Cookies, anyone?

These are fresh from the oven courtesy of moi :) soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Today is the 3rd day this week that I'm trapped at home because of my viral illness. I've been asked to rest but the more I'm in bed, I think the more I get weak! So when not in bed, either I'm in the computer or in front of the tellie or in the kitchen looking for something to munch (oh no!). I think I am close to cleaning up our fridge so I started looking thru the cupboard and found something that kept me busy for an hour.

So here you go. Please serve yourselves ;) before it's too late.

Zoe's Faces

When I was in Pinas a couple of months back, I helped to baby-sit this one charming, lovable, cuddly, pretty baby. She just turned one year old then and she had the attention of everyone. She was just learning to walk and was just learning to speak ... she always wanted a share of everything you munch and she'd say "mam-mam". If you don't share, she'll scream to death!

Now, I'm missing her terribly specially when my sis back home sends photos. Zoe's been growing so fast, I wonder if she'll remember I once looked after her. I hope she will. Last thing I heard, she's so daldal. Hay, can't wait to talk to you on the phone girl.

PS. she's my niece if you were wondering ;)

On a not so busy weekday ...

... my buddy and I went to the top floor of our office building and took some photos with Sydney Harbour bridge as the background. The amusement park you see below it is the Sydney Luna Park; hubby works in one of the buildings beside the park which is one train stop from mine. It is unlikely to spot it from the pics but behind the bridge is the famous Sydney Opera House.

It's not one of the best spots to take photos, I know :) rest assured we'll try better next time. Keep you posted!

False Fire Alarm

I woke up this morning earlier than usual because of a continuous vibrating sound. Apparently, some maintenance guy has started early to work (6:30am!) and was jack-hammering the floor in the ground floor of our apartment building. What did he think he was doing?? It was a wet and cold morning and he was waking everybody up!

But then I decided to start my day early so I took a shower earlier than usual. After shower and while brushing my teeth; I started hearing an alarm; so I opened the bathroom door and saw the fire alarm at the ceiling blinking. I quickly checked if I caused some smoke that may have set off the alarm; but didn't find any. I checked the windows and of course saw nothing because our view was the pool. The alarm continued on (with the sound getting louder and louder) and followed by instructions "Please proceed to the nearest exit and evacuate the building". I looked through the peephole and saw some neighbors going out ... so I opened my door and asked if it was real ... somebody said there was a Fire Truck outside. Oh great, I was in my robe and it was raining outside so I decided I'd put something on first, I quickly got into my thermals; grabbed a coat and took my bag.

I attempted to take the stairs but I heard and saw no-one down the stairs .. I decided to use the lift (and so did our next-door neighbor). I had the feeling it was a false alarm anyway so why bother using the stairs? It was 7am!

Thank goodness for as soon as we reached the lower ground; people who have evacuated earlier were there to take the lift back up to their units saying it's a false alarm. Poor 87-year old woman (on her robe as well) who took the stairs!

It was not a good morning for everyone I guess. I reckon someone who got really annoyed with the unusual "vibrating" sound wake-up call deliberately set the alarm off. We are yet to confirm and find out the real story behind the alarm .. but I hope it doesn't happen again specially this weekend since it's forecast to be bed-weather; perfect chance to sleep in.

"Friends" Keeping Me Company

"Friends" Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Joey and Phoebe are all keeping me company when the husband travels overseas for his new project assignment. It never fails, I always lose track of time and before I know it I've spent the whole day in front of the tellie.

I'm at Season 6 and still having fun! I watched it with my champorado (Filipino chocolate porridge) this morning & it was so good. This is where Rach found out Ross has not annulled their "Vegas" wedding; and where Chandler moves in with Monica. Rach is supposed to hook up with Joey at one point and that's something I am yet to find out how.

In between volumes (1 season = 3 volumes), I listen to hubby's audio Jazz or Acoustic CDs. Now playing is that of Jeanette Lindstrom (The Look of Love; Both Sides, Now) one of my favorites; it sets the mood for a good 15-30min bath soak on a Saturday afternoon. So, gotta go :)

"Till Death Do Us Part"

Today is the 36th wedding anniversary of Mom & Dad and this is the first time Dad is celebrating it w/o Mom beside him. Wedding anniversary is a celebration of the union of a couple and now that Mom is gone, the thought of Dad celebrating it alone pains me so much. How is he supposed to celebrate it? How are we supposed to greet Dad? I tried to put myself in his situation and it was barely bearable. Happy memories of Mom & Dad together keep on flashing to my mind and I cried heavily today. I was hoping that by crying I could lessen the pain that Dad has to go thru. It hurts to know that I'll never see them together again and I can't imagine how much more painful it is for Dad. It could be 10 x more.

I phoned him just then and he said he woke up early today to bring her flowers and to share his pandesal with her. He said she always wanted flowers on this day and he enjoyed their special breakfast date. He did make it special in his own little way and I know Mom was very happy watching him from above. I thanked Dad for being true to his wedding vows of "till death do us part" and for loving Mama so much. He said he loves Mama so much even after death that he would court her again in his next life. He feels the loneliness and emptiness now that Mom is gone but he is still thankful that he has us, their children.

It was a difficult and heavy day but we just have to believe that Mom is in a better place now with the loving care of God where there is no more pain and suffering. Dad, always remember that we share your pain and we are always here to love and support you.

WE love you Mom & Dad and happy anniversary to you both!

The Big Screen

Inspired by our special friend, L's Best Pictures post, I am sharing our list of big screen pictures we've seen since we settled here in October. Here you go:

1) Exorcism of Emily Rose - Hoyts Wetherhill Park - Oct. 10, 1.30pm

2) Flightplan - Liverpool Greater Union - Nov. 19, 9.30pm (not worth it)

3) Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - Hoyts Wetherhill Park - Dec. 4, 11.30am

4) Narnia-The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - Hornsby Greater Union - Dec. 27, 6.40pm

5) Munich - Hoyts Chatsfield - Feb. 3, 5.45pm (not worth it)

6) The Da Vinci Code - Hornsby Greater Union - May 30, 7.30pm

7) X-Men 3 - Hornsby Greater Union - June 2, 7.30pm

8) Cars - Hornsby Greater Union - June 20, 7.00pm

9) The Break Up - Hornsby Greater Union - June 27, 7.00pm (not worth it)

10) Superman Returns - Hornsby Greater Union - July 1, 2.00pm

That's 10 movies in 10 months, an average of 1 movie per month; hmm, not too bad. Would you consider that a luxury at all? Nah, I don't think so, specially since most of them were seen on Tight Ass Tuesdays :)

Blogging Again

I feel like starting off with a "Hello World" again for it's been more than a couple of months since I've abandoned this site. Sorry to everyone who'd been checking regularly just to find out it was still the Lenten post. I am starting anew and I hope I can enthuse friends and relatives to come and visit again on a regular basis. I will try my best to be back on track. Bear with me though as work is underway (template, format) in the interest of change. See you around ... TA!

PS. You are supposed to see an underwater - nautica theme. If not, please please drop me a message as this means the new template is not working for your browser.