the weeks that were

to call the past weeks as crazy is an understatement. despite the chaos it brought, i realized that there are still a lot to be thankful for amidst the stress and pressure that need to be faced head-on.

i just came from another overseas trip; this time to present an initial paper i did on the Philippines (ICTs and Environment Movements).  unlike other trips i had for the Project i'm handling, this time, i did not only help organize it but i'm one of the researchers myself.  the organizing and the presenting per se were not traumatic.  i crammed naturally but the preliminary paper we did already weeks ahead.  what was traumatic was the travel to KL as it was a long, tiring one.  when it would have been a 4-hour travel from Manila to KL, due to cost-cutting measures of my Boss, he authorized our travel agent to book us via Cathay Pacific (MLA-HK-KL/round).  yes, we traveled up then back down, covering 3 airports in almost 9 hours of travel, including stop-overs and waiting.  that was not a pleasant flight experience.  if it weren't for Muji in the HK airport, i would have been ultimately traumatized. 

Taken by the road back to our Hotel (Impiana KLCC

i do have a lot of redeeming episodes in KL.  i was able to meet up with two batchmates from SSEAYP -- Atim (who took time to drive us around) and Ju, who treated us to snacks in The Loaf Bistro.  (The Loaf Bistro sells yummy breads and pastries.  It is owned by then Malaysian PM Mahathir.  If all retired statesmen and politicians establish businesses that provide good service, the country is in good hands.)  Atim asked me (i was with a colleague) what we wanted to do, all we said were Uniqlo and KL Towers.  However, the KL Towers' entrance fee is expensive so she suggested that we drive outside KL that overlooks the City.  there is a row of restaurants there, and we would have dinner there.

so, off we went to Uniqlo.  i was able to buy a shirt that hopefully could inspire me to lose weight asap so i could wear it.  *dreamy*

then we stopped in The Loaf Bistro for snacks that Ju treated us with!  we enjoyed reconnecting there and talking about civil service and quality of life in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.  (and i realize that working for Government in Singapore is an incentive, and in Malaysia too!  working for the Philippine Government is a total different class act. *aacck!*) we went around the Mall (we went to 2 so i don't remember where we ended.  Atim took out local donuts, which i eventually brought back home to Manila.)  we drove about 45 minutes to the "ridge" and had dinner there.  (photos are still with Atim.)  then Atim brought us to the spot where we could see Petronas that is worth-capturing on lens.  i realized that i have the bags and shoes i like but i do not have a good, reliable digicam. my priorities are something i could not be proud of! *blushing in shame*  i was able to buy Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper" in Kinokuniya in the Petronas Mall.  (the book deserves a separate post, i swear!)

when i reported back to work, the package from ms jenni e was already in the office, waiting.  i like opening presents, and it was a thrill actually receiving freebies!  i still don't know when i'd be using the perfume and the purse but at least, i have something new and special when the need arises.

mr P and i agreed that when i arrive from KL, we would be bringing the boys to the groomer for their first grooming experience --- shampoo/conditioner with blow dry, nail cut, paw trim, ear and teeth cleaning.  we picked Aromapet Spa and Salon in Morato because it offers pet pick-up and delivery.  i cannot imagine transporting the boys to the groomer in a cab.  they are too huge and makulit to stay put in a taxi.  i doubt that there'd be a willing driver to take us anyway.

Bo and Lee at home (after being groomed)

(the pix during the grooming is in mr P's phone) but it was a nice experience for us pet parents.  while Bo and Lee are being groomed in a room, where we were restricted to enter, i was nervous for them and for the groomers as well.  i am not sure how they would be with strangers (they do not have any biting record but they are still dogs!)  the funny thing was, Bo was his usual suplado and uncooperative self, whining and growling as he looks at the glass window where we were viewing them.  Lee was a charmer, giving the groomer assigned to him, a lot of licks and some hugs (he probably thought he could convince Kuya to stop brushing his air.    i didn't like the smell in the dog salon as the boys smelled after three days already but i don't mind bringing them back to the groomer if only for the nail-cutting and filing and the paw trimming!  (things that either i am lazy to do or incapable of doing!)

"Mabait kung tulog." Tom at two months.

having Tom at home made life more challenging! he is so unlike his Kuyas at that age (Tom is two months and huge!).  he broke all the rules we set for Bo and Lee.  he is everything i was not prepared for nor experienced when the older boys were younger.  this is probably another test bed to becoming a parent, that you will have children but no one is of the same personality.  

my boys - Lee (copper red), Tom (wolf-grey) and Bo (black)

Tom acts like the Alpha Dog.  when Bo and Lee are asleep and he wants to play, he would pull their ears, bite their tails until hairs fall off.  when Bo and Lee are in their fave spot (looking out the window), he would climb up too and nudge them to play.  if they don't budge, Tom would bark furiously, compelling his Kuyas to run after him and a death match ensues.  when Bo and Lee are playing, Tom would want to get involved too.  he would squeeze himself into the rough play but run away when the Kuyas turn to him.  at times, he acts as referee (barking at Bo and Lee) as they run and tumble around.  i have been telling mr P recently how the boys would be when we move to our new place.  the space is not as big inside unless we bring them out where there is the driveway, the clubhouse, the playground and the pool.  of course, these are for kids and not for huskies! but mr P is sure that we have more opportunities to walk the boys around (and i knew that the kids around would ogle at them, and the boys would definitely love the attention!)

i am often asked why we have boys and not get a female Husky.  mr P answers that i prefer being the only girl in our family, which is true actually.  i know that female dogs are as arte when they have their period, and i honestly don't want any competition.  lol! and should we decide to complete the color palette of Huskies, we would be getting boys (in apricot and in white). yes, i could be self-centered after all!  which leads me to another contradictory point -- i am planning to buy another bag but since we have plans to move to our own place (which actually means we need all the money in this world to be able to fully pay for it!), i am letting go of that bag from my mindset.  while there is no drama, no heartbreak when i decided to not proceed to my online purchase, i am still hopeful that eventually i could buy that (as a gift to self).

but when i think about it, our own home is the true gift to self, which i pray we could pull off soon!