The shopaholic mom strikes again (as always!)

My mini me with all the pretty stuff mommy bought from Baby Gap and Peppermint!

As you may well know, I'm a shopaholic since birth. Well, that's an exaggeration, but you get my drift. And when I was pregnant, my shopaholic self doubled - I shopped for myself and for the coming baby. And now, with Zia with us already who is becoming more and more of a delight at 5 months, the shopping seems to be more exciting. Simply put, I just can't stop myself from buying - so many cute stuff!!! So last Sunday, Rich & I set out for Megamall and mommy went crazy clothes shopping for the baby girl. If I had more money in my wallet, I probably wouldn't have stopped. It was a happy shopping day for our family - aside from Zia's clothes, I got some stuff for me too and Rich bought himself headphones too!

Don't you just love shopping? =) I think I'm loving shopping even more now that I'm a mom!

From Forever 21 to Baby Gap: My version of shifting priorities

As you may have already read in my previous posts, my name is ZEI and I'm a SHOPAHOLIC, but thanks to the Mega 3-day sale, I now know that my shopping repertoire could be altered - it all used to be clothes, shoes, bags and other what-have-yous just for me (and occasionally for Richmond), but now, it seems to be all about our (coming) baby. :) Yup, the winds have blown me from Forever 21 to the realm of Baby Gap, which is just a skip and a hop from each other in Megamall. I bought a couple for our little sweet pea and I'm sure she'll absolutely look adorable in her new wardrobe. I think this will be the story of my so called shopaholic life, my priorities are slowly changing, but I don't feel a tad bit sad, in fact it makes me really happy because baby shopping is a whole new field and Im thrilled to take it on. Here are some photos from yesterday's loot. Also bought a couple cute outfits from SM Department store since I couldn't resist their super cheap items after having shopped at Gap. Haha. :)

Baby's Gap outfits (...so far)

Not to be beaten, cute outfits (i love bloomers on babies) from SM Department store

Now what I really need is additional closet space for baby. Haha. Will probably just take that on in the coming months. For now, I'm just so giddy with all my purchases. My name is ZEI and I'm a SHOPAHOLIC. *Curtsy*

From the ice to the judges' panel

I'm not quite sure if it's natural progression or if it's just the simple fact that I'm getting old. But just last August 21-22, I had my first stint as a judge for Skate Megamall 2009. Evidently, it's also the last competition in the Megamall Ice Skating Rink. Call it love - but the moment I was asked to be a part of this milestone of a competition as a judge, I said yes in a heartbeat. It feels different to be up in the judges' panel. Albeit, a nice kind of different.

I've been competing since I was 12 years old and I'm no stranger to performing in front of a panel of judges. This time, I was the one judging, but I was constantly thinking how free I'd feel if I were the one on ice, skating, competing and having the time of my life. In life, things do change and it's no different in the world of ice skating. The costumes show more skin (unlike the long sleeved velvet ones we had back then), the music choices are as diverse as can be, the props are more elaborate as ever and new events like the rhythmic ball and hoop are now official events.

As a neophyte judge, I saw a different perspective. I saw how competitions bring family and friends together, how it brings out the best in the participants and how it brings a smile to random people who just happened to stop by and watch for awhile. I feel pretty lucky that I was still a part of the last hurrah of my 2nd home rink before it completely closes down.

From the ice to the judges' panel, I can confidently say, that though aspects of the competition change, the essence of it remains the same - it's a friendly event that builds character and fosters strong relationships; it's about doing what you love and feeling like a winner with just doing so as well as sharing your talent with others. Kudos to Skate Megamall - the participants, the coaches, the parents, my co-judges and the organizers.=)

Shoutout to Megamall ISR: More than just an ice rink

At the end of this month, the first ice skating rink in the country will close down. By writing this, I am preserving the memory of the ice rink that has become more than just a rink to many skaters circa 1990s just like me.

I didn't actually start my skating stint at Mega. I started skating in 1997 when I was 11 at the Sta. Lucia Ice Skating Rink, but when it closed down in 2000, I transferred to Mega and just like that Mega became my home rink. Unlike most skaters, the memories I have of Mega ISR are really milestones in my life. Allow me to indulge in my thoughts and reminisce.

I celebrated my 18th birthday at the rink. We reserved the rink in morning and had a buffet setup put at the rink lobby. I can still remember the fog from the early morning ice, the pink and white balloons placed around the rink railings and my guests having the time of their life (or otherwise) on ice. My family and friends were there - some even had their first ice skating experience that day. I had the traditional 18 roses in a not so traditional way. I danced with nine of my male relatives in the lobby while I danced with the other half of my male friends on ice. It was such a nice way to celebrate my birthday in a place that really meant a lot to me. That was when I turned 18.

Although I stopped training when I turned 19 because of college and after, because of work, I still kept coming back just to get my skates out and feel the wind on my face when I glide on ice. I jumped at every opportunity I had just so I could skate once in a while. They say, 1st love never dies.

Another most recent and even happier memory that happened last Jan. 31, 2009 made my connection to the Megamall ice rink even deeper and more personal. A normal free day skating with my boyfriend and good friend turned out to be the happiest day of my life (yet). You see, while I was skating, minding my own business in my own piece of ice, a familiar song played in the background and a guy carrying a bouquet of beautiful roses approached me. On the off-center of the ice, with the snow drop and all and a gorgeous ring, my boyfriend of 5 and a half years (then) knelt down on one knee and asked me to spend a lifetime with him. Yup, my boyfriend proposed to me at the ice skating rink. I couldn't think of any better proposal for me than the one he did.

So you see, the Megamall ISR isn't just a rink to me. It was where I met great friends, celebrated momentous occasions and said yes to the love of my life.

When we heard the sad news, my skater friends kept saying, 'san na yung wedding ni zei?'. We could have made many more memories at the rink. But I guess, whatever lessons we learned in Mega, whoever friends we've met and kept and whatever memories we have - they'll all remain, not on the ice that brought everything together, but in all our hearts. Thank you is definitely in order.