My daughter celebrated her 20th birthday and I was glad that she lived and enjoyed her teenage years in a fun but legal means.   How blessed are we to have a child who did not give us much  problems while she was growing up.  And so today,as she celebrate her 20th birthday, I felt relieved that she has gone past her teenage years..  though I know she is a responsible girl, but sometimes we can’t help worry because peer pressures are one factor that can influence even the most behaved child.

Her celebration is a simple get together with family minus us her parents because we are working overseas.  However, we see to it that they are not only well provided for (allowances, cellphone loads), we lavish them the love and care they need despite the long distance.   The wonder of technology keep us always in touch with each other.

I was touched with a crying picture of her before the fondant cake. Is that an act or she was really sad? Perhaps she is sad because we are far or maybe because it is already goodbye to teenage life.  Well, it will take a while before the reality sink in and for her to realize that she is no longer a teenager and she is now going to face  the complicated world of adult.   But once she found her place in the world of mature ones, she may not wish to go back to teenage years full of challenges.

emotional b-day celebrant?

The post is inviting…  who wouldn’t want to leisurely spend their vacation in an island paradise… away from the polluted air of the city, the hustle and bustle of the ever busy streets.   A week end get away is the perfect answer.

I momentarily closed my eyes and think of a refreshing place where I want to spend my 45 days holidays andthe picture of what I had in mind immediately shifted when I saw the post of a friend.   Undoubtedly, since he is working in a travel agency and maybe he have heard that we are coming for a vacation, he made an interesting post that really caught my attention.

promo vacation package….

Ah… such a relaxing place… and I want to spend dreaming on the hammock… fresh air… calm sea and serene place.    I phoned my friend June to book us for 3D2N on that island and I even asked for some discounts too because I know that we will definitely extend our stay there.

W

Delay in the release of our  passports renewal halted our plans to travel to Canada.  We received an invitation from my SIL (sis in law) to visit them for an exciting reunion with some of my hubby’s other siblings and relatives who will also also coming over (from the States and Korea) but the plans went kaput.   As we eagerly planned and prepared our documents we had already set our eyes for the travel but the passport renewal did not blend much with our supposed to be smooth sailing application.

It took almost 3 months (yes.. that long) that we decided to make alternative plans just in case it will not still be released on the date that we hope it will be… since our scheduled vacation in the office is getting near… we need to take it or else we will lose our chance since it was earlier on, the staff turned in their schedules to avoid overlapping of leaves….

Checking the consular office website did not help much.. most of the time their site is not working or cannot be found  (as an escape to some irate applicants and hopefuls that their passports are already in the embassy?) because true, it was not only us who were bogged down with worries…. the Embassy’s advisory is to understand the technical problems they’ve been experiencing and they are doing their best to serve us….

Yah… they’ve been serving us but with much delay….painfully so.. for the nth time that we had checked for our passports that did not come at all.  The embassy staff for sure is all prepared to hear bombarding complaints….  We visited them once again not to check for our renewal but to extend the passport for a year but lo and behold.. OMG… the passports were there!!!

precious passports… took 3 months to renew…

What a heavy sigh of relief we had that afternoon…..while it is  true we might not be going to Canada for now but still,  we will be bonding with our children back home… Everything really happens for a reason….

Yehey…. it will be vacation time once again…..

Getting a bit melancholic today because sometimes you can’t help but looked back and trace the life you had the years past.  Hubby and I only had each other when we started to weave dreams and build our family.   One by one, our children came to complete our union and we had 3  (2 boys and a girl).   Parenting is not that easy… from conception to toddler.. to adolescent years and presently 2 had gone past their teen-age years, and the youngest will soon be 19 years old.   Time flies so fast and now we can’t help shed tears as we recall wonderful moments with our children… good times, trying and difficult times  which made us stronger even more.

Now… in the end it will only be me and hubby once again… the children are living far from us as they pursue their university studies in the city.. the beauty of modern technology and social networking is commendable because there will be no excuses now not to keep in touch with families overseas.

I guess,  today… I am missing my children terribly today… sigh****

The handsome compensations and benefits we are receiving as overseas workers are undoubtedly good enough to tide us with our family expenditures and to top it all, we have the luxury to go for well planned vacation trips to our hearts desire.  We’ve been on our company’s payroll for more than 2 decades and we believe that we deserved to be rewarded for all our efforts and sacrifices. And the latest family bonding time that we had was an exciting and unforgettable Walt Disney tours!. We make it a point that whatever blessings that we are enjoying are to be shared to our extended families as well, so everytime we planned for private tours almost everybody are considered while we our doing our budget  for the trip. Last year, the “chosen ones” received free tickets and hotel accommodation sponsorship from us but with stern instructions that they need to provide their own pocket and shopping monies.

part of the group…. family bonding time

It was the biggest family group trip we had so far… 15 in all  (Mom, 2 sisters, 1 brod, 1 brother in law, 3 nieces, 2 nephews and my family of 5).  You could just imagine how hard to assemble them in one place and head counting should be done first so nobody will be “home alone”.  Our  main itinerary last Christmas holidays was the Disneyland park adventure and the children adored the place, untiringly going from one ride to another while we adults patiently kept guard.   We practically became their “baggers and hangers because everytime they sighted an interesting ride, they excitedly tossed their bags and hanged their heavy coats on us. Oh well, we don’t mind really as long as they are enjoying, besides I had to accompany my 76 years old mom on the bench too tired to walk any further but we too enjoyed seeing them from afar really having a real good time!

leap of joy

not to be outdone… jump shot adult style

The grand parade of Disney characters was a sight and the experience is to treasure forever!    Towards the end of the day, though Mom was kinda tired , it was surprising that she somewhat got energized when Goofy, Mickey and Minnie plus Winnie the Pooh emerged and we adults were among those who excitedly lined up for photo opportunity with them.  You bet.. Mom was obviously happy! (see her pic with Goofy below!)

feeling young again!

The grand fireworks displayed which we waited patiently wrapped up our Disney adventure.  Everything about Disney is magical! And we don’t have any second thoughts whatsoever of  coming back for another awesome  Walt Disney World Resort tour (with another set of family members, I guess).   It is really true that the moment may be temporary but the memories are forever!

awesome… magnificent.. magical fireworks display!

It inspires us more to work and earn and share our blessings.  This early, another Disney tour is on the planning board…

Exciting!!!

Yummy!  Yummy!  We are on food tripping again!   It is for the sake of new dining experience that every month (or after payday) we indulged in food treats.  And we chanced upon Buffalo’s Southwest Cafe and Restaurant.  I’ve been hearing about this place from a friend so when hubby and I got a chance, I readily set a date with other friends to meet up for a steak dinner.   I found it more like TGIF or Outback where we used to dine.  Pretty much the same ambiance with other steak houses we’ve been too.

The welcoming committee are waiters too accommodating to open the door and you will find this large buffalo head hanging on the wall.  Mr. Buffalo for sure has become a back ground for all photo opportunities of their customers.  Just like us, we hesitated for a while (they might call us photo addict and cheap)  but my children were not able to resist the urge to have their pictures taken with Mr. Buffalo behind.  After few shots, we took the easy way up – rode the narrow elevator to the second floor but for those who want to exercise a bit, they took the the stairs that led them to the dining area.  As usual, the over all interior of the restaurant connotes the Western type- cowboy.

Hello!  Mr. Buffalo!

Our overall impression?  We had our tummy filled with delectable menus.  We had finally experienced Buffalo and we all agreed it is one good reason to come back, say a breakfast or brunch because we were told that it opens at 9am and would cater for early risers.
So, are you with me in this food tripping?  Well, post more in my next entry….

dimmed lights on

we will be back for more…

To my dear husband ….

If you were not born today…where would I be?
Buried in the depths of misery..
Doomed to sadness and agony..
Crying for Love…hopelessly

But you were born today
I thank God sincerely
For all the happy life you gave me

We love you!

When our children were here for their semestral break from school, eating was no doubt a family affair.  And since our children has been away from us for almost a year, making up for the lost time is what we prepared for.   Of course, our wallets are open for their little indulgences like dining out and shopping on the side.  So, we hardly rest our tummies for special dishes each night that we dined out.   Really, “the family that eats together, gets fat together” because no one amongst  us  has ever  thought of dieting those times.

Before hubby and I set off to work, we already had plans where to take our children to dinner.  Yah, kinda spoiling them but nevermind.. both of us are happy to see them full and satisfied!   We know that rarely they can eat to their hearts content because as students , their monthly allowances are on budget.  We are teaching them how to budget their finances and that they are accountable for their expenditures.   So, they really know how to budget wisely.  We have  had imbibed in their minds the value of money and we taught them to cook at home rather than eating out.  I was amazed that despite their limited budget, they can still manage to save.   Of course, the emergency money are sent to my sister and will be dispensed to them everytime a project , field trip or unexpected expenses comes.

Our  food tripping were done successively, till we have noticed that the pounds were slowly creeping in.   We promised to have another motto that is “the family that exercise together, looks better together”.  However, we put off that motto for and let them enjoy their favorite pastime.. eating!

So, we have to double time (?) with rounds of fine dining restaurants in the city.  I will be posting some dining places we’ve been to.  And you will understand why we gained weight…..

1. Turkish restaurant –  eating in a Turkish restaurant is only once a month treat for us especially after payday but for a while we did not follow our regular schedule.

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shawarma

shawarma in plate…grilled lamb chops, homous, khobous, cocktail juice

2.  Steak house

3.  Pizza

5.  Ice cream stands

The pictures posted already depicted how we indulged.   A lot of dining places we’ve been to but  I wasn’t able to take pictures…. next time when we have the chance to go there again, I will surely post or blog about the place.

Oh dear…yah.. we know that gluttony is a mortal sin….. but I believe that we are not in that category yet… Anyway, the children had left already and it will be in 10 months time that they will come back here.  Well, it will give our tummy the time to rest.

I am proud to belong to a family who have passion for arts.   Although my brother doesn’t have any formal training in painting, he excels in oil painting.   Really, you can’t help but be amazed with people who have exceptional talents like in singing, dancing, painting…  Each one of us has innate God given talents and we should showcase them.

My  brother is a member of Group Artist of Taytay, a hometown group  which was formed  year 1975  with men and women who had common passion – that is painting.   All his painting are done by hand and heart of a true artist.   It can be seen in his works – the intense passion, the colors, the details….. All were done out of love, perseverance and endurance.   And even if he and his family are living in “hand to mouth” existence because he is a struggling painter, there is so much fulfillment in him.

Painting is not a sure source of steady income…. but he managed to pull through life’s hardship… He is blessed  that most of his entries in Arts competition that he joined gave him trophies, monetary prize and  pride as an artist.  And those blessings are what helped him send his 3 children (2 in college and 1 in High School) in school.  The eldest finished Fine Arts and his daughter is taking up Film Making.   My SIL is a High School teacher who patiently stood by his side.

He’s my brother and I am his sister!

He is my brother.. the artist!

Regional fruits

A poor man’s meal

We hope to be entertained and relaxed while watching TV but horrible and disturbing news made us worried about the safety of our children back home.   Few weeks ago, a bus going to a business district in Manila exploded killing innocent people on board.  Next, 2 car dealers were kidnapped and their bodies were burned beyond recognition.  There are a lot of news about robbery, violence, rape and the worst – terrorism.   Nobody is safe anymore so we should really be vigilant.  A worried mom like me never fails to remind my children to be careful especially in going out and to keep watch of their belongings all the time.   Time and time again, I help them understand to need to keep themselves as simple as possible,  never display their high end cellphones, their valuables like their laptops and ipads should be brought inconspicuously.   We never can tell, these gadgets might even cost them problems.   We also make them aware that we don’t have the means to produce ransom  if they get kidnapped. (lol)..   Better to be safe than sorry.

Actually, these news are not only confined in our country, in fact, there are worst cases that happened and are happening in every parts of the world.  Let us just continue to pray for continuous blessings and protection…

Let us forever keep the faith!