Someone asked me why I stopped taking pictures. I did not stop. I am just taking a break. I started to feel that I need either a wide lens or a really good digital camera (there are good ones in the market for wide range). Plus, money for travel so I could explore more. That’s my setback. I chose not to give priority to this hobby in our budget. Well, like I said, it is my choice.

I’m being fair to my husband who I know would love to purchase his home entertainment system. For sure, he’s been picturing one LCD plasma on a flat panel mount. He even shared that he’d be motivated to run the treadmill in front of it.

Well, I think there’s time for everything. We’ll just have to wait.

Yesterday, I heard that one of our much loved benefit (my favorite actually) is going to be scrapped. Like any other setbacks I have encountered, I thought of the best possible action that the husband and I could take. For now, we just have to wait.

I’m pretty sure it would affect our family budget a little. It’s possible that it could in a good way. Still, I’m happy with the other benefits that the company is giving such as medical coverage. I’m not sure if we are covered by any life insurance policy from the company.

I suddenly feel that the benefits are being scrapped one by one. I hope they give us some back or give new ones once the business picks up again.

I have successfully resized and uploaded MOST photos taken from Christmas eve, Christmas party, family reunion and other more events. During the Christmas shutdown, I hardly went online. I was too much in my vacation mode to even just download the photos from the camera. I even forgot to buy Dolan lighting that I was supposed to last Christmas.

Anyway, back to reality. I’ve started training on my new role. I’ve also “helped” some friends and uploaded their resumes to the company sharepoint. It’s my simple way of helping them find work. So far, 2010 has been good to me. I know it’s just been like two weeks. I’m quite optimistic. Hope I continue to be so.

I have successfully avoided rice for more than 2 weeks now. I honestly do not see any weight loss, but I’m quite happy that even consuming so much pasta and cake, among others, I do not feel as bloated as I know I should be.

Still, getting into a regimen, putting a fitness equipment to good use, wouldn’t hurt. At this age, I know I need to get into shape. The husband knows too, as he now regularly goes to gym near our place. If only I have the same motivation as he has.

For now, I’ll just stick to this no-rice diet. One step at a time, perhaps.

Mikee has received her Christmas wish from her auntie-la Chito: Baby Alive! When asked what her baby doll name is, she’d say “Alice” which I have no idea where she got.

I’d like to share the experience of our aunt while buying the said doll. Upon seeing Mikee’s shout-out at Facebook (more like my shout out for my husband), she promised she’ll be the one to buy the doll for her one and only grandchild. But upon checking the price before Christmas, she decided she’d wait for the after-holiday sale.

Sale around her place was last Dec 28th so she tried looking for the doll. Unfortunately, no more stock was available. She asked the saleslady where she could buy the doll, and found out that one store near her place still have stocks. Since it was late, she decided to buy the following day.

Early in the morning, she went to the store and saw that there were only two available dolls with a 50% discount sticker. But since it was a day after the sale, the POS systems read its full price, instead of the discounted one. She complained to the cashier that the stickers were confusing for the customers. With that, they gave her the discount.

When she looked back at the last doll, the salesmen were removing the discount sticker.