Summer Hops and Stops

Classes began today for most of the schools here. But my kids’ classes began last week. I kind of worried because they might not have enjoyed the vacation that much. But from the number of places they went to last summer, I believe they had enough of it!

We went to Bagac, Bataan last April. The kids had so much fun because we went island-hopping! Let me share with you some highlights of that impromptu trip.

Prior to going there, I searched online for some good beach resorts. I even called their offices to ask for rates and amenities. But they all said that they were already fully-booked. I was discouraged but we decided to still push through with the plan. Our being adventurous paid off. We found Sun Spree Beach Resort just beside all the resorts I called up the day before! And they're not "densely populated" by beach hoppers! :)

Sun Spree Beach Resort in Bagac, Bataan: the owners are just so friendly and accommodating!

Gabby and Sunday loved this beach!

Beach outings will not be complete without anything inihaw and fresh fruits!

My first time to catch and hold a jellyfish! Too bad it died immediately. Sorry, jellyfish! :(

During the island hopping, the boatmen asked if we want to go to a cave, and we said yes!

So he brought us here, one of the many caves found along Bagac shoreline.

One of the last stops of the island hopping was this unnamed cove. I wanted to spend the night there
because the place was so beautiful but the boatmen warned us that the place has no electricity
and clean water yet. If only I have enough money, I would buy a portion of this cove and build my resthouse! :)

I believe the kids had fun last summer. Fred and I had, too! :)

Go Wireless and Go Online Fast

I was absent from blogging for months because I had to attend to many things. But I am always online and I always check other blogs which I love to read. Good thing I have fast internet connection here in our house. While some online friends complain of slow internet connection, I don’t. I’m using a reliable internet provider. Maybe they are using routers like the wireless n router. I’m so glad they do!

New Beginnings, New Post!

So many things have happened since my post last February. Some made me so sad (really!) and some made me glad. I will tell about them on my next posts.

But right now, we have a new president! But honestly, I didn't vote for him.

Even though I was so sure that President-elect Noynoy will win in last May's election, I still voted for Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro. I believe in his ideas and convictions. Though I don't agree with some of his proposed education programs, especially the adding of another two years in primary education, I still thought Gibo's experience and intellect will make him lead the country better.

But the people of the Philippines have spoken. Noynoy won. And as I always believe, everything happens for a reason. Now, I would like to also believe and pray for God's guidance for Noynoy. That's the best any citizen of any country can do: pray for the government and its leaders.

7-11 election cups
Sometime early this year, 7-11 came up with 7-elections, an unofficial voter's poll that lets customers choose their candidates based on the color of Gulp cups. If only Comelec checked these cups from 7-11 months before the election, they would have known earlier who won. Obviously, it's Noynoy. :)

PS: Thanks so much to those who always visit and ask how I am. I really appreciate it! :)

It's Complicated

February is one movie month for Fred and I! We watched the premiere showing of It's Complicated at Glorietta 4, Cinema 3 last night. It was for free so it was all the more enjoyable!

I had fun watching it. Though it was R-13, it was very hilarious. But there are points in the movie that touched me. Now, I feel for those women left behind by their husbands. And though it is difficult, life has to go on. We can choose to sulk or we can choose to pick up the pieces again. Life, really, is all about choices and making the right ones. (But if we made the wrong ones, we can always try and make right choices next time.)

Since the movie is directed by a woman, Nancy Meyers, we can own the movie! It tackled women's worries and joys: wrinkles, getting old, success, children, men, etc. It's all about us! :)

PS: If you want to enjoy and get rid of your stress for an hour or two, go watch this movie! Just please let me know if you like the ending!:)

Never Leave Your Partner Behind

Fred and I decided to watch the movie Fireproof at the church last February 5. We were so blessed that God let us watch this movie! It dealt with marriage and what couples go through while in it.Here are some of the things that I've learned from the movie:
1. Keep the faith. When all things fail, it's our faith in God that sees us through the worst times. Caleb (the hubby in the movie) accepted Jesus in his life and let Him lead his life. And what changes God made to his life!
2. Always give your spouse/partner a chance to explain. Listen more.
3. Stay focused on the marriage. Don't let anyone or any situation dampen the love that you have for your partner.
4. Courtship does not stop after the wedding rites. And so does taking care of one's self for our partner and for ourself.
5. Learn more about your spouse. Everyday.
6. When your marriage is on the rocks, don't hesitate to ask for help. Be it from your parents, friends or counselors.
7. Last but not the least, never leave your partner behind!

Fred and I after the movie. The stem of rose was
given by the church to the ladies as pre-Valentine greeting.
I believe all married couples should watch this movie. It is so inspiring and full of love lessons. I also believe that when God is at the center of any relationship, nothing can break it apart.

And since this is a post about love, let me shout Happy Anniversary to me and Fred this February 17th! May God bless our marriage! :)

Early Valentine Date

I am a sucker for romantic comedy movies! From Pretty Woman to Wedding Date to Confessions of a Shopaholic, name it, I watched it already! :)

Fred, on the other hand, enjoys action or sci-fi films more. So when I asked him if he wants to watch the premiere showing of the movie Valentine's Day last Thursday, I didn't expect he would say yes. But he did. He was even early at Glorietta 4, where the premiere was held, and already bought food for the two of us. The movie was great! I had fun watching it. It tells of intertwining stories of a group of people one fine Valentine's Day. It was full of love lessons and realities narrated in a funny and candid way. No dull moments, really! The movie left me feeling good because I was able to relate to what some of the characters felt. I felt good because Fred and I had a pre-Valentine date already. I also felt good because Fred didn't let go of my hand until we got home. Hmmm...maybe he caught the love bug from the movie?! :)

Fred and I enjoyed watching Valentine's Day. I am sure you will, too! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ezy Roller and Other Fun Toys and Gifts

Just after spending on Christmas gifts and food last December, Fred and I had to think again what food to prepare and gifts to buy this January. Gabby and Sunday’s birthdays fall this month. My kids love receiving gifts, as most kids do. They still keep the catalogues from the toy stores and remind us that we haven’t bought them some of the toys that they like on those catalogues.

Whenever Christmas and birthdays come, Fred and I get a little bit worried because we know that Sunday would be receiving less number of gifts than Gabby. Most of Gabby’s godparents still give him toys while we lost contact of most of Sunday’s godparents. So whenever some of our friends who became Gabby’s godparents drop by at our house, we would either politely tell them to also prepare something for Sunday even if it’s just a bar of chocolate. Or we buy her toys, wrap them and pass them secretly to Gabby’s godparents to give to Sunday. But oftentimes, our friends are sensitive enough to buy gifts for both of them. :)

And when it’s our time to buy them their Christmas or birthday gifts, we always bring them along to make sure that they like what we buy them. Just last December, I asked Gabby if he wants something like Ezy Roller. Funny because Gabby said no but Fred said yes! Fred even said that if there was something like that for adults, he would buy one! :)

Buying gifts for Gabby is very easy. Robots, cars, and dinosaurs will always do. But buying for Sunday? She likes many things! She even likes robots! And I won’t be surprised if she would say yes to personalized pillowcases or nap mat which she can use on their 10am nap in school.

But always, I want to give Gabby and Sunday toys and all that they need. Just seeing the smile on their faces whenever they receive gifts is enough to forget those toys’ price tags!

SCTEx before 2010

Before 2010 ushered in, we went to the province. The kids were so excited about it days before because they're like me. We all love the countryside!:)

On our way there, we took the SCTEx route because it was faster and the view is better. I was able to pass by SCTEx before when I did photo shoots for a menu in a hotel. But I didn't appreciate it then because it was past 1pm and I was thinking of work. And now that we passed there leisurely, I really enjoyed the view!Mt. Arayat seemed nearer when viewed from SCTEx.Green everywhere!Countryside here!A portion of the longest tollway in the PhilippinesI don't know how I should feel about this. The mountain is divided in two, leveled and cemented to give way to the construction of the tollway. What a price nature has to pay for our comfort
and modernization of life! A part of the mountain made stronger by cemented
rocks to prevent landslideAnother mountain crying here!My kids taking a rest in a hammock
Honestly, I felt sad when I saw those mountains. But then again, I felt good when I saw my kids happy and relaxed when we reached our destination in no time. The tollway helped us travel faster. I just hope that with modernization comes our responsibility to take care of nature, too. By letting my kids discover places and teaching them to love Mother Nature, I know I have started them on the right track. I just hope they're good learners!

Have a happy week ahead! :)

Keeping Memories with School Keepsake Book

There are many moms out there who love to take pictures of their kids and keep whatever it is that will remind them of their kids’ childhood. I am one of them.

When my kids were born, would you believe that I kept their umbilical stumps in zip lock plastics and hid them in an envelope? I also kept strands of their hair when they had their first haircut. When they received gifts like feeding bottles, baby dresses, and nap mat, I would take pictures of them so I will remember how my kids were loved and lavished when they were young. But when a strong typhoon sent knee-deep waters on our house, we lost some of my kids’ keepsakes. I just wish I was wiser then to buy stuffs like penny laine baby book to keep some of my kids’ childhood mementos and place them in a place safe from flood and fire.

And when my kids started going to school, I was all the more excited! I wanted to keep almost all the things that will remind me of their first year in preschool or even their years in big school. I kept all their test papers, their artworks, their cutouts and even their doodles! But I realized as I was cleaning our cabinets, I cannot keep all their test papers because they will pile up! So I decided to scan most of them, especially the ones they took in preschool and saved them in disks. But saving them on disks has some disadvantages. When some of their godparents drop by and ask how they were doing in school, I cannot easily show them my kids’ test papers. They just have to content themselves in listening to my kids answer our encyclopedic questions. Of course, they can’t answer all of them correctly! We’re just proud that Gabby loves to answer trivia questions and Sunday loves to explain things the way she sees them.:) But then again, I just wish I have a school keepsake book so I can keep track of their activities and performance in school and show them to people who are concerned about their studies. I think I should buy one soon!

It's Sunday's 6th Birthday!

How time flies! Sunday is now six years old. And before I knew it, she would be sixteen in no time. I really should be spending more time with her before some men takes her attention! Or before she prefers to tag along with her girl friends than to tug at my dress and ask me for a stroll at the mall! (Am I worrying too early?)

Anyway, last January 4, we celebrated her birthday at our house. We should have celebrated it the day before but we waited for her Tita Barbie who came Sunday night from UK. Sunday before she mingled with her guests
Her birthday cakeWe were happy because although it was a Monday,
some of her cousins still attended and celebrated with her.

Happy Birthday to my princess! :)