floor! It was great to see the kids getting into it too =)
Cutting their wedding cake. They had a super delicious banana cake with cream frosting.
To Jay and Cha, congratulations and best wishes for your very own "happy ever after"!
The wedding was held at the Mary, Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro while the reception was held at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Here are some pictures from that special day. (FYI - these are pictures from my camera ... so they are not very professionally done. I will try to get pictures from the professional photographer so you can see how lovely Cha's gown was, how gorgeous the flowers were and how much work went into decorating the ballroom!).
The event started on time. The bridal party walked down the aisle. The grand entrance was of Cha's mom walking her down the aisle.
I didn't get any shots during the wedding but here is one at the end. From this moment on, they will be known as "Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Ordinario" =)
The bride and groom with their wedding party - mostly their friends from high school and college.
Jay and Cha with Cha's sister, Kat, her mom, Jay's parents (my in-laws), and the flower girls and ring bearers.
With my sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, friends and family.
Here's me and my very own handsome groom! =)
My nieces and nephews (except Jeremy) ... it was really hard getting them all to standstill for this picture! But it was worth it because don't they all look adorable?
The entire Ordinario family ... minus Ogie's family (wishing they were here too!)
At the reception, we started the evening off with a blessing led by Father Jun (the groom's uncle). I wish I had taken some shots of the ballroom. It was really very tastefully decorated and the wedding colors (yellow and orange) really made the place look very festive.
Their first dance as husband and wife. Don't they look absolutely happy?
Now everyone on the dance floor! It was great to see the kids getting into it too =)
Cutting their wedding cake. They had a super delicious banana cake with cream frosting.
To Jay and Cha, congratulations and best wishes for your very own "happy ever after"!
Friday, April 09, 2010
My New Job
And in other news ... more details about my new job =) Just as I did with my last two jobs, I won't go into too much detail about the company I will be working for nor will I divulge too much about my co-workers. That's only because I don't want to get into any potential legal trouble (these days ... you just never know!). But I can share a little bit about what I'll be doing and general things about my new job.
Basically, I will be working for an academic institution and I will be working in the Career Development group. My job can pretty much be divided into two parts. Half the time, I will be working with students. I will be helping them develop career goals and objectives. I will be giving individual coaching and facilitating group workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, job searching, networking and general business etiquette. I will be helping them draft business letters and helping them transition from the academic to the corporate world. The other half of the time, I will be meeting with local businesses. I will be making presentations about the school I work for and presenting to them the profiles of our students. My networking will hopefully lead to getting jobs for the students. I will also be organizing career fairs, open houses and informational interviews.
The reason I wanted this job ... well, it met a lot of the criteria I had set:
1.) Career-wise, it is doing the three things I love most. First, I still get to do coaching and training which I absolutely enjoy. Second, I get to work with a lot of people (students and professionals). And third, I get to do sales and marketing which is my background.
2.) I feel that it has a sense of purpose ... I love the fact that I will be helping / mentoring students. Through the years, I have had several mentors that have helped me at different points in my life. When I was in college, I had a professor, Alex Puente. At UC Berkeley I had my adviser, Bill Hess. During grad school I had a professor, Catherine Sim. Professionally I had Carol Segrave and Marshal Backlar who showed me the ropes and shared career advice. All of them had such a profound impact on what I wanted to do with my life that I am so glad to have the chance to get to do this for other people too.
3.) I know the third reason may be a bit more shallow but it is pretty important to me. The commute is really awesome. My new job is a 5 minute drive from where we live.
That's pretty much it ... for now.
Now, here are the things I had to compromise on ... although "compromise" may be a strong word because, in all honesty, I do not really mind all that much.
1.) Compensation ... it is definitely less than what I used to make at my last job. But really, and I don't mean to sound self-righteous here, it does not matter all that much to me. I can't say it does not matter at all ... because of course, I like money just as much as the next person ... but at the end of the day, it is not my number one priority at this time.
2.) Schedule ... is a bit more erratic. The department is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM till 9:00 PM and on Saturdays till 5:00 PM. We have to rotate our shifts so that we have all those hours covered. Which means I will sometimes have to work afternoon-to-evening shifts and come in on some Saturdays as well (Monday would then be my day off). But really, since it is so close to home, I don't think it will be too much of a problem. Plus Jojo is giving me his full support and has promised he will be taking over dinner duties when I have to work late.
I think that's about it regarding my "compromises" ... but of course, we shall have to wait and see!
Basically, I will be working for an academic institution and I will be working in the Career Development group. My job can pretty much be divided into two parts. Half the time, I will be working with students. I will be helping them develop career goals and objectives. I will be giving individual coaching and facilitating group workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, job searching, networking and general business etiquette. I will be helping them draft business letters and helping them transition from the academic to the corporate world. The other half of the time, I will be meeting with local businesses. I will be making presentations about the school I work for and presenting to them the profiles of our students. My networking will hopefully lead to getting jobs for the students. I will also be organizing career fairs, open houses and informational interviews.
The reason I wanted this job ... well, it met a lot of the criteria I had set:
1.) Career-wise, it is doing the three things I love most. First, I still get to do coaching and training which I absolutely enjoy. Second, I get to work with a lot of people (students and professionals). And third, I get to do sales and marketing which is my background.
2.) I feel that it has a sense of purpose ... I love the fact that I will be helping / mentoring students. Through the years, I have had several mentors that have helped me at different points in my life. When I was in college, I had a professor, Alex Puente. At UC Berkeley I had my adviser, Bill Hess. During grad school I had a professor, Catherine Sim. Professionally I had Carol Segrave and Marshal Backlar who showed me the ropes and shared career advice. All of them had such a profound impact on what I wanted to do with my life that I am so glad to have the chance to get to do this for other people too.
3.) I know the third reason may be a bit more shallow but it is pretty important to me. The commute is really awesome. My new job is a 5 minute drive from where we live.
That's pretty much it ... for now.
Now, here are the things I had to compromise on ... although "compromise" may be a strong word because, in all honesty, I do not really mind all that much.
1.) Compensation ... it is definitely less than what I used to make at my last job. But really, and I don't mean to sound self-righteous here, it does not matter all that much to me. I can't say it does not matter at all ... because of course, I like money just as much as the next person ... but at the end of the day, it is not my number one priority at this time.
2.) Schedule ... is a bit more erratic. The department is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM till 9:00 PM and on Saturdays till 5:00 PM. We have to rotate our shifts so that we have all those hours covered. Which means I will sometimes have to work afternoon-to-evening shifts and come in on some Saturdays as well (Monday would then be my day off). But really, since it is so close to home, I don't think it will be too much of a problem. Plus Jojo is giving me his full support and has promised he will be taking over dinner duties when I have to work late.
I think that's about it regarding my "compromises" ... but of course, we shall have to wait and see!
Wedding Rehearsal / Couple's Shower
Lots to write about today ... where do I start. To begin with, yesterday was a pretty busy day for me. Last night was my brother-in-law (Jay) and soon-to-be sister-in law's (Cha) wedding rehearsal. We also timed their his-and-hers bridal shower for the same night. We were extra busy pretty much all day setting up the backyard of my other sister-in-law's (Marik) place for the event. The theme was a Hawaiian Luau. We set up canopies in the yard, strung paper lanterns across, hung up hawaiian posters and festive streamers, taped tablecloths to the tables (it was so windy), had glass centerpieces filled with fresh lemons and candles, planted torches all around, and draped garlands of flowers on each guest's seat. We also had Hawaiian food - barbecued beef short ribs, chicken barbecue, pork katsu, macaroni salad and steamed rice. And lots of little fruit tarts and cheesecake for dessert.
During the event, my co-planners (Edel, Marik, Tracy and Len) and I had lots of activities planned. I served as the host for the evening which I was happy to do. There was a lot of good-natured fun and of course racy innuendos and games (we had to set up a video for the kids to watch inside so they wouldn't be exposed to the "action" outside!). We also had a presentation of gifts at the end of the night. Each guest had to bring a gift for Jay and Cha ... and it had to be something they could use on their wedding night. Of course, everyone was encouraged to "use their imagination" - well, you can just imagine the things people brought. Some were cute and sweet (like pajamas and chocolates) while others were just outright shocking (like edible underwear and sexual stimulants)! It was so funny though that each guest had to explain what they brought right in front of Cha's mom and Jay's parents!
All in all, it was a really great evening. All the guests (about 50-60 all in all) were actively participating. There was more than enough food and drinks (we were a bit worried for a while). We didn't serve alcohol (it was a weeknight after all) but everyone had a good time. The only downer was it was SOOO COOOLD! It's pretty hard to have an outdoor party when the temps are so low. We were decked out in Hawaiian attire but also wearing sweaters on top of them. =) I don't have any pictures to share since we were so busy that night. But I am sure there will be plenty that will surface on Facebook some time soon =)
Now, we are working on planning that their wedding (which is tomorrow!) goes just as well =)
During the event, my co-planners (Edel, Marik, Tracy and Len) and I had lots of activities planned. I served as the host for the evening which I was happy to do. There was a lot of good-natured fun and of course racy innuendos and games (we had to set up a video for the kids to watch inside so they wouldn't be exposed to the "action" outside!). We also had a presentation of gifts at the end of the night. Each guest had to bring a gift for Jay and Cha ... and it had to be something they could use on their wedding night. Of course, everyone was encouraged to "use their imagination" - well, you can just imagine the things people brought. Some were cute and sweet (like pajamas and chocolates) while others were just outright shocking (like edible underwear and sexual stimulants)! It was so funny though that each guest had to explain what they brought right in front of Cha's mom and Jay's parents!
All in all, it was a really great evening. All the guests (about 50-60 all in all) were actively participating. There was more than enough food and drinks (we were a bit worried for a while). We didn't serve alcohol (it was a weeknight after all) but everyone had a good time. The only downer was it was SOOO COOOLD! It's pretty hard to have an outdoor party when the temps are so low. We were decked out in Hawaiian attire but also wearing sweaters on top of them. =) I don't have any pictures to share since we were so busy that night. But I am sure there will be plenty that will surface on Facebook some time soon =)
Now, we are working on planning that their wedding (which is tomorrow!) goes just as well =)
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Back in the Saddle!
After a really long wait and 3 days of rollercoaster-like (meaning there were lots of ups and downs) "negotiations", I finally got a job offer today ... which I accepted! I am happy with my new job. It has met most of the criteria I have set and I am confident I can live with those with which I had to compromise. Also I am super excited to get back to work. I've actually gone shopping today in anticipation of my re-entry into the workforce. Oh and I'm already dreaming of things to buy with my first paycheck! I am getting ahead of myself but am just so excited. I am so looking forward to working on projects, interacting with people, wearing corporate clothes, attending meetings, facing deadlines and sitting behind a desk! A little weird, right? Yes, I know that in maybe 3 months time, I'll be wishing I could go on vacation and won't be as excited to go to work every morning. But for now, I am really giddy with the thought of working again. I am going to enjoy this for now and hopefully the feeling lasts as long as it can!
More details on my job tomorrow ... for now, I just wanted to share the good news =)
More details on my job tomorrow ... for now, I just wanted to share the good news =)
Monday, April 05, 2010
Home Work
Now a post about "home work" ... no, not the boring kind that they give you in school, but real work to be done around the home! =) Over the weekend, Jojo and I met with some contractors to discuss our plans to renovate our kitchen. FYI, our kitchen is still in pretty good condition and there are no major problems that need to be addressed. The changes we want to do are purely cosmetic since our kitchen could stand to be updated. Before the contractors came, we discussed that we wanted the cabinets to be either re-surfaced or re-faced, the white tile countertops be changed to something more practical, attractive and durable, the walls repainted, and the flooring to be changed (it is now a bright white and we want a more mellow color). We didn't really have a budget in mind since we weren't really sure how much the renovation would cost but we figured something in between $8-10K was fair.
I had contacted several contractors so we could get different opinions and suggestions. Also, I thought that having a couple of bids would help us get a fair price. Last Saturday we had two contractors come visit. At 11 AM, Maru (an interesting man from Jordan) stopped by and at 2 PM, Alexio (a creative Italian) was here. Both of them agreed right off the bat that our kitchen was in good shape. They both said they have been to homes where the kitchen floors were damaged, cabinets were warped and countertops were scratched or burned. Ours was still well maintained and still looked good. The goals then was to modernize the look of the kitchen.
Both contractor's agreed that refacing the cabinets (rather than ordering brand new ones) would work. This means either re-painting or re-varnishing the existing wood and just changing the hinges and hardware. For the countertops, they both suggested granite or Caesar stone with 6-inch backsplashes. They also recommended re-painting the walls and removing the existing border I have on the walls. Lastly, the floor could be replaced with a stone/slate type material. No major changes. Also, both contractors said it would take 1-2 weeks to complete.
Here's the clincher: THE PRICE. Maru quoted $8,900 for the cabinets and countertops, $1,000 for painting and removing the border, and an additional $5,000 for a new floor. Alexio was not much different. He quoted $10,000 for cabinets and countertops, $800 for painting, and $5-6,000 for the floor. This does not include our buying a new sink which would be around $200-300 and a new light fixture which would be another $200-300. Also, they had suggested getting a new dishwasher (our existing one came with the house and does not match our newer appliances). A new dishwasher would run us another $400-500. We were also warned that costs could still go up depending on what comes up during construction. So all in all we are looking at spending AT LEAST $16-18,000! Whoa! We were told that materials cost only 15-20% and the bulk of the bill is really the labor. And as we all know, labor is not cheap in America!
We were a bit taken aback. Maru and Alexio both said their companies could help us with a financing plan. That means we can pay in installments but with interest. No way! My dad was a firm believer in never paying for anything this way. He has taught us that it is never a good idea to spend money you don't have yet. And that we should just get/buy what we want/need when we can afford to pay for it. So, for now, we have to postpone our plans to renovate. We can still live with our kitchen for another year or two. Who knows, by then maybe Jojo and I will pick up some construction skills and can do some of the work ourselves!?
I had contacted several contractors so we could get different opinions and suggestions. Also, I thought that having a couple of bids would help us get a fair price. Last Saturday we had two contractors come visit. At 11 AM, Maru (an interesting man from Jordan) stopped by and at 2 PM, Alexio (a creative Italian) was here. Both of them agreed right off the bat that our kitchen was in good shape. They both said they have been to homes where the kitchen floors were damaged, cabinets were warped and countertops were scratched or burned. Ours was still well maintained and still looked good. The goals then was to modernize the look of the kitchen.
Both contractor's agreed that refacing the cabinets (rather than ordering brand new ones) would work. This means either re-painting or re-varnishing the existing wood and just changing the hinges and hardware. For the countertops, they both suggested granite or Caesar stone with 6-inch backsplashes. They also recommended re-painting the walls and removing the existing border I have on the walls. Lastly, the floor could be replaced with a stone/slate type material. No major changes. Also, both contractors said it would take 1-2 weeks to complete.
Here's the clincher: THE PRICE. Maru quoted $8,900 for the cabinets and countertops, $1,000 for painting and removing the border, and an additional $5,000 for a new floor. Alexio was not much different. He quoted $10,000 for cabinets and countertops, $800 for painting, and $5-6,000 for the floor. This does not include our buying a new sink which would be around $200-300 and a new light fixture which would be another $200-300. Also, they had suggested getting a new dishwasher (our existing one came with the house and does not match our newer appliances). A new dishwasher would run us another $400-500. We were also warned that costs could still go up depending on what comes up during construction. So all in all we are looking at spending AT LEAST $16-18,000! Whoa! We were told that materials cost only 15-20% and the bulk of the bill is really the labor. And as we all know, labor is not cheap in America!
We were a bit taken aback. Maru and Alexio both said their companies could help us with a financing plan. That means we can pay in installments but with interest. No way! My dad was a firm believer in never paying for anything this way. He has taught us that it is never a good idea to spend money you don't have yet. And that we should just get/buy what we want/need when we can afford to pay for it. So, for now, we have to postpone our plans to renovate. We can still live with our kitchen for another year or two. Who knows, by then maybe Jojo and I will pick up some construction skills and can do some of the work ourselves!?
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Happy Easter!
WHAT: Easter Sunday celebration
WHEN: April 4th (noon to afternoon)
WHERE: Jojo and Tracy's place in Cerritos
WHO: Ordinario family
To celebrate Easter, we had a traditional potluck lunch at my brother & sister-in-law's place. It was a gorgeous day - sunny but very cool. The perfect weather to hold our annual Easter egg hunt. But before that, we had lunch. There was so much food! There were turkey roll-ups.
I brought a pasta dish made with whole wheat noodles, Italian sausage, sundried tomatoes, asparagus and capers.
There were Filipino dishes too like pancit malabon (rice noodles).
Of course, there was chicken and pork adobo (which is probably the Philippine national dish).
Inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish) with lots of tomatoes and onions.
For dessert, there was this giant danish with strawberry and cheese ...
And turon with banana and langka (jackfruit). Yummy! I've missed having my mom's turon ... this one tasted just as good.
After lunch we had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Here are the kids are off and running, hunting for eggs hidden all over the backyard and the back patio.
The kids with their loot. This was suppose to be a shot with the kids, the titas and Lola - but as you can see there are some rogue titos in the shot! (Pardon my hair ... it was so windy!)
This time, the kids with Tito Jesse, Lolo. Tito Lee, Tito Roy, Tito Kuy and Tito Jojo.
The whole day was a lot of fun. But what made the day extra memorable actually happened later in the afternoon. While the kids were watching a movie upstairs, all of the adults were in the living room just chatting. I was sitting on the couch with Jojo and felt myself swaying. At first, I thought it was just me, but then we noticed the whole room shaking. The chandelier was swinging side to side and the water in the aquarium was sloshing around. There was an earthquake. It lasted about 30-40 seconds. We all gathered in the living room and waited it out. Turns out it was a pretty strong quake. A 7.3 on the richter scale with Mexicali as the epicenter (about 120+ miles from where we were). It was kinda scary and we were all glad that it was over and no one got hurt. Certainly a memorable Easter!
WHEN: April 4th (noon to afternoon)
WHERE: Jojo and Tracy's place in Cerritos
WHO: Ordinario family
To celebrate Easter, we had a traditional potluck lunch at my brother & sister-in-law's place. It was a gorgeous day - sunny but very cool. The perfect weather to hold our annual Easter egg hunt. But before that, we had lunch. There was so much food! There were turkey roll-ups.
I brought a pasta dish made with whole wheat noodles, Italian sausage, sundried tomatoes, asparagus and capers.
There were Filipino dishes too like pancit malabon (rice noodles).
Of course, there was chicken and pork adobo (which is probably the Philippine national dish).
Inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish) with lots of tomatoes and onions.
For dessert, there was this giant danish with strawberry and cheese ...
And turon with banana and langka (jackfruit). Yummy! I've missed having my mom's turon ... this one tasted just as good.
After lunch we had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Here are the kids are off and running, hunting for eggs hidden all over the backyard and the back patio.
The kids with their loot. This was suppose to be a shot with the kids, the titas and Lola - but as you can see there are some rogue titos in the shot! (Pardon my hair ... it was so windy!)
This time, the kids with Tito Jesse, Lolo. Tito Lee, Tito Roy, Tito Kuy and Tito Jojo.
The whole day was a lot of fun. But what made the day extra memorable actually happened later in the afternoon. While the kids were watching a movie upstairs, all of the adults were in the living room just chatting. I was sitting on the couch with Jojo and felt myself swaying. At first, I thought it was just me, but then we noticed the whole room shaking. The chandelier was swinging side to side and the water in the aquarium was sloshing around. There was an earthquake. It lasted about 30-40 seconds. We all gathered in the living room and waited it out. Turns out it was a pretty strong quake. A 7.3 on the richter scale with Mexicali as the epicenter (about 120+ miles from where we were). It was kinda scary and we were all glad that it was over and no one got hurt. Certainly a memorable Easter!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Afghan Star
Last night I watched, Afghan Star, a documentary featuring the wildly popular tv show with the same title. Afghan Star is an American Idol-like talent show in Afghanistan. The show is similar to its US counterpart wherein young men and women audition to be on the show and then viewers can vote on who they want to eliminate weekly until only the winner is left at the end. The documentary highlights the behind-the-scenes stories of the show's third season, the backgrounds of the last 4 remaining contestants, and many of their fans.
Just as American Idol is so popular in America, Afghan Star has gained so much publicity and support in Afghanistan. On Friday nights, when the show airs, 11 million Afghans (1/3 the country's population) watch the show. But there is also a huge difference from America, in that Afghanistan is suffering from so much poverty. In the documentary it shows that people hook up their television sets to car batteries so they can tune in. Dozens of neighbors and friends excitedly gather round a small tv screen. There are many who live in remote places that have to walk several miles to restaurants and cafes that have televisions that broadcast the show. One man narrated that he drove for 15 hours to watch a live performance. Many Afghans sell their possessions to purchase SIM cards for their cellphones so they can vote for their favorite contestants. Since the show's inception, there have also been many censors watching the show and applying pressure on the producers and the contestants because they think Afghan Star is making the Afghan people too liberal. One female contestant received death threats and her family was treated as outcasts in their hometown because while singing and dancing on the show her headscarf fell off revealing her hair on national television.
More than just a documentary about a show that has become a national obsession, the film also serves as a prism by which we can see the struggles of the country. They have been through so many wars and the oppressive rule of the Taliban, that the people of Afghanistan are taking very cautious and very small baby steps with their new found freedom. Because music, television, singing, dancing and all forms of art have been banned for so long, the popularity of Afghan Star serves as a hope that Afghanistan's new generation is now embracing the return of art and culture in their lives. The documentary shows the struggle to want to modernize coupled with the fear of letting go of things that have been status quo. What is also interesting is that the 4 remaining contestants are from 4 different ethnic groups. These groups used to be at war with each other for so long but are now trying to forge a co-existence that allows them all to be considered as Afghans. In many ways the documentary becomes a way for the world to see what life in Afghanistan has been in the past, how it is today, and where it wants to be in the future.
If you find yourself with an opportunity to watch this film, then, please do. It is by no means a fantastic blockbuster or one that would rake in millions for the movie company that made it. It is an interesting film though and one that won at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for directing and audience awards in the world documentary competition. But more than that, it is a very poignant eye-opener for the viewers. It makes us see things in a different light and helps us appreciate many of the things we often take for granted.
Just as American Idol is so popular in America, Afghan Star has gained so much publicity and support in Afghanistan. On Friday nights, when the show airs, 11 million Afghans (1/3 the country's population) watch the show. But there is also a huge difference from America, in that Afghanistan is suffering from so much poverty. In the documentary it shows that people hook up their television sets to car batteries so they can tune in. Dozens of neighbors and friends excitedly gather round a small tv screen. There are many who live in remote places that have to walk several miles to restaurants and cafes that have televisions that broadcast the show. One man narrated that he drove for 15 hours to watch a live performance. Many Afghans sell their possessions to purchase SIM cards for their cellphones so they can vote for their favorite contestants. Since the show's inception, there have also been many censors watching the show and applying pressure on the producers and the contestants because they think Afghan Star is making the Afghan people too liberal. One female contestant received death threats and her family was treated as outcasts in their hometown because while singing and dancing on the show her headscarf fell off revealing her hair on national television.
More than just a documentary about a show that has become a national obsession, the film also serves as a prism by which we can see the struggles of the country. They have been through so many wars and the oppressive rule of the Taliban, that the people of Afghanistan are taking very cautious and very small baby steps with their new found freedom. Because music, television, singing, dancing and all forms of art have been banned for so long, the popularity of Afghan Star serves as a hope that Afghanistan's new generation is now embracing the return of art and culture in their lives. The documentary shows the struggle to want to modernize coupled with the fear of letting go of things that have been status quo. What is also interesting is that the 4 remaining contestants are from 4 different ethnic groups. These groups used to be at war with each other for so long but are now trying to forge a co-existence that allows them all to be considered as Afghans. In many ways the documentary becomes a way for the world to see what life in Afghanistan has been in the past, how it is today, and where it wants to be in the future.
If you find yourself with an opportunity to watch this film, then, please do. It is by no means a fantastic blockbuster or one that would rake in millions for the movie company that made it. It is an interesting film though and one that won at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for directing and audience awards in the world documentary competition. But more than that, it is a very poignant eye-opener for the viewers. It makes us see things in a different light and helps us appreciate many of the things we often take for granted.
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