what kept me busy this month

7th of May:  We flew to the Philippines to attend Nanay Ine's burial, my hubby's grandma who unexpectedly passed away on the fourth of May;

spent a few days in Bohol after the burial and just stayed at home eating adobong manok nga bisaya!!!

12th of May: Went home to Bukidnon to spend my birthday with my family

14th of May: Happy birthday to me!!! ug ang request nga lechon naa gyud. =)

17th of May: Flight to Manila then to Singapore

21st ofMay: Flew back to Sydney and embraced the cold winter days ahead.

What I missed most back home

 Baby Franz - who's always jumping like a kangaroo, hehe

 Baby Yman - who is very laagan and mag ma-oy ug biyaan.

 Baby Zyka - nga sungit girl, dili magpahold sa akoa when we're about to go.

 Nicole is taller than Jen and I, while Kuya Yuan is making Zyka kulit, hehe.

miss you mom and dad!!!

Next time we go back to the Philippines, it would be a real vacation --- beach in Panglao, Palawan and Boracay, meet up with friends in Manila and of course more time for shopping!!! Now, all I need to do is start saving for this grand trip (plus Europe and NY). Lotto luck, come to me na.

The Bargain Hunter

I was enumerating to a friend my latest bargain purchase when she told me I am the best bargain hunter she knew!!! This made me realize that indeed, I am always on a look out for the best buys - whether it be on the internet or at the shops. I have a favorite site - ozbargain.com.au which list all shops/products/sites that are having a sale as of the moment. I also check out Missy Confidential and Vogue forums for some bargain tips.

So, I present to you my recent bargain finds which saved me a few hundred dollars:

 

Oroton Large Tote Bag (my gift to myself after completing my CPA)

Original Price: $495

Got it for: $153.50
Where: Oroton Online
Savings: 69% (should have been 70% but I have to pay shipping cost which is still cheaper than going to the shop and queueing for hours! Seriously, this is such an overpriced Australian brand that everytime they're on sale, people would go nuts. I would only buy it if they are on sale).

Wittner Shoes
Original Price: $189.90
Got it for: $20.00
Where: Wittner Shop - Town Hall (special thanks to Lynn for coming with me. She bought her very nice sandals here for only $10!).
Savings: 89%

Guess Stilletos
Original Price:$169
Got it for: $50
Where: Guess Online
Savings:70%

RMK
Original Price: $109
Got it for: $49
Where: Myer Wespoint
Savings: 55%

welcome to the latest additions to my stills! summer be quick so I can use these pretty little things. =)



-yes, I am a certified bagaholic and shoe-a-holic. =)

On my 10th day in the stock market

Osama Bin Laden was killed;




AU to Php exchange rate is at its highest at Php46.75 to a dollar;



I have a paper gain of 1.67% and had averaged my cost for my long term stock - ALI (on a downtrend but good for longterm hold so I will buy more of you when I have the excess fund). Lost a few pesos on my 'gaya-gaya' stocks but the biggest surprise of all is my NIKL - it has risen by 13% since acquisition --- and still going up!



I learned to be patient and to not chase the price of my short-term stocks because it will not do me any good.



I still have a lot to learn.



I am hopeful, I am excited, I am on fire!



now back to month end reporting =)

Paris on my Mind

Traveling to Europe and spending a few days in the romantic city of Paris is a dream of mine. Had our travel plans this year pushed through, we would have been in the city of love right this very moment. But alas, it was not meant to be, not this year. Perhaps next year? We'll see, we'll see.

But who said I cannot have the Eiffel Tower here in Australia???

Wall decal from Ebay and Quilt cover set from Target. Hmmm, me thinks the guest room needs to be renamed the Paris room.

Come dream with me...