December 31, 2007
Filed under: celebrations — juliana @ 7:00 pm
Tonight, at the strike of midnight, all eyes will be at the Waterford crystal ball at Times Square here in New York. This is our 7th New Year’s eve together and my husband and I have been ushering in the new year pretty much the same way every year since we were together.
Tonight is no exception. We will surely be glued at the telly watching the thousands of revellers in New York city. We’ve always stayed home on the eve of the new year every year. We went to my sister’s place yesterday in lieu of a new year’s eve dinner with them.
From our family to yours, Happy New Year everyone!!!!
Filed under: just me thinking — juliana @ 6:48 pm
Oh, how I wish you’re really incognito, but you’re not. I got you… You certainly veered away from your proxy browser, but do you honestly think I’m stupid? Yeah. you’re still visiting me (using another system) and thanks for the additional traffic.
To my friendly readers, I don’t really mind the visits. I mind that this person, who is within my inner circle is acting like this: reading my blogs and acting as if this person is getting away with it. I don’t mind anyone reading, but it’s just annoying when the reader is someone you know so well and pretends not to know about the existence of my blogs.
To this reader: go ahead, keep acting the same way. You don’t know me. I reiterate one more time: why not keep busy by cleaning up your dirty domain if you even understand what I mean when I say domain. There’s too many cobwebs, you have a lot of issues. You’re such a pity and I feel bad that your neurosis and paranoia is slowly getting into your offsprings. Just hope they won’t grow old like you.
December 30, 2007
Filed under: food — juliana @ 10:21 pm
There’s always a first time in everything, and it goes the same way with anyone’s first taste at a different cuisine. Last night, we went out to dinner with my in-laws.
And last night was their first try and or attempt to even try Japanese food. At my husband’s insistence and recommendation, we were successful in convincing them to go to a Japanese resto. My in-laws are not adventurous, more so with different cuisines. They stick to what they’re used to, and that would be of course American, Jewish, Italian, Chinese, Russian and Filipino food (through me) once in a while. The outcome? Believe me, it was good and both of them were pleased with what they had including sushi.
We started with steamed shrimp shumai, steamed gyoza, vegetable tempura and oshitashi(spinach). Followed by a medley of different sushi dishes, then miso soup for each. For main courses, MIL had shrimp teriyaki and FIL had hibachi fillet mignon. I had the bento box(pictured here) and hubby had beef udon. We capped off the night with hot tea and tartufo(chocolate covered vanilla and chocolate ice cream with cherries and whipped cream).
These are the only pics I can share, as a lot of the pics didn’t come out good. Blame it on the lighting inside the resto, or blame it on the amateur photographer(ME) with a run of the mill digital cam (*lol*). Whatever it is, you decide.
Filed under: tags — juliana @ 9:41 pm
I got this meme from Retchel. I figure, it has to be done now and forwarded because it is kind of time sensitive.
Here goes:
What are some of your new year’s good luck traditions?
Rule:
Copy the person and persons’ names that sent it to you and add your own at the bottom of the list. It really helps to build community.
Lets start it here!
*My mom used to collect some coins and when the new year comes she put the coins in a bowl and shake it to create sounds. She said its good luck for money throughout the year. And also wearing dotted dresses on new year don’t know why. CC/chalyza/keep
*My old folks always told us to avoid spending money on new years day. They said, once you spend on the first day of the year, you like to spend the rest of the year.
Behind d Scenes of ME/ Retchel’s Pure Life/ /
A little bit of me
*I grew up believing that if you have some money on your pocket (whatever you’re wearing) come New Year’s eve it will ensure steady flow of income throughout the year. The other belief is that the main door of the house should be wide open come New Year’s eve so that good luck will be ushered in. Juliana of MY WORLD and JULIANA’S LAIR.
I’m passing this one to: Juliana, Crystal, Juliana RW, Hailey and Erika.
December 29, 2007
Filed under: daily chatter, money matters — juliana @ 4:39 pm
I wish everyday was Saturday. Is that possible? Absolutely not, and that’s why I’m saying “I wish”. The ever work-aholic husband is home of course, it’s the weekend. Surprisingly the bed wasn’t too inviting for him to linger till 12:00 p.m. Instead, he opted to be up at 9:30 and started to wake me up at about 10:00 a.m. Of course, the usual me, I didn’t get up till 11:00 a.m. As soon as I was up, I joined him in the living room, bed still un-made and the breakfast of freshly baked bagels and brewing coffee already waiting. Yes, that’s one of my perks on weekends starting Friday’s dinner. Frank is in-charge of the kitchen. NO, he doesn’t cook nor make anything, but he brings in everything if we have no plans to head out to eat and that is including breakfast.
It’s the end of the year, that’s why and we we’re talking about income taxes and total income for the year. I was a bit shocked when he told me, he wanted the last paycheck(he gets paid bi-monthly) deducted with a 5 figure deduction for the retirement account (401k). He has in place almost the maximum taken out religiously, but seem like he has a valid reason. For couples like us without children, we have a big disadvantage as we even end up paying Uncle Sam come tax season although, Frank is already claiming Single zero.
Then, he segued talking about our stocks investment. I learned something good today and that’s why I’m sharing it. A few weeks ago I had put a stop to his ’stocks buying’ mode. He’s been hoarding on shares of stocks but I laid out a ban. He tends to be so greedy sometimes and with the current volatility of the Stock Market, if I don’t press the brake he just keeps going. Today, though, he really made a good explanation, that this is the time to buy, while prices are down. And that, if I give the permission he will get into it pronto. I was kind of convinced more so because I had just watched Warren Buffet. I even actually told Frank, how about him presenting me with only 1 share of Berkshire Hathaway stock. I wouldn’t mind having that in just my name and sit still and let it grow. Hahaha was the response I got. In the meantime, he’s been loading up on thousands of shares of his favorite stocks. He’s been speculating on one and he has eyeballed this specific stocks. I hope he’s got the right intuition.
Now, that he got the green light, I’m sure, first thing Monday morning, he’ll be on the phone buzzing our stock broker. So he has his addiction, you see? I surely do have mine. Fair enough.
December 28, 2007
Filed under: wanna-be- chef — juliana @ 7:09 pm
Got no choice, last night I had to cook. The AmBoy loved these. Native Pinoy na asawa ko.
And that is the reason why friends and family volunteers to ‘feed’ us whenever we’re back in the Philippines. He eats anything for as long as he sees me eat the same thing. He has coined a new name for our ‘tortang talong’ - - eggplant souffle!!!! O di ba cute?
December 27, 2007
Filed under: just me thinking, life lessons — juliana @ 7:17 pm
What a question! This is not about the famous TV commercial. It’s about being ready when the need arise. I am sharing this story about a friend who has been through an ordeal in the midst of having to take care of a very sick child. I thought of sharing it because it has made me think and somehow rearranged some priorities.
This friend of mine comes from a wealthy family, married to a guy whose family also has it (proof of which they have an 8 bedroom home in Forbes Park). Their wedding was a huge affair with 2,500 guests which created monstrous traffic within the area of the reception. Six months prior to the wedding was a grand engagement party held at one of the best hotels in Manila with 1,500 guests. They happily settled in their newly constructed home, in a well appointed neighborhood given by the parents after a month long honeymoon in the USA and Europe. The union is blessed with two sons and they have been living as one typical family where the couple work of course, for their family corporations. The look of one happy family living with all the extras and luxuries in life.
Then one day, tragedy struck. One of the sons got diagnosed with a life threatening disease. They (the family) have the money, and they want the best care for the child. Off they flew to the US and sought medical treatment. Treatment that lasted for 6 years. Yes, all those six years, my friend stayed with the son living in a rented apartment with a live-in househelp. She had to learn how to drive(her father bought in cash, a brand new van)as she never drove before because she’s always been driven around.
Lucky, right? WRONG!!! Yeah, she appears to be very lucky because they live with all the extras and the family afforded the cost of health care. But when this happened, they have to swallow their pride and take all the blows from their parents. Will it be okay with you if you have to account for all your expenses and put everything in writing including the cost of a measly pack of sanitary napkin? Will it be alright if you are asked to list down the food you bought from the supermarket so that at the end of the month, you will be able to balance and account where the money went? Will it be fine to skip haircuts for six months because you’re afraid the cost is not reasonable as far as the financier is concerned?
The ordeal is over and they’re back home. The kid is in remission, thank God. Can you even begin to imagine how much money they spent for all those years? My point here is, a lot of us are guilty in living in the moment. We are earning a lot, and we are spending a lot. Right now, we can afford all the luxury goods out for grabbing, take exotic vacations and totally forget about investing and saving up. How many of us has at least six months worth of living expenses stashed safely and ready to be used if the breadwinner suddenly losses their job? I can honestly say, we do. But how about when tragedy like this one knocks? Do we even think about it? That’s where savings/investments comes in handy. I’m not talking about the house, the roof over one’s head. I’m saying this because a lot of Americans even had already taken the path of regarding their homes as ‘cash cows’. I’m talking of solid investments that’s there when one needs it.
Seven years ago, this story changed me. Yes, I still love nice stuff. We still take nice vacations, we still enjoy the fruit of labor of my husband, but we continue to build up and set aside a good chunk of that earnings. Yeah, we can easily say, our parents are there, they will be there to help as they are capable of helping like what I have just shared. But NO… we’re not counting on that. At the end of the day, it’s nice to go to sleep and say, “we’re fine, and we’ll be okay.”
So, my question is: “will you be ready?”. Let’s all try to be ready.
Filed under: just me thinking — juliana @ 6:16 pm
I normally don’t write about world news on my corner here in the blogosphere, but the assassination of Bhutto is an exception.
What a waste of life. This is the second attempt on her life and this time, the perpetrators succeeded. She certainly was a force in Pakistan’s politics. With the announcement of her death, violence broke out throughout Pakistan, obviously by Bhutto supporters, something that is and should be avoided, as the country is already unstable and have been laden with violence in the midst of the leadership of Musharraf.
How will Bhutto’s death affect the world? Let’s just wait and see.
December 26, 2007
Filed under: musings — juliana @ 9:02 pm
I just can’t seem to get it. What is the matter with the expressways and parkways here in New York? As I looked out the window, I can’t help but get the camera and take this shot (pardon the quality, I’m not using a professional cam).
This is at the Belt Parkway going west towards Manhattan. I should not wonder, as it is like this everyday at predictable times of the day like rush hour in the morning and at night. It seem to have been going on like this even during off peak hours. Mind you, the vehicles were not moving. So, my fellow Manilenos, don’t fret too much. New York is as bad when it comes to traffic, and yes, this is not in Manhattan. Wait till you see how traffic is in the city.
Filed under: daily chatter — juliana @ 7:16 pm
So, everything and everyone must be back to normal today, huh? Our household is no exception, the husband is back to the grueling world of Wall Street, and I’m back to my daily grind here at home. The only difference is that, for some reason I did manage to get up kind of early. Maybe because, it was at the back of my mind that it’s the day to clean. I don’t like Wednesdays too much, as I find myself always exhausted at the end of every Wednesday. Oh well, all I needed to help me go through the day today was these:
Bacardi Chocolate Cake that the husband bought the 24th. I wished I baked it, but I didn’t. So sinful, forget about calorie counting for a while with this. It doesn’t only look good, it sure is decadent.
As I was cleaning, I kept going for these too: Dean and Deluca Double Fudge Chip Cookies and oh the ever ‘reliable’ Godiva Dark Chocolate Domes with extra dark truffle filling. And will I confess, I also munched on this chocolate covered pretzels?
As I’m writing this entry, I don’t even want to think of eating dinner anymore. I really drowned on chocolate and sugar today. I tell you though, this doesn’t happen everyday, as I’ve been really trying to cut down on sweets. I really can’t keep to the limit that I have set for myself. It’s dangerous but this is my only vice, so the binging goes on, thus the pantry is just brimming with sweets. There’s just too much temptation and I got no one to blame but me.
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