What's with No. 11?

There's something about the number 11.

I used to not mind it at all, that of seeing "11" constantly.  Until it became more frequent.  Until not a single day passes by without me seeing it less than 4x.  It doesn't creep me out. I'm just trying to find the meaning behind it, if there is any.

My birthday is on February 11.  That's the only significant connection I have with the number.  It's been 2 years now since I've been pondering to write a post about this but it's only now that I have gotten around to doing it.

Even before my husband worked in Malaysia in 2011, I would be seeing this number many times in a day. Our flight to Malaysia was last Sept. 11, 2011.  Was it coincidence that my seat number was also no. 11?  Well, I don't believe in coincidences.

The time I decided to write about my mystery number "11" and make it blogpost-worthy came when I encountered it 7 times that day.  (I should have titled this post "7-11", no?)  That morning, the first time I checked my cellphone watch, I saw  6:11 am;, timed-in at the office (digital finger-scan) at 7:11 am;  first instance to look at my computer clock at 11:11 am; 2nd instance at 1:11 pm; 3rd instance when I was preparing to get home and looked at my computer clock at 5:11 pm;  got home and looked at my cellphone clock at 7:11 pm.  Those instances were the only times that I checked out my cellphone clock.  Weird.  When I related that to my husband and daughter, they also couldn't make up the meaning of it, parang nonsense eh.  Husband advised me, "Itaya mo kaya sa lotto, baka manalo pa tayo."  Nyeh, pano kaya yun gawin 6 numbers for the lotto? 

There was a time I joined a contest where there were 100+ entries. My entry was among the 15 finalists chosen and my entry no. was no. 11.  I was so sure to win that contest because I thought my entry no. was a sign from God that I would win.  But, somebody else won the grand prize. Mali pala ang akala ko.             

Curious, intrigued, fascinated. I googled the meaning of no. 11 and found this (taken from  http://www.greatdreams.com/eleven/num11.htm):

Number Eleven possesses the qualities of intuition, patience, honesty, sensitivity, and spirituality, and is idealistic. Others turn to people who are 'Eleven' for teaching and inspiration, and are usually uplifted by the experience.  In systems such as Astrology and basic Numerology, eleven is considered to be a Master Number. Eleven can also represent sin; transgression and peril. Ten being the perfect number, eleven represents the exceeding of both. It is interesting to note that eleven when broken down ( 1+1=2) comprises the Two of duality. Number eleven is a master vibration and as such should not be reduced to a single number. People with this number could be both idealistic and visionary, and they are attracted to the unknown. They can be both unusual, interesting and magnetic personalities.
Eleven bring the gift of spiritual inheritance, is gifted as the "Light-Bearer". It is the number of the Light within all. Strengthened by the love of Peace, gentleness, sensitivity and insight. Greatest facility is the awareness of Universal relationship. Is related to the energy of Oppositions and the Balancing needed in order to achieve synthesis. Eleven is The PeaceMaker... Colours : Gold, Salmon, Prune, White and Black.

I don't believe in astrology or numerology. But, I would like to believe that my contantly seeing "11" is God's way of reminding me to be wary of sin and instead be a light-bearer everywhere I go.

Good taste, great pairings with San Miguel Lifestyle Brews

 

My family's latest escapade was a trip up north --- to the enchanting Ilocos Region particularly Vigan. We left the house at 12 midnight with my husband driving.  He drove and drove and drove until we reached Vigan at around 8 a.m.  I kept him company the whole time he was driving which meant I didn't sleep, too.  

Anyway this entry is not about our Vigan tour but what I brought to Vigan which I and my husband enjoyed before retiring to bed for the night -- San Miguel Lifestyle Brews-- San Miguel Malt Beer, San Miguel Cerveza Negra and San Miguel Super Dry. 

I thought it best to pair them with the best of what Vigan has to offer - their Chichacorn or Cornick, and Paoay's soon-to-be famous chips - their sweet potato chips and banana chips.  And I must say, I love 'em pairings!  

San Miguel Lifestyle Brews enhance the simple taste of Ilocos' chicacorn, Paoay's sweet potato chips & banana chips

I'm just an occasional beer drinker.  And our family trip to Vigan was an occasion that we surely celebrated.  During our stay in Vigan, we capped our 2 nights with a drink of San Miguel Lifestyle Brews.

San Miguel Premium Malt Beer was just the drink to have after a stressful day and yes, very tiring day, especially for my husband. I like its taste. It tasted good with the BBQ-flavored chichacorn we bought and the sweet potato chips.

 

Cerveza Negra was a bit sweet. There was almost like a very mild caramel taste to it, which I also like. This, on the other hand, went well with the salty sweet potato chips.

 

Super Dry, with its slightly bitter and malty taste combined with a bit of sweetness, had no aftertaste at all.  I was happy with it especially when paired with the banana chips and the chichacorn cheese variant.

For somebody who rarely drinks and could only describe beer as bitter, this experience of trying out San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, was a real treat!  I realized that there are far more better words and ways to describe San Miguel Lifestyle Brews' taste than the word "bitter".   

Well, these pairings enchanted me to no end. Thanks to San Miguel Lifestyle Brews for making our Vigan nights more memorable.        

  

 Drinking experience that's above the ordinary

 

 http://sanmiguellifestylebrews.com/

My Style Statement inspired by The Ramp Crossings

I'm one office mom. I work from 8:30 a.m.until 5:30 p.m. everyday in one of the banks in Makati.  In my position as an executive assistant to the president, it's a requirement to look corporate at all times. However, the usual dark blazer and skirt or monotone colored blazer and pants look can get pretty boring.  Oh yes, I do get bored with my look at times. 

I love bright colors. I love yellows, tangerines and the likes. But I don't want to get overboard or look like a corporate clown when I put together a look in the office (I'll leave that look to those twenty-something yuppies who work for a fashion or advertising companies). I still want to look my age when I dress up. I want to look conservative but not "manang-ish".  I want a look that's a little bit flirty but respectable.  Well, I hope you get what I mean.  I want some contradictions in my style.

So, to achieve that style, I incorporate a bright color to a classic corporate look and combine different cloth textures like the one I did below.  I name this style, "Contradictions."

 

 

The shoes:

Hill- The allure of a stiletto heel can never be denied as this 3 ½ pumps prove. This pair will complement a balloon type dress or skirt.

The jacket and the inner top:
Crystal Lemon Jacket-  The bright yellow color looks preppy, young and vibrant which fits my personality. 
Inner top-  The black inner top complements the happy colored jacket.  The inner blouse is highlighted by the sexy cuts on the neck area.   

The skirt:

Gia V Skirt- Fleur-de-lis, Holiday 2012’s top trend gives the mini skirt a new spin. Made from lace and layered with tulle, this is a great piece that looks a bit conservative and classic yet sexy because of its texture and length.

"Contradictions" fits my personality so perfectly.

This is my style, put together by pieces from THE RAMP CROSSINGS.

 

http://www.therampcrossings.com/

I Can Be Body Beautiful at Any Age with Wacoal

I'm so thankful for winning Php15,000 worth of Wacoal products 3 months ago for joining a blogging contest.  I have always believed in the excellent quality of Wacoal intimate apparels.  I just love how they hug my body.      

As a mom who has 3 kids already, it's difficult to keep a firm and toned body.  I won't deny the fact that even at my age, I still desire to look great and lose all my "flabbiness". Wacoal undergarments have been helping me solve my body aging dilemma.

Wacoal's high-waist girdle helps me look like I just had a tummy tuck all of a sudden. Their shape pants and body suit helps sculpt my body.                  

Nothing beats the feeling I have when I’m wearing, not only perfect-fitting and high-quality, but nice and pretty undergarments. It makes me feel so good inside and that good feeling just comes out, thus making me more confident.  I can say that with Wacoal, it's never an excuse to be flabby just because I'm a mommy.     

http://www.wacoal.ph

Let’s Move & Let’s Love

 
Eversince I graduated from college and started to earn my own keep, I have this desire to do something about the plight of our street children and contribute something (tangible items and non-tangible items) to an orphanage. Orphans and abandoned kids have a special place in my heart maybe because I'm an orphan myself. 

When I was still single, I would join my brother and his family to a Noche Buena food-giving project to street children or to those just living in "karitons". Soon after, I organized a similar project right before Noche Buena. But this time, I enjoined my yuppie friends who helped in preparing and distributing the food to street children. To be honest, it was tiring but more than that, there's always this feeling of blessedness when I'm involved in doing some acts of charity and kindness. There’s joy in my heart when I give a part of myself to others and I guess this holds true to everyone who’s been part of a similar undertaking.   

    

This Christmas I would like to take action once again to bring joy and happiness to an orphanage that I've been wanting to revisit since the first time I went there. What I' ve been planning to do is not at all grand but a simple gesture of "giving". I would like to actually organize/put up a garage sale before Christmas from which all proceeds would be used to buy pajamas, clothing items, maybe some blankets, for the kids in the orphanage. I would like this "Giving Event" to be part of our family holiday activities starting this year.  We don’t have much to begin with, but we have been blessed far more than what we deserve. It’s about time to share part of our blessings to others.                    

Together with my husband and three daughters ages 12, 6 & 3, I would spend one whole afternoon at an orphanage this Christmas, feeding the kids, playing and mingling with them. I would like to give them my love and warm embrace even for a short time. I believe doing this would make our Christmas more meaningful and fulfilling. This is also one very effective way to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. 

   

And maybe this single step would be a start of fulfilling one of my dreams... that of putting up a children's orphanage. I guess, if we all start doing something for others (sort of a pay it forward thing) and start thinking of other people more and think of ourselves less, then I believe, this world would be a far more better place.

This is my official entry to Nuffnang's & Benetton's "Let's Move & Let's Love" Blog Contest.  

http://perfumes.benetton.com/

Be Derek's New Anna!

To be honest, last night was my first time to hear the Anna Banana song. It was also my first time to see the following videos due to the fact that my TV viewing time is close to nil. 

The Rejection

   

The Admission of Admiration

The "Pity"tion

And here's my reaction to Anna's rejection of Derek's admission of admiration to Anna

Well, I don't have a video for this but I find Anna conceited and nasty.  With her off-putting attitude, for sure, she'll end up having no friends and being tagged as one of those MEAN girls. If I were Derek's mom, I would make him see that she is not the right girl for him... I just don't know how.

I like how Derek's family is sensitive to his feelings. They didn't over-react just as what other parents have the tendency to do, most especially if their "binatilyo" is a mama's boy. 

Derek deserves a nice girl.  He doesn't deserve someone like Anna Banana, even for a friend.  He deserves someone who is sweet and kind-hearted like my daughter, Nina. I'm not saying that Derek' new Anna should be my daughter.  All I'm saying is that Derek should look for someone who has the same qualities as my Nina. 

 

The Invitation 

So, to all my girl readers, I invite you to Be Derek’s Next Anna or maybe help him find his next Anna by going to http://www.dereksnewanna.com/. 

All that must be done is for the Anna wanna-be to submit a video entry on why she should be Derek’s new Anna! If she wins, she'll be part of the next PLDT myDSL commercial and also take home a Samsung Ultrabook. 

Energizer and Nuffnang Power My Life

Energizer and Nuffnang power my life through their innovative and exciting products and events which enable me to be one indefatigable mother-blogger!    

In terms of having a frenetic schedule (one that is frantic and hectic), nothing can beat that of a working mom's. I belong to this world. My schedule revolves around juggling a career, children, a spouse, family and friends. A tough job, that is. But I am glad that I have learned to perfectly balance work and family.

Having three active kids helps a lot in keeping me on the go. I play with them every moment I get. I love to teach them every chance I have. They are active children and their love for learning and music is enhanced through the toys they play with.  Oh how they love to sing mimicking "Taylor Swift" and "Katy Perry" using their battery-operated microphones. They love to play with their "almost real" kitchen gadgets.  Thanks to Energizer for powering up the things they love. Whenever they ask me to buy batteries for their toys, I always rely on the long-lasting Energizer.  In fact, I keep a stock of Energizer batteries at home, not only for their toys but for a lot of our home gadgets like my husband's ultimate favorite piece of gadget - the remote control.  

On my end, my digicam, which is a gift from hubby and my most used gadget, uses rechargeable Energizer batteries, too. I bring it with me everyday, everywhere I go. It is a prized-possession because it is through my digicam that I can capture memories and moments with my family.  Energizer batteries never disappoint and are very reliable. Because of this, I get to share these photos of just anything under the sun or freeze these memories through my blog.  Nuffnang powers up my blog.  It makes my blog much more alive.  Being a mother-blogger is much more exciting with Nuffnang. I love to attend Nuffnang events and join contests sponsored by Nuffnang.  

So, what's the similarity between Energizer and Nuffnang?  I say, it's the adventurous spirit of those involved in these two brands. They are innovative and exciting.  Oh yeah, they keep us going, going, going ......     

Makers of the World’s Longest Lasting Batteries