PURPLE HAT

I have received this email from my doctor(which reminds me, I am way overdue with my appointment with her..hehehe...:)) in which I would like to share with anyone who reads this. I thinks this is one of the good ways in which we can embrace life and look at it half full than half empty:)

In honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma
Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.. Pass this on to five women that you
want watched over. If you don't know five women to pass this on to, one will
do just fine.


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of
pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for
the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose
before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the
carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room
and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in
the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather
ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by
my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on
a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching
television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was
practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have
cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me
was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have
said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner..' There would have been more
'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every
minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back..
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or
who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those
who do love us.

If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are
grateful to have as friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat
earlier. Please send this to five phenomenal women today in celebration of
Beautiful Women's Month. If you do, something good will happen--you will
boost another woman's self esteem.


'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

Budget Friendly Summer Getaway!

Once again summer is here or at least in the Philippines..it is. An average of 31 degrees celcius in Manila...phew...boy that is hot!

Though we have planned to spend our holy week there, our late planning of special summer getaway failed. When we decided to find a place,it was already too late. Most places were already fully booked(I think they were booked at least one month in advance). We did not want to go places that were too far, otherwise most of our time will be spent on traveling alone instead of quality time with our kids. And of course, we also have our budgets to consider, thus giving us limitations to where we can really go.

Thanks to my aspirations of becoming a practical savvy mom, I remembered Club Manila East. It was only 15 minutes away from our home.We rented a cabana for Php2500.00 which is already inclusive of entrance fee for 5 persons and an addition of Php260.00 per head exceeding 5.(During holidays, it is still wise to book there at least one day in advance to avoid long queues). Their cabanas have it's own bathroom, kitchen sink, phone (for food deliveries and other CME services), and mono bloc chairs and tables. It was not air conditioned though but ceiling fan was provided and jalousie windows with screens. These techniques though minimal in alleviating heat,but overall it has good source of light and ventilation. I'd say it is energy efficient! Two thumbs up in an effort to save costs and the environment.

We did not go there prepared so we had to wait for SM Taytay to open so that we can buy life vests and sun blocks for the kids. It is only 5 minutes away from CME:) They have boutique shop inside but we prefer to have additional options than what was at hand. Bringing food inside is not allowed but should you go hungry, they have fast food such as Jollibee, Chowking,etc. and CME canteens. Some families opt to eat their lunch at the parking lots with their "baons", however, we decided to go home. It is Black Saturday...there is no such thing as traffics during this day! Hehehehe...

CME has fun filled activities in store for families and friends. You will never get bored inside. You can do kayaks, surfing (yes surfing!) and of course, swimming!!My kids were too young and too small so we spent it most in the kiddie pool and the kayaks. They have two wave pools, the beach wave pool and the ocean wave pool. To tell the difference, I really cannot except only in size. They do offer lessons in swimming and surfing. Surfing lessons were taught at the Beach Wave Pool and swimming lessons were taught at their Lap pools.

Overall, we had a blast and really saved a lot. There was no need to stay there overnight, no traffics to encounter, not toll fees to pay and does not need a full tank car to get there. We saved a heap amount of money, gave us more bonding time with our loved ones and helped to conserve energy as well (burning fuel;). I recommend we do this again if not within this summer...maybe next year again!Woohoo!!