This Day Was A Total Waste...

Well, not quite...

My lack of sleep last night was actually my own doing. I toyed with Redford, copied some music cds and surfed to all my favorite blogs like I've never done before. I knew then that when I turned in for sleep, the after-effects of staying way too late would start kicking in the moment I wake up.

This morning, I got up from bed quite reluctantly when I heard Jerry say it was already 610am. Ok. I then willed myself to walk to the bathroom, to answer nature's call and to undress. Then right before stepping into the enclosed shower with towel in my hand, I took a quick look at my reflection in the mirror. "Hmm, I don't look that bad, no dark cirlces under the eyes, the eyebags are not too puffy..... I just feel a bit dazed." I thought. Pretty normal.

In the shower, I routinely turned the heater on, adjusted the shower nozzle, and started soaping myself. Though the relaxing splash of warm water and the fresh smell of soap somehow jolted me to my senses, I still felt like I was floating. It seemed like my mind was alternately drifting from semi-sleep to semi-wakefulness.

Then just as I was about done, Jerry walked in for his turn in the shower. I towel-dried myself quickly and told him the shower was all his. Then I found myself thinking... Wait a minute. My hair is wet but did I or did I not shampoo my hair? Of course I did! Haha! Silly me. No, wait. Did I? Oh crap! I totally couldn't remember!

I remember reaching for the shampoo... but no, that was yesterday! Huh? This is getting scary! I can't recall if I did shampoo my hair! "Jer, could you sniff my head and tell me if I shampooed?", I said feeling really like a fool The confused and unsure expression on his face sent me back to the shower.

I quickly massaged the cream to my hair and scalp and kept scolding myself for being a loony. Is this the result of lack of sleep, old age, or too much surfing that my brain just chose to temporarily (I hope!) shut down? Oh please no! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

And midway through lathering, I caught a glimpse of my answer on the floor. No, I wasn't done yet but there were tell-tale signs that I've already done this earlier...

I looked intently on the sudsy floor, right where I stood. Between my feet, on the drain was a clump of loose hair.

(Just great. I shampooed twice in 10 minutes. Hahaha... What a waste of shampoo!)


I wish I were as focused to what I was doing earlier as Jake was while he played.



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I got tagged by Renee.

1. What are the things you enjoy doing even when there's no on around you?
(in no particular order)
a. shop
b. blog/surf
c. eat Cheezy or Mr. Chips or any junk food
d. watch Lifestyle channel
e. watch Oprah
f. read entertainment or design magazines

2. What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level?
a. seeing Jake
b. back rubs from my hubs Jerry
c. a witty joke from Matt
d. a hearty laugh from Kyle
e. staying in bed and keeping silent for a few minutes
f. reading the Bible/praying
g. surfing
h. malling

Happy weekend!

Matt Turns 12

It was an all-boys affair last Saturday as we celebrated Matt's 12th birthday with 9 of his friends from school. They shared a box of a huge 18-inch New York's Finest pizza at Yellow Cab, 2 orders of Calzone, 3 boxes of spicy chicken wings and cans of Sarsi rootbeer. Looking at these pre-teen boys, I remember how little they once were on past birthday parties. They seem to really grow fast, this generation... *Sigh* I hate to admit I'm growing old as fast too. Hahaha!

After an hour or so at Yellow Cab, the group, together with Jerry, proceeded to Netopia for a 2-hour session of internet gaming. It was a good thing that Netopia at Banilad Town Center had a big space. Otherwise, they would have easily filled the place up. Kyle, the youngest in the group, kept gushing at how they enjoyed playing Counterstrike and Need for Speed. He had so much fun with Matt's friends that he plans to have a similar kind of birthday celebration with Matt's friends together with his own set. Hihihi! Boys will always be boys.

Meanwhile, as this was all happening, I was with Mamarazzi at nearby Postrio for some pastry. Jake and his nanny, nurse Cathy kept shuttling between Yellow Cab and Postrio. He had the best of both food outlets, partaking of the ube cake and calzone. Cute!

Hmm, the weather was dreary but it did little to dampen the fun-filled mood of everyone.


Matt (in peach polo) and Kyle (in dark blue) at Yellow Cab with Matt's friends


The group from another angle. Behind is Postrio where Mamarazzi and I were having some pastries.


While Matt's group was at Yellow Cab, Mamarazzi posed at Tee'licious.

Feeding My Techno-lust

I've been pining to get one for myself. Everytime I read the newspaper or went to the mall, I scoured for the best deals. I always had that thought at the back of my head that if I could buy something on installment with 0% interest, then that would be a good deal. My preference was not brand specific for as long as it's a laptop with a 12-inch screen, and it had all the works internally particularly a cd/dvd combo drive then it's good to go.

I checked out Fujitsu and like a fish in the water, I naturally gravitated to their 10.6-inch screen laptop. It appealed to me a lot that for a time I wanted nothing but that. However, the 6-figure price was just too steep for comfort that I veered away from it and focused on a Sony Vaio instead. The user reviews were impressive for the Sony Vaio but nobody in Cebu sold it. So that was a sign that told me it was a no go.

Just recently, IBM had a promo for its regular 14-inch screen laptop and offered a Centrino for P60k. And for days on end I was really rabid about getting one. I was in fits when the people at Ng Khai wouldn't let me avail of their promo for the lease-to-own scheme since according to them it was intended exclusively for their clients. So why did they advertise it on their website then? Geez...

Then a couple of weeks ago, iStore opened in Cebu. Jerry and I looked at the different Macs and I was instantly drooling at the iBook and Powerbook. I indulged my curiosity a bit and started trying the display units that were hooked to the internet. The graphics just blew me away. I was ready to raise the money for it whatever happens. I inquired with them for promos but there was none. I emailed Accent Micro and the manager was offering me freebies with the unit if I buy the iBook for P77k. Dear me, I was ready to bite the bait!

Then my brother, Junnie tried talking to Dindin about my plan to buy an Apple (yes by this time I had nothing else in mind) and the deal was just too sweet to pass up. Within a few days, payment was transferred and my new baby was on its way. It arrived yesterday specially hand delivered by Mamarazzi and Junnie (yes, the part about Mamarazzi visiting Cebu was a surprise. My family is getting the habit of doing unannounced visits!).

So hopefully my techno-lust ends here for now. (Thanks a lot Din!!! It was great doing business with you!) I have a new baby to keep me distracted.

Everyone, meet Redford (my iBook's temporary name as christened by Junnie).



Hehehe...

Fueling the Business (Some More)

Why the sudden silence you might ask. Since the opening of our second Tee’licious outlet last Friday (refer to previous post), I received some inquiries on how to avail or at least to see some of the tees that we sell. It got me thinking. I’ve been putting off the thought but it just got stronger and louder in my mind.

As of now we don’t have an outlet in Manila. Our two stalls are in Cebu. Jerry and I are still working out some plans to expand our humble venture. And yes, though there were sleepless nights that we just let our ideas flow, we haven’t really gotten to do it. There were a few issues like the investment involved, the product mix, the possible locations, etc. Big issues actually that somehow rendered us a bit hesitant. However, blog friends from all over, and I mean even those outside of the Philippines, have inspired me to do something. It may be different from what we originally thought of doing but I believe it’s a good start.

In response to those who may want to get their hands on our very affordable tees, we have put up a site to cater to clients in Manila or friends abroad who have relatives in Manila. It’s a very basic site, more like an online catalogue, where one could email any color preference and arrange for delivery and payment. I have partnered with my sister, May, who will handle Manila inquiries.

Please check it out at http://teelicious.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for the inspiring messages! People like you encourage us to take opportunities and business ventures (no matter how humble) seriously. Here’s praying for continued success not just for Tee’licious but to you as well and to all your endeavors.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

I-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-V-E! That is summing up everything about the opening last night of the Chains where our second Tee’licious outlet is located. It started with a solemn mass (for great business for all tenants) at 5PM then continued on with the blessing of the micro-boutiques inside Chains. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by no other than Cebu City's Vice Mayor Mike Rama and Councilor Joy Pesquera.



Cocktails soon followed, as catered by Laguna Garden Café. Mini shawarma, canapés and other hors d'oeuvres were overflowing and for every P150 that we paid for each of our guests, I guess the food was more than enough. Even if not all of our guests came to grace the occasion (*sigh*), big appetites of Matt, Kyle, nephews Juju and Ting made it all “sulit” (more than what was paid for) actually. Ahahaha!

There was a short video presentation about Chains and what can be found in all the individual outlets, after which, a couple of song numbers followed (sorry forgot to take pics). The singers, though not well known, were good enough to keep the ambiance upbeat. Then the much-awaited fashion show commenced. With hip and urban music providing the beat, the models sashayed wearing clothes chosen from all tenants.

The following pictures now take it from here…
(Hover your mouse/pointer on the pic for description of the model's clothes.)






So there you have it. We have finally seen the fruition of all our preparation. Now we sit back (momentarily) and wait for the “ka-ching” of the sales registers.



Our gratitude to my in-laws for all the support, to our suppliers, to our friends and to everyone who attended, patronized and continue to buy our products. Special mention goes to Paparazzi and sistah May too for being our conduit for the stocks to get to us.

Anxiously Waiting

… for the day that our second Teelicious stall opens to the public. We are one of several tenants in the Chains outlet located at the new Banilad Town Center, the “hot” place for Cebu’s young cosmopolitans lately. What with the presence of Apple I-store, Gymboree, Yellow Cab, Formo (bar), Gloria Jeans, to name just a few, people are flocking to this hip new addition to Cebu’s hangouts.

Our opening date has been reset several times because of problems with the contractor (ho-hum!), but hopefully we are meeting the July 8 schedule. According to the Chinese calendar, it's an auspicious date for a grand launch. God willing, we'll see that on Friday.

Raindrops and Giggles

At 5am last Friday, while it drizzled outside, I could hear Jake fretting in his pen. Gah! When you have a toddler like Jake, who needs an alarm clock? “Oh, a few more minutes Jake. Let Mama take a few more winks. Mama wants to keep still and curl and snuggle up next to Papa while the raindrops fall. Please?” I muttered under my breath.

I thought the rainy weather was a perfect come-on for staying in bed a little while longer. Hmm the soft pillows and sheets were fluffy and cool. Just perfect.

But Jake was a bit fussy now and he’s starting to whimper. *Sigh.* So, still feeling drowsy, I lazily pulled myself up and tried to hand him his milk bottle. He held it and fed himself contentedly. Ah yes, great! This would normally lull him back to sleep, and sleep soundly he would and I could go crawl back under the sheets. Ahh, soft fluffy pillows, cool sheets, here I come. *Stretch and yawn*.

Not!

When I peered through the mosquito net into his playpen, I could see big round eyes staring straight at me. The little tot was widely awake now and flashing me his gummy-one-tooth smile. Awww… the sweet little thing. How could I resist?

It was rainy, the weather was cool and very conducive for staying in bed (bed weather!). I would have wanted to do just that but I didn’t. I scooped Jake up, went back on the bed, propped him next to me and gave him my Palm Pilot and cellphone. He wrinkled his nose, pressed the buttons and giggled at the tiny sound the gadgets made.

I blissfully looked on and listened to the sweet sound of the raindrops and Jake’s giggles. Obviously, this was a lot better than getting back to sleep. :D

Hooked on Yellow

I’ve heard about it. First it was in Manila. Then a few weeks back, it opened in Cebu too. I’ve read about it on Jojo’s blog. I keep seeing it in Banilad Town Center every time we visit my Mom-in-law who lives nearby. But I have never gotten around to dropping by and trying it out.

Last Wednesday was the first time I relented to my curiosity. During my lunch break, Jerry suggested that we try it out and I gamely said: “Sige!” (Let’s go!)

We were lucky to be seated right away without having to wait. The place is usually packed for most of the day. A few minutes of waiting and then they called Jerry’s name. On his way back to our table, my eyes were fixed on the box that he was carrying. And I excitedly peered at what’s inside…



Mmm…Manhattan Meat Lovers…

We were instantly hooked.


Yellow Cab Pizza