I want to express how I value and care for her, how I love her and that despite of the distance she will always see how much she is meant to me… So on her birthday I extended my time even how tired from work and after a 3 rounds of jogging and walking around the usual place where I used to exercise I then managed to go to her place, bring 1 box of pizza and sing her a birthday song… it’s 10:00 pm.

I believe my mom is happy for the simple gestures that we all showed to her on her birthday. A special occasion like this need not to be extravagant in order to be happy… the thoughts and the efforts count. Happy Birthday Mom!

My Dear Mom!
Mom, I loved you yesterday, I love you tomorrow and everyday.
You were there for me my first day of school, to hold my hand and give me courage to go.
You listened to me when I needed to talk, you talked to me when I needed to listen.
You let me grow and learn from my own mistakes.
You never left my side when I was feeling down, I knew you would be there to pick me up.
I wish there was a way I could repay all the things you have done for me, but there’s nothing great enough to repay the greatest mother of all.
- Anonymous

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday song, Family, love, mother's day, pizza

It’s Rowel’s birthday and I’m glad how this day turned out to be such a memorable occasion not just to the birthday boy but as well as to me because I play paintball for the first time… at last! The birthday party is held inside a paintball game site and everybody had so much fun, eating, singing, picture taking, drinking… until one of my colleagues suggested that the boys will play paintball after eating. How about the girls? Well, at last… I’m brave finally, I don’t want to be left out also since the other girls will play.

the game is about to start and we still manage to pose...

thats me, hiding...

When the game is about to start, I honestly feel scared thinking of how painful it is if get hit! Scared but excited… and my excitement reached to the highest level when the umpire gave a loud ready-set-go signal. What a nice feeling when I tried to run as fast as I could to find a perfect spot to hide myself at the same time find the target opponent and shoot… The best part is when the game is about to conclude and when I tried to go out from where I’m hiding to look for the enemy and… OUCH!, I’m HIT! I felt two paintballs splat on both legs! But at least we win! Happy!

Paintball is indeed a “No Paint-No Fun” game and it’s fantastic! No wonder many loves to play paintball even the girls, now I know how much fun it is! It is painful and even I go home with 2 large bruises, at the end of the day, I decided to play again! Hope I could organize and invite all my girl friends!

Thanks for Rowel’s birthday and “WebOss Paintball”… visit their website at www.weboss.ph.

Birthdays, Occasion, Travel birthday, birthday cake, bonding, paintball game, weboss paintball

Look who is sitting in my desk? My 2 year old! She keeps on asking me to get out of my seat so she can sit down and use the computer, I could not turn her down even how busy I am… so I let her do things her way and open not the internet of course but a mouse click game, which I believe good for her age. It’s just so amazing kids at this age already knows how to appreciate clicking the mouse and pressing on the keyboards and play computer games… for Claire, she starts to use it by dragging the mouse on the fishes and feed them.

Gone are the days where neighboring children gathered together and go out to the street to play ‘patintero’, ‘chinese garter’, and a lot more… Nowadays, even 2 years old are using the computer… it’s so smart looking and as long as parental guidance is always present, kids will be secured. It’s so cute to look at a little girl touching the keyboards at the same time the mouse seriously, hehe.. can’t help but to grab my cam and capture every move…

Family baby, Family, love, walking milestone

When it comes to Halloween, what comes to my mind first is something spooky from decorations to scary characters and costumes based on images of death and the supernatural. And having this in mind, I am having a hard time looking for a Halloween costume not for myself but for my Claire… I registered her for some tricks and treats this Halloween and since it’s already one week to go… I gotta find a costume fast! I’m almost tempted to shop online looking at those Tinker Bell costumes, I’m sure she will be so lovely, but I think finding it personally in the mall is a sure thing to fit. So I bring my little girl shopping with me today and could not find that costume I found online, but the first fairy costume she fits delighted my eyes so I pick it. I’m now exited to see my little girl on her fairy costume and joining other kids celebrating this occasion!

I never got a chance to attend and dress in a Halloween costume before, poor me… hehe.. but I’m sure this coming Halloween will be memorable for Claire will be participating it…

Country Event, Holidays, Occasion fairy, halloween, halloween costume party, kiddie party, kids party

Listening and watching this video makes me excited for Christmas! This is one of the best and joyful performances of Mariah… i just love her voice and her songs. Though it was performed 4 years ago, watching it reminds me that christmas is fast approaching!

I am planning to decorate our home with Christmas decors this weekend and bring out our old christmas tree, clean up our Santa Claus and install christmas lights inside and outside the house… but hmm, something is missing.. one thing I wish to have is a complete nativity set. I hope I can acquire one this christmas.

As early as the 1st day of September, christmas songs can be heard anywhere… malls, radio, television and even officemates singing carols in the background. How time flies and Christmas is near! Some big malls and restaurants are putting up christmas decorations already. I can already see shoppers shopping christmas decorations and when on the streets – streetchildrens are singing christmas carols outside the car window. Christmas is indeed on the air and singing “joy to the world” makes this special occasion a day to look forward to. I wish and pray that the whole world will be joyous and blessed this Christmas.

Holidays, Occasion christmas, christmas party, christmas tree, joy to the world, mariah carey, simbang gabi

I am not fond of “Tinker Bell” character when I was a kid, but when I joined my little girl watching Tinker Bell’s movie and seeing her enjoyed the colorful and beautiful faces of the pixies and fairies, and its magical stories… I find myself setting aside other important tasks and allow myself to finish the whole movie. I enjoyed it because Claire too! Hhmmm… It gives me an idea to throw a “Tinker Bell” inspired birthday party for her when she turns 3 years old.

One month to go, and it’s her 2nd birthday… hubby and I decided to throw a big party only every other year so I still have a lot of time and budgeting to prepare inorder to throw a Tinker Bell theme kiddie party for her soon… Well, while she is still a little baby, I can decide how the party will go, and by making it a point that the whole family and friends will enjoy and the most challenging part is to really grab what your baby is fond of.

My hint: she is amazed to see Jollibee, she adores her Pooh stuff toys, she shrieks and wow to see Tinker Bell, she dance and follow when the Disney princess dance and moved… and I have to choose one of those.. and I think I love the character of Tinker Bell the most… my little girl gives the sweetest smile when her dad called her “Tinker Claire” and I think it sounds good… hehe..

Birthdays baby, birthday, birthday party, cake, kiddie party, kids party, love

my birthday gift to the celebrant

I got a chance again to make my own version of ham and cheese macaroni salad today, instead of bringing a birthday cake, i thought to share my specialty during our family dinner tonight in my sister’s place for baby Gab’s birthday.

My nephew turns 2 years old today… and it reminds me that my little girl’s 2nd birthday is fast approaching too. Oh! how time flies fast! My sister did not throw a big kiddie party this year, so she invited direct family members only and treat all of us for a simple “salu-salo” with just 2 main dishes, 1 cake and 2 desserts. And it turned out to be an intimate celebration and the  2 year old birthday celebrant seems not to care that it’s his birthday and how the gathering is going. It is a simple yet a happy occasion with the family and a practical one.

Yes, i think it’s practical enough not to throw a big 2nd birthday party to your kids especially after a grand 1st birthday party, because after all… kids at this age won’t care yet. I will postpone another coming year or two for another big kiddie party for my daughter so this year should be a simple one too.

Birthdays, Family birthday, birthday cake, birthday party, cake, chicken ham, Family, kiddie party

I shared the joys of my cousin who is residing in Davao when she called me that it’s her turn to finally get married! She was one of my bride’s maids, and I remembered how she gracefully walked the aisle holding her partner to assist me on my wedding day… and now, the date is fast approaching for her turn to walk the aisle as a bride’s maid no more… she is finally the bride! Whew, I’m so excited!

I’m excited to attend her wedding day to tie her cord of married life and fly to Davao City at last…  it will be my first time to go to Davao and I’m looking forward to tour around this beautiful city. My round trip plane ticket is booked and ready for this occasion and I already grant my cousin’s favour to shop for the raw materials of her giveaways and shipped it to Davao, an early accomplishment on my part for being able to assist the bride-to-be.

Congratulations Cuz, see you soon!

Wedding church, Family, love, Wedding

I love the color green so much that even how simple the token is and most especially when it is embellished with any shade of green, it will always make my eyes wide and a smile radiates… haha… a green fanatic. My dearest friend Joan knows it, and on my birthday I got one of the special birthday gift – a Leonardo green bag! I super like it and I just can’t help not to post it here.. hehe… Thanks so much dear..

The green bag is one month old now with me and the generosity and sweetness of a friend etched a special mark in my memory forever. This is the beauty of friendship.

Friendship birthday gift, Friendship, green bag, Leonardo bag, love

To be able to go to the summer capital of the country, Baguio City is one of the places I wanted to go eversince and at last I am here now enjoying the fresh cold air and the city’s various scenic and historical spots. I planned our Baguio trip for 2 months, secured an early promo booking for our plane ticket, trying to look for the best hotel to stay, constructing itinerary, list of things to bring, the budget and even acquire our own personal map – my travel partner’s idea..

I just want to share how the whole trip goes and why it is such a successful, memorable and blessed trip even for a short time.

Exactly 8:25 am – A very fine weather makes our flight and arrival to Manila safe and sound. I already feel the excitement even if our craft captain announced the delayed of our arrival due to the problem of frequency signal in NAIA.

10:30 am – We ride an airport taxi to bring us to the nearest Victory Liner terminal in Pasay. Just in time we got the last ticket for the 10:30 am trip. We make ourselves comfortable bringing with us food and drinks for I’m already aware how long the trip to Baguio base on my research. But the clean and cosy bus did not give me any discomfort plus I have the comforting company of my hubby. I enjoyed the view while on our way and when we were nearing Baguio, the fog almost covered our view and I’m so amazed to see that Baguio is a city within a mountain.

6:30 pm – It drizzled when we reach the bus terminal of the city and when I stepped out of the bus, I already feel the gentle cold breeze and it excites me the more. When a man approached us and offered us a ride to our hotel and later learned he is a tourist guide, I decided to hire him for only 2,500 for a whole day trip the next day.

Burnham Hotel is the hotel I booked for our whole stay in Baguio, It is a simple, small and old hotel in the city. It is accessible and a walking distance to most of the popular tourist spots so even if it isn’t the best choice of a hotel, I don’t mind.

7:30 pm – We go out and take a walk in Session Road and trying to find a restaurant where we can eat dinner, I have no idea what is the best place to eat here aside from the common, Jollibee, KFC, Don Henricos, Pizza Hut, etc… until I sight “Solibao”, they served Filipino cuisine and it’s worth a try because I’m satisfied with the food I ordered and the service is good.

Our 2nd day in Baguio is the highlight of this trip. I’m so excited to wake up early and the rain doesn’t stop us to tour the whole city of Baguio. Our tour guide is good for he was able to tour us around almost all the places of Baguio City from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and the rest of the day we do it ourselves.

These are the scenic places in Baguio where we spend the rest of the day (in order):

Lourdes Grotto. Early morning and I got an exercise by climbing the 252 steps, whew!

Baguio Heritage Hall and Prayer Mountain. We are so lucky to get inside this heritage hall, for this place is supposed to be restricted to ordinary travellers, good thing our tour guide has an access so the guard allowed us to see inside. It is a ruined yet historical building and I cannot state the whole history here, our tour guide is very good in explaining to us. I find the place spooky yet magical, especially when we got to go to the top of the ruined hall where you can see the other side of Baguio.

Easter Weaving Room Factory. I can’t believe I finally saw weaving in action!

Botanical Garden. The very famous scenic spot in Baguio, very wonderful place and I cannot forget the photo shoot we have with the natives. It’s perfect for postcards… hehe

Wright Park. The horseback riding in Baguio, and it’s my first time riding at the back of the horse! Haha, super fun!

The Mansion. Right in front Wright Park is another long stairs, and even how tiring it is I have to hike about another 100 steps just to add the fun! We took this way towards the Mansion, exactly a perfect frontal view even if I am still a very long walking distance towards it.

Mines View Park. The place is very cold as if you are on top of the mountain. There are lots of souvenir shops and I got confused what to buy because there are so many.

Camp John Hay. On our way to Camp John Hay, I got a perfect view of different and beautiful pine trees surrounding our way, we passed by the Golf Estate, Camp John Hay Manor, took picture at the mini statue of Liberty, and tour around the beautiful place.

Paintball Republic. I don’t want to miss to see how this famous Paintball Republic in Baguio is set up. Indeed it is a big game site, where pine trees become one of the obstacles of the game. Butterfly Sanctuary is beside the paintball game site but because I’m so hungry already, we missed it.

Ibay’s Silver Shop. After our late lunch, we dropped by the most famous silver shop in Baguio.

Burnham Park. The very heart of Baguio City! I don’t want to miss the boat riding in the park’s lagoon, wonderful experience… when we get out from the boat, the rain began to pour but it did not stop us to stroll around the park. We dropped by the Orchidarium where it is in this place I am so amazed with different kinds of orchids that I haven’t seen ever since… the more I get inspired to install one mini orchidarium at home.

Baguio Cathedral. After a short rest back in the hotel which is a walking distance from Burnham Park, we took another walk and trekked another long stairs towards Baguio Cathedral. It’s 5:30 in my watch and we have to catch up the 6:00 pm anticipated Mass.

SM City Mall. After the mass, we planned to end our Baguio tour going to SM City Baguio. I think this is the only mall I know in the country that does not have AC installed… well, the coolness of the city already serves as aircon. And indeed it is very cold inside that I had to wear my jacket on.

Classic Savory Chicken Restaurant. We had a sumptuous dinner on our last night in Baguio. The restaurant is nice and clean and the service is good and the food we ordered is delicious!

It was a beautiful and enjoyable day… an occasion that I will never forget. I will definitely go back to Baguio and bring the rest of my family and friends…

Travel baguio city, birthday, bonding, botanical garden, burnham park, love, travel to baguio, wright park