My Life

Finally, I’m back!  After what?  Almost 3 weeks of silence!  The past few weeks were really the most hectic weeks of my life!  I don’t know why but clients were pouring in, launching a new product soon, preparing numerous reports, helping in creating a new business plan and so on and so forth. But I’m glad that I’m still A-ok albeit the stress and the deadlines(?)   

Well, aside from those adrenaline-rushing, heart-pounding activities, I still managed to go back to my aero class!  Actually, just kicked my butt off awhile ago and it really feels good to sweat it all out!  After that illness that struck my bro, I’m determined to get fit and be healthy.  As for Alex, he’s slowly (but surely) decreasing the number of cigarettes he’s puffing daily.

About my kiddo, he’s growing smarter and cuter everyday.  And he’s becoming and looking more and more like his dad!  He now walks, his vocabulary is increasing (as well as his appetite), and he’s fascinated with hot wheels and TV commercials!  That even if you go crazy in front of him or yell at him, his eyes stays glued on the TV set! Duh?!

Anyway, I guess this is all for now.  Imagine, it’s already 8:45pm and I’m still here in the office.  I’m just waiting for my hubby.  In a little while I’ll be out of here!  Can’t wait to go home and be with my son.

Chow! = )

It’s already September!  Here comes the "ber" months again.  And when it’s here, we start thinking about Christmas!  Some are looking forward to it, while others don’t even want it to arrive…..  Well, lets talk about the mushy things some other time… 

For now, let me jumpstart the 1st "ber" month with another set of questions about me, myself and I. That’s 3 "ME’s" right?!  And you know why? It is because this is the third time I was tagged and this will definitey be the last set that I’ll answer.  I guess those 3 sets of questions are already enough for you to know me better. = )  Here it goes….

Part I.

1. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR KITCHEN PLATES?
White and green

2. WHAT ARE YOU READING?
God is in the Small Stuff for your Marriage, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff At Work, Raising Godly Kids, The Leadership Secrets of Jesus, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and Baby Magazine.

3. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A mouse?!…

4. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Taboo

5. WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE SMELL?
Dead rat! I can’t even call it "least favorite!" My goodness!

6. THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Thank you Lord!  Have to prepare hubby’s breakfast.

7. FAVORITE COLOR? (I’d say colors….)
Blue, Red, Pink, Purple

8. LEAST FAVORITE COLOR(S)?
Green, Brown

9. HOW MANY RINGS UNTIL YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
3 rings.  But when I’m lazy, I don’t even answer the phone

10. FUTURE CHILD’S NAME?
Well, for my second child, if it’s a girl, Dhominique Nychole and her nickname’s Nique (pronounced as Nick)

11. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Chocolate

12. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
Yup, if the road permits. : )

13. THUNDERSTORMS - COOL OR SCARY?
Scary

14. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
1994 Toyota Corolla XL, greyish blue in color

15. WHAT IS YOUR SIGN?
I’m a Piscean

16. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
Yup!

17. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I love my job right now. And if ever I’m not connected with my current company, I’d still be in Marketing.

18. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY HAIR COLOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Light brown - lighter than my brown hair

19. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No, I prefer a body pillow.

20. HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
Half full

21. FAVORITE MOVIE(S)?
A Walk to Remember, Fast and the Furious, Legally Blonde

22. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
Yup! Without looking at the keyboard. (ang yabang!) Well, I enjoyed my typing class in college! hehehe…

23. WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
2 boxes full of Audio and Video CDs and DVDs

24. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
2

25. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Synchronized Swimming

26. YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST FEAR?
Death of a loved one

27. PERSON MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND.
I don’t know.  I’m not tagging anyone anymore.

28. PERSON YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
I won’t send this.  Anybody who wants to answer can just lift this up.

29. KETCHUP OR MUSTARD?
Ketchup

30. HAMBURGER OR HOTDOG?
Hamburger

31. THE BEST PLACE(S) YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?
Subic, Quezon, Iloilo….. 

32. WHAT SCREEN SAVER IS ON YOUR COMPUTER RIGHT NOW?
None, power saver

33. FAVORITE FAST FOOD?
McDo

34. WHAT IS YOUR BIRTH NAME?
Russelle S. Sagaran

Part II.

List 10 songs that you are currently digging…it doesn’t matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they’re no good, as long as they are songs you’re really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the 10 songs in your blog.

1. Hush - LL Cool J
2. Kiss From A Rose - Seal
3. We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
4. Say Somethin’ - Mariah Carey
5. Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
6. Dum Diddly - Black Eyed Peas
7. Switch - Will Smith
8. My Place – Nelly
9. Cherry Pie - J Lo
10.Cater to You - Destiny’s Child

That’s all folks!  ‘Til my next post!…  God bless you all and may you have a productive and happy week ahead of you! = )

Is this real?  Is this true?  Am I just dreaming or what? Is it really Deion’s picture inside Baby Magazine’s August issue?…..

Well, enough of this drama!  Thank you, thank you Baby Magazine!!!!  Now I know how it feels to see your son in (print) media (Naks!). Though this is not an ad, and though I was the one who requested it, I still feel proud and ecstatic! ( Just imagine the feeling of those parents whose babies/kids are seen in advertisements, be it in TV or print…..)

Alex and I were so happy to see Deion featured twice in Baby Mag! 

Last June, I emailed them and requested to include Deion’s picture in their "Baby Gallery" section.  And to my surprise, when I bought the August issue, I saw his picture twice!  So that’s also double the happiness and satisfaction I felt when I saw my message with Deion’s pic in their "Feedback" section.

I’ll buy another copy and I’ll include the pages with Deion on it in his scrapbook.  I’m sure, when he grows old, he’ll treasure this and he’ll remember how proud his Mommy and Daddy are of him….

Will I see him soon on Baby Mag’s cover?  Nah!  I won’t go that far.  I’m already contented with what I requested.  And besides, I think those on the cover are babies less than one year old. ; )  Like the chubby cutey baby in this month’s cover.  She’s just 7 months old.

Ok, I wont’ take long.  Here it is.  But I didn’t include the Baby Gallery section anymore.  To the proud Ninangs and Ninongs, you might want to grab a copy of the magazine.  Its available in National Bookstore. : )

Tagged again by Abby!  Well, I’m answering this as a sign of my gratitude to her because she answered the first tag game. : )

Three names you go by:
1. russelle
2. selle
3. russ

Three screen names you have had:
1. darts
2. prettyruss
3. chicmomma

Three physical things you like about yourself:
1. fair complexion
2. hands
3. eyes

Three physical things you don’t like about yourself:
1. hair
2. varicose veins in my legs!
3. hips

Three parts of your heritage:
1. spanish
2. chinese
3. filipino

Three things that scare you:
1. death of a loved one
2. fire
3. book of revelations

Three of your everyday essentials:
1. my mobile phone
2. kikay kit
3. hugs and kisses from alex and deion

Three of your favorite musical artists:
1. mariah carey
2. black eyed peas
3. mymp

Three of your favorite songs (nos. 2 & 3 are "currently" my fave songs):
1. rainbow (by south border)
2. don’t phunk with my heart (by bep)
3. eternal flame (version of mymp)

Three things you want in a relationship:
1. love
2. trust
3. faithfulness

Three lies and truths in no particular order:

Lies: 1. i don’t want to go on a vacation  2.  i don’t want to get a salary increase  3.  i hate my job

Truths:  1.  i love my family  2.  i love my life  3.  i sleep peacefully at night

Three things about the opposite sex that appeal to you:
1. very manly not effeminate
2. has a good sense of humor
3. smart

Three of your favorite hobbies:
1. listening to music
2. reading magazines
3. shopping

Three things you want to really do badly now:
1. have a hair cut
2. re-decorate our bedroom
3. spend more time with my son

Three careers you’re considering/you’ve considered:
1. psychologist
2. events coordinator
3. sales/marketing

Three places you want to go on vacation:
1. boracay
2. pagudpod
3. paris

Three kids’ names you like:
1. deion
2. christopher
3. dominiq

Three things you want to do before you die:
1. buy our own house
2. travel to europe
3. be the best mom for deion

Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy:

Gosh! I really find this very hard to answer!  I can’t find even a single "boyish" bone in me…. Duh?

Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl:
1. i gave birth
2. i easily cry
3. i spend long hours of casting a spell to reflect a "lo and behold beauty" in the mirror before heading off to my office

Three people I would like to see take this quiz:
1. peachy (hihi… it’s my turn to tag you)
2. whoever wants to answer this just for the fun of it
3. whoever wishes to answer this because s/he wants to

I was tagged by Peachy!

Anyway, personal questions/surveys like these are rampant in the Internet these days!  You’ll see this in bulletin boards, chatrooms and blogs.  Well, come to think of it, when you want to slow down a bit, answering these simple questions about yourself is kinda fun!  Plus, the people who read this are able to know you even more.  I promise, I’ll be straightforward in my answers.  Here it goes. . .

1. What are the things you enjoy doing even when there’s no one around you?

• Blogging, checking emails and surfing the Net
• Scrapbooking
• Watching CSI, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and reality TV shows
• Listening to good Pop and R&B music
• Reading personal development and religious books
• Reading magazines such as Cosmopolitan Philippines, Good Housekeeping, Baby Magazine and Entrepreneur

2. What lowers your stress/ blood pressure/ anxiety level?

• Solemnly conversing with the Lord
• A relaxing body massage and foot spa
• A nice, warm, "scentsational" and soapy bath   
• Shopping! Err..  impulse buying?
• Dining out with hubby
• Having a nice hair cut at Piandre
• Drinking frap while puffing West Ice and chit-chatting with Alex or my close friends (Sigh!  I really miss Ayleen! When she was still here, we’d do this often. Sob….)

3.  Tag five friends and ask them to post this on their blogs.

• Abby A., Leah, Arybba, Shopaholic Del and Sheila J. - You’re next!

Just last month, my eldest brother, Kuya Mon, had a heart attack!  He’s just in his early 40’s and yet he was struck by this illness like a thief!  I can say that the Lord is really great because he gave my brother another chance to live.  They said that people who had a heart attack at an early age don’t usually make it.

And you know what was the cause according to the doctors? — It was because of his SMOKING!  Admittedly, my Kuya is a chain-smoker.  And now that he had just undergone Angioplasty, this was the exact words that he said to me yesterday when I visited him after his operation, "Atche, I will not smoke even in my 300th lifetime!".  With teary eyes I told him "You really shouldn’t! And you have to change your lifestyle! Kuya, I’m just glad that you’re ok now".  Then I squeezed his right hand to let him know how thankful I am that he’s alive! I didn’t want to see my brother in that condition but there’s nothing I can do.  I just did what I thought was right:  offer prayers and be by his side to support him in his agony.

Because of this, Alex and I realized that we should start thinking about tomorrow, clean up ourselves and live a healthy life.  We already have a child who depend on us and thus we would like to be a good example to him.

As early as now, we should all think of living a healthly life.  Not just for ourselves, but for the people we love.  Anyway, here are some tips on how to control the risk of Heart Disease:

• Stop Smoking!
• Get Active
• Limit Alcohol Consumption
• Watch What You Eat
• Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.
• Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.

X’cess:  To all the people who offered special masses and loving prayers for my Kuya Mon, my sincerest thanks to you!!  Your support is greatly appreciated!

Hmmm…. I found this very interesting site and typed my "maiden name"  in it(as required).  And to my surprise, the site’s description of myself is somehow correct!  I find it really amazing!

Anyway, here’s the meaning of Russelle Supan Sagaran:

There are 20 letters in your name.
Those 20 letters total to 72
There are 8 vowels and 12 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 9

The characteristics of #9 are: Humanitarian, giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression.

The expression or destiny for #9:
The expression that you exhibit is represented bythe number 9. Your talents center in humanistic interests and approaches. You like to help others as you were intended to be the ‘big brother or big sister’ type. You operate best when you follow your feelings and sense of compassion, and allow yourself to be sensitive to the needs of others. You work well with people, and have the potential to inspire. This suggests that you could successfully teach or counsel. Creative ability, imagination and artistic talent (often latent) of the highest order are present in this expression. It’s possible that you’re not using or developing all of these capabilities at this time. Some of your talents may have been used at an earlier time in your life, and some may still be latent. Be aware of your capabilities, so that you can make use of them at appropriate times.

If you are able to achieve the potential of your natural expression in this life, you are capable of much human understanding and have a lot to give to others. Your personal ambitions are likely to be maintained in a very positive perspective, never losing sight of an interest in people, and a sympathetic, tolerant, broad-minded and compassionate point of view. You are quite idealistic, and disappointed at the lack of perfection in the world. You have a strong awareness of your own feeling as well as those of others. Friendships, affection, and love are extremely important.

Undeveloped or ignored, the negative side of the 9 expression can be very selfish and self-centered. If you do not actively involve yourself with work that benefits others, you may tend to express just the opposite characteristics. It is your role to be very involved with other people and their needs, but it may be difficult for you achieve this role. Aloofness, lack of involvement, and a lack of sensitivity mark the low road of this expression.

(No wonder I’m enjoying my career right now because I get to interact with a lot of people and along with it - express my creativity!)

Your Soul Urge number is: 2

A Soul Urge number of 2 means:
With the Soul Urge number 2, your motivation is centered on friendships, partnerships, and companionship. You want to work with others as a part of a cooperative team. Leadership is not important to you, but making a contribution to the team effort is. You are willing to work hard to achieve a harmonious environment with sensitive, genial people.

In a positive sense, the 2 Soul Urge is sympathetic, extremely concerned and devoted. The nature tends to be very sensitive to others, always tactful and diplomatic. This element in your nature indicates that you are rather emotional. You are persuasive, but in a very quiet way, never forceful. You are the type that makes really close friendships because you are so affectionate and loving.

If this number is over-emphasized in your makeup, you may be over-sensitive, with a delicate ego that is too easily hurt. You may be timid or fearful, too easygoing for your own good.

(I know this is me - what do you think my dear friends? Huh? Speak up!

But you know, sometimes these traits are putting me to disadvantage.  Because of my high regard to friendships/relationships, I end up feeling deeply hurt whenever there are "not so good things" happening along the way.  And as a result, slowly….. I’m finding it hard to trust people…..  Good thing I have God, a great husband and son, loving parents, siblings, and relatives  and some true friends - who fills me with love and helps me to become stronger and successful in life. )

Your Inner Dream number is: 7

An Inner Dream number of 7 means:
You dream of having the opportunity to read, study, and shut yourself off from worldly distractions. You can see yourself as a teacher, mystic, or ecclesiastic, spending your life in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.

(I’m not sure about this though….. )

Anyway, if you’d like to know the meaning of your name too, just go to this link:  http://s131653538.onlinehome.us/Numbers.asp

Last July 13, 2005, our Baby Deion turned 1.  I still recall the heart-pounding moments while I was giving birth to him a year ago.  I remember seeing him lifeless for more than a second.  Doctors and nurses surrounding him, trying to revive his breathing.  Though I was still groggy and very exhausted, I earnestly pleaded to God to let him live and be a blessing to many.  I talked to The Almighty and said to Him "Not now Lord. After 3 long grueling years, you gave him to us.  We were about to lose hope when my OB told us that it’ll only take a miracle for me to conceive. But you proved us wrong. You showed to us that if we’ll just have faith in you, you’ll never let us down."

True indeed, He did not let us down.  For He gave Deion the strength and the courage to fight for his life.  And because of this blessing, Alex and I believes that our wonderful Deion truly deserves an incredible party!…

Click here to view photos taken during Deion’s kiddie party at McDonalds.

Photos taken during his Thanksgiving Party at our humble abode last July 13…

I started my day a little harrassed because I have lots of deadlines to meet today.  Alex and I hurriedly drove off to Makati because we left our house late already - around 720am.  Alex needs to be in his office by 8am!  Then he dropped me off in front of their building so I walked a little going to my office.

In the office, I read the newspaper while sipping coffee and eating bacon salami sandwich.  Then, I checked my emails and surfed the net a little.  Then, everything went by so fast!  Talked to various clients, took down requests of some branch managers, prepared proposals left and right, monitored status of clients’ web updates, and so on and so forth…  I was too busy with my work not knowing that our country is going crazy already!  Protests here and there, cabinet resignations, business organizations and other prominent personalities calling for GMA’s resignation!!  I won’t be surprised if tomorrow, we’ll have a new President!  Well, let us just wait and see what will happen to our country today….

Ha! Thank God It’s Friday!  And it’s the first day of the month!  This month is special ‘coz my "two" babies (Firesnake - Alex’s handle in various forums and Deion) will be a year older.

Though I’m really tired today, I still feel light and bubbly.  I always look forward to Fridays.  Why?  Well, because this means gimmick day; date with hubby; last work day of the week; etc. etc.

I had a tiring day because we participated in a trade exhibit in Mega Trade Hall and I was tasked to man the booth and market our bank and IT products and services.  Talking and "making chika" to different kinds of people can really drain you!  But it’s ok, atleast my network is growing.

Oh well, I just dropped by.  I really have nothing much to say.

Happy weekend to y’all!