What Simply Works!

I’m looking forward to a lot of things happening this month.  First, my hubs arrival from Sydney next week; second, our first Christmas eve with our new bub and third, Christmas lunch with my family and relatives arriving from abroad.  I am sure my mom will be busy preparing for our Christmas lunch and I will have no excuse not to indulge in the feast!  However, with or without the best diet pills, I will for sure keep a tight watch on my weight, especially now that I’m figuring out a way to get rid of my flabs.

Since the kids and I arrived in Manila, I have been asked a few times already if we are settling in Sydney, Australia for good.  Almost always, my reply is that it’s too soon to tell and that we will only decide in probably a year or two.  I also share with them that my husband and I do dream of owning a house, with every detail (such as Murray Feiss lighting) carefully chosen and decided upon.  It’s just that some things, like deciding on a country/place to settle in are just out of our hands.  But we believe that the decision will come at its perfect time.

My youngest brother who is in university taking up Physical Therapy will be graduating next year.  Yey!  I’m sure my parents feel the excitement and relief seeing their youngest child finally finish school.  When I got the chance to talk with him, he shared that he is looking forward to eventually work and be employed at a really good hospital.  He said that he now feels comfortable being with patients and being surrounded with medical equipments when years ago, just before he started university, he was unsure whether he likes the course he’s taking.  And like a typical big sister, I encouraged him to continue keeping an eye on his goal and like my parents, I too will share the happiness seeing him achieve his dreams.

I have been driving in Australia for nearly two years but it is still limited to places I am very familiar with.  I still cringe at the thought of driving to unfamiliar places even with the aid of a GPS.  It will be different though if I’ll be driving with my husband as the navigator.  With him beside me, I’d feel safe and won’t have to be looking out for exit signs along the way.

I confess, I haven’t bought my husband a Christmas gift!  Not that he’s expecting to get one or that he’ll get angry if he will not get any.  But the thing is, it has always been a challenge for me to think gift ideas for him.  He is such a simple man, with very simple needs and wants.  And with this very special occasion, the last thing I want to do is haphazardly get him something, like an xbox 360, which will not really make him happy in the end.  Sigh.  I only have two weeks left to think of the best gift I could get for him.  Any ideas, please?

My 3-yr old is due for a dental check. She has never seen a dentist because my husband and I felt that it will do her more harm than good at that time.  We were sure that her reaction to the routine check may only traumatize her and that alone is enough reason for us to forego the recommended dental check at age 2. But now that she’s 3, there’s no longer a reason for us to hold off bringing her to a dentist.  No parent would want her child/children to end up going through dental surgery (e.g. dental implants Plano).  Agree?

What they say is true that it is more difficult (or it takes longer) to lose weight gained during succeeding pregnancies.  I must admit that I was at the brink of resorting to appetite suppressant pills but my family convinced me that I look better now compared to my pre-pregnancy frame.  I agree to a certain extent because when I was much thinner, I look sickly and problematic but I’d be lying if I say that I don’t miss wearing my old clothes.  Ah, you can’t have it all.. can you?

If time permits, I will have two of my favorite family pics printed on canvass.  This has been on my personal project list for so long and either that I get so busy or I just simply forget to put this mini-project to fruition.  I’m no longer worried about hanging photo frames or canvasses on our walls because I found good frame hooks in the supermarket the other day.  I think those can hold the weight of the canvasses I’m eyeing for printing.  It is still a no-no for TV mounts though, which will definitely cause major annoyance to our landlords.

I am so eager to replace our current home furniture and some of our appliance.  Truth is, the stuff that we bought since we got married in 2003 are still very much in use and abused to date.  Hee hee.  They are still in good shape and does not warrant immediate replacement but there are days when I dream of a complete home renovation where we get brand new home appliance with matching contemporary furniture!  Okay, maybe not this soon but hopefully it’s not too far off, too.

I haven’t been to a one-stop-shop place (or mall) here in Sydney.  In the past, when we needed hardware or electrical supplies, for example, we had to check out different malls in different areas, which is so troublesome.  It’s good though that we have friends here whom we can ask about these things, otherwise, we will be like blind leading the blind when searching for important household items.

I didn’t realize that I am one vain woman until I gave birth to my second child.  Five weeks after delivery and I’m already so eager to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes.  And I hate the unsightly flabs so much that I couldn’t stand looking at myself in the mirror!  Boo.  I’ve never felt this way with my first pregnancy and I hope this feeling tapers off soon.  I will try my best to be patient and not give in to natural weight loss pills or any ‘quick fix’.

One of the things that I’m looking forward to do during our upcoming trip home is to shop, shop, shop!  I consider it as a reward for myself after my ‘challenging’ pregnancy experience this year.  Ha!  One of the must-buy on my list is the best eye cream for wrinkles.  I admit that I have taken myself for granted with all the pressing things that came my way this year so it’s now time for that much needed retail therapy and pampering!

I was talking with my mom the other day about getting executive check-ups annually and having special tests done, like colonoscopy).  I was told that by the time we reach the age of thirty, we should be extra concerned about our health regardless if we feel fit.  It helps to read articles about health (e.g. colon cleanse reviews), to engage in some form of exercise, eat a balanced diet and to sleep well.  But even then, a doctor’s clean bill of health can give any one priceless peace of mind.

I have read over the Internet that one of the best natural fat burners is green tea.  This tea has a mix of caffeine-like substances and catechins that have thermogenic* properties.  I have always loved tea and upon reading that article, I know I have made the right choice to switch from coffee to tea.  So, hooray for green tea!

*dietary supplements used to stimulate weight loss.

In my “quest” to lose weight, I am considering to buy this Core Rhythm Latin Dance DVD set, which my mom and aunt vouch for its effectiveness.  I’m not a big fan of going to the gym or getting on a treadmill or lifting weights so my best bet is to get into an exercise regime that I’d enjoy doing at home.  I like it that it involves dance and from the DVD preview, the routine is so engaging!  So, goodluck to me!  I hope this really helps me shed off all these unwanted flabs!

I have earlier posted in my other blog that I was on an “eating-spree” since I have given birth.  I must have “deprived” myself of junk food too much during my pregnancy that the urge to indulge in sweets suddenly came haunting me right after I gave birth.  But I am so scared of not getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight that I recently decided to take full control of what I eat.  No appetite suppressants needed at this point, I think I can still manage to curb my liking of junk food.

I was happy having to put away our winter coats, thermal wear and heater towards the beginning of September.  I was highly anticipating the Spring season as this is after all, my favorite season.  But since last week, the temperature has gone down to low 10s and we had no choice but to bring out our thick sweaters and heater again. In some Sydney areas, it even snowed!  I wish there is such a thing as portable outdoor fireplaces so we could still enjoy the outdoors despite the cold weather.

My sister’s friends from her ex-company in Manila visited us at home last Sunday.  We were pleasantly surprised that half of them whom I haven’t even met came.  I guess that shows how important their friendship is with my sister.

One of them broached the idea for us to buy the place that we’re renting.  She said that the apartment looks new and well maintained.  She even praised the owners for being able to keep the whole house (from roof to tiles) in very good condition.

And knowing how tough the property rental market is these days, we really are fortunate to have good landlords and to have been able to rent a headache-free
place.

The past months that I’ve been using my point and shoot camera, I have come to appreciate editing photos in .jpg format.  I only use simple photo enhancements and so far, I’m happy with the results.  I just might switch to this format even when I’m using my dslr.   It will definitely save space on my external hard drive and I won’t have to consider online data backups, which right now are just too expensive!

I’m loving the Spring weather!  It’s not too hold or too cold, I can do without jackets (finally!) and hopefully I can get back on my favorite house clothes — shorts and tank tops — soon after delivery!  I also like it that my skin is getting back to its normal state.  I’ve always had dry skin so I’m really putting it to the test whenever winter comes and I don’t religiously apply moisturizers or anti-wrinkle creams.  How I wish we could have this season a bit longer.