Owner: My World URL:http://www.lucel.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:36:39 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: An on-line journal of my life in the Big Apple as a stay at home wife Site statistics:Click here
10022-SHOE 2007-08-19 23:16:00 Saks Fifth Avenue was part of our itinerary last Saturday, more so because we were already in the area. It was a must-see because of a mailer they sent to their Saks First customers which I received 2 weeks ago. It's an announcement about the opening of their renovated shoe salon which is located on the eight floor.The shoe floor is so big and that's the reason why it's the only shoe salon in NYC that has its own zip code. I really enjoyed window shopping. I found all the high end signature label every shoe addict adore. Not that they didn't have them before, it's just that the selection is now more extensive. I couldn't resist this pair.I just love, love, love it. So comfy..... Best of all, it is priced cheaper here, than the Gucci boutique a few buildings away. If you are paying an additional 8.375% in sales tax, it makes a big difference.I didn't want to feel guilty, that's why Frank had to get this scent on the first too.Our day was almost complete but we had to go eat...
Welcome home, Mandara! 2007-08-18 21:55:00 A few weeks ago we went to drop off Epi leather Mandara GM here for a very minor repair. I've had Mandara for about 2 years already, and I noticed that one of the stitching around one of the buckles was a bit loose. The after sales service located on teh fourth floor as always was excellent, no repair fees and it was done fast. I just didn't go and pick it up that soon. This was our first stop today, Saturday in Manhattan. F keeping busy while waiting for meNice to have you back Mandara. Read more:Welcome
All about me (part 3) 2007-08-17 17:43:00 It's Friday once again. Here goes 10 things about me:1. People call me Nikki(because of my maiden name: Nicolas), Lucel, Juliana, Kalbo(my immediate family call me kalbo because I was bald when I was a baby).2. I love to travel. When I was still single, I made sure I rewarded myself with travels internationally. My local and some international travels were more often than not, all paid for by the company where I was connected. There would be a month in each year when I used to take 30 days vacation leave from work. My husband didn't make me a seasoned traveller/jetsetter, I made him.3. I am a clean and a neat freak, but I'm not obsessive compulsive. I just like my sorroundings to be in tip top shape everyday. My house is ready for viewing by anyone at anytime. Visitors can come by un-announced and I won't have to rush and fix the place(although, in the US dropping by un-announced is taboo).4. I can survive without TV. Just give me a good book and tons of magazines and I'll be set.
Baby project 2007-08-16 19:55:00 This topic is going to be just published once, as this is something we even try to avoid talking about. It's not about being in denial, it's about trying not to dwell on our frustration.Sometime in 2003, after years of trying without any good result, we decided to finally to go to a fertility specialist(one of the best in NYC). We both went into the usual work-up, more so with me and everything came back normal. We then proceeded to all the available medical intervention, from conservative to aggressive. As you know by now, all of our efforts went to waste.In an effort to beat the biological clock, we tried it again this year hoping we get lucky, because this time it is going to be our last chance. As is, we are still unlucky. We agreed we will just take each day at a time and not pressure ourselves anymore. I'm just immuned to needles now, and all those days when I have to get up very early just so I can go to the Fertility Institute on certain days of the month in conjunction with
Stonewall Kitchen 2007-08-22 17:42:00 I totally forgot about writing a post about Stonewall Kitchen
, but I got reminded today because I received a catalog from the store.On a recent trip to Maine, we stumbled upon the store and went in to explore. I enjoyed browsing through their wide selection of products and I got the chance to taste test a lot of the items in the store. We bought these: They are all yummy and definitely well worth the price. I really love the Mocha Espresso Sauce because it taste so good as an ice cream topping. I am ordering the Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce to try out a new flavor. Frank's favorite is the Honey Tarragon Mustard. He thinks he's not going back to his old favorite well-known brand mustard anymore.Well, let me get going so I can start browsing the catalog and place my order.
33 days 2007-08-21 22:01:00 It's been 33 days, and I'm enjoying it....blogging, I mean. Time really goes so fast when you like what you're doing.To all you guys and gals that have taken the time to drop by and value what they saw here, thanks a lot. May you continue to visit. To all those that visited that didn't like and agree with what they saw and read and still continue to drop by, I still say: thanks and eat your heart out. If you don't like me, I don't like you too. This space is created for those who want to take a peek into my world and who can enjoy the special things I appreciate in this life. This has given me the opportunity to re-discover my penchant for writing and meeting people (meeting online through this blog and hopefully forge friendship). Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
58 Degrees 2007-08-21 18:05:00 Yes, the temperature was only that high today in NYC. At 10:00 a.m. I woke up to this view outside. If yesterday was dreary, today wasn't only dreary, it was and is windy and rainy. With this kind of weather, the chances of my little garden surviving is low. What, with the strong winds we get because of our close proximity to the beach, and the cold temperature, the eggplant will get damaged. So today, I harvested the eggplant for the first time and a few sitaw. As I'm writing this post, the aroma of the pinakbet is now smelling good. Frank learned to love this dish already even with the okra and ampalaya(bitter melon) in the mix. Frozen okra and lima beans are always on standby in my freezer. Too bad, my okra plant is not yielding anything yet.The cold temps also made me crave for a hot chocolate drink to go with my breakfast. It was a choice between my usual brewed coffee which is easier to prepare, and hot choco which require more work. I opted for the hot choco and savored the go Read more:Degrees
Dreary Monday 2007-08-20 17:43:00 I woke up this morning without the sun shining as it would be at this time of the year. New York is rainy and cool. Who would have thought I'd be wearing a light cardigan in August? Nakakabaliw!I didn't sleep too good last night because of the very cold condition even inside our place. Frank thrives on the cool environment. I have no choice because once the air is turned off, it gets stuffy. This is the downside of central air in a high rise. Our control is limited to turning the air on high, low or off. I just had to use a regular flat sheet, a blanket and topped off with a quilt.That surely kept me toasty. Read more:Monday
US Housing Market 2007-08-27 18:34:00 How sad it is to know that a lot of Americans that dived into the booming housing market a few years ago, are now challenged with the increasing interest rates of their mortgages. Foreclosures are a plenty and it's unimaginable how it must feel to lose a home.The situation is just out of control. What used to be a sellers market, has now turned into a buyers market. About five years ago, you'd hear a lot of people easily get approved for loans/mortgages. Seemed like it was easy to own a home, that I think, the financial responsibilities of owning one was not exactly thought of first. How else can one explain the high incidence of foreclosures? If one can really afford the mortgage, then, there shouldn't be too many incidences of bad loans. The problem was, it was so easy to buy a house a few years ago. There were these no downpayment scheme that a lot of people thought, because there's no money down, there are no consequences to it. Chances are, if you got no money to put down, how Read more:Market
, Housing
Random facts(anything under the sun) 2007-08-26 14:41:00 It's warm, humid and gloomy outside and I think it's affecting my mind. I got nothing to post...(so, my mind says), I'm lazy to think, hence, bear with the inanities.1. The word nihilistic - refers to a person that totally rejects established laws.2. The word atwitter - means, excited or nervous. What a word...3. There's a big difference between the word electric and electronic. Electric pertains to anything
that is produced by or operated by electricity. On the other hand, electronic pertains to devices or systems developed through electronics(the science dealing with the development of devices involving the flow of electrons i.e. most features of vehicles, as in: electronic brake distribution system, electronic remote trunk release, power windows or power moonroof/sunroof).4. Puerto Rico is a self governed unincorporated territory of the US located in the Caribbean.5. Guam is an organized unincorporated territory of the US located in the Western Pacific and is 3,300 miles from Ha Read more:facts
, Random
Saturday Brunch 2007-08-25 17:08:00 I woke up feeling good today. The sun was shining bright and it was a perfect day to have brunch out. Frank and I went to the Vegas Diner for a much needed boost My Lumber JackFrank's He-manThe food was yum as usual, that's why this place is our haven for quick meals. 'Twas a little bit too much of a brunch I think, that after we cleaned up our plate, we both felt we needed to take a nap. It was not meant to be anyway, since we had to stop by Pathmark. Chores, chores, chores... when will they ever go away.... Read more:Brunch
, Saturday
All about me (part 4) 2007-08-24 19:13:00 Whew! I can't believe this post is now part 4. Folks, I hope you're not getting bored. If you're still up to it, here's my list:1.I can't ride a bike, any 2 wheeler for that matter, but I can drive even in the narrowest alley.2.I can't swim and my friends gave up on me in this area. I remember, while on vacation in Pearl Farm (Davao), which by the way is one of the most breath taking resorts in the Philippines, my friends started to get me in the water with my two legs being held by them so I can float.3.I'm visually impaired. I refused to admit it while in college, so I resorted to squinting, but I gave in when I was in review school for the Med Tech Board. I started to use specs but this only lasted for a couple of months. I simply didn't like it, so I started using disposable lenses (Acuvue). Since then, till now I'm still using Acuvue and I only use glasses for TV viewing at night.4.I used to own those humongous Motorola cell phones. Piltel lang ang line before and not too
Aglio Olio 2007-08-23 17:02:00 I prepared this dish last night and it was sooo good. I had to use my All-Clad wok because I have to admit, I made the whole box of pasta, and even my largest saute pan was not big enough for easy mixing. The recipe came from the Rachael Ray show. In one of the episodes last July, Rachael made this dish with her husband. I minced a lot of garlic and tons of parsley freshly snipped from my garden(I didn't follow the actual measurements/quantity from the recipe).I made salad greens to start, and a lot of freshly baked Italian bread, from my favorite Italian Bakeshop: Angelo's. It being easy to prepare, sweetened the deal for me. Aglio-olio: yummy and easy!
Blog Day 2007-08-30 19:42:00 I got this from Claire.August 31 is blog day. What is blog day?Blog Day was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day, bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors with the goal in mind that on this day, every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.Blog Day posting instructions:1.Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting.2.Notify the 5 Bloggers that you are recommending them as part of Blog Day 2007.3.Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs4.Post the Blog Day Post on August 31, 20075. Add the Blog Day tag using this link: http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2007 and a link to the Blog Day website at http://www.blogday.org/. Person that was tagged by me has to do the same thing by introducing 5 new blo
Best Nights 2007-08-30 19:09:00 I was tagged by Mich.The rule is: I am to list five of the best nights of my life and tag four people.1. One afternoon in 1996, when I finally accepted a job offer. I was up all night thinking about how challenging it will be and at the same time giddily happy that everything in my wish list was fulfilled. I just didn't know how I would spend that three months sign-in bonus.2.The afternoon when I got the word that I was promoted after 6 months on the job. It was another good sleepless night.3. June 28, 2000 our wedding night.4. June 25, 2005 our second wedding night. Tired but contented and happy having celebrated our 5th anniversary in Manila with family and close friends who weren't able to make it on our June 2000 wedding in New York.5. The night we got engaged.Now, I'm tagging Nice, Farida, Hunee and Irel
Garbage bin 2007-08-29 13:17:00 Three years ago, when we were in the process of renovating our apartment, one of the things I specified to our designer was to have a garbage bin in the kitchen that's not only functional and utilitarian but also beautiful and pleasing to the eyes. She was quick to reply that, it was not going to be a problem because with the new innovations in kitchen designs, the garbage bin can be hidden under one of the cabinets that will just slide in and out for easy access. I didn't like the idea because, I don't have a big kitchen and I didn't want the garbage bin to cut into my storage space.The solution? She found this and I immediately said this is it. I didn't want to have one of those made of plastic or stainless. It's hand painted wood and very well made. The only downside was since it was customized it took a while to be delivered. I just love the design and it goes well with my kitchen decor. It sits well in this corner of my kitchen and it's been a conversation piece everytime Read more:Garbage
Who's ready for retirement? 2007-08-28 13:15:00 I mean, retirement
when you reach the required retirement age and be able to withdraw money from your investments.I remember, a few months after we got married, my husband was very confident in saying, he can quit the Wall Street pressure and very comfortably retire when he's 50. He figured, our investments plus his 401k, IRA and SSS pension will be enough, and being that at age 50 you can't withdraw from your 401k and can't collect from SSS, the other investments we're vested on will be enough to get us through till he turns 62.Guess what? This turned out to be just a dream after all. No matter how diverse our investments are, it will simply be not feasible, and I can tell you why.1. Investments took a beating after 9/11 and although the market recovered, you can never recover the earnings these investments you would have had/earned those years the market was bad.2. The SSS retirement age, for you to be able to collect used to be 62. It's now 67. Therefore, you either stop workin Read more:ready
Crystals 2007-09-03 16:42:00 I have always wanted to have a collection of Swarovski Crystals
. Whenever I go to Fortunoff, I find myself gravitating towards the crystals area. I just love the sparkle and how intricate the designs are. They're fascinating!My sister must have known. So, on our anniversary in 2003, she gave us a Swarovski Crystal Society membership along with a beautiful school of fish for my first piece. It's been 4 years, and I'm not going anywhere with my collection. They are securely displayed in our curio. I'm stuck and I can't go ahead and buy more to add into these. The culprit? Blame my obsession with cleaning. I can't keep myself from handling them poorly by dusting them every so often. In my mind, the more I get, the more pieces to dust. How sick is that?
Backyard barbecue 2007-09-02 22:41:00 As mentioned yesterday, we went to a barbecue in Long Island. We just got home and we're just so exhausted not from the party, but from the monstrous traffic we had to go through. Going there took us about 2 hours, a ride that would have been 20 to 30 minutes. The ride home was the same thing and when you're behind the wheel as I was, you just can't help but say s----.Oh well, we did have a great time in the company of people we love. Should I even complain?
Long weekend 2007-09-01 17:27:00 Yesterday, major roadways and expressways were clogged. Commuters rushed to get out of New York for the long Labor Day weekend to celebrate and enjoy the last few days of the season. This day signals that summer is almost over. I wished it's not this soon.Tomorrow, we're heading out to Long Island for a barbecue party. I hope the good weather remain, so we'll have a fun time. With the crowd already in their destination, I also am hoping there'd be no major traffic on the Belt Parkway.Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!
Varieties 2007-09-01 16:48:00 I was tagged by Bless. This is all about Favorites, Have-you-evers, and Last times, etcetera....So here goes:What is your favorite...gum: dentynerestaurant: peter luger steak housedrink: any sweetened iced teaseason: fall and summertype of weather: sunny and calm @ 75 degreesemotion: happything to do on a half day: read and scraplate night activity: midnight snacksport: basketballcity: Paris and of course, NYCstore: saks fifth and bergdorf goodmanWhen was the last time you...cried: I can't remember sobrang tagal naplayed a sport: a decade ago...lollaughed: 5 minutes agohugged someone: 10 minutes agokissed someone: ang kulit... 10 minutes agofelt elated: everytime F says he's so happy with our life togetherfelt overworked: long forgotten. I don't feel this anymorefaked sick: secret. I really pulled it off goodlied: a week ago. white lie lang to an acquaintance inviting us over for dinner and I didn't want to goWhat was the last...word you said: bye... to F while he's heading out to Read more:Varieties
All about me (part 5) 2007-08-31 21:52:00 I know, I know... you're getting bored about this list already. Just bear with me one more Friday. Promise, this is the last part.1.I didn't want to leave the Philippines, and I didn't expect to live in the US. In fact, even up to this day, my husband knows how I still want to go back and stay for good in Manila.2.It was during one of my annual vacations when I was introduced to Frank. No sparks, wala lang.3.Leaving the Philippines was the only way for us to keep the relationship going. Frank was spending too much for overseas calls and it came to a point when I didn't wanna go back and forth to NY anymore. Add the time difference between NY and Manila and it was a big mess. I'd be at work when he's sleeping for the night, and he's at work when I'm home at night.4.When I finally moved to NY, I stayed at my sister's house in Long Island and started working as a sales and marketing consultant for a Home Care Agency.5.After our wedding, I was really shock having to do all the
Last Day 2007-09-25 22:24:20 Today was a very leisurely day and there's nothing to do much but shop for souvenirs for friends, and of course, the daunting task of packing. We woke up whenever we wanted and head out for breakfast atThis bird caught my fancy while having breakfast. Isn't she cute?Here's one more peek at the country with the reputation as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean and with a population of only 70,000 people, 5,000 of which are Pinoys, I heard.This is it for today...in My World.
Affected? 2007-09-25 19:34:45 Oh yeah, somebody just messed up my vacation. I'm supposed to be enjoying the last few hours of this destination, but somebody just wouldn't STOP. Don't get me wrong, it's not my husband. It's somebody I know from way back, and I don't know why I ever got into this. The e-mails back and forth are disturbing and somehow, I don't know why this person is just determined to ruin my holiday.Well, this is what ENVY does to people. So, I got a message for you, you know who you are: EAT YOUR HEART OUT. STAY OUT OF MY LIFE AND SINCE YOU'RE DYING OF ENVY, TOO BAD. This is my life, and there's nothing you can do about it. You're just a pest lurking in my world, and your wayward behavior is gross and disgusting. I'm giving a period to this, you are not going to affect me. Just stay in your own sorry corner.
Get to know me more! 2007-09-24 23:49:30 Kitts, I'm on vacation but I'm all for it :DQ1. What were you doing 10 years ago?- in the thick of things in my career busy creating my niche in the corporate worldQ2. What were you doing 1 year ago?- that's easy... exactly at this time of the year last year, we were on a 2 week vacation in one of my favorite places on earth: BermudaQ3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?- teuscher chocolate truffles- Dr. Oz shake- garrett popcorn(any flavor)- grimaldi chips 'n chocolate (yum!)- Hawaiian Host dark chocolate covered macadamia nutsQ4. What are 5 songs you know the lyrics well?- just once- dance with my father- all my life- don't give up on us- hopelessly devoted to youQ5. 5 things you would do if you are a millionaire?- fly on my private jet and visit every place on this earth- donate a hefty sum to charity every year- acquire a property in all the major cities in the world- invest a huge amount of money and keep living off the earnings- retain an accountant and a certified financial plann
Aruba Day 8 2007-09-24 23:02:50 Today, we had an early start. We joined the Discover Aruba Tour and we were picked up by the shuttle at 8:45 a.m.Casiburi rock formationA shot of an Aruban cactusThe Natural Bridge. It's no longer in use.California LighthouseOur Lady of Alto Vista ChapelWe're exhausted...This is it for today...in My World.
Atwitter 2007-09-24 22:02:36 Yes, I'm excited... to go home. One more day and we'll be on a flight to go home.Good as it is, it has to come to an end. Pauwi na kami, I could hardly wait.
Just Two! 2007-09-24 01:22:01 I was tagged by Nice. Who am I passing this on to? I don't know. Feel free to tag yourself (remember, I'm on vacation *lol*)Here goes...2 things you always bring in your purse(aside from wallet) - car key and house keys2 TV shows you love to watch - As the World Turns and Desperate Housewives2 softdrinks you enjoy drinking - Coke and Coke alone2 magazines/books you love reading - any Og Mandino book and for magazines a lot of them. Got at least 12 subscriptions from travel to cooking2 places/countries you love visiting or would love to visit again - would love to go back to France and see Italy for the first time(specifically Venice, Milan, Rome and Sicily..ay ba't ang dami?)2 hobbies you enjoy - scrapbooking and reading2 actors you would love to have a date with - George Clooney and can't think of the second.2 websites you never fail to open everyday aside from email and your own blog - the site where we check our FMA investment account i.e. Smith Barney and CNN.2 fondest childhoo
Aruba Day 7 2007-09-23 18:23:26 Today we took the 15 minutes boat ride to Renaissance Island. It's a private beach/island exclusive to guests of Renaissance Aruba Resort. The boat ride went well... Untill...Yes, Frank and another woman guest, gamely took turns to be at the helm. Scary but fun. I was soaked!The private island is complete with amenities. Just like you are still in the hotel, sans the hotel room of course.It's about 5:00 p.m. here in Aruba as I'm writing this post. I'm just dead tired...What's for dinner? I /we don't know yet. I'm really loving this life. It's really nice not having to worry what to prepare for the next meal. I must say, this is one of the most relaxing vacations we've ever had. There's no itinerary, we go as we want, no tour times to follow, we get up and retire for the night when we want. Ahhh... this is the good life. Wish it's like this everyday.Now, I say to myself - keep dreaming... This is it for today...in My World.
I Confess 2007-09-23 17:07:52 Leonore wanted to know. I guess, there's no use denying...You Are A Little SnobbyAnd being a little snobby every once and a while is totally allowed.Because if no one was ever snobby, no one would ever try to dress up or look pretty.And while you do enjoy the finest things in life (that you can afford), you tire of superficiality.You know there's more to life than what's just on the surface.Are You a Snobby Girl?
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