Remember Take 6?

If We Ever (video from antcreations on Youtube)

Well, this was playing in my brother's car today. And yea, reminiscing about my Teen Disc Jockey-ing days with my friends GM, IG, and CJ. Good ol' days! I was 14 and having the time of my life - no worries, no problems, all fun.

We were DJs for a program called 'Just for Teens' on Power 810 AM (DZRJ), and because of the show, we got to know all these artists in the Christian Music world. If you're reading this, and you don't know who Take 6 is, then you should read up and know that THEY ARE LEGENDS! They are an a capella group that won 10 Grammys, 10 Dove awards, and then some. Hearing their music again just brought me back in time, when life was simpler and easier. Hehe.

Enjoy!

One of my faves, Mary (video from antcreations on Youtube)

Take 6 Medley (video from antcreations on Youtube)

And the Winners are...

...as follows! (LOL!)

Ooops! Singit lang: Guys, if you're joining my giveaways, make sure you follow the mechanics. I've had to disqualify a few, a number of times already, because they skipped a step. Also, if it's a Twitter contest, make sure you make your profiles public, lest I don't get to see any of your tweets, (unless, of course, I am following you).

Anyway... moving along...

The winner* of 2 Lower Box Tickets to the Hillsong United: Aftermath worship night is...

@KrisMackaroo!

And the winner* of 3 General Admission Tickets to the Hillsong United: Aftermath worship night is...

@JFRZfever!

Congratulations! You will both receive a DM from me on Twitter, with instructions on how to claim your tickets. Again, congratulations! You are blessed!

Again, special thanks to Becca Music, Inc. for the Hillsong United: Aftermath Tickets and Meet and Greet Passes. Add Becca Music, Inc. on Facebook here!

*winners were selected via List Randomizer @Random.Org.

Frustrated, Take Two!

I am soooooooooo frustrated. My car is in the shop. And although they promised it would be out by this afternoon, it still isn't here.

"Maybe tomorrow..."

Ayah! Another promise. Their initial promise was Wednesday.

So here I am sitting in front of my laptop, typing out words to ease how I am actually feeling about this whole situation. Nope, not entirely bad. Others have it worse. At least, I have a car, even if it is in the shop. But I had sooooooooooo many plans this week, and I had to cancel those and cut them to suit my kind brother's schedule. He has small group now, and I'm stuck at the office. Yes, at 9pm.

This afternoon, while talking to the girl who handles admin stuff at the office, I was almost in tears. I was asking for a temp service car, and she couldn't provide one. And yet, each time I head home late at night, over a dozen cars sit in our office building's parking garage. Yes, just sitting there, cold and unused. So I asked again, this time sounding a bit of a boss in control of the situation. "Are you sure you don't have an extra car I can use?" I was feeling a tad angry already since she did promise she'd have my car ready tonight. I had to ask her 3x, forget that I asked her at least once every day since Monday. And finally, she says "Well, there is one, but it's for sale and your aunt has it reserved already."

WHAT??!!!

All I wanted was to BORROW a car. Yes, because A is having a mini spa-rty, more of a belated one for last month's birthday, this saturday. And I have a ton of errands! And yet, in spite of the daily questions, she only tells me this now? NOW?!!

I call up my aunt to ask if I can borrow the reserved car. In less than a minute she says yes. (grrrr). So I call back the admin girl to let her know. She says she'll get someone to check on the car and she'll issue a gatepass. That was at 4pm.

I am sitting here NOW waiting for my brother. It's past 9 in the evening, and I decide to call the guard downstairs. Alas, I have a car I can use tonight and tomorrow! So much for waiting, may service car naman pala.

~~~

I got to talk to my friend T earlier -- was inviting her daughter (my godchild) to A's spa-rty, when she opens up about finances and consequences to wrong decisions made years ago. And she tells me about how her kids haven't been enrolled; how it's hard when you have a husband you can't outshine, because you have to think about what others will say (her hubby is in ministry). And I tell her how I was initially feeling pssh! about my situation, when clearly, it isn't anything compared to hers. :P

Ayah! Self-pity's such a drag. I was wallowing in it, and now, I've been slapped to face the reality that my life ain't shit compared to others who have theirs buried in dung (excuse the pun).

But I still feel a tad frustrated.

I have to learn how to count my blessings. And yes, count it all joy.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

Another Hillsong United Giveaway!

Yes, Becca Music, Inc. has been so kind to give you readers another chance at catching Hillsong United AFTERMATH Live in Manila! ...this time, with tickets!

So if you want to catch them on June 2, here's how you can win the ticket swag:

1) Follow me on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/nappyKAYE

2) Retweet this on Twitter (or anything to this effect, BUT make sure you tag @nappyKAYE, @BeccaMusic and hashtag #FirstWivesClub):

"I want to watch Hillsong United at the Big Dome!" Follow @nappyKAYE to win tickets! Promo brought to you by @beccamusic #FirstWivesClub

3) Add House of Praise on Facebook. And post the following on their wall (this is one way for me to check on your real names and accounts, fyi):

"I want to watch Hillsong United at the Big Dome!" + your Twitter ID

And that's it! Contest ends tomorrow, the 27th of May at exactly 11:59pm. I shall pick two winners for this giveaway. One winner to win 2 Lower Box tickets, and another winner to win 3 General Admission tickets! Yay! Concerts are not fun without friends!

Winners will be announced via Twitter and on this blog.

Special thanks AGAIN to Becca Music, Inc. for this week's swag!

And We Have Our Winners!

...for the Hillsong United Meet and Greet Giveaway!

Congratulations to the following people!

@RoxanneBohol

@alexmonton

@morks

@qing628

@mediatrooper

I will send you a DM today on how to go about the Meet and Greet. Again, CONGRATULATIONS! And yey! Snag me a signed photo, will ya?

Hillsong United Meet and Greet Giveaway!

Tickets have SOLD OUT! And Hillsong United fans are begging for more. Here's your chance to see the band in an exclusive meet and greet event. WARNING: This is a quick contest, so do this now, or lose your chance!

Becca Music, Inc. gives readers of this blog (and Facebook followers of House of Praise) the chance to see Hillsong United up close and personal. How? Check out the mechanics below:

1) Follow me on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/nappyKAYE

2) Retweet this on Twitter:

"I want to see Hillsong United up close and personal!" Follow @nappyKAYE to win 1 of 5 Meet and Greet passes! #FirstWivesClub

3) Add House of Praise on Facebook. And post the following on their wall:

"I want to see Hillsong United up close and personal!" + your Twitter ID

And that's it! Contest ends tomorrow, the 25th of May at exactly 11:59am.

Winners will be announced via Twitter and on this blog.

Special thanks to Becca Music, Inc. for this week's swag!

PS. My birthday's coming up, so we're giving away stuff all of this week and next! Stay tuned!

2 Years

I haven't cried in two years. And yet, last night, I found myself in tears. There are days I feel so helpless and I cannot contain the frustration I feel about my situation. No, it is not because I want to get back with R - that right now, is farthest from my mind.

I cried out of self-pity (yes, sue me). I feel so sorry for myself. And I really just want to hit myself on the head. Why should I be the nice one? Why should I do this the right way? There are other easier ways out of this situation.

Ako ang bahala sa yo.

Those words echo in my head, and I know those are empty words given by someone so self-absorbed, it dries my throat just thinking and knowing I cannot depend on that promise.

I used to have it so easy. I had such an easy life growing up. Now, I feel as if my life is out of control. It brushes the tips of my fingers and I cannot even hold on to any of it. It is out of my hands and I can only do zilch.

~~~

I woke up puffy-eyed this morning, and got my butt off the bed 30 minutes later than usual. My car's at the shop (broke down Sunday at the mall, hence my absence from the blog - was supposed to write a few pieces Sunday evening but got home really late) so I had to wait for my brother to come get me for work.

I spoke with my mom on the subject that made me cry last night, and she was really nice about the whole thing, brushing a bit on the subject of finally getting things done.

So now, I am thinking... really, what is there to do now anyway?

Then I remember Pastor D saying, "...before you make life-changing decisions, make sure you are in the center of God's will". A-yah, Lord, why make things so difficult, la?

*sniff!*

Busy Bee

I had a full week.

And that is why I failed to blog. *grin*

Will get on it. Expect a blog post tomorrow. Kekeke...

Lull-A-Bye Baby Giveaway Winner!

I know, I know. The draw was supposed to happen last week. But there was something wrong with Blogger, and I couldn't get online all weekend (aside from Twitter on my old 3G phone). So the draw had to wait... but wait no more! We did the draw today in the office via traditional raffle! After checking entries one by one and verifying that the names that went into my little, blue Ikea KALAS bowl qualified, I had our in-house graphic artist pick the winner for the Lull-A-Bye Baby Giveaway!

And the winner is... @mastermiao Carla Huang King! Congratulations, Carla! I shall DM you directions on how to claim your prize. Enjoy your new CDs!

Carla just won the set below. Each CD is sold separately at House of Praise stores and retails for P395 each.

Lull-A-Bye Baby Worship

...features the following songs:

How Great Is Our God

Blessed Be Your Name

I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Above All

Here I Am To Worship

God Of Wonders

Mighty To Save

Shout To The Lord

Amazed

Lull-A-Bye Baby Praise

...features the following songs:

Your Name
Come Now Is The Time To Worship
Everlasting God
The Heart Of Worship
Indescribable
Holy Is The Lord
Friend Of God
You Are My King
Revelation Song
How He Loves

Lull-A-Bye Baby Hymns

...features the following songs:

Amazing Grace

My Jesus I Love Thee

Be Thou My Vision

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Just As I Am

Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

I Surrender All

It is Well with My Soul

Special thanks to House of Praise for the swag! Get your favorite Christian Music CDs, Videos, Books and gift-items delivered straight to your doorstep! Add House of Praise Direct on Facebook now!

The Mega Sale that Keeps You Asking for More!

Yes, it is none other than the annual Crocs Mega Sale! Happening this time at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City (yey! more parking options!) on June 9-12, 2011. As of this writing, it is unclear if Citibank cardholders get first dibs on a preview sale on the 8th. But judging from event announcements, Crocs Philippines have once partnered with Citibank card, and that means, if you own a card or apply for one when you get to the Sale, you get to enter for free. Otherwise, entrance is a minimal 50/person.

Last year's sale was pretty crazy. And although I didn't buy as much as I did the previous year, I do regret not getting more pairs for RL. So yea, although my A doesn't wear Crocs anymore (her shoe size has ballooned to an adult size 7 in the past year alone), I think a trip to the Mega Sale would be well worth it, if only to get RL a couple of new pairs. :)

See you there!

Get Crocs updates! Add them on Facebook here.

Alternick and Accountability

I've been entertaining the thought of creating an alternick just to give a troll a dose of her own medicine. If you're following me on Twitter, then you know exactly what I mean. But really, what good does an alternick do? I'd be stooping down to the level of a wolf in sheep's clothing! And that doesn't make me any different from my detractor.

Besides, we are accountable for what we say or write (and think!), even when we choose to do so using another name or account. Or blog! God sees what man cannot. You may be doing something hidden from the rest of humanity, but God sees your every move and knows your every thought. I'm not gonna be a hypocrite by saying the thought never crossed my mind. In fact, my brother and I were discussing this issue before Holy Week when the heat was in full flame. And truth be told, he was ready to take on front line for me. But see, what good will it do? At the end of the day, it doesn't make you any more of a winner.

The Bible says... "the man who holds his tongue is wise" I think I shall take the higher road, thank you.

"Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent." (Proverbs 17:28)

Photo Credit: gannsdeen.com who got it from brandonhays.com.

Lull-A-Bye Baby Giveaway!

My kids grew up listening to lullabies... I remember when KY was still a baby, I found her a copy of Disney Baby Lullaby and the whole family learned the songs - songs I actually sing now to my little ones.

Lately though, with RL most especially, I find it safer to just hum. My little boy doesn't like words in his lullabies. He tends to get up and sing along. LOL! So I just hum. And it lulls him to sleep.

So it was a blessing in disguise to discover this new Lull-A-Bye series from House of Praise! These are instrumental melodies of worship, praise and hymns that come with that soothing music box sound. Perfect for my little boy! I loved this series so much, I gave them to my cousin H for her little girl's baby shower, and she just loves the CDs, too! Her dad even wants them for his home! Think spa and relaxing. Yes, this set's a gem of a find!

Each CD is sold separately but the series has 3 different genres - Worship, Praise and Hymns (they actually also have one for Christmas, but that comes out during the -ber months only). Retails for P395 each, each CD is a steal for the peace and quiet it brings to the home.

Lull-A-Bye Baby Worship

...features the following songs:

How Great Is Our God

Blessed Be Your Name

I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Above All

Here I Am To Worship

God Of Wonders

Mighty To Save

Shout To The Lord

Amazed

Lull-A-Bye Baby Praise

...features the following songs:

Your Name
Come Now Is The Time To Worship
Everlasting God
The Heart Of Worship
Indescribable
Holy Is The Lord
Friend Of God
You Are My King
Revelation Song
How He Loves

Lull-A-Bye Baby Hymns

...features the following songs:

Amazing Grace

My Jesus I Love Thee

Be Thou My Vision

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Just As I Am

Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

I Surrender All

It is Well with My Soul

~~~

Do you want to win a set for your little one? Here's how:

1) Follow me on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/nappyKAYE

2) Retweet this on Twitter:

"I want to win a set of Lull-A-Bye CDs for my li'l one!" via http://nappykaye.blogspot.com #FirstWivesClub @nappyKaye

3) Add House of Praise Direct on Facebook. And post the following on their wall:

"I want to win a set of Lull-A-Bye CDs for my li'l one!" + your Twitter ID

And that's it! Contest ends on Friday, the 13th (eeps!) at exactly 11:59am. I shall have someone from the office pick out a winner via raffle at 2pm of the same day.

Winner will be announced via Twitter and on this blog.

Note: Winner must be willing to pick up prize from a House of Praise store.

Special thanks to House of Praise for this week's swag!

Merry Month of May!

May is my birth month. And not that I am counting on getting older by a year, but I love the month of May. We usually head to the beach, rain or shine. I know a lot of friends who hate the rain during the summer season, but I have come to embrace rain, especially when my birthday rolls along.

Yea, I can only count a few, uh... dry birthday parties. But it hardly ever mattered, as my mom always opted for swimming parties at our old guest house.

It's only the second week of May, and my month's almost full. We have a ton of things lined up. A's belated birthday bash (well, as soon as we get everything planned and running... KY! HELP!), two field trips for the kids, a couple of road trips out of town, promos, new products, new business, etc. These plus the fact that the hubby is in town (messing my schedule up, LOL). But who's complaining? I love the merry month of May!

~~~

I know I missed Mother's Day by a mile, but to cap off Mother's Day, I am having an eezy-peezy promo for all mommies out there! Stay tuned!

CREDIT: Photo from http://findinganameisnoteasy.blogspot.com

Happy Mom's Day!

I started reading Baby Blues in 1991. Yes, Zoe is technically over 20 years old. LOL! My kids grew up to Daryll and Wanda MacPherson's parental wisdom and quirks. A has been reading my Baby Blues book collection lately and getting a kick at how much similar she is to Zoe (and RL to Hammie). And yes, she's been asking for a little Wren. O_o

Parenting is hard work. And moms get the hardest job of all! You are blessed, Mommies!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! You are loved!

Delicacy (Please read Disclaimer first)

(CAUTION: Do not even bother going any further if you are the queezy type or if you have food in front of you)

I have been feeling woozy since coming home from China. I was thinking it could be the alcohol I consumed at The Oyster Bar when I went to see Hubert and the rest of my Justice For Hubert Webb family. But I only had a glass of wine. Ok, maybe two glasses. But still, what's wine?

Then I remember my liver's shot. I had a bout with Hepatitis A back in 2004 (I think that was), and I was never the same. Can't even take a bit of anything, my system just won't take it in. So I haven't been drinking since, not that I even drink at all (just tequila and some).

My friends say it could be what I ate in China, so I think back a little more and I say to myself: "Hmmm... maybe so."

See, we lived around the area of Forbidden City, which was a stone's throw away from famous Wangfujing. Wangfujing is home to Snack Street, a night market that features all sorts of street food... the Chinese kind... hehe...

Don't go looking for dimsum and the like on this street (although I did see a handful of vendors selling hot buns), because street food in Beijing isn't exactly food to you and me.

Check out what's hot here! (Excuse the photos, I was also pushing a stroller)

Wangfujing Snack Street at night.

Tourists flock to this strip to get all sorts of Chinese delicacies...

...like the Stinky Tofu...

...or the sugar-coated Haw...

Think HawFlakes, only the actual fruit. They also had other fruits. Strawberries were pretty popular...

Or...

Critters, anyone?

Yes, scorpions, starfish and seahorses. :(

A, right before ordering a stick of small scorpions. (4pcs on a stick, 15RMB)

So yea, I could have gotten the bug in Beijing. I had a teeny-weeny Scorpion foot and the wing of a cricket (at least I think it was a cricket; I have to ask my little bro again).

I figured it was the liver acting up, since I was feeling nauseated (like the morning sickness kind, the one where you get all puke-y but nothing comes out. SORRY, too much info here). So I went and got some Essentiale Forte and Voila! I feel better now.

Remind me never to eat another bug again.

Wangfujing is in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, and is considered as one of the Chinese capital's most famous shopping streets.

A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth

This is my cousin (her dad and my mom are cousins), S, and her husband D! Our pastor!

This is the kind of marriage one gets when one waits for God's best! What an inspiration!

Kaye Says...

kaye says: Ok, ok... I know. I haven't blogged in a while. Really tired and a tad lazy to edit those photos. Anyhow, if you wanna stay updated, follow me on Twitter! :)

http://twitter.com/nappyKAYE

I Need to Sleep!

I have to be in bed. A has a test early tomorrow morning at her new school. But I slept the whole day (was sick today) so sleep is evasive.

I still have that blog (photoblog!) on Beijing on draft. Really lazy to edit the photos. KY has been bugging me about photos from last year's Anvaya trip. Eeps.

R and I were supposed to have dinner last night. I rescheduled to today, but my stomach wasn't cooperating so I rain-checked again.

"May fever ka?"

"May nakain ka siguro..."

Concerned. Naks.

R has his good days, and really, sometimes, I see the old R in this man. Gaah! What am I saying? I should get some sleep na nga. I might reveal too much and have the haters pouncing again. I didn't do the inviting, ok?

ITCH

This itch just won't go away.

Let me tell you... I've tried practically everything.

Attacking the itch...

Ignoring the itch...

Praying for the itch...

But the itch is still at it.

Tell me, what's a good way to stop the itch? The itch has a life of its own. The itch attempts to catch my attention, yet pretends not to exist (!!!). The itch is mistaken. I am in charge of my life. And over the itch. Can someone tell this itch to get a life, and not be a parasite in mine?