Pink Notes Diary

Let's All Say YES to CHANGE!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Everyone would love to have a better future for ourselves and our country specially these days. But, everything won't happen in just a blink of an eye if you won't dare to change. Changing for the betterment of one's self, one's family, one's community, one's nation and our world is any youth's goal to be achieved, and this CHANGE for the good of many is what SEACHANGE is all about.

SEACHANGE is an ongoing movement connecting Southeast Asian Youths to projects, organizations, businesses, and leaders who can help them with the change they want to see. They are inviting youths ages between 18 to 35 to join and register to have a chance to win free tickets to the most awaited event. It costs $2,500 which include a plane ticket, hotel accomodation and food! And this is the reasons why I am inviting you to join and be a part of this Youth Engagement Summit 2009 as well! =D

YES2009 will be happening on November 16 and 17 in Kuala Lhumpur. You can even have a chance to meet global icons such as the co-founder of twitter - Biz Stone, founder of live Aid and Lives - Sir Bob Geldof, director of Market Development at Facebook - Randi Zuckerberg, Hollywood megastar, movie director and television host - Amitabh Bachchan, former managing director of the World Bank - Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Malaysian Entrepreneur and founder of Tune Air - Dato Seri Tony Fernandes, the ultimate survivor and inspirational speaker - Nando Parrado, Russian living legend of chess - Garry Kasparov and not but not the least, noted former presenter of CNN and CNBC - Lorraine Hahn.

So what are you waiting for? Let us all join now and be a part of the SEACHANGE Movement and the first ever Youth Engagement Summit in South East Asia. Let us all be the reason to change. Let's all say YES to CHANGE!

You can click H E R E to join the YES2009 Summit and know more infos as well. Goodluck to us, blogger friends! Don't be afraid to aim and try your luck, CHANGE may happen if you just dare and hope! Cheers! =D

My Pizzahut Baby

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:58:00 +0000

I was browsing on my picture folder to delete some unwanted photos when I came to realized that Jian is actually a Pizzahut baby! Wanna know why?!hehe

Here are some chosen shots of Jian growing up with Pizzahut! =D

1st bonding moment with his uncles!

One fine Sunday, our Family day, after mass.

Halloween 2008.

Jian's treat to his Papa and Mama's 50th birthday!

A Family Day escapade again.

Sigh... Jian's growing up so fast. I was looking at him now while he's asleep, and it seems like yesterday when I was wishing to have a straight 5-6 hours of sleep for him and myself.hehe My wish actually did came true after 6 months and now, I can even take a nap in the afternoon with him. Oh, next thing I know, I'll be sending him off to school, leaving me waiting for him to arrive home. Aw, I hope he would still love to be kissed and hugged forever. Haay...I Love you, son!

Please Vote For My Baby Jian Ezekiel

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:36:00 +0000

Huggies is launching its 2010 calendar later this year and they will be choosing 12 lucky babies to be featured as their talents. The 12 babies with the highest scores will receive 3 months’ worth of Huggies Jeans, and 3 months’ worth of Huggies Dry Pants. Yes, my 20 months old baby is joining and we really need your votes and support. All you have to do is to register, if you're ain't a member yet, to Huggies' Website and click the button below:

After clicking that button on their site, you can then search for my son, Jian Ezekiel D. Wagan and vote for him. You can actually vote everyday. We're hoping you can cast your votes now as we need a minimum of 150 votes to be counted in. The contest also runs until November 15, 2009 only but still we are positive that our blogger friends will help us out on this. :)

It doesn't matter if you're still single, or you're a guy whenever you register. Huggies.ph only wants everyone who will be voting to be registered.

Thanks a lot in advance, guys! Hope we can make it on the top 12! =D

If you've cast your votes to my son already, please feel free to leave a link of your blog at the bottom for me to personally thank you. This could also be a link-love to your site that would surely gain visits too. wink* Thanks again and don't forget to register and vote for my little Jian Ezekiel! =D

COMELEC Calamba's Very Poor Processing

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:46:00 +0000

More and more Calambenos are piling up in front of COMELEC-Calamba office

Me and hubby went a few weeks ago to our local COMELEC office here in Calamba. We were actually expecting a swift registration and change status processes but we were so disappointed that it's way too far different from our expectation. We were there at 10 in the morning and went home at 3pm. Tsk!

A lot of blogs that I've read talked about how easy it was to register, change status and even file a transfer of localities in Manila, but I just can't figured it out why it so happen that here in our small town of Calamba Laguna, they don't have an effective system like those COMELEC offices in NCR (which actually has more barangays to accommodate).

Waiting for our stubs to be released... It takes forever!

I actually had 2 days of very bad experiences on it. The first day was when we arrived at around 2 in the afternoon, the guard told us to come back the next day at 6am to get "a numbered ticket". Having our baby along with us was a hassle, but we shrug our shoulders off deciding that we shouldn't bring him the following day. Next day came and we arrived at 10 in the morning since government offices open at 8, but unfortunately the guard informed us that the 1-70 numbered tickets were all given out just before we arrived so he advised us to come back again the next day! It was such a torment since me and hubby took a day off just to process this community obligation so I told the guard that we have to fix everything that day since we have work obligations too and we cant be absent for another day. After my fast pissed off litany, the guard told us to come back at 1pm to have the second batch of numbered tickets to be distributed! What the heck?? If I did not told him the bother it costs us, he will not tell us the best thing to do! What are these guards thinking?!

So as we waited in line, we discovered a lot of people more pissed off than us. Some complained about individuals who've got numbers 69 and 70 done already just before numbers 50 onwards were called. Some left killer stares on students who came before clock strikes 12noon and finished registering after 5mins just because someone they knew gave their forms inside the COMELEC office and off they went in for their turn. Some came from Manila and wishes to transfer but it took them forever because of someone who gets forms of certain groups of boys and pass it inside the COMELEC office so they will be finished off first making the numbered tickets so useless. Every person trying to follow the rules that the COMELEC comittee in Calamba imposed were actually the one sacrificing a LOT and those who tried the ever popular PALAKASAN SYSTEM are making its statement in their office. It will surely get you thinking whether this local registration can really do something in the voting process in 2010. Baka harap-harapang dayaan din 'to... Hmp!

There was even a man who asked a woman COMELEC officer humbly about his voting situation and that officer shouted at the man which made everyone of us there shocked. Tsk, she's shouldn't be in an MASA office without patience and being considerate to a lowly looking person. She maybe thinking that he was a crazy-old man but he really wasn't. I actually tried to talk to him too. Too bad for a COMELEC officer to be that judgmental! Grr! What are these COMELEC employees in-charged thinking?!

Can't you see they're vexed too?! Haay!

More and more people I knew did not even bother to come back and register nor changed their status because of this bulok na sistema of COMELEC officials in Calamba. If and only if they were organized enough to follow their numbered tickets and they assigned persons appropriately, maybe they could be more productive, structured and loved too by the locals (just the same as the bloggers I've met from Manila). You can ask anyone who tried to process their registration here in Calamba, and you'll surely get a lot of different pitiful and resentful stories. I wonder who will blew these persons nerves for them to do what is right and what they are supposed to do even if the registration will end just a few more days from now.

Johnson's Mommy and Me Click

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Today was really tiring (but fulfilling) because of all the household chores I did. Our house-help went to Manila with her mom already and I'm currently needing a new nanny/house-help for my kid. Too bad for us, a family of asthmatic, we really need help for all the household chores most of the time. Anyway, since I'm quite drained, I asked Daddy Mike to write a post for me for the fun-filled activity we had at Festival Mall yesterday. I told him that I want to hear his side of story about the event we participated in. Oh, well, he's too busy to maintain his site, so I wasn't really sure if he'll give in to my request. Fortunately, he sweetly said YES.;)

Hello avid readers of Pinknote's Diary! This is a guest post from none other than the guy who took the photo above, haha. We'll I'm not really used to be mushy and all but when talking about the two very important people in my life, that is something I take whole-heartedly. We took this photo yesterday at Festival Mall, Alabang because we decided to have our usual day-out exclusively for the family - no work, no surfing the net, no blogging, just family and doing maintenance in the household.

Jian exerting all of his energy for fun!=D

Getting back to the story, Johnson 'n Johnson held a "mom & baby" event showcasing their baby care products: Baby Milk Bath & Baby Milk Lotion. Our kid was very happy playing in the event, especially where the bubble machine was. He always liked popping bubbles - he stood in front of the bubble machine itself ready to pop all the bubbles that sprung out of it! I really enjoyed watching him play as Mommy looked around (to get some freebies, haha). They were promoting that a mom and her baby can have a great bonding moment while taking a bath as portrayed in their short puppet show. Yes that is true - I see that everytime she gives Jian a bath, and sometimes I am also included in their bonding moments. True enough, it really gives you great joy seeing your wife and son happily playing in your home. She asked me to come with them in the picture above, but I insisted it should be a "mommy and me (baby)" moment for them. They are my pride and joy. I'm no writer of sorts but when she asked me to write this blog entry, I didn't think about the activities that happened in the event like the basketball shooting, or the details of the puppet show, or the photo shoot for mommies and babies; what entered my mind when I saw that picture was their out-of-the-blue bonding moments when they are together.

PLDT My DSL Watch-Pad Lauch at Mag.Net Cafe 2009

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:29:00 +0000

PLDT launched its very first bloggers event last Thursday, October 15 at Mag.Net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street. At first I was hesitant to attend since I am not a fan of Gimik Night Life whatsoever, but when Nuffnang teased us bloggers of the 1G USB flash drive wristband we'll be getting, Oh, we just need to go!=D

Ain’t that nice? - images from Nuffnang

Nuffnang and PLDT teams have been so nice that bloggers, specially me and hubby, are so thankful for their hospitality and friendliness. I just couldn't miss how they treat bloggers well and that's the bestest thing ever! =)

Food was great and over-flowing, so to speak!=D
We had fun trying out PLDT My DSL Watch-Pad too!
(Thank God we brought lappy along with us...)

We really had a blast! The star-studded event made us high and we just can't help to take a pic with them. Too bad we haven't got a chance to hang out with Amber Davis and Marcus Evans, but they were awesome too just like Rian Ramos and Jay Durias. Well, as someone who plays in a band in our later years, (haha) me and hubby got more starstruck with Jay. His voice was nothing compare in what we're hearing on our radio and TV, he's much better singing live!

Chillin with the Southborder

Rian is way too pretty in person! Her TV shows don't do her justice..ahaha

At 9pm, the show ended with a contest instruction from PLDT and Nuffnang for everyone to have a chance to win a brand new Lenovo Laptop! We so much enjoyed trying out PLDT's Watch-Pad that we did not hear everything well.hehe Anyway, here's what we've got home from the event!

Hey! We've got caps, USB wristbands, ID laces
and PLDT Watch-Pad Installers!

Who said only the two of us had fun???=D

Congrats PLDT for a very successful 1st ever bloggers event! We're looking forward for your next gig with us! Woot Wooot!=D

Philippine Blog Awards Night 2009 at PETA Theater QC

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:34:00 +0000

After receiving an email and being ecstatic that The Philippine Blog Awards 2009 made Pink Notes Diary an official nominee for the event, I cannot hold on to the excitement when Sis Chikletz of My Orange Vest and Sis Niqabi informed me that I also made it as one of the Finalist! After bottling up my happiness because of Typhoon Ondoy's Aftermath in our place, I burst it all up when everything is falling on the right places, then on after.;D So, as me and my hubby attended the Philippine Blog Awards 2009 at PETA Theater, last October 9, at around 6pm we were not actually assuming and expecting to win, since my competitors are a lot more veteran in the blogosphere compared to me. But still, I'm so proud for being on the list and becoming part of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards Night. Here's actually a video clip of the announcement for the Special Award: Blog Design Category!

Me and my hubby just can't contain the excitement on ourselves
seeing Pink Notes Diary on the big Screen!haha

Congrats to Mr. Site Guy! =D

Eventhough we haven't tasted how delicious the food were (because upon arriving, we just don't know where it was located and if it is self-service or when are all the people will be taking their dinner), we are still loving the fun night we had!

(L-R)
Pinknote taking a pose from the entrance door!
Daddy Mike at the Summit media booth getting his free magazines too!

And of course, I won't forget to share with you the freebies me and my hubby got!=D

Thanks to Minglr for the free internet usage and ballpens...
Summit Media for the Yummy mag...
Mozilla Firefox for the baller ID, tattoos, stickers, button pins and ID laces...
Clique for our lovely photo booth pic...
and Nokia - Ovi for the sales talk!hehe
(there were still lotsa sponsors but we've got nothing from them - Out of Stock!)

As we made a swift escape after the program ended at 10pm, we dropped by at our all-time favorite resto, Pizzahut Bistro in Ayala to grab some food for dinner. Oh, we were actually hungry but we decided to eat there just to be sure we'll still have passanger buses to take us home.

1 hungry couple at Pizzahut Bistro, Ayala! haha

We've got lots of fun! Maybe next time me ang hubby will be attending the PBA and come along both as a Finalist! Hihi =D See you again next year!^^ Kudos to the people behind the event!

Sure Way to Earn Money Online Part 2

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

In response for my post Sure Way to Earn Money Online, I would also want to share you what I've found to let you earn money online by paid posting. It's an easy income you'll surely get from home! Who wouldn't want that?? It's actually pretty easy and VERY enticing because of course, as a blogger, what we really wanna do is to write or advertise (with pay, of course), or do a book or film review, etc. Wanna find it out for yourself?? Okay, Okay!=D You can now CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW:

Oh, guys, I'm so positive with this! Goodluck to us! =D

Sure Way to Earn Money Online

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:17:00 +0000

Guys, i found something that you'll surely love if you want to earn money online! This is actually the easiest way I tried on how to earn money online which guarantee you monthly income just by registering! Good thing I clicked, read and registered too! Now, I'm referring this site to you. PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW to register and know other infos as well... :)

I've nothing yet to show you as proofs but my friend is earning $3** every month(not bad huh?) so I never hesitated to try. And after all, there's no harm in trying since they ARE NOT the same with those modus operandi that would ask for your money first and send you whatever they sell or guarantee you earnings what so ever after paying.

I do hope to see the button on your sites whenever I blogged hopped on your cribs, eh?:) That would only mean you are already registered and already earning too!

Cheers to us bloggers!=D

I'm Craving for Wendy's Big Bacon Mushroom Melt!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Ooppss... don't get me wrong. I'm not craving for Wendy's Bacon Mushroom Melt because I'm pregnant nor this is a paid ad(but how I wish this will be!). Actually I'm about to have my monthly period a couple of days from now (Sorry guys if this makes you feel Ewwy..hehe) and another baby will be on the way after the priorities me and my hubby set would be met. But for now, all I can think of is to eat at Wendy's. Who cares about the calories?! Maybe before attending the Philippine Blog Awards on Friday, we'll drop by at Wendy's to satisfy this cravings... Or how about going to the nearest branch in Sta. Rosa?? (Wth, it's way too far from Calamba! A 30mins drive...) Haayy... :(

Wendy's Big Bacon Mushroom Melt @173Php or $3.76!
Yumyum!

Who wouldn't drool over this mouth-watering Bacon Mushroom Melt from Wendy's?? Oh, I just wish I didn't blog hopped on some sort of food blog and saw this pic... Argh!

My Techie One Year & 7 Months Old Baby!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:52:00 +0000

I won't bother myself thinking from whom did my son Jian got his love for gadgets... he surely got that from his Dad and Lolo Cris. =)

My Papa ever since doesn't invest on techie things. My brothers, on the other hand, would love to have the latest gizmos but Papa and Mama wouldn't give them... And neither did they took a lot of thrifty moments just to spend for these items, instead, they just shrug their shoulders and wait 'til they graduate to buy these things from their own hard-earned money. But my son Jian would have a different story.=)

Jian using his Daddy's Desktop PC

I might be a considerate Mom as Jian grows up but all I wanted is for him to have a different story to tell. I wouldn't be buying everything he wants and definitely wont keep him thirsty for such rather would want him to have some and learn how to value such techie things. I know he's still young to take care of the gadgets we've got, but I want him to get hold of those even for a a couple of minutes, for him to scrutinize each of it. I know there's something he'll learn from the things he gets hold of rather than me saying no and keeping every item he yearns to touch.

Pointing his picture with Daddy on my lappy as a wallpaper...:)

Jian entering the wrong password...hehe

Jian is one fine and witty baby boy. At a young age, turning 1 year and 8 months old on the 16th, I observed that he is indeed like me in learning - A Visionary. I show him things and tell him what they are, I will do something and tell him what I was doing and I instruct him how to do something by doing it first then he'll copy me with no sweat! And even if we did not teach him how to turn my lappy or his dad's desktop PC on and off, he already knew how to do it! Thanks to his very keen observation...hahaha And we cannot keep ourselves angry for what he always does. We just can't help but praise him for learning on his own. Oh! He never fails to amuse us!

Jian figuring out how to send SMS to his Lola Luz using his Dad's cellphone!=)

Jian calling his uncle Paul and Kurl in Cebu using my phone...=D

Jian always makes me so proud! But still, these techie things costs a fortune so still, I manage to get it in exchange for a toy or a book after a while. Sometimes he throws my cellphone just before he hands it to me. As a mild punishment, he always gets "That's bad Jian!" words and my big angry stare. But then, it never stops me lending it again to him. I always keep in my heart and mind that there's no such expensive or whatever things that can surpass the knowledge that my Jian would get on the things he can freely and lovingly explore of. (Aside from the thought that I greatly love him more than any expensive gadgets or appliances at home! wink*) It's just a matter of taking caution (if he doesn't like it anymore, he would surely throw it in an instant), giving lotsa patience (when he still wants it, he would give the loudest cry but you really have to take it away already, it takes tender, soothing and loving words to make him understand) and being in control (you're the parent and you have to teach him to be obedient even at a young age). But of course, every parent- mom and dad have their own perspective on how to raise their child in such aspect. But for me and hubby, we settle for this. Anyway we too wanted to have a few more gadgets at home and want to share everything with Jian... So... Wii anyone??? =D

One Lovely Blog Award from TwentySomethingMomma

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:22:00 +0000

Sending lotsa love to TwentySomethingMomma for passing this sweet award to me...:)

The rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award" are:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my 15 lovely blog picks:

Sorry for not following instructions...hehe I knew their blog the longest time... hmmm... well, since I started blogging, actually. But still, they've got One Lovely Blog so they are so damn deserving of this award. So no contradictions any other way, okay??! =D

P.S. Guys, hope you can grab this award the soonest so it won't stop circulating the blogosphere. We've been through a lot these past week, and maybe this simple gratitude to our blogger friends would bring a smile on their faces. Thanks a lot and kudos to us all!

When It Rains, It Pours!: The Good Side

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:17:00 +0000

Now that Typhoon Pepeng(International Name, Parma) is about to go out from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, I now have the courage to recognize good news coming my way!=D

First, I want to thank God for sparing the areas here in the Philippines where Typhoon Ondoy (International Name, Ketsana) engulfed us with floodwater leaving us broken physically, financially and emotionally. But we too, prayed for our countrymen affected by Typhoon Pepeng/Parma. Thank God what had happened in Manila did not happened to them.

Since prayers can move mountains, me and my family are so overwhelmed as we saw floodwater seize and people in our neighboring streets are coming back. Our Filipino spirit kept us united. Our faith in God made a miracle. We shouldn't stop praying coz maybe tomorrow or the next day, Satan will test our faith again, so we better be ready and armed with prayers. (May God bless us all!)

Second, I won 3rd Place for Lali.Amora's Blog Candy last September 19, 2009! I'm actually feeling so excited to have swatches of my chosen MAC lipstick shades any day from October 5, the day Erica is about to ship the prices from Texas, USA! Talking about my first time as a contest winner in a Blog Candy! It made me eager to join some more...hehe

Last but not the least, Pink Notes Diary is an official finalist for The Philippine Blog Awards 2009: Blog Design Category! I was so ecstatic when Sissy Chiklets of My Orange Vest and Sissy Niqabi informed me that I was indeed in the list. I was hesitant to check the site at first since PBA already emailed a lot of my Blogger Friends including me as their nominees for different categories. So as I arrived on the PBA site, I was literally hysterical as I saw 9 co-bloggers chosen as finalists in the Blog Design Category too! It's an awesome privilege to be one of the finalist of this event. And being in the awards night will make me feel like a winner too! So on October 9, 2009 at 5 in the afternoon, me and other finalist will be in PETA Theater to witness the 3rd Philippine Blog Awards having "One Blogging nation" as their theme! I'll be tagging my hubby along and hopefully we'll bring home the bacon.hehe (As if! wink*) Wish me luck!

Typhoon Ondoy's Aftermath in Laguna

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Our street is still submerged in flood for about a feet...

Mom with my one year old son
@ Family Village, Sampiruhan Calamba Laguna

A few steps away from our house, Ondoy's marks still haven't left us...

Corner street of Family Village

People carry their belongings somewhere safe as another storm is about to strike us 2 to 3 days from now...

Barangay Lingga uses their fishing boats to transfer people and belongings

In spite of their houses and all of their belongings under the water flood for still about 4 feet, people from Barangay Aplaya managed to sell Bangus fish to earn money and start anew...

Bangus Fish for 60-70 pesos per kilo

Some houses, specially those who do not have 2nd floors, already left, leaving their streets very lonesome...

Ghost Street

Sampiruhan (Family Village, Cardinal Village and Nayon), Brgy. Lingga and Aplaya are places near Laguna de Bay. One of the factors of having this flood even if the sun already shone since yesterday is that the flood have been mixed with sea water which made lower parts of the area still submerged. This situation makes my family scared for the coming typhoons (yes, there are two!) this week... How can we survive if it keeps on raining and we still have floods this high? How can we make sure my Mama and Papa's hard-earned house wouldn't be covered with flood water? How can we make sure everything and everyone will be safe?

In these hard times, not only me and my family but also for those who live near the sea, lake and every kind of water bodies and those who live in strike possibilities areas are asking for your prayers. As we do storm the heavens of prayers, please be among us too. We may have Plan A and B to make sure everyone is safe, but only God can really make us all safe. Also, please offer even a short prayer for my countrymen who experience Typhoon Ondoy's wrath last September 26 and he's aftermath. Prayers are the biggest thing you can give us. Prayers awaken goodness in everyone's hearts and it will surely make people share and help. Let us all join hand-in-hand as we continue with this battle ready, armed and fearless...

A Prayer

(for the people affected by typhoons)

Hide us now Father under Your wings.

Cover us within Your mighty hand.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar,

WE WILL SOAR WITH YOU ABOVE THE STORM.

You are king over the flood,

we will be still and know You are God. AMEN!

Typhoon Ondoy and His Wrath

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Uprooted tree in front of our house

Having a one year old baby in the family made me much worried about what the calamity would bring. There was no electricity supply at around noon while my baby is having his siesta and I was quite aghast of how the flood almost got into our house. Having this deja vu of what we had experienced when typhoon Milenyo came, where the flood went into our house and reached 3 feet, a few neighbors were kept inside our home for food and shelter, and there's no electricity and water supply for 3 days, we decided to bring our things up to the second floor and some furniture would be raised 2 feet higher from the floor by placing on high chairs and tables. We were doing everything as fast as we could while baby is still asleep and there's still some light coming from the outside.

It was one gloomy and cold day where everyone was working silently to save our possessions from being submerged in the flood and gathering food and water good enough for 3 days assuming the same situation that typhoon Milenyo gave us. I was mostly concerned of my baby's food and clothing so I readied all of his t-shirts, pajamas, diapers, hot water, bottles, milk, Off lotion, etc. It was actually scary. All I can think of is where I could keep my baby dry and make him comfortable even if we only have a bit of light coming from the candle's flame and all the area where he could play is in the second floor which almost serve as an attic for us - full of books and shirts already not used.

And then there was my Dad who cleaned our dust pan outside our house. The water flood is what he's using to get it clean as our street was almost 2 feet underwater. We heard a not so scary "screech" somewhere and Papa got inside the house just in time the tree in front of him was uprooted and fell right in front of our house! It happened in just a blink of an eye.

My youngest brother, Ralph and cousin, Tey checking the tree just this morning.

We can't thank God enough for Papa's safety and our survival of Typhoon Ondoy's wrath. Thank God we did not had an "underwater adventure" this time. Thank God that the electricity were up again at around 7pm. Thank God we're safe.

But still my family's fight continued. We prayed. Prayed for people in those area which are under the state of calamity. And may I also request everyone to give even a short prayer to all people who are hit and affected by Typhoon Ondoy here in our country, the Philippines, specially for us here in the Luzon area. We are in Laguna and we're not even under the state of calamity but we already experienced the wrath of these phenomenon, how much more for those who are under the SoC?

Seeing all the hard earned properties under the flood is such a hard thing to accept, what more are those lives who were taken away? Seeing those people shiver and has nothing left to keep them warm is so heart breaking, what more are those people who has nothing left to eat and drink and was fleeing in the flood to survive?

God, It's only with You
where we can get strength and courage to move on...
God, it's only with you whom we can turn to these days...

Anita's First Giveaway

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:54:00 +0000

Checkout Anita's Blog Site at Aniiita_S2 to join her first ever giveaway! She'll be giving away lotsa goodies that you'll surely lurve!

~ Full size Juicy Couture Royal Body cream
~ 10 pair of dramatic Taiwanese lashes
~ Elizabeth Arden lipgloss (Cottoncandy)
~ Maybelline Sensational Lipstick (Born with it)
~ NYX lipgloss (Sorbet)
~ Red Earth Blush :)
~ 2 Catena 8 cups of water VC whitening and moisturizing face mask
~ Vernis pink french nailpolish & Vernis white french nailploish
~ Oil Control papers
~ Hanskin BBcream sample, Clarins sample, 5 perfume harajuku samples & skinfood samples
~ Black hairties & a pair of earrings
~ Above the knee japmag black and white socks
~ YOUR CHOICE of a MAC eyeshadow
~YOUR CHOICE of a MAC lipstick

Click the picture at the bottom to be counted in. Ciao and Goodluck!

Mama's Golden Year

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:55:00 +0000

The Birthday Girl! =)

Budget had been tight these days as me and my family has something to save money for(and it includes our surprise 50th birthday treat for Papa and Mama! wink*) . But then, Papa gave me enough moola to celebrate my beloved Mama's 50th birthday last September 22! I was the one in-charged for the family's lunch and dinner (still) with Mama's help...hehe We were quite amazed on how a small amount of money can turn a simple birthday celebration into a memorable and fabulous one!

Here are some pics of my Mama's exclusive 50th Birthday Party! =D

My ever sweetest Papa giving Mama 3 white roses!

Jian making his way to blow the candles! wink*

Our humble 50th Birthday Celebration for Mama!

There's really no place like home... :)

I love you Mama!
Happy 50th Birthday!
You just don't know how you influenced me on everything.
I'm really praying to have the sweetest daughter like you have now.hahaha
Muah! I'm always here Ma,
your once little girl, tougher and braver as you mold me ever since.
Wishing you good health and another 50 years to celebrate life!

Hugs & Kisses,
Your Unica Hija :)

My Dearest Brother-in-Law, Jhelo's Natal Day!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:37:00 +0000

Me, Daddy Mike and Baby Jian celebrated with my in-laws for Jhelo's 15th birthday at Max's Restaurant in SM Sta. Rosa last September 20. His big day was really on the 17th but to bring the whole family together completely once again, they settled to celebrate the occasion on a Sunday. And as expected, it all went well.=)

After attending the mass at 10am in St. John the Baptist Parish here in Calamba Laguna, we went straight to Sta. Rosa thinking that we should arrive first before my in-laws do. It was because we still have to buy a gift for my ever dearest brother-in-law! He always reminds me of my two brothers in Cebu and a small part of my beloved hubby too that's why he's always been close to my heart even if we just have a few moments to bond with each other just the same as with my in-laws' unica hija, Mai-mai (just like me, she's a sweet, thoughtful and the only girl in the family...hehehe that's why I love her just like a real biological sister coz we both don't have one).

Daddy Mike was having a hard time choosing for the right gift as he was as expected, as cheap as he would always get.(Peace Daddy!hihi) So I was the one looking for something Jhelo would like. As I scanned the boutiques, the red-colored jacket caught my eye. I told Mike to try it on and it looks good. We bought it just before everyone met for lunch.

Fine dine at Max's Restaurant made us so full but my brother, Ralph still asked for a cup of rice.hehe He goes along with us every Sunday(together with Jian's nanny) coz he misses his kuyas and would want to spend weekends with me to play with Jian or to act as our eldest son.hahaha I was kinda embarrassed but I foresee that his 1 cup of rice wouldn't be enough, so before hand, I told hubby to share even a small amount of cash to Mama-in-law to ease the way I felt that day...hehe Thank goodness everything went financially well for us that day too.=)

Here are some photos of the wonderful weekend we had with Daddy Mike's family!=)

(L-R Jian, Me, Daddy Mike, bro RD, nanny Cel, sis-in-law Mai-Mai, bday celebrant Jhelo, bro-in-law Glenn, niece Alodia, sis-in-law Yel, nephew Albert and Mama Luz)

Papa Cris was the one taking pictures..

Here's Papa Cris - Daddy Mike's super Look-A-Like!^^

Oh, by the way, my bro Jhelo has his own website h e r e and h e r e. If you do have time, please take a peek on his site and also include him on your Blog Roll as he's still a newbie in the blogosphere and needs a lot of blogger friends. You can also greet him a belated birthday greetings as September haven't ended still...wink* Give me a nudge if you'll do! Thanks gorgeous fellas! Smoochness!=D

And to Jhelo,
Happy Birthday once again!
I'm looking for your latest photo on the net but I can't find one,
so I settled for this...hehehe
Maybe next time I'll post the latest gorgeous portrait of you here on my site
so everyone would see how good-looking you are! Ahem! hehehe
Oxa, see you when I see you! Keep on rockin'!

Lotsa Love,
Ate Yan

One Sad Love Story

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:37:00 +0000

As you get older, you will realize that not all dreams do come true and not all love stories have their own happy endings. I witnessed a lot of "happily ever after", but what moves me the greatest is the opposite of it in real life.

I had my heart broken gazillion times. But with thorough prayers and positive attitude, I finally had a man to call my own. Lucky for me and lucky for him.hehehe But kidding aside, it's truly hard to find someone honest and sincere to their intentions these days. But I am a natural born hopeless romantic so I never hesitated the power of prayers, wishing on a star, destiny and soul mates. I always believe in love. I always find love. Until one day, I just realized he's been there all the time.

This post is actually not all about me. I want to share a friend's feelings as she did the same thing as I do, but... failed.

I've been a witnessed of a genuine loving couple years ago when I was still in college. They are one of those couples whom I look up to since they never feel awkward to let other people see how sweet and thoughtful they were to each other. Not to the extent that you'll feel ashamed with them together but just the nicest sweetest moments were always been visible in their relationship. I just had my third break up with someone else's then, and that girl friend will always find time to shower me concern and advices taken from her own experiences in the relationship. Too bad I wasn't able to follow all of it since the guy I was into that instance transferred to a new school, as if wanting to start anew and forgetting what we shared.

Years before I also transferred to another campus, the girl and his loyal guy broke up. Not because they got tired of each other, but because destiny wanted to test the love they've shared. The girl went to their province and found her "ex" helping her mom in their store at the market almost everyday. He was actually doing it for a long time then on. He's been acting like a real son-in-law even if she never get serious in the relationship that started before she entered college. Her mom said that she should broke up with her current boyfriend to finish the bond she shared with the first guy who was already embrace by her mom like her own. My friend had a hard time. He broke up with her current boyfriend. That loyal guy friend told her to tell her mom that they broke up but never will they in reality. But the girl did not listen. She asked for a space to fix everything in the right way. The guy patiently waited. Until one day, my friend got pregnant. My loyal guy friend's world shuttered and he died inside with disbelief. And I cannot believe too for what had just happened.

The typical boyfriend would accept the child and the girl whole heartedly after confessing such a crucial incident in one's life, and that is exactly what had happened. But my girl friend's world sunk together with her faith in love. She said that she will never ever be fit for her loyal guy ever again. She said that he never deserves somebody like her. She doesn't want to give him a responsibility that was never his. I asked her if she wanted to marry the guy who got her pregnant by getting her drunk in their own house. (That's because that guy is free to enter any time in their house with my friend's mom's consent!) She informed me that she never will and be better to raise the child with herself alone. And then I found out months after, that she also dropped out in school and left her true love with a broken heart, broken dreams and broken soul.

In the middle of my college life, I was happily engaged with my then-boyfriend-now-hubby Mike when suddenly she texted me and wanted to meet me up on where I was that day. While strolling with my Mike, she confessed that she still love the guy she left. She never forget him. So after that meeting, I made a move to have a conversation with the guy since I still have contacts to people in the school where I first went in for college. All along, the guy had a girlfriend months after the incident. But still, he also confessed that he still loves my friend. Being a natural cupid, I set them up. I dunno what happened after that day. I left them to work the magic on their own. Years ago I thought I perfectly played the part until last week, she made a move to communicate with me again. Her son is 4 years old already. She currently have the loveliest and understanding boyfriend, she said. But still her heart beats for one true love. She said it was too good to be true. She can't believe that he still loves her in spite of everything. She said that he never assured her to leave his girlfriend if they continue what they had and never did she asked something like that too. I told her that she should believe him. That a couple of months ago, I talked to him and he shared to me his deepest love to my friend. I thought everything was going well but my girl friend told me that they never tried being in each others arms after all. I then did a secret move, I must talk to the guy. I always believe in the love they had and I will always be their greatest fan so I would love to get things done for them this time since I left them all alone when I first played the cupid part. I 101% believed that I can still do something for them. But boy I was late... Late for a week or less I guess... Late because he got married days before my girl friend opened a communication with me. And when I asked him about it, he said that he went home from Spain and asked her current girlfriend to marry him so it all happened in a bliss and no friend was there to witness it. I did not asked him to elaborate all the wedding details. I just looked for their pictures and all I saw was the two of them there. No entourage, no everything. Just the kiss and a few bridal shots. And the only word I can utter that day was "Sayang..."

I told my friend of the current situation. She cried. She told me that she should have buzz me earlier this month to share the discussion they had on Yahoo Messager when he was still in Spain. She said that if only she believed him, if only she brought her trust back, if only she never doubted and never thought of the their current partners. I told her, if only you thought of me earlier too, maybe I also might have done something helpful. Her decision made 4 lives miserable - hers, her loyal guy, the loyal guy's wife, and her current guy. She never though that he'll decide quickly as he did. Oh, God only knows what's in store for them now.

Now, it's my turn to shower her with concern and advices just like she did to me years ago. I told her to start forgetting him even if I know deep inside how hard it is to follow what I'm saying. I told her that everything happens for a reason, even if I can't even explain why myself. I told her that time will heal all wounds, even if I know it could take a lifetime to happen. I told her that she should leave it all now to God 'coz that's the only sure thing I know will work instantly 101% for now.

"For all sad words of tongue and pen
the saddest are these
'It might have been' "

-John Greenleaf Whittie

Fiel-Kun's Cool Blog Award

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:57:00 +0000

Got another Love Badge from Fiel-Kun of Fiel'Kun's Thoughts! Oh, how I love it!

Thanks, Fiel-Kun, for being so sweet and thoughtful!

I lurve your "Your Blog is Cool Award".
Hope to have another one from you again soon. hehe
Cheers to us! =D

United Blogger Award from Mariz

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:28:00 +0000

We, bloggers come from different nationalities all over the world. It is such a wonder that we are united because of blogging. This tag is made to know the nationality you are proud to have. I am enjoining all the bloggers to join this tag. Let us see how long we can make this list.

A million thanks to gorgeous Egat/Mariz of Egat's Journal for passing this wonderful tag here.=)

Here are the rules:

1. Copy this entire post but appropriately acknowledge the tag giver.

2. Link your and your blog's name (that is, put your and your blog's name plus the URL) and add the nationality that you have e. g Filipino, Finnish, American, Canadian, etc.)

3. Tag as many bloggers as you can so we can generate a long list here.

4. Return here and give me a comment or a message to include you in the masterlist.

5. If you have multiple blogs, you may copy this tag in all your sites but please include only one blog of yours in each post.

6. Update your masterlist by coming back here

7. This tag will not only help us know the bloggers we keep in touch in the blogosphere but will also help build traffic to our sites.

MASTERLIST: (List down your nationality here. The first one has been done for you).

FILIPINO
1. Ate Jan of Insights
2. Egat's Journal where Ideas meet
3. Imelda of My Daily Thoughts and Moods
4. Jane -Life is What you Make It
5. Ianne of Pink Notes Diary

INDONESIA
1. Wilyo of blekenyek
2. Ares- Viva Republik

TAIWAN
1. Charlie of Challeechallee

I am passing this to the closest bloggers in my heart: Daddy Mike, Yonca, Lord CM, Chikletz, Doll, MindDeth, Kox, Andreng, Superjaid, Bailey, Gesmunds, Vonfire, Jepoy, Tambay, Meryl, Joni Rei, Happii, Patola, Elay, Markie, Czaroma, Gee, Pickle Minded, Reigun, Maricel, Tsenn, Baklang Maton, Acrylique, Super G, Kosa and Dhi. (Did I forget someone??!)

Grace's Gracious Blog Candy!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:20:00 +0000

New Box of EK Success Fibers
Tube of gem stones
Several new ribbons
New Fiskars Decorative Scissors
New Fabric Designer Brads by Spare Parts
2 Studio G clear acrylic mini Stamp Sets
1 Sheet Inkadinkado Christmas Stamps
1 New Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Happy Birthday
1 New Pack of the newly released BasicGrey 6 x 6 "June Bug" Paper
48 NEW PRISMACOLOR PENCILS!

Grace of Th-INK-ing of you is giving away all of thee items to one lucky follower!

Contest ends on September 25, 2009.

Click H E R E to enter.

Carolyn's Handmade Treasure Giveaways!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Another fabulous Blog Candy Event is happening at HandMade Treasure by Creative Card Corner. You can click H E R E to view the details about Carolyn's very generous giveaways!=)

Contest ends on September 22, 2009

Blog Candy

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:41:00 +0000

There's a Blog Candy happening at Jane's The Paper Affair! So for those moms who have little girls and boys at home, you can definitely join the contest for them!

Artsy Crafts for the Girls

Goody Good Goodies for the Boys

And because Jane had reached her target 110 followers, she decided to add more items on both Blog Candies for the boys and girls. How great is that?!

Additional Giveaways

Click H E R E is you wanna join the Blog Candy for the Girls and H E R E if you wanna join the Blog Candy for the Boys!

Goodluck!=)

Amore Vintage 2nd Giveaway!

iannewagan@gmail.com (PinkNote) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:15:00 +0000

The blogosphere is over pouring with generous bloggers who want to thank their loyal blog followers. One of these lovely ladies is Aileen of Amore Vintage who's having her 2nd giveaway this year. Take a look on these fab giveaways you're up for grabs!

First Prize Giveaway!

Loot for the Second Runner up!

Prizes for the Third Place!

You just have to click right H E R E to know more about the rules of the contest and join.

Contest ends on September 13, 2009 at 24:00 (GMT+ 02:00). I am just in time for the deadline so you'd better hurry if you do want to take the chance.=)

I lurve her vintage necklaces. It was all handmade by Aileen of Amore Vintage. Check a lot of her works on her site. Visit her now.=)