Me and sister-in-law (SIL) are busy with our plan to go on European tour this summer. Since hubby is not too keen to go back to PH for vacay since we just got here, and we wanted to go to Europe especially Paris ever since, we decided to do it this year while Baby # 2 is not yet in the picture. Our nephews will be off the school by the time as well.
We plan to go to Italy (Rome, Florence, Montecatini Terme, Venice), Prague and Paris. It will be a 3 week vacation. We wanted to cover more countries but hubby is not allowed for more leaves if taken full straight. So I guess it will have to wait for our next Euro trip.We are on the process of booking the hotels now and gathering up the requirements for Schengen Visa application.
Part of Hubby's package is airfare allowance for all of us. The best part of this benefit is that it is given in cash and not in the form of airplane tickets, so its up to you on how and when you will use it. It is computed based on the IATA rate of your country of origin. The airfare allowance given to us this year is enough to cover not just our airfare to Europe but our whole vacation, yippppppeeee! This means that "Mr. Piggie Bank" will not be asked to report on duty. *Wink*Wink*
I'm really excited about this trip since we will be traveling with my SIL as well. My SIL (is like the sister that I never had), we are sooooo close. I'm glad that we get along really well.
Apart from the vacation itself, we are more excited about the bag shopping that we will be doing there. SIL has an endless list of LV bags that she will buy in Paris. While I have this one in mind:
Chanel GST (Caviar, Silver Hardware)
Well, I firmly believe that every baglover should have this. So perfect for a mom like me *Wink*Wink*
Other Chanel Bags that's in my wish list:
Chanel Flap 2.55 Reissue
Chanel Tote
I'm also thinking of getting a Balenciaga. Maybe this?
Balenciaga Giant 21 City Bag in Silver Hardware (Arena Red)
Oh the dear husband might have a heart attack upon reading this. But as he is really one generous husband, he already given me the moolah for the Chanel GST. For May's trip, I swear to limit my bag purchases to two. So its a tough choice between Balenciaga and Chanel Flap 2.55 Reissue.
Its been freezing cold for two weeks which made me sickie. After accepting the fact that I'm not really built for the cold weather, we decided to get a heater. As I was beginning to scold myself for not getting one earlier, the weather went back to 20 degrees. Boom! I also bought a lot of winter clothes and just boxed up our summer outfits! I never gonna understand the weather here.
On a happy note, I'm beginning to love hubby's gift for me. iPad Mini.
Hubby insisted on giving me the iPad Mini since the little girl and him have both one. Not only does he feel guilty about it but he has this secret obsession with Apple products that he is not aware. As for me, I'm happy with my Macbook Pro as it serves me well especially that I'm just here in the house but having iPad Mini is really awesome. I can't get my hands off it.
The husband really knows how to spoil me, ever since I got here, he would drive me to all the malls to shop and buy me nice stuff. To prove my point, he added my collection with these:
LV Sarah Damier Ebene
And my latest favorite to my LV collection is this...just what I need for everyday use.
LV Bloomsbury Damier Ebene PM
I have been frequenting the LV Shop here at Villagio Mall. The price of LV here is just a little over than if you buy it in Paris, not taking into account the tax refund. The people here especially the locals are crazy about bags - more on Chanel and LV.
Other designer bags that are popular here are Christian Dior, Celine, Carolina Herrera, but Chanel is really the runaway winner. As for me I'm more of a Chanel, LV lover.
This time of the year I see my favorite four-letter word everywhere - S. A. L. E.
And I'm taking every opportunity to visit all the stores on sale - GAP, ZARA, MANGO, SPLASH, SHOE MART, MOTHERCARE, OSHKOSH, ALDO, OASIS, NEXT, VICTORIA'S SECRET.
I'm starting to stock up on our wardrobe and also buying gifts for our families and friends back home. And ohhh boy sale here is really SALE, not what malls used to do back in PH that they will reprice the items making it more expensive before tagging it off. I was able to score a lot for half the price or even up to 75% off its original tag. Its awesome.
I can't wait til my credit card is here. Hubby is thinking of putting a cap on my credit card limit hehe.
But I'm not about all shopping, I'm taking my mommy duties seriously. We enrolled Hermione to ballet class at Qatar Foundation Recreation Center, she is really enjoying the 2x a week class (Wed & Sat). More than the class itself, she is really more on mingling with the other kids. She likes playing with her classmates. We're so glad that we manage to have english as her first language as it really helps her in making new friends.
Me and hubby started also going to the gym, I'm taking aerobics while hubby is doing circuit training. I want to do circuit training as well and latin dance but the schedule kinda conflict with Hermione's ballet class and Hubby's. On another note, I've also started checking out school for Hermione, atleast the one she could attend while we're trying to get in to our school of choice.
1. Get Hermione accepted to Qatar Academy or British International School
2. Go on European Tour
3. Buy an investment property - put up apartments for rent
4. Learn about stock trading
5. Learn a new language
6. Work on having Baby #2
7. Get a driving license here in Qatar
8. Add up to our investment portfolio
9. Ballet, Swimming and Piano lessons for Hermione
10. EXERCISE!
I have a killer migraine for 3 days now. It comes with my monthly period and I hate it. Thanks to Aleve for making it manageable. And another thanks to my hubby for taking care of the house and the little girl while I'm on "sickleave." Hubby went to the grocery earlier since I'm not in the mood due to my bad headache before fetching our friend from the airport.
While he is away I popped a lot of Aleve because I really want to go out and shop hehe. Mango texted me that they are now on their final sale so off we go to Villagio Mall. I was able to score some tops from Mango and Zara. Then we went to Patchi and ask hubby to buy me chocolates. Patchi and Godiva are heaven-sent. Though price is really a bummer (around Php3K to 5K) so I don't get to have them as often as I want, I can settle for the good old Bounty, Mars and Cadbury for my everyday chocolate ration. However hubby is buying me my supply of Patchi every month.
GAP is also on sale for more than a week now. I was able to get Hermione some tops while hubby and I were able to buy shoes from Aldo and Naturalizer respectively. This is my past time here since we can't go to movies with the little girl in tow. So its just shopping and eating out.
We have yet to try crabbing (like fishing but with crabs), swimming and other outdoor activities, because I'm a bit lazy due to the cold weather hehe.
We celebrated new year with a simple dinner that I prepared spaghetti, roast chicken and leche flan.
Yes, you read it right, I know how to roast a chicken haha. Well, thanks to food network.com!
My father was teasing me last new year's eve, he was happy to see me in the kitchen (via Skype), he said that I now know how to cook while before I cannot even bring water to boil hehe. Well it was true, when I was single and living with my parents, my Mom would always be there for me. Even boil water for my bath (during the cold weather)....ohhh I'm beginning to miss my Mother.
Now, I'm a mom - I take care of my daughter maybe more than my Mommy took care if me, because Hermione is one high-maintenance little girl and I'm one hell of an OC mom *Wink*Wink*
We were able to skyped with my family, I was soooo happy to see and talk to them, they were a bit sad that we are not there and I'm a bit teary-eyed looking at them from the laptop screen. But knowing that they are okay and in good health, make the blues go away. My father would always say that OFWs nowadays are luckier because during his time technology is not that advance and all they have is snail mail and voice tape.
It's a good thing I'm with my little girl and hubby, I can just imagine the OFWs that are forced to work abroad just to provide for their family. If only there are more work in our country. If only our government is really serving their people and put our taxes to good use and not just on their own pockets. I remembered when I was getting my medical exam, I would eavesdrops on the conversation of OFW-wannabe all lining up to get "fit to work" certified and I was really shock that some of them are paid just Php 20K monthly and still they would choose to leave home and family - Oh My, its just merely a fraction of what I'm getting paid and I don't even have to leave the country.
The same way, not all pinoys here in Qatar are living the time of their life. Some of the pinay nannies here are paid QR1,000 or even lower than that. But still, they take it because its far better than what they are getting back home. Their salaries here could do a long way when sent to Pinas - it could pay for the housing, send their kids to school and provide food. In return they need to endure the homesickness.
I mentioned to my hubby on our way home that there is no really a place like home - being in Pinas, how hard it may be, how polluted and how unsafe it may seem, brings me a feeling of being HOME. Because every time we are out in the road, I always feels this pang of sadness. I don't know, maybe its seeing and realizing that I'm not in my own country. Then I would remember my fellow "kabayan" who are here on their own, without their families and I would say a silent "Thank you Lord for all the blessings you are giving us".
Early this year we were presented with a new opportunity when hubby was given post in one of the biggest IT company outside the country. It came as a surprise as he was not planning on working overseas again and I'm happy with my work. But the compensation package is so tempting and he was given a family status that means we can be with him.
We decided to take it. The next 3 months went by processing his documents while I became busy with work as I was given bigger and challenging projects. We were able to bring the little girl though for short vacay despite our busy schedules to Cebu and Hongkong.
Hubby left last May, and I resigned from work last June, so I could focus on what needs to be done before we leave the country.
I was able to rest and take care of my little girl, hone my cooking skills, go to the gym, spend time with my family and friends. I was able to attend my bestfriend's wedding and celebrate Hermione's 4th Birthday at Girl's Home Orphanage.
Leaving my family and friends is the hardest part of migrating to a new place. I surely miss the weekly bonding with my parents and brothers. The coffee sessions and dinner with my friends. Thanks to facetime, facebook, skype and viber, I get to see them often.
Being a full time SAHM is a new game for me. There are times that I want to go back to work but whenever I would try to talk to Hermione about it, she would always say: " Daddy will go to the office and Mommy stays here with Hermione. Mommy takes care of Hermione"- I would just smile and shrug off the idea of going back to corporate world. Not now.
Hubby has been very supportive of my new role, he would help me with the house chores and would always drive and show me around. He would always take me to shopping as he knew this is the main reason I want to work so I could shop (without guilt) haha. He is really a very generous and loving husband.
Hermione is as adorable as ever. Being with her gives me pure joy and happiness. And I treasure each moment that I get to spend with her. She is just perfect.
Thank you Lord for all the blessings, love and guidance.
Name: JV Home: Manila, Philippines About Me: 30-something. A wife to a wonderful husband. A mother to my little chinita. Career Woman by Choice. A Coffee Drinker.Shopaholic.Book Lover.Blogger.Movie Addict. Know me more
