I’m lucky. Even though I was born in America, the land of abundance and excess, I was raised by parents who were extremely thrifty. I’ve joked with other friends born from immigrant parents that we need to compile a book…
Everyday is Thanksgiving
I feel a bit delinquent because I didn’t put out a post yesterday about all the things I’m grateful for. Absolutely, there are so many things to be thankful for and my list, I’m sure, is very similar to yours….
20 Year High School Reunion
Yesterday was my 20 year high school reunion. It was amazing. Yes it was at a beautifully-decorated winery. We had great wine and an amazing spread of food. We had a DJ spinning tunes from the ’90s and the Pacquiao…
Emergency Room
I was incapacitated all day Saturday and hardly moved from the bed. My cold symptoms had worsened, but at least the bleeding had stopped. I could withstand a nose gushing mucous as long as the baby was ok. Hopefully the…
Blood, Tears, Beautiful Day
On Friday morning, we went in for a prenatal checkup. I’m 13 weeks along and everything was fine. We got to hear the baby’s rapid heartbeat, which to me, sounds like galloping horses. I texted my mom, “Baby’s fine and…
Pregnancy Letter: Week 4
Dear Baby, We found out we were pregnant with you on Friday September 13, 2013. Friday the 13th is an auspicious phenomenon in our family because mommy and daddy met each other for the first time on Friday February 13,…
Money Monday: Devastation in the Philippines
If there is one thing that Filipinos are known for, it’s warm service and generosity of spirit. There’s always an abundance of food and food-to-go in a typical Filipino household! My parents are from the Philippines. Even though our immediate…
Money Monday: Real Estate Update
We looked at a whopping 7 properties yesterday: 3 in San Francisco and 4 in the East Bay (Rockridge, Berkeley). We saw some really nice gems. After rank-ordering, we determined that the ones in the East Bay just fell flat…
Why the San Francisco Bay Area is the Best Place to Live and Work
No, I don’t live in a bubble. While I’ve spent most of my life in the Bay Area, I’ve lived in the Midwest and spent considerable time elsewhere. I travel often and make it a point to vacation internationally at…
First Look at Baby
Here is our inch-long Baby Gabella (Gacad-Barbella). I am 10 weeks along and all signs are good. Another big sigh of relief after the ultrasound on Friday. Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our precious little one….