Just CRAPtastic!

I feel like C-R-A-P.

I have no apologies for it because I do. I feel so damn sick.

My head feels like a fat woman just sat on it.

My forehead is pounding so hard, it's making my teeth hurt.

I want to stick my head down the toilet and flush it...and flush it...and flush it.

I can't breathe. I have "morning" sickness AND allergic rhinitis happening at the same time. And because of this, I sleep on my bed SITTING DOWN.

Acid has been running up and down my throat every 5 minutes.

I bet real crap feels much better getting flushed down than what I'm feeling.

So I won't pretend that I feel nice and cheerful because I am not.

And I don't want to hear anything about it being "normal" as being part of pregnancy because I know that and I'm not stupid.

And I don't expect people to understand that I can't feel like dying AND think about being nice and not hurting their feelings at the same time.

I will not pretend to NOT feel like a bitch, because I do.

If you think I am, then tough luck. I'm the one feeling bad.

This too shall end. Tomorrow will probably be better, and you guys won't have to bear reading more posts like this. If you don't have anything nice to say about this, I suggest you hold back from pressing the comments button. This is my blog so I will say what I feel.

But for now, this is me. This is how I feel.

And I'm having one helluvah CRAPTASTIC time.

Thankful Thursday 9

Thankful Thursday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week I am combining my Wednesday Preggy Postings and my Thankful Thursdays post because it contains one and the same thing: I am thankful to the Lord God, for answering my fervent prayer -- for sending me this awesome miracle and for trusting me to be a new parent to this wonderful tiny human being. It's my baby's first ever photograph. Isn't God marvelous? :-) Links to other Thankful Thursdays --> (Check out the Thankful Thursday Blogroll on my right side bar!) A Child of God Anna's Place Friday's Child LadyBug Crossing Momma's Life Nightingale no_average_girl Sting My Heart Uzi's Musings Yellow Rose's Garden Journalling Through The Valley (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments)

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Darn Busy Signal

I am busy. Which explains why i haven't been posting these past days. Hopefully the blogosphere will be able to suck me back in within the next few hours. So many things i need to talk about!

In the mean time, instead of sending out a busy signal, I'll leave you with an interesting kiddie conversation I had with my son. It's one of those talks which would qualify a spot on Art Linkletter's Kids Say The Darnest Things (ok, ok, so it's Bill Cosby who last hosted the show. I just prefer to mention the original).

~~oOo~~

Nicky and I sit in front of the TV set watching the National Geographic's feature on pyramids and mummies.

Nicky: Mommy, what are those?

Me: Pyramids

Nicky: What are pyramids?

Me: They are sort of like buildings where the Egyptians used to bury their dead Pharoahs. Pharoahs are what they called the kings or rulers in Egypt.

Nicky (watches as they show mummified Pharoahs): That's how we will look like when we're the dead? (eyes growing bigger and bigger)

Me: No, baby. Those are called mummies. The kings back then were preserved by their people and they used wrappings and oils to keep them together. They look like those now because several years have passed.

Nicky sat silently as he tried to absorb the show.

Nicky: Oh no, then that will happen to you, too!

Me: And why is that?

Nicky: Because you're a MUMMY!

Me: No baby, I'm a M-O-M-M-Y. That's a M-U-M-M-Y.

Nicky: Oh.

Nicky stared back at the TV deep in thought. Then turned to me again with one eyebrow up.

Nicky: Then the kings are all girls, right?

Me: No, why did you say that?

Nicky: Well if the kings are boys, then they should be called DUDDIES, right?

Me: Uh, ya, I guess you're right.

I smiled, gave him a big hug, grabbed the TV remote and silently kicked myself for not watching the Disney Channel in the first place.

What is the darndest thing your kid has said to you recently? I'd love to hear it!

In My Stables: COFFEE CROCHET

In my stables this week carrying with her a ball of yarn, a hand sander and a spatula (you'll get it soon) is Tara of Coffee Crochet! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Tara just happens to love coffee and crocheting (duh..). Kidding aside, going through Tara's blog will definitely not leave you with a bored look. Aside from posts about her loves (like i said, crocheting), she also writes about her other creative interests like cartooning and drywalling (not exactly a hobby, but something she likes doing anyway). She also writes really cool TV reviews, my favorite being on the teams of the Amazing Race (click here for a preview). She seems like a really cool gal and I encourage you to visit her site because we all know that i don't accept tenants who I feel will not be worth your trip!

So go over and trot to my rented stable found on my right sidebar! Give Tara's thumbnail a click and tell her that Chrixean whispered her name to you.... :-)

Thankful Thursday 8

Thankful Thursday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week 1) Nicky's silver medal award. My son garnered 2nd honor this year and will be receiving a silver medal on his graduation day from pre-school. I am so proud of him! I know school has been really tough for him this past year (what with trying to learn Filipino, when I myself did really poorly in it when I was in school), and for him to make Silver is a great achievement for me :-) 2) The start of The Amazing Race! It's one of my favorite reality shows ever (next to American Idol) and I look forward to every episode for my thrill fix for the day (I just love watching all the bickering that goes on! hehe). 3) This really great book I found (AGAIN): It's from the same author of "What To Expect When The New Baby Comes Home" (which I talked about in this earlier post), Heidi Murkoff. I realized that at this stage, this book was a more appropriate read because it prepared Nicky of the baby's coming as early as the 1st month of gestation. It explained everything a young 6 year old needed to know (and could understand): Where's the baby? How did the baby get there (This was a toughy. Explaining sperms and ovums to a 6-year old just didn't seem right yet...)? How did the baby fit inside mommy? It's a great series which I highly recommend to moms-to-be! 4) I didn't have as bad a week (the afternoon-to-evening-sickness) as last week. I enjoyed eating a lot more and I even enjoyed a night out with a close friend without wanting to run to the bathroom every other half hour. Links to other Thankful Thursdays --> (Check out the Thankful Thursday Blogroll on my right side bar!) **A Child of God** **Anna's Place** **Friday's Child** **LadyBug Crossing** **Momma's Life** **Nightingale** **no_average_girl** **Sting My Heart** Uzi's Musings **Yellow Rose's Garden** (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments)

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Please Save Gaia Bianca!

My friend Trina sent me this email this morning.

Our HS teacher is in dire need of your help... they were just blessed with a baby girl after 12 years of waiting...but sadly, they found out that she needs a liver transplant ASAP...please try to visit their website: http://gaiabianca.com/index.html when you have time and hopefully you can spread the word!

Thanks!

Being a pregnant mom, I couldn't help but be affected so deeply by this call for help. So I am asking everyone to please visit Gaia Bianca's site and offer whatever you can to help save her young life.

What's Your Personality DNA?

Encouraging Designer

I took this Personal DNA test which Viamarie sent me earlier today. The results say I'm an Encouraging Designer. I'd say that majority (about 80%) of what is said about me is true, and so if you'd like to get to know more about who i am (even I got to know more about myself!), here are some of the traits of the Encouraging Designer:

• As a DESIGNER, you are receptive to ideas and experiences, and enjoy the beautiful things in life, yet you are also grounded and realistic about yourself and the world.

• You have a quiet appreciation for beauty in all its forms – in nature, in people, and in human creations from architecture to movies.

• Instead of only focusing on functionality, you try to incorporate your good sense of style and taste into your choices.

• At times you feel unsure of yourself, especially when confronted by other people.

• You aren't the kind of person who insists on having things your way all the time – you are willing to go along with other people's opinions, even if you disagree.

• Others may not know this about you, but you are very interested in new ideas, thoughts, expressions, and experiences. You enjoy learning and trying new things.

• Although you are practical, you are anything but boring – you have depths to you that others cannot see.

• The idea of doing the same thing every day for the rest of your life scares you – you need more excitement and challenge than that!

• You have a remarkable eye for detail and precision, noticing things that others miss.

• You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

• You prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute.

• You are a fashion maven, up on trends, but distinct in your own style. You don't follow trends, you set them.Your outgoing nature, understanding of others, and directness make you ENCOURAGING.
  

• You want others to do well for themselves, and you generally believe in their abilities.

• You often know what's good for people because of your caring nature and your worldview.

• When you care about someone, you don't keep it to yourself: you are good at letting people know that you're thinking of them.

• Because you trust people, you take violations of that trust very seriously.

• You thrive in large groups of people, and even though you know who you like and who you don't like, you can interact well with many different types of people.

• You have a healthy respect for people who have earned what they have, and you strive to be similar to successful others.

• You are a loyal friend, and a good listener.

In My Stables: POND PERSPECTIVE

I am so excited to announce who my new tenant is because she's a good friend of mine, and her site is one of my absolute favorite reads. I would like all of you to welcome Ribbiticus of Pond Perspective into my stables! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

Ribbiticus and I have known each other for quite a number of years (we were introduced by our dear friend the White Rabbit), and as far back as I can remember she has, as she aptly describes, "a bordering-on-the-absurd collection of amphibians". Yes, folks, she loves FROGS. No, not the bullheaded, warty kind that sticks to your wall and freaks you out when it suddenly decides to spring onto your bright green blouse in the middle of the night. Think Kermit The Frog and Kerokeropee. Don't believe me? Well, go ahead and take a look at THIS! It's amazing how she's managed to gather (and maintain) this extensive collection!

But Ribbiticus' site is not just about croaky amphibians. It's a fun place to hang out because you will never get bored once you're there! There's just so much interesting stuff to take in -- there's the Umbiquitous Thursday Quizzes, the Wordless Wednesdays, interesting finds of the net such as this post (as well as funny anecdotes of her day-to-day encounters) -- the list just goes on! You'll just have to see this enchanted lilypad for yourself!

Enjoy this magical experience by trotting over to Ribbiticus' pond found at my right sidebar. Give it a click, and tell Ribbiticus that Chrixean whispered her name to you! You won't regret it.... :-)

Blind Contour First Friday : HOT!

Blind Contour First Friday topic is HOT! I'm posting my Blind Contour drawing of what i relate HOT to. Nothing like a packet of red heads to keep the nights warm and toast :-)

To see more Red Hot BCDs, go to Inkfinger now!

Thankful Thursday 7

Thankful Thursday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week 1) Friends who are generous and kind enough to lend me maternity stuff (maternity clothes are SO expensive here! So I definitely welcome any clothes that are lent out to me), and who call me to let me know that they are GIVING me their baby stuff like their crib, stroller, playpen and baby clothes! The latter I mentioned has invested in really nice and new baby furniture because she decided she wanted to foster babies who were up for adoption. Sadly, the stress and depression that came with parting with the babies on the day they got adopted was too much for her to handle any longer (it affected her deeply), that she decided to give up on foster-parenting altogether. 2) Opportunities to evangelize through our Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord) community. The community just recently announced the start of our Purpose Driven Life Series (yeah, yeah, i know it's kinda late for this. But better late than never!), where we will all go through the 40 days of teachings and learning about our purpose here on this planet. What I am most thankful for is the opportunity for us to bring more people to know Jesus, our Lord better. I know a lot of friends and relatives who will definitely benefit from this series, and I am glad that it is our sector who is in charge of hosting this big event. 3) American Idol and The Amazing Race -- both of which keep me so entertained that at least 2 hours in a week I forget I am pregnant. 4) Good health. Despite my hectic hours, I am thankful that God has protected me and the baby from any kind of sickness. I am due for my Hepatitis screening soon, so hopefully that's clear. I also need to meet with my Endocrinologist to check on the status of my thyroid sickness. but in general, I feel fine (details of my NOT being fine can be seen in my weekly Preggy Postings :)) 5) Provisions. To afford a really nice and affordable birthday party for Nicky. To pay for Nicky's tuition in his new "big kids" school. To pay all our credit card bills. To hopefully make improvements in our office and hopefully to hire new assistants. 6) Internet connection. How will I survive my crazy day-to-days without it???! Links to other Thankful Thursdays --> (Check out the Thankful Thursday Blogroll on my right side bar!) (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments)

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Preggy Postings 2

WARNING: This weekly post is meant only for readers who are actually interested to read about what goes on during my pregnancy. If you are yawning right at this point of my post, I suggest you come back tomorrow when my hormones have settled.

Ok, it's week 9, folks! My belly has somewhat grown in just a week's time. It's definitely "showing" now, and if I don't try to dress myself well, people might mistake it as my beer gut! I "feel" really fat. Of course, my hubby and some kind friends of mine have said otherwise. Bottom line is, I feel big.

For the longest time I've been trying to achieve a slim and slender figure. But I guess it's pretty stupid to started thinking along those lines NOW that I'm pregnant. I must start accepting to myself that i am not one of those gifted girls out there who, when pregnant, don't seem to increase in size anywhere else other than their bellies. They manage to stay thin all over, and yet their tummies just seem to keep pushing outward! Amazing! I, on the otherhand, increase slightly proportionally in all areas. Blame it on genes? Or the fact that I have a thyroid disorder, and getting pregnant is definitely not a way to be kind to my hormones (I was found to have three thyroid cysts in my neck 7 years ago. They're still there, probably asleep inside me.).

I promised myself I'd try to eat healthier this time around. Since rice is a staple food here, I decided early on that I will eat only brown rice so that I can lessen the effects of sugar that comes from white rice, and get better nutrients from it. Well, thanks to my afternoon-till-evening-till-early-morning-sickness, the sight of brown rice now sends my tummy into a spin. So that's off the list. Since i don't eat fruits (ok, you can close your dangling mouth now and stop yourself from hurling curses at me..), I've been drinking a lot of smoothies and fresh fruit shakes. I've tried taking the ones my dad's been making me, but the pulp bits that get into my mouth make me want to gag. I know, these are good for me. But I'd rather enjoy my first three months, rather than struggle to survive it!

I also went on another shopping spree yesterday, this time for underwear. My current brassieres (ok, men, time to bloghop!) are killing me! The underwires have been digging into my ribcage these past days, and much as I'd like to keep the "pushed-up" look, comfort is still foremost in my list of fashion essentials.

Lastly, I'm a bit upset that my skin is breaking out. I was lucky in my first pregnancy to have a clear and acne-free complexion. This time, I'm growing zits left and right, and it's absolutely grossing me out. So if any of you would know of a remedy (which doesn't require me to eat gross food), just let me know will you?

That's it for now. Come back tomorrow and watch how I magically turn my whinings on a Wednesday into Thankful Thursdays! :P

Mish Mash Potatoes

Nothing specific for today except that i have a few errands I need to do in the blogging world, before I go back to reality and do actual work.

Mish Mash #1


I've been tagged for yet another meme by Viamarie of Nightingale. I have to list my fantastic fours to the questions listed below. So to start of my Monday morning (my most favorite day of the week...*eyes rolling*), here are my answers:

4 things that I need every morning:
Prayer time
Bible reading and reflection
Check my text messages
Eat breakfast

4 Things that turn me off:
Dirty bathrooms (particularly bathrooms with wet floors)
Salesladies who come up to me at a store and tell me that it's ok for me to fit their clothes (duh..)
Ugly shoes
Ugly feet (eeewwww...)

4 things I believe in:
God is the beginning and end
Jesus is the Lord and Savior, and that he died for our sins
There is a heaven after this life
Satan is real and he is our enemy in this lifetime

4 Things I am afraid of:
Losing people I love
Dying unprepared
Spiders
Embarassing myself in front of people

4 Things I do every day:
Work
Blog / check email
Play with my son
Spend time with my hubby

4 things I want to have/do:
A healthy baby
A secure financial future for my family
Good health for my whole family
Time to travel and to relax

4 people I want to see / meet:
Jesus
My grandpa Charlie
Paul McCartney
Brad Pitt

4 numbers that rule my life (all even)
*I have no answers for this one. I don't allow any number rule my life because I think it's just foolish.

4 favorite colors
Peach
Chartreuse
Brown
Aqua

4 People to do the list
I'm tagging the first 4 commenters of this post! :P

Mish Mash #2

The Blog Olympics Training Camp #2 starts this March 1 already! As usual, I missed Training Camp #1 (because I didn't have the chance to bloghop those days), but I'm looking forward to this coming camp's activities. I do hope my being pregnant will not disqualify me from doing some of the games (i'm hoping they won't be too strenuous...:)) If you want to participate in the Blog Olympics Training Camp, put on your training shoes, trot on over to Barbara's and be there at exactly 10:00pm EST.

Mish Mash #3

Just a note for all the bloggers who want to join Thankful Thursday -- please leave a comment and tell me that you're sure to join Thankful Thursday (hopefully, on a weekly basis), so that I can add you to my TTh blogroll. For those who used to do TTh but no longer want to, let me know if you plan to drop out so I could update the current blogroll.

Hostess with the Mostest

I am happy and proud to announce that the Unicorn Child's stable is now the official home of Thankful Thursday! The previous hostess, Running2ks, has lovingly passed on the baton to me as she has decided to take a leave from the blogging world (temporarily, we all hope), to allow her time to focus on her family and her work (You may read more about our Thankful Thursday's founder at True Blue Semi-Crunchy Mama). I graciously accepted the invitation because I have loved doing Thankful Thursday from the moment I learned about it (so far, I haven't missed a post for this one yet!). I am hoping that more bloggers would be a part of this weekly meme, and realize on a weekly basis just how blessed each of us are by being thankful for even the little things :-)


The Thankful Thursday button and code are found on my right sidebar. If you are interested to join the group, please email me, leave me a comment, or post a tag message on my tagboard, so I can add you to the TTh blogroll. To join, you will need to copy / paste the codes onto your post page. Replace generic values with your specifics (e.g. name / written thankfuls). If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I will try to answer them as best as I can. Thank you for all your support as I start next Thursday's posting as the new TTH hostess! :-)

~~ooOoo~~

Another really great weekly get-together that I get to participate in is the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band. This lovely troop of players is hosted by Carol of A Revision. Since it's conception in August last year, the list has grown to a total of 36 band players! I play one of the two pianos in the band, which is quite fun but can be awfully tiring too (lugging the piano with me as I do my bloghopping, hehe).

How does the FFMB work? Well, On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which Carol lists. Band members leave friendly comments for our honored recipients, and we let them know that we are from the FFMB. What defines a Friendless Blog? A friendless site should have less than 5 comments a post (but mainly goose eggs, as Carol puts it) and/or if there is a site meter, less than 10 visitors a day. The site should be over six months old and should be updated regularly. It's a great way to meet new friends / acquaintances, and it's a great way to help other sites build their traffic, as well as to let them know just what a great / interesting site they have! It's a really neat concept, and Carol's doing a tremendous job in keeping the band marching!

Want to march alongside with us? Then go trot over to Carol's right now and leave her a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like! :-)

~~ooOoo~~

I also used to actively participate in BLIND CONTOUR FRIDAYS, which was basically a series of fun drawing activities participated in by several illustrators, which will require members to post blind contour illustrations on a weekly basis. Meaning, we all draw "blindly" by focusing our attention entirely on the subject being drawn WITHOUT looking at our sketchpads (ok, we cheat from time to time...but we can't help it!). BCFs were hosted weekly by Niff and Sutter of Inkfinger, but due to the couple's decision to focus on their jobs as comic artists and illustrators, BCF has now evolved into BCFF (Blind Contour First Fridays) where all participants now post their drawings every first Friday of the month. This, for me was a great move, since I am unable to really focus on my drawings on a weekly basis. Having to do it monthly will give me more time to really think about the subject I plan to illustrate. Check out all the really great BCDs by Niff and Sutter at Inkfinger BCDs, and see if it's something you want to try out for yourself!

Ok, that's quite a lot of involvements for me right now. Hope you all have a grand time this weekend! :-D

Thankful Thursday 6

Thankful Thurday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week

1) Finally we've settled on a party place for Nicky's 7th birthday. After much thought, computing and re-somputing our budgets, trips to nearby restaurants and endless quotations from caterers and party planners, we've finally decided on having a T.G.I.Friday's Spongebob Squarepants Birthday Party! It's not as expensive as renting a classy venue and hiring a caterer and a party host/magician, etc. And it's not as "low-priced" as a McDonald's party where the mascots are really so old and dirty already, and the food are purely made of fat and more fat (so sorry to employees of McDonald's who might be reading this, but it IS true!). At TGIF, everything's still very reasonable-priced, the food's good, and we will still get the party host / magician / balloon twisting guy plus tons of games and shows. I'm really quite pleased with the decision, and relieved that it's finally out of the way! 2) A day of shopping with my good friend, The White Rabbit. It was a welcome treat to have a gal pal accompany me to go preggy shopping, helping me pick out maternity duds, and making sure that I don't look like a refrigerartor in drag nor a milkmaid from the '60s. 3) Patient readers of my blog, who send me well-wishes, greetings and words of encouragement. They get me through rough days, and remind me that I am not alone in any situation. Links to other Thankful Thursdays (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments) Uzi's Musings Momma's Life Sting My Heart - EPH2810

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Preggy Postings 1

WARNING: This weekly post is meant only for readers who are actually interested to read about what goes on during my pregnancy. If you are yawning right at this point of my post, I suggest you come back tomorrow when my hormones have settled.

I have declared Wednesdays to be my Preggy Posting days, where I get to rant and rave about being pregnant again after 6 long years. I must admit, my mind seems to have blocked out memories of what it was like being pregnant with Nicky, and what i'm feeling now seems so new to me again! And of course, I am whining as much as I was in my first pregnancy. The only difference is, I have been trying to be more "kinder" to my hubby this time around.

Ok, so I'm on week 8! And just when I thought I was relieved of all forms of pregnancy symptoms -- BAM! I now get nausea attacks beginning 4pm till nighttime! By 4pm my tummy starts growling like crazy. Nothing seems to appease it. Yesterday I had a client meeting, and while in the car I was munching on some miniature breadsticks. Halfway through, I was sicker than ever. Visions of garlic pizza and cheese flooded my mind. Right at this time I texted my client to meet us at a Shakey's Pizza place. Ordering a large pizza (and shamelessly eating 4 slices out of the 8) certainly did the trick. By 6:30pm, I was nowhere near wanting to have dinner, but instead was craving for a tub of vanilla ice cream with coffee jelly and caramel syrup. I was at a point where I would actually start to puke if I didn't have that cup of ice cream! Luckily Allan was patient enough to go to the nearest convenience store for a pint of that particular ice cream flavor.

By 11pm, I am once again hungry. My mind is torn between cooking a meal or going to sleep with a glass of milk. I opt for the latter since I am lazy to cook by this time. Then begins my sleeping struggle. As soon as my head hits the pillow, my ordeal begins. My head starts to get whoozy and my tummy starts to lightly cramp. My mom says it's probably because I am tired during the day, but what pregnant woman isn't? I bet there are thousands of women out there right now that are on the 2nd month and who are going about their day as if it were any other. Or maybe not. Pregnancy just makes me all weird, I guess. I get tired, then weepy, then cranky, then hungry, then dizzy, then sleepy. Then I wake up and it starts all over again.

Oh well, such is the status of my pregnancy this week. I know it wasn't exactly the best read for you, but it certainly was the best way for me to vent! :-P

Till next Wednesday's Preggy Posting!

Happy Blogversary!

Just wanted to let the blogging world know that it's my 1st year anniversary in Blogosphere! (well, actually it was last February 18 -- i forgot :-P)

So, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

And to commemorate that first day when I opened a Blogger account and started fumbling with the keyboard to figure out what "witty" thing I can talk about in my very first entry, here is my first post:

Just 1 more day and i'll be turning.....uh....... 26! hehe.... Well, who cares how old i'll be?! Point is i'm turning a year older -- again! Wasn't it just last year that i had a birthday? Do i have to keep having another one? Can't i just relish the memory of past ones and never have to face a new day marking yet another year to my age? (Eyebrows now raised to impossible heights)

Ok......relax......breathe in........then out........

But seriously, this year, this birthday, feels like it will be a different one for me. Apart from shedding my old skin (literally and figuratively), i have been sensing a lot of changes going on around and in me -- from my friends, to my family and marriage -- I can't quite pinpoint exactly where they are happening but i JUST KNOW that new things are in store for me this year. NEW and GOOD things. I will not reveal right now what i suspect these things are till i actually know for sure that they're there .... but bottomline is i am anticipating this year to be new, different and altogether a year that my dear Father has excitedly planned for me. And i'm glad that He's in control..... because to be honest..... the word NEW can freak me out!

How would i describe new?

Well, NEW can simply mean a welcome addition to the old that i already have. Like this online diary. Or clothes that i may decide to get myself for my birthday (Allan? you listening?)

Or, NEW can mean allowing change to happen where change may or may not be necessary. It could mean getting the old, fixing it up, and making it new again.

But i think, more than anything else, NEW to me, means leaving my comfort zone and embracing the unknown -- it may actually be good, but i will never know till i've accepted it. It means letting go of CONTROL and letting God be God.

How ever i really see my life, anything new should always be anticipated as a good thing, right? And with a new heart (to trust more) and a new pair of eyes (to see things in a different perspective), i open my arms wide and welcome all the great things that await me.

Guess turning old (er) ain't that bad....

Get The Party Started!

Hey folks, if you stopped by my site today, then you're welcome to stay at my party because
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Come dance to the music! Put on your party hats! Grab some Yellow Cab pizza and try my famous Tuna Cream Pasta! Oh the wine will just keep on flowing, so make sure your brought a designated driver! It's a costume party so don't forget to come in your favorite Hollywood / Grammy star attire! Nightingale, Friday's Child and My Life are here with me celebrating, but I'm expecting more to come by. Oh, and sign in at the reception before proceeding to your table (don't be surprised to see James Dean giving out name tags, hubby just likes to help!)

Have fun and enjoy the party! Today's my big day! Whooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday 5

Thankful Thurday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week

My whole week has been a whirl of work, celebrations (whatever we were able to fit in between work), sleepless nights due also to work... oh and did I say work? Anyway, but inspite of the madness, i am still very thankful of a lot of things in my life. Below are what I am thankful for this week: 1) My work. Even if it causes me much stress, fatigue and irritation (especially when clients just don't understand how skill and magic are not the same). I am thankful the provisions that are sent to my family through the work that comes into the company. And because this is still my passion, I cannot see myself doing anything other than this. 2) My friend Jennie G. who lent us her car for an emergency client call which we needed to go to when we had no car to use (it's been in the shop for almost 2 weeks already due to it getting hit by a drunk driver). 3) For my mom and dad who let us use their car also for everyday errands we needed to make. Just realized how difficult it is for us to get around without a car, and yet how blessed we are to have not just one car, but two to use! 4) For having such a smart child. Nicky got his report card and got straight A's! 5) For the small but meaningful celebration we had for Valentine's Day and Allan's birthday. It was such a busy day for all of us, and we didn't have the chance to really have a big celebration as we did in the past years. But everyone in the family pitched in by buying roasted chicken and pizza, by cooking some pasta Carbonara and throwing in some wine and drinks, to make Feb 14 an intimate and happy occasion. 6) For God's Word today. I'd like to share this with you. I know quite a few people who may need to hear this, and it just might be the spirit-booster that they've been waiting for: "6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1PETER 5:6-11 Links to other Thankful Thursdays (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments) Uzi's Musings Momma's Life True Blue Semi-Crunchy Mama Sting My Heart - EPH2810

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Hearts and Candles

It is my hubby Allan's birthday today, and of course i should definitely dedicate this entire post to the man who I've dedicated my life to.


Allan is my best-est friend ever -- the only person who knows me inside and out, never judging me and forever patient with me, my quirks and my flaws. Despite our differences (in almost everything, particularly in our upbringing and life's experiences), we get along really well! We hardly ever fight (knock on wood!), and when we do it usually is a really big deal and we make it a point to resolve the issue right to the very root until it's totally rid of our life forever. Allan is one really cool guy, both as a husband and as a father. We're a perfect mix, actually -- him being really cool, laid back, objective and positive, and I being all frazzled, anxious, panicky and pessimistic. When I see a situation as half empty, he'll see it half full. Combined we make a glass filled to the brim! I hold on to him when I am down, and he lifts me up when I'm drowning in my concerns. Allan is every bit of the husband I prayed God for, and I feel so blessed that God must love me this much to actually grant me my heart's deepest desire. And so I will promise to love him just as much, and even more, as my way of honoring God for His love and faithfulness to me.

Allan is my one true love in my life here on earth. Without him I would not have my precious Nicky with me and my life would not be as great as it is now. Allan and I have been through a lot of rough patches in the last 8 years. Our love for each other and for the Lord has seen us through those times, and will still see us through to the next decades.

To my dearest, sweet Allan. I love you so very much. Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day, honey :-)

I See Red

I am so busy. I've been in front of the computer working for four straight days already, and my eyes have literally turned blood red from the strain and lack of sleep. I've worked all weekend designing and laying out an entire 44-page full color glossy magazine for one of my clients which is due to go to press on Wednesday (ok, there goes Valentine's dinner!). I'm tired, but i'm happy with the work and I'm hoping my client does too.

I am praying that the week lightens up a bit so i could at least enjoy Valentine's Day (which also happens to be Allan's bday!) and look forward to my birthday (it's this Sunday already!).

Meanwhile, to get me into the Valentine groove, I am posting a Valentine quiz to briefly let my mind wander from the work I still have to finish. It's supposed to "reveal deep dark love secrets" about me.

Er... not really, but anyway, it was a good exercise.

Why don't you reveal to me what your "love secrets" are. You could either take this test, or just share with me a really memorable Valentine moment you had with your current (or past) loved one :-) The funnier / sexier /sillier / sweeter the better!

Your Love Life Secrets Are

Looking back on your life, you will have a few true loves. You're a little scarred from your past relationships, but who isn't? It's important to you that your lover is very attractive. You like to have someone to show off. In fights, you speak your mind and don't hold back. You know you're right, and you can get quite angry about it. A break-up usually comes as a shock to you. You always think things are going well.

Your Love Life Secrets, Revealed

Thankful Thursday 4

Thankful Thurday: What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week

1) Nicky has finally accepted the arrival of a new sibling! :-) After much stress these past weeks, we were finally able to break the news to him yesterday. I am so happy and thankful for all the suggestions which were sent to me on how to break the news to Nicky "gently". But I guess the ultimate winner is the suggestion that we should get Nicky a gift and tell him that it came from the baby. Boy did that really work! Allan came home bringing with him a gift package for Nicky, with a note on it that said: "Dear big brother Nicky, I am looking forward to meeting you. Love, Baby." Man, did that idea sell big time! As soon as he got the gift, saw what was inside (just a few small Matchbox cars) and the tag that it was from his unborn sib, he went flew out of his room and started calling the maids and his nanny, shouting "I'm going to be a big brother!" The gift also came with a book, which I REALLY appreciate right now called What To Expect When The New Baby Comes Home. It was a gift we gave Nicky, telling him that it was his "manual" on how to become a good little "assistant" to mommy, and that he needed to know how to take care of the baby. Golly, he's been reading it ever since he got it, explaining to me why a baby's legs are curled up, why the baby doesn't have teeth yet...and so on. But more than anything, I feel thankful that he "feels" the love from us and the baby. Even if it was through a gift that this was passed on, the idea to him that the baby "thought of giving him a gift" meant the baby loved him. I know this because just this morning he gave me a letter which he wrote for the baby! And the letter goes: "Dear Baby, Nicky here. Remember me? Haha! Hey, what if I get you a doll or a duck? No? Not a duck, a doll! Ok. I hope you enjoy. Relax in yourself. Please meet me another time :-) Love, Nicky." 2) Nicky's passing his entrance exams for 1st Grade in San Beda Alabang College. I haven't actually decided on his school yet (he's moving from a pre-school to a big school), but it just feels good to know that he has passed one of my top choices :-) Links to other Thankful Thursdays (If you participate, leave your link in the comments and I'll post it below; or, you can post in the comments) Uzi's Musings Momma's Life True Blue Semi-Crunchy Mama LadyBug Crossing Yellow Rose's Garden Sting My Heart - EPH2810

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In My Stables: Not Crazy, Just A Little Unwell..

Hello folks! It's that time of the week again when I introduce a new stable tenant, and this time I'd like you all to give a warm WELCOME for Kim-Julia of Not Crazy, Just A Little Unwell...! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

Kim-Julia is originally from Bremen, Germany, and works in a small advertising firm there. There is so much to know about this young girl, and at such a young age she seems to have lived quite a full life already. Click here to know 200 things more about our guest for the week.

Oh, and she just recently celebrated her birthday, too (February 7). So what a perfect time to greet her and make her feel welcome! So you know your next move -- trot over to her site found at my right sidebar, give it a click, and leave her a message telling her that Chrixean whispered her name and told you to greet her a Happy Birthday! :-)

Blog Me!

The wonderful Karen Rani of Troll Baby recently did an interview on me which she featured in her column on BlogHer.Org. It was a piece on how I was able to turn my graphic design hobby into a full-blown business that practically provides the major needs of our family. It was a great publicity effort and I really appreciated her asking me to participate. Below are clips of the interview. Enjoy!:

How One Woman Turned her Hobby into a Career
By Karen Rani, 6:11 am, Sat 4 Feb 2006

I recently interviewed Peachy Marasigan of My Left Hand, an advertising design company that came about from Peachy's love for all things creative. I was intrigued by Peachy's story, from reading her personal blog, Unicorn Child. I wanted to know how she turned her love for graphics into a successful venture.

I understand your current career in graphic design started off as a hobby. Can you explain how that happened?
I have been drawing and painting since I was a child. My father loves to paint and my grandpa is an architect. I spent almost half my life exposed to art. I joined art contests almost my entire primary and secondary schooling years. It was because of this interest that I ended up taking a bachelor of arts degree in communication and advertising arts when I was in college. To make a long story short, art and design have always been my passion, and even though I've dabbled in several different jobs related to marketing and advertising, my first love has always been in the creative arts. So after 2 years of work as a product manager is a manufacturing firm, I resigned and put up my own graphic design business in 2001 called My Left Hand Creative Solutions.

Once your hobby started making you money, did it feel more like work?
Sometimes it still does, especially when you know whatever it is you're doing is because you need the money at the moment. Sometimes I wish i could just turn down a project simply because I don't like the objectives behind it or I think the client will not value the work that we do. But at the end of the day, I know we still need to pay the bills, I still need to pay my staff and I need to make a profit.

Click here to read more...

Bits and Pieces

Random stuff from my stables:

I am not one to hold on too long to achievements, for I believe that we are only as good as our last piece of work. So I'm packing up my silver medals for now (all six of them, hehe) and will peomise to do more blog stretches and toning ups to prepare me for the next Blog Olympics! Watch out contenders!

--o:O:o--

I've been really truly elated these past few days after learning of my pregnancy. I've gone back to looking at old pregnancy photos of mine, rummaging through my shelves for old maternity books and dusty copies of "What To Expect..." softbound series, and have done my "health food" grocery shopping all in the span of one week. One thing I have not fully accepted yet is the fact that I am slowly unable to fit into my current clothes. My tight fitting baby tees, my bermuda shorts, and my slim-cut bottleg jeans. Particularly my brand new Seven For All Mankind jeans!!! Waaaaah!!!!

I managed to slip into a few pairs (the ones that are extremely low-waist where my belly rests just right on top of the buttons). But who am I kidding? One month later and I probably will only be able to get them up to my hips! Yes people, my belly grows rather fast when I'm pregnant, and no i have not been cheating on my diet!

So out of frustration, I went out to nearby maternity shops at the mall and managed to buy a few pairs of maternity jeans. They were ok (not too excited with the adjustable belly pouch and the waist garters), but I silently wished that designer maternity jeans were made available here. Saw a few that I liked online like this pair of Citizens of Humanity maternity Kelly Jeans which I found on Due Maternity. Sadly, they aren't available in any of the stores here.

Sigh.

--o:O:o--

I'm actually supposed to be posting my Blind Contour for last Fridays' BCFF. But I wasn't to fond of the topic which was to do insects! I mean, it's bad enough that I hate them, but to stare at one particular insect (oh my, to decide on the best subject to draw...) for at least 5 minutes only to get really disgusted (at it and at my drawing) is something I'd gladly decline to do. But for all those who are interested and do not mind looking at BCDs of insects, please drop by Inkfinger's and check out all the participants' drawings!

--o:O:o--

Update on my "breaking it to him gently" plan, Allan and I have slowly gotten Nicky a bit warmed up to the idea of me carrying a new baby. I overheard father and son talking about how Nicky can teach his little sib how to draw cool cars and trains, and how he can be "mommy's little assistant" when mommy's tummy starts to grow. Our official "announcement date" is set for Wednesday, where his daddy will sorta-kinda "find out" that a baby is indeed on its way and will take Nicky and I out to dinner for the Grand Welcoming celebration. I know, it's such a big hoopla but it's the only way we know best to get the little boy excited. At least for now. :-)