My pimples are growing like crazy again, it’s really frustrating when you try different types of products and yet it doesn’t give the results that you want. I didn’t use to have this problem, mine is a case of adult acne. There are times when you just let it pass wait for it to dry out and have some sort of a semblance of a clear skin. But then there are days that really get you, it stresses you out and causes more pimples to come out and it’s a vicious cycle. I recently went back to the product that I was using a few years ago, I stopped using it cause I had a hard time getting it as that time I used to have to order it from the US but now it is available locally, online or at the various kiosks at the mall. Hopefully within a few weeks it will give me the results that it has given me before. Though I think it wouldn’t hurt to supplement it with other products as well, maybe some orovo as this seems to be one of the IN products these days not only do you lose weight your skin improves too.

I was blog hopping earlier and this caught my attention. Being a mum to a 3 year old that is growing up in another country, this is one of my fears – that he will be bullied or be subject to racial discrimination. Hay, I don’t even know what to say about it. Please go to Christine’s blog to read her entry.

It was a few years ago that Ichi and I really started to think about investments. Before that it was always put on the back burner as we always felt that there wasn’t enough savings that we can afford to put in investments even if they were for our futures. But having E changed our perspectives and we started to look at possible investments even if they were just small amounts or even if it meant scrimping on other things. It’s a good thing that nowadays aside from the traditional way of getting into investing there’s also the option of doing online trading. My BIL has started to do this in Manila, he says he’s doing ok with just that sometimes it’s hard to monitor all the stocks all the time.

Thursday morning we were informed with the sad news that Ichi’s maternal grandfather passed away. Although I didn’t get the chance to really get to know angkong I found him to be a very quiet and caring man. I was amazed that even at an old age he knew everyone and he knew where and what is happening with his children and grandchildren’s lives — that’s with about 50 people in the family (children plus in laws, grandkids and great grandkids). It is unfortunate that we won’t be able to make it home for the wake and funeral and to say our final goodbyes. But I know that angks will understand. We will miss you!

Photo taken during the celebration of Angkong’s 90th birthday in 2006.

It’s almost the end of November and I have yet to  get a move on my holiday shopping. I feel like as the year is winding down that I’m winding down too. It felt like the whole year was consumed by Australia. From the prospect of moving to Australia to preparing the move and then settling in here in Sydney. So now I feel like just relaxing but I do have to start on my holiday shopping so enough of delaying things. Quickest way to solve my holiday shopping is to go online and browse the different online stores for the best buy.

Although most of us where under the weather last week and deciding that we didn’t want to be cooped up in the house, we decided to go to Sydney Olympic Park last Saturday. We wanted to do a bike hire for E who was all excited to try riding. Along with the Baui’s off we went in the afternoon to bicentennial park and E & S had fun with their first ride. But they’d all soon trade the bikes for playing in the playground which of course is where we ended up after a while. Click on the pics for more.

One of the few things that we’ve been reconsidering recently is our health plans. Being only on a temporary resident visa here, we’re not eligible for medicare and thus have high premiums for private health plans. We didn’t have time to research different plans from different companies and just relied on what Ichi’s company enrolled us in. We’re now trying to see if that coverage is enough or if there is a need to switch providers.

As it turns out my friend who was recently scouting for what kind of insurance to go with decided to purchase a term life insurance. She said that she for now she only wants to make sure that she has that financial protection for her and her family in case anything happens. She would just have to take out another type of investment in the future for other coverage.

Last Wednesday was report night at E’s preschool. It was our first parent teacher meeting and it gave us a chance to see how E was doing during the short time that he has been going there. It was great to hear all the positive feedbacks by the teacher. She finds E very independent and he doesn’t have a problem joining in the activities. He doesn’t have a regular group of friend (which is expected as he’s been there only a few sessions) but he interacts with the various groups of kids there. We’re happy that he is enjoying going there.

I have never been a savvy shopper. I do look for bargains and watch out for sales but most of the time I buy it when I need it. Before in Manila or even in Singapore we would steer clear of midnight or late night sales for most of the time because I wouldn’t want to join the long queues at the fitting rooms or at the cashiers. Of course the exception would always be when there is too good a deal to pass up especially on things that you’ve been eyeing for a long time. With online shopping these days, it makes the whole experience easier, no queues and you get your things delivered to your home, most of the time these online shops do offer discounts too. And with the holiday season coming up, holiday shopping will be easier as I can just order online and have the gifts delivered to family and friends based in different countries. Have you started with your holiday shopping yet?

And for all of you out there who has lots of shopping experience to share why don’t you join this contest? You can sign up here and it would be great if you can note that our site sent you their way. Good luck!