juls random thoughts

Last June 29, our cluster in the office had an outreach activity. We took 21 kids from Asosacion de Damas Filipinas to Avilon zoo and the members of the cluster with kids were able to take our own kids instead of the kids from the orphanage. Kurt had a lot of fun and funny cause he thinks that Avilon zoo is forest due to lush trees and plants. Poor boy as the zoo he's seen so far is Manila zoo last September as posted here, here and here. Below are the pics on that weekend, wasn't able to take a lot of pics as the little boy always insist on him taking the pictures.

We had lunch first in Jollibee Montalban courtesy of Jollibee themselves, the kids food were for free.

After dancing Low, he requested for Soulja Boy.



This video was taken this morning.

Kurt dancing Low by Flo Rida. This video was taken just this morning.

Last saturday, July 5, we had a get-together with our w@w turned n@w and more specifically knows as calipanga friends. We haven't seen each other as quorum for such a long time that I can't even remember anymore. When Raquel and Carlo had their house blessing and daughter Alyssa's 2.5 birthday last May, Quel and Songs and Lau and Jo were not there (same as the usual absentees: Benz and John, Nyree and Jasper, Ais and Joey and of course Jeanny and Edwin who's in the US na) then before that we had a Christmas dinner in Makati, wala naman sila Raquel and Carlo, and Aileen and Kristian plus the usual absentees above but Ais and Joey was there. There have been a lot of plans and ayain but our schedules won't just meet. This time we decided to push through kasi mababawasan na naman kami ng isa, Jo will be leaving soon for Ukraine so that was our despidida get together for him in their house. Compared to our usual kita-kita since we had kids, this time, we decided not to bring the kids, an all adults affair. And the outcome?! we were surprised when we looked at the time kasi 4am na pala!! and we didn't notice it. We're all so surprised and happy kasi before we had kids, malimit kami mag get-together and we usually go home ng 3am or 4am and now when we meet with the kids, we usually go home at 11pm-12mn, minsan nga earlier pa but this time that we met without the kids, ganun na naman! hay naku! sarap kasi magkwentuhan eh! sapilitan pa ng uwi ang lagay na yan! because of this, we've made a pact na sana eh at least quarterly eh mag get-together ulit kami. And hopefully, our plans for a group anniversary celebration will push through! we just can't believe that we're about to celebrate five years!! and to think, the SARS (surprise anniversary celebration for the Ranas) that was organized when we were planning our wedding pa is John and Benz' 5th wedding anniversary. Parang noon feeling namin ang tagal-tagal na ng five years eh yun pala kami na yun ngayon. Grabe bilis!!

Calipanga family during our 2006 summer outing:
L-R: Lau and Jo with Danielle, Aileen and Kristian with Gabby, Rachel and Denden with Inigo, Benz and John with Kite, Jeanny and Edwin with Keogh, Me and Hubby with Kurt, Quel and Songs with Jeg

Calipanga girls (without Rachel) with Toni during Kite's 5th birthday:

L-R: Nyree, Quel, Me, Toni, Lau, Jeanny, Ais, Aileen and Raquel

Calipanga boys (without Denden) during Kite's 5th birthday:

L-R: Jasper, i think it si Ram ni Toni, Jo, Hubby, Edwin, Joey, Carlo and Songs

Funny kasi ang papayat pa namin grabe!! lahat kasi preparing for wedding pa lang.

After SARS (same night), with the Kink cake (John's surprise gift to us):

Complete din sila: L-R, standing: Edwin, Carlo, Joey, John, Songs, Jasper and Jonathan; L-R, seated: Hubby, Denden and Kristian

During the group bridal shower organized by Benz and Tisha, few days after SARS, still in Batis Asul's place, we're holding RAquel's shower gift to us:
We had other pictures kaso most are with hubby but mostly before the wedding kasi on our get-togethers when we had kids, we seldom take pictures na.

Because of the typhoon whose wrath was experienced yesterday, DECS declared that highschool and elementary have no classes today. The little boy's reaction? he's NOT happy about it. As in he won't accept that he doesn't have school today. I am one happy mom because it means he's enjoying school. According to MIL, they will take him to school if he insists so he can just play there (the school is one vacant lot and two houses away our house).

About the rains yesterday, the little boy had fun playing in the rain earlier yesterday and had more fun when the fish pond in a vacant lot near our house overflowed. He had a lot of fun catching the fish with his cousins, dada and uncle. I took a lot of pics of them having fun. Will post it here soon.

Remember this post? well, here are the overdue pictures:

This is the beach used in Maging Sino Ka Man book 1, the island where Sam stayed. The silhoutte of a boy is my nephew seating on a banca on the picture below:

The 7-people capacity tents that we used. The red cover can be removed and a see-through net will be seen, very nice for stargazing:
Kurt playung with his two cousins:
My nephews. Then on the far hut is where we keep the food and at the back of the hut is my car parked:
Kurt and his cousin enjoying the sand:

So how did our long weekend r&r turned out? Relaxing yet tired. Weird huh?

We are supposed to leave early Saturday morning but since I sent a text message to my sister at 1am that I might not be able to make it early, they thought that we would really get to her place late morning. You see, I was so pissed off Friday night, its way over midnight already and yet the little boy is still awake. I need to sleep early as I’ll be driving early morning and add the fact that it’s my first long drive (wouldn’t count drive to Batangas as long drive). Hubby can’t join us yet as he has his bowling championship game that night so I am tasked to drive my car, he’ll just follow us the next day.

Even if I went to sleep at past 1am, I was still able to wake up at 5am, took a bath, did some last minute packing (pillows, beddings, kurt’s milk) then at 5:45am we left home going to my sister’s house in Kamias with just kurt and the yaya. I was surprised when I get there that my brother (who’ll be coming from batangas) is not yet there, he’s usually early. I later on found out that they really thought that I’ll be late, even my sister is not yet done packing. To make the story short, we left for Zambales at 8am. Three cars on convoy led by my BIL, followed by me then my brother at the back. We’re hoping to take the new highway from Clark to Subic but we were informed when we paid the toll fee that it only opens at 12 noon. So we have no choice but to drive by the traditional route of San Fernando and Lubao, Pampanga, totally not thrilled to pass by the uber traffic Lubao. We had our first restroom stopover and stretching in the first Total gas station in San Fernando right after the exit. Was so pissed off kasi super traffic sa Lubao, as in! and we’re oh so glad when we finally reached Dinalupihan, Bataan, kainis talaga traffic sa Lubao! We arrived in Subic at past 11am and was in Subic Yatch Club for our second stop over by quarter to twelve. Stayed there for a while, restroom break then picture taking with the yatch. It’ll be a less than an hour travel from Subic Yatch Club to my BIL’s resthouse in the town proper of San Antonio, Zambales. We’ve decided to have lunch there first before proceeding to the beach. By 1pm, we’re already having lunch in my BIL’s resthouse then by 3pm we’re already in the beach. My brother took the tricycle as his lowered car can’t take the load and rough road/soft sand at the same time. I was surprised when we get there as there is already a developed beach resort beside their property. The place lost its virgin beach appeal because of that resort. Apparently, the cousin of BIL’s dad sold the property to an American who developed the property into a resort. Too bad for us as it’s no longer a private get-away. Checked out the beach and that’s when BIL told us that this beach stretch is where Maging sino ka man book one was shoot. Remember the island where Sam Milby went? This is the place! And to those who watch Marimar, it turns out that the mansion, Villa something is the resort (probably 500 meters or less than, away from BIL’s place) owned by her tita. Hmmm… Pundaquit is now being exposed to the public, good for the locals but bad for us who love its virgin, isolated appeal before. By 4pm, we’re setting up the tents. We got three good for seven coleman tents. We even raced as to who will finish first. Our tents look so good when it’s all set up, maganda kasi pare-pareho kami. I decided not to hit the water first, will do that the next day when hubby is with us na. I took a bath sa poso wearing my clothes. There’s actually an option to take a bath in a closed cube kaso iigib pa rin water sa poso and syempre mainit and for experience I preferred to take a bath sa poso. Sarap! By night time, naka-rechargeable lamp na kami sa kubo with papag. But when you walk towards where the tents are, grabe! Ang dami sobra ng stars, I’ve never seen such plenty of stars for a long time. Had dinner then my nephews started lighting up the bonfire, nagtyaga talaga sila maghanap ng kahoy so we can have the bonfire. Ako naman, I brought huge marshmallows and long barbecue sticks so we can grill the marshmallows. It was my nephews first time to try it and they loved the soft liquidy inside of the marshmallows right after grilling it. While my brothers and father drank the night away, my sister watched dvds on her portable dvd, I just sat on the foldable beach chair (a Christmas gift to us) and gazed on the stars until I became sleepy and joined kurt and inay inside the tent to sleep. Our first night sleep in the tent was so hot, the tent has a cover kasi, we did not remove it kasi baka maghamog in the morning or baka umulan, some parts of the tent kasi has net lang. sa sobrang init the little boy was sleeping without any shirt on. While ako, I realized na mas malamig if hindi sa kutson, if it’s just the blanket kasi malamig sa labas so malamig ang sand.

The next day, Sunday, we woke up early but the sun is up already pero as usual, the little boy, tulog pa rin. My sister and BIL went to the town proper market while the rest of us stayed and just made tambay. Francis arrived before lunch with my sister and BIL, it turns out nagdala rin sya ng kotse, di natiis pero iniwan na lang nya sa house sa town proper. We had a yummy lunch, inihaw na ribs and fish with seaweed salad. Yum! Yum! Talaga! Slept for a while sa papag then went swimming na. good thing I wore life vest kasi malalim ang tubig may nephews naman buried Joshua under the sand while he’s on Indian seat, the little boy was so inggit so sya rin nagpacover ng sand, too bad nga lang we weren’t able to take a picture kasi when hubby left to get camera pagbalik nya, umalis na little boy. BIL walked along the shoreline until he reached her tita’s resort Punta de Uian and according to him, totally different world there, parang Bora sa dami ng tao and the viva hot babes are there. Funny my nephews kasi punta agad sila. That night was more peaceful, wala na kasing maingay na guests yun katabing resort and mas presko na kasi we did not put na the tent cover.

Our last day, Monday, light breakfast, others went swimming while kami, pack-up na to go back to the house in the town proper. Bought total of 15 kilos of almost ripe mangoes from the town market then left for Manila at 11am. This time, we were able to take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac highway and what can I say? It’s so ganda! Smooth ang road, daming hills na hinati just for the highway and I agree with Jody para akong nasa US, feeling ko I’m driving in I-280 from San Jose, CA to San Francisco. Galing talaga! We had lunch in Jollibee in North expressway and arrived Manila at past 3pm. It was tiring yet relaxing vacation. I wish we’ll go back there and this time sana eh di na kami tamarin that we can go and visit the papaya plantation and makapaglakad-lakad sa beach.

Pictures to follow.

I'll be offline this weekend for a much needer R&R. My side of the family are going to my brother in law's private beach in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. We're excited as for two nights,we'll be sleeping on tents by the beach. I am excited for the little boy as it is his first time. For sure we'll all be "nognog" by tuesday.



Picture from Philippine Beach blog searched through Google.

It started from a discussion of Eastwood's 200,000 eggs on Easter sunday. My MIL heard us talking about it and suggested that we do it instead at home. It was wednesday night, three days away from Easter sunday and we're talking of starting from scratch. But since we all loved the idea, SIL and her sister went to Divi on saturday to look for plastic eggs while my other SIL designed the real eggs.

When we got back from Batangas for our Holy Week vacation, this is what we saw on the dining table:

Cutesy thirteen boiled eggs dyed with food color and designed with glitter glue. Then on the buffet table was a big plastic full of various sizes of plastic eggs. While written on the white board in the refrigerator are the rules of the easter egg hunt.

Apparently, there are 101 eggs, 13 of which are the original dyed eggs which if found is equivalent to P100 each, while the plastic eggs contain various goodies inside. The smaller ones are sealed when they bought so we have no idea what goodies can be found inside. The hunt will start at 9am, kids only and no eggs will be hidden inside the cabinets, cars, bodega.

Funny as before the hunt starts, the little boy was playing with his shape sorter, when one shape fell and was under the sofa, as he was trying to get the block, he also saw one of the hidden eggs to which all of us shout. We just told the little boy that, that is what the eggs that they will look for look like, at ang nakakatawa, bigla syang sumigaw na there are more pa outside! LOL! you see, the little boy woke up early then played outside with the yaya and nung andun pala, nakakakita na sya ng mga eggs so bigla tuloy nilipat ng taguan. Funny talaga etong little boy ko.

Here are some pics during the day. Hoping to get the other pics from hubby as these were taken using my phone.

Kids given instructions holding plastic bags where they can keep the eggs they got:


Their baskets being filled with eggs found. Nearest in the pic is kurt's (together with the plastic box), then followed by sean's, pau's, giang's and the farthest gelo's.


This pic shows the kids making reklamo of hubby kasi he's helping the little boy. As he is the youngest qualified sya to have an adult companion. Same as Gelo, his yaya is helping him. The adults are not actually showing where the eggs are, medyo nili-lead lang nila to where it can be found.

Showing the contents of the big eggs:

All eggs on the table:

To follow is the picture of the kids with their basketful of eggs and their picture on the move, I still have to get it from hubby.

I have to say that MIL and SIL really did a wonderful job with this egg hunt. Since galing pa sila sa easter vigil, they started hiding the eggs past midnight and they ended at past 3am, complete with flashlights (ala bulglar) they placed the eggs strategically all over the house and even in the garden. Galing pa kasi they prenumbered the eggs and logged where specifically they placed it para we would know kung nasaan yun mga hindi pa nahahanap. I wish I had taken pictures of where they hidden the eggs kasi ang galing talaga that i think even if kaming oldies ang naghanap eh for sure mahihirapan din.

The kids searched for an hour. The winner was Pau with 21 eggs, followed by Giang with 19 eggs, Sean with 18 eggs, Gelo with 15 eggs while Kurt (the youngest) got 14 eggs. But lucky for my little boy as out of 13 true eggs, he found three so he got P300. Pau got P200 for finding the most egg.

Now we started a fun family tradition. According to FIL, next year, he'll be adding more prices for those who'll find a certain number of egg.

Warning: Contains some spoilers of the movie Jumper so stop reading after the third paragraph, or skip the fourth paragraph, if you haven't watched the movie.

We had the whole day today without kids. Hubby's only sister gave us this as a gift last christmas. She gave this to all her siblings with kids. She promised that she will take care of the kids for one whole day.

We actually forgot already about this so we're surprised when she told us last friday. Nakakatawa si hubby and his eldest brother kasi as in pang-asar na sumigaw sa tuwa pag-alis ng kids with their sister and his boyfriend. We're actually asking them kung seryoso silang gusto nilang gawin yun, imagine, they'll be taking with them four kids! three boys ages 3, 4 and 6 and one girl aged 9. well, they took one yaya with them pero mahirap pa rin yun. We're actually more concerned with Kurt and his cousin Gelo kasi the two other kids, Pau and Sean are older na so easier to manage.

So, what did the three parents did?! syempre, kanya-kanyang lakwatsa. Hubby's oldest brother and his wife went to spa, his second brother and wife have an official meeting, while hubby and I decided to watch a movie.

We went to Eastwood Libis to watch Jumper. Movie was so galeng! astig! though there are some things that we wished they have included in the movie. Kasi they did not explain why he got that power. I was actually hoping that David will ask his mom about that when he went to her house, which he did not. Galing lang with all the actions but I wished talaga they explained.

Hubby actually wanted to watch pa Spiderwick kaso parang feeling ko kasi pangbata sya like Narnia so we did not watch na. Pasyal konti kaso boring pala sa Eastwood kasi walang masyadong shops so we left na with nowhere to go. We decided to have mass muna then isip naman to just go to Farmer's and buy seafood. We bought tahong, which I made into baked tahong, and tuna and salmon sashimi.

We had a great dinner at home. Kids arrived very happy at past eight. We learned that they went pala to Parks and Wildlife for a picnic then sa Circle for some biking.

We ended the weekend the way we usually do - a 9pm massage. The best weekend ender!

I had a good birthday. No handa at all or any celebration but I am very happy. First, hubby surprised me on the wee hour of my birthday with two dozens of white roses. Well, I actually learned about it even before he arrived home kasi I called him as late na wala pa sya sa house, that's how I learned na dumayo pala sya ng dangwa just to buy the roses. How sweet is that! Slept for only 3 hours kasi madaling-araw na nga sya dumating then I have to wake up early for my review at 8am which unfortunately, pagdating ko sa review site eh biglang na-cancel ang registration namin. Hay.. this is the only glitch on my day, kaaga-aga ko pa naman dumating only to find out that we're not enrolled in the review. Well, this is another topic. Buti na lang di nasira araw ko, nainis lang ako kasi I woke up really early pa naman.

So, I went back home muna to sleep for a few more hours as I am so sleepy. I think I was able to sleep for an hour or two. My car also turned one year old the day before, Feb. 15, so I decided that this day din I'll bring my car to Honda Global City for the one year check. I'm actually looking forward to this day as I just love the location of this Honda service center, malapit sa pasyalan- Serendra and Bonafio High Street!

So later that morning, I took my car in Honda then that's the only time I realized that it's lunch time na pala, didn't know that I left home past eleven na pala eh my MIL asked pa the helper to cook pansit for my bday. So, I had lunch na lang at Pancake House, of course, since it's my birthday, I ordered my favorite, steak! I took with me a new book that I bought the day before in the bookstore in Bonifacio High (which I can't remember the name now. I'm so excited to read my new book, it's Sophie Kinsella! a new one, title is Remember Me. So, I spent my lunch enjoying my steak and reading my new book. After lunch, I went to my favorite dessert place in Serendra, Sonja's! I ordered brewed coffee and my favorite melt-in-your-mouth, no-bake chocolate cupcake. Stayed there for a long time as I am enjoying my book.

Usapan namin ni hubby is that they'll follow me there so we can buy kurt a new shoes. At past three, he called me as they're in Honda na daw, they're looking for me there, eh nakatambay pa ko sa Sonja's! so, I went to the service center, eksakto tapos na rin maintenance ng kotse ko. So, we went to Big & Small to buy the little boy a new sneakers, it's about time that we retire his ever reliable crocs! Grabe laki nang paa! we bought size 13!

Pasyal-pasyal, enjoy the weather kasi makulimlim tapos mahangin. The little boy had a blast in Bonifacio High. We then went to Market Market to have meryenda in Sbarro. I'm actually craving for Shakey's kaso wala kaming nakita so we settled there. We saw pa Songs along the way and he told us that Quel, Jeg and yaya are in KFC. So, we checked on them first then we ate na at Sbarro. After that, hubby has to go na for his saturday night bowling tournament. You see, hubby has monday, friday and saturday nights reserved for his bowling tournaments.

So, I'm thinking that kurt and I will probably go to SM Hypermart naman in Pasig kasi we need to do the grocery.. and I don't want to do it in Market Market kasi sa Honda naka-park ang car ko so abuso sa layo ang lalakarin. But the boy seemed tired already as he asked me to go home na so ayun, we went home na lang.

After bowling, when hubby's on his way home, he called me to ask if kurt is sleeping na and if someone can look after him kasi he's asking me to go out. Eh ako, since I'm reading nga my new book, tamad na to go out! but didn't dare tell him that! hahaha!! Kaso, all the helpers are sleeping na and even my in laws are sleeping na so we just went to the nearby Ministop. He bought beers, while I bought Vodka Ice. We spent the night watching cable tv (kasi we don't have any new dvd movies), sya lang pala nanood, ako I read pa rin my book! sobrang engrossed ko, I finished the entire book in half day!

Overall, I think this is the simplest birthday that I had but I am so at peace and happy. I was overwhelmed with all the people who greeted me that day. A lot of my officemates greeted me, which I am so surprised as it is a weekend. Even with the new project that I'm doing now, I'm surprised with my team mates kasi it's our first time to work together but they still greeted me on my day. We have email announcements of birthday celebrants but since it's a weekend, surprise talaga ako that a lot of people greeted me, even relatives in the province sent their text message. I am one happy gal!

We did not go out na to celebrate kasi we're going to Singapore next weekend (wipee!!). So, we're saving money for that trip.

Last saturday, 02/02/08, was baby Joaqui's baptism. Joaqui (full name is Joaquin Julian) is my brother's son. He's now the youngest in the cousins, replacing kurt on his throne. LOL! The baptism was held in Pasay, time set was 10am. Hubby and I woke up really early that day as we'll also be meeting with the lot broker at 8:30am. The broker arrived on time good thing we're done with all the preps, kurt did not throw any tantrums when hubby woke him up. We checked out the lots she's selling and we finally found the lot that we like. I'll just create a separate post about this in time.

So, we're in a hurry for the baptism as hubby's the official photographer, while I am a ninang. We got to the church on time, baby Joaqui's not even there yet when we arrived but we're the last from the family to arrive.

Reception was held in Max's Baclaran, I just love Max's chicken! and after that, we went to Makati. Hubby went to office to checked the status of their UAT while kurt and I went to Power Books as the little boy is requesting that we go to a bookstore. You see, the little boy loves going to the bookstore to check out the books. He doesn't exactly read it but he enjoys looking at them. We've only been there for less than an hour when hubby told me that he's done with work. He picked us up. We're supposed to go to Glorieta for his shopping but we're so tired and sleepy that we decided to just go home.

My migraine was starting to develop when we got home so I went to sleep. At past five, me still with migraine, hubby left for his bowling tournament. We're supposed to go with him but since I have a migraine, we're left at home. I locked myself in the bedroom and closed the lights so I can sleep peacefully, I also took my migraine pills.

Although I feel so guilty, I ignored little boy's pleading that he go inside the room, I have to keep him out as my condition will definitely improve if I let him in. After about two hours, I heard him crying. So I went out and learned that he bit his cousin. Hay naku! Found out that his cousin was not sharing his food that's why he bitten him. I've just decided that we leave the house to cool things out. We went to Hypermart to do the grocery and had dinner in Tiendesitas. We had papaitan, grilled porkchop and barbecue. We enjoyed our date together. We went home almost 9pm.

So, as posted here, we finally decided to visit Trinoma. My initial reaction when I saw the place? hmm.. looks like Glorieta then we were able to go to the part near Mindanao avenue, that's where the restaurants are and wow! I am surprised, it looks like Greenbelt! ganda! the little boy enjoyed the water falls and effects while I looked around. Oh how I wish hubby was with us that time. He's actually supposed to pick us up from there however daddy asked him to pick up Dante from Lipa as he wants some things fixed at home so he'll be arriving Manila late and I am so tired already so we just decided to commute again. We took the MRT then went to the crossing jeepney station and rode the jeep. Little boy must have been really tired because he fell asleep in the jeepney and boy was it a challenge as I carried him from the jeepney until we took the tricycle, I'm telling you it was such a long walk. Kaasar pa kasi when we arrived home, he woke up and very active as if I was not having a hard time waking him up a few minutes ago. Pictures of our weekend to follow.

It was a great but very tiring weekend. You see, it was only me and Kurt. Hubby was in Anilao for his diving. Well, there were some plans but did not push through. One, we're trying to go with hubby on his dive but since it's a class, fully packed ang resort. Two, we're supposed to go to Batangas friday night, sleep in Lipa then hatid kami ni hubby sa Rosario saturday morning before he goes to Anilao. Unfortunately, that night I've decided not to go to Batangas na kasi based on my communication with Honda Makati, there's a chance that I can get my car that saturday or monday. Me, hoping that I'll get it that saturday decided not to leave manila. I don't want to get the car kasi today as I am on coding. So for the kwento.

Friday night pa lang, I'm preparing kurt na for our activities the next day to get him excited to go to sleep. Told him we'll go to the mall. And, being the layas boy that he is, he's very excited with that concept.

The next day, saturday, pagkagising na pagkagising pa lang, he wanted me na to give him a bath. As in he don't even want to eat breakfast, gusto na nyang umalis! LOL Plano ko pa naman is we'll leave after lunch kaso ayaw na talaga pumayag. Di tuloy kami nakasama sa lunch in Aimee's house. There's really nothing to spoil his spirit, he even agreed to wearing pants, kahit na super ayaw nya. Anything na gawin nyang di ko gusto that morning, panakot ko parati so he'll listen is, hindi na kami aalis (bad mama ba?). So off we go to our adventure. Since I don't have a car, we have to commute, I told him about this last night and excited din sya. We rode the tricycle to Pasig city hall then took the fx going to Robinsons Galleria. The little boy was so behaved and observing/enjoying the entire experience. He keeps on asking where we're going (I guess he's making sure that we're going to the mall! LOL)

We went first to Galleria. Checked out the showing time of Alvin and the Chipmunks then had lunch in KFC per his request. He wanted to go weewee and my mistake was to take him to the restroom near Tom's World as he wouldn't want to leave there. Well at least he's not asking me to buy tokens. He just enjoys trying out all the games even if he's not really playing it. Decided to let him enjoy, its his day anyway.

We left the place when the movie was about to start. Ordered white cheddar cheese popcorn from Taters then watched na the movie. Movies was so funny. I think I enjoyed it more than Kurt. LOL!

We then went to Megamall for more pasyal. Well, he wouldn't let us leave kasi gusto nya bumalik sa Tom's World. We dropped by Podium first to check out Lacoste Accesories store for sale bags pero the little boy won't let me touch anything! Mahigpit pa sa asawa ko! As in! So, I gave up and we went na to Megamall.

In Megamall naman, I checked out again the Lacoste . And for the love of God, the little boy still won't let me touch anything! After few tries to look at the bags I settled for a belt bag. We went around the mall, let kurt watched bowling then went home early evening. Good thing we saw kuya arnold and family, we rode with them back home. I was so tired that night.

Sunday, we went to Trinoma. This time, I let kurt ride the jeepney to crossing then MRT to Trinoma. The little boy had a blast on his first train ride. Enjoy! will post pictures soon. Kwento to be continued...

Still part of our anniversary celebration, we went to Baguio, as planned before we had the "no speaking terms". We left really early saturday morning, dec. 8, stopped over the Caltex station in EDSA to buy coffee and pandesal from Pugon, it's still so dark, kurt is still awake but not complaining kasi layas din etong batang eto eh. LOL!

Second stopover was in Luisita in Tarlac, the sun is coming out already but since hubby is stil sleepy, we went to Starbucks and bought cappucino, Kurt had a blast looking at the old train at the back of Starbucks. We stayed there for a while so hubby can rest then continued on with our journey.

We arrived in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan at I think past 9-10am. We dropped by hubby's lola's house since mommy, daddy, kuya arnold, ate sweet and jonathan are there. We had breakfast, rested a few minutes, looked for lodging in the internet then off we went to Baguio.

We are in Baguio by lunchtime, we went to Microtel Inn & Suites to check in, place is new and located near Victory Liner station. Too bad, the single queen bed room is fully booked as one company have a function there. We no longer had any hotels in mind so we just decided to check in at Prince Plaza along Legarda road. Both hubby and I stayed there in the past on separate instances, for the same client assignment. It was old but at least, we're familiar with the place. Good news here is the room rate is way lot cheaper than Microtel plus hubby got 20% corporate discount. Fixed our things, rested for a while, gave kurt a bath and changed clothes then off to lunch.

We had lunch in Matutina's kitchen beside the hotel. Food is really great. Sarap nung sinigang na fish (forgot the name of the fish) and inihaw na liempo. Well worth it! Rested for a few more minutes in our room then off we went to Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Kurt had a lot of fun here. Here are some of the pics:







Hubby and kurt watching the PMA'ers practicing a drill:

Hubby and Kurt going up the tree house:

To those who know us well, they know that hubby and I are layas. We both have nunal on our foot and looks like our son is starting to have one as he is one hell of a "layas" too. After spending an almost whole day of watching dvds, surfing the net, playing "Burger Rush" (that's me) in the 'puter, we've realized that we can't take it not to go out today.

Our destination? Unknown. We prepared with no idea where to go. Then when we're already in C5, that's when hubby thought that we visit his dad's lot in Maris Village in Tandang Sora. They're offering this lot to us but we're having second thoughts on getting it due to its very far location. You see, we work in Makati, my province is Batangas and most of our family are in the south except for ate gem who's living in Kamias, but that's not so far though.

Anyway, we visited the place and yeah, its really far. 2.5 kms from the Tiera Pura gate to the lot then from the Tiera Pura gate to Manila Water in Balara was another 5 kms. We no longer bothered to get the distance from there to Pasig as it is really far.

Highlight of the trip, we visited Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes along Katipunan. You see, I fell in love with banofee pie eversince I tasted Starbucks' version, then I tried Sonjas and Red Ribbon. So far, Sonja's still the best for me. Banofee pie is my new favorite, replacing my old time favorite - chocolate mousse. So, hubby's officemate mentioned about this place and hubby knowing that I love banofee pie told me about it. The place is cozy and is full packed. What did we order? of course banofee pie, praline banana cream pie, americano coffee for me and home made iced tea for hubby and kurt. It was good!!! still thinking though if I like this better than Sonja's.

Here's some of the pictures I snagged from blogs I searched in Google.

http://thepalacioskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/03/restaurant-review-banapple.html:


http://overdosemd.blogspot.com/2007/09/banapple-day.html:


And here's pictures of the little boy devouring the banana cream pie and a picture of the "abused" banofee pie (LOL!) taken using hubby's camera phone:
Sorry if its grainy, low tech camera phone, P910 LOL!

Kurt had his first try at trick or treat yesterday in Lexington Village. His cousins actually started with this last year, unfortunately he was not able to join them as francis and I are in the US. We're really excited with this one but a little hesistant in a way. One, we're not sure if kurt will wear his costume. So my criteria when I looked for his costume: 1. should not be complicated to wear, 2. no masks, 3. something that he knows. So what did I get? the ever gasgas costume: Superman! Oh well, no originality at all but this is the safest one that I can get that I can try to make him wear as he knows superman. He also knows spiderman and likes at as it is the first movie he watched in a movie house kaso , the one I saw in Toys R Us with the muscles looks like an old stock and that's the only one available, add that the fact that I can't make him wear the mask. Second concern, he's so duwag now so we're kinda thinking if he'll enjoy it given the kids with scary costumes and houses with halloween decors.

Anyway, the little boy was so excited with his costume that saturday pa lang, he's wearing it na. On the actual day, had to convice him a little as all of a sudden he doesn't want to wear it.

The program in the clubhouse started at 3pm, they chose kids for the best scary costume and cute doggies. Had merienda too then start of the trick or treat. Almost all the houses in the village joined it. We wasn't able to visit to all the houses as we're sooo tired already but still the goodies the kids get was really a lot as in hindi nagkasya sa pumpkin bag that we have to transfer it too a plastic bag. Some really good loot that we were able to see and some get: popcorn (forgot the name but it's the popular one)- as in they have a popcorn maker there in front of the house, three houses had dirty icecream, one had cotton candy but the line was very long, hotdog on stick, taho but they don't have disposable cups na when we got there, imported chocolates, cookies, small pack of cornflakes, choco nuts, marshmallows. Then the usual candies, lollies, chips and a whole lot more!

Some of the kids even had two plastic bags full of goodies but since my little boy can't get near houses that are spooky and those wearing costumes, we weren't able to get a lot like them. Anyway, here's a picture of his loot after we have eaten some! hehehe! syempre pati kami ng dada nya enjoy.



And here's the little boy in his superman costume:



And here he is with his cousins:


Here are more pictures with the scary kids. I just wish we had more pictures.

Ok.. so hubby and I went home at past 1am from our Bagaberde gimik and I think we went to sleep at around 3am looking for more news regarding the Glorietta accident. So, I am worried that I will be really tired to go home to Batangas that saturday morning.

My brother, who's working in Singapore arrived that thursday since it was his birthday and he wants all of us to go home to Batangas to celebrate there. He also wanted that we leave Manila early to spend more time in Batangas and at the same time, to avoid the traffic. Good thing, I still woke up early, I think around 8am, packed up, had breakfast then prepared kurt. It will only be me, kurt and yaya as hubby has other commitments for that day. We went first to fill up the gas then straight to Makati and meet up with my brother and sister in law. I drove up to the Petron gasoline station in SLEX, I could actually drive until we get home but decided to let my brother drive instead. We arrived there lunch time. Ate adobo, pinakbet and sinaing na tulingan. After lunch, I went to sleep, to recharge since for sure we'll be staying up late that night. Then around late afternoon, I cooked spaghetti, it's actually my first time to cook the simple sweet style spaghetti and I am happy kasi mabenta sya. We had that for merienda. Then we prepared na for dinner which are bulalo, turbo chicken and ate ireen will be bringing pancit lang-lang since it's her birthday that day. Early evening, we already started with the videoke then got a call from hubby telling me that his bowling tournament that night got cancelled so he'll follow us, he'll just take the bus so yehey!! Hubby arrived past 10pm and we're really having a good time singing. It was really fun. Kurt as usual would want to get the microphone so he could sing as well. We really had a great night. They downed 3 bottles of Chivas!

The next day, we ordered lomi for breakfast, since we wont be staying for lunch na. It was not as good as the one our neighbor cooks pero we still enjoyed it. Then, when we're in Lipa na, that's when we realized that its lunch time na pala so we stoppped by Gotohan sa Baranggay and ate lunch there. Yummy yummy goto! kurt was the first one to finish his food. Syempre pa, favorite nya kaya ang sabaw. Very cheap lunch, it only cost us P291! and that's for 5 people!

We droppped by my in laws house in Lipa first as Istong wants to have a picture of the two new labrador puppies taken (oooppps.. which reminds me, I have to download it from my phone). It seems that kurt missed staying there as he still doesn't want us to leave. Hubby drove until the end of Turbina in Calamba then I took over driving until we got home.

We're so tired that hubby and I decided to have a body massage that night! really really good! of all the spas in our village, i still liked the massage of Sublime the best.

My boss gave me two free tickets to watch John Lesaca's In My Life show in Bagaberde, Roxas Blvd. last thursday. It's actually from one of her partners here in the office but since her husband will be arriving from an out of the country trip on the same night as the show, she decided to give it to me.

I am familiar with John Lesaca, I know he's into classical music, being violinist. I am curious to watch it but not totally excited.

Friday came and all go with the plans of watching the show until the Glorieta incident came. Hubby is not comfortable of going out that night, worried about security since Bagaberde is a crowded place. Around 6pm, we've decided not to go so I am looking for someone who can use the ticket kasi sayang namin but most of my officemates has other plans and I am in the client in the office anyway.

I am the one who brought a car since hubby's is on coding. He wanted me to pick him up from Makati. At first, I am hesitant because of the traffic in EDSA going to Makati. But I decided to pick him up anyway. We were surprised that it didn't take us an hour from QC-Timog area to Makati, I guess everybody got scared in going to Glorietta. Ayala was so dark and gloomy when we entered from EDSA. SM, Rustans, Landmark and of course Glorietta are closed but Greenbelt is open.

I dropped by the office first to replicate my mails then met up with hubby at the back of my office. He then told me that we'll go ahead with the plan of watching the show. I was not really excited since I have already set my mind that we're not going.

We dropped by Glorietta first and made uzi kaso we can't see much as the area has been cordoned (sp?) off.

We arrived at Bagaberde at past 8pm and surprised to see that most of the guests are old, mostly on 50s-60s I guess. And more suprised (yet happy) that it is a dinner show. Met up with our sponsor and he showed where we could seat. Dinner consist of: soup, salad, steak wrapped with bacon (forgot what it's called), mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables. Green House, a band consists of the alumni of UP's Alpha Phi Omega fraternity was playing, they are the organizers of the show anyway.

At past 10pm, John Lesaca started and whoa! we were so in awe. Never thought that we'll enjoy it as much as we did. He is really good! Some of my favorite repertoire are:

- Hindi kita malilimutan (didn't know that he was the one who composed the song)
- surprised to see Roxanne Barcelo (of PBB and RX) was there and that she sings beautifully
- My Strength - a song composed by Noelle Cassandra, dedicated to her mom. She is very good in playing the harp, and her voice is as hubby put it "pang high school musical" while for me pang Disney cartoons theme song.
- Am I the same girl - performed by John Lesaca. He looks so cool while playing his violin with matching kembot pa, really really cool
- Waters of March by Sergio Mendez performed by Tots Tolentino - really talented saxophonist! and funny too!
- Twilight time by Platters - still performed by Tots Tolentino
- I also enjoyed it when all of them played together, they played this song which I forgot the title with this lyrics: "Tatanda, at lilisan rin ako, ngunit mayroong awiting iiwanan sa inyong alaala. Dahil minsan tayong nagkasama..." Really good ender.

hay, super sulit that we watched the show. Was glad that we've decided to go after all.

Been a while since I last blogged. Busy at work, conducting trainings.

Happening this weekend:

We went to Anilao, Batangas. Hubby with his officemates had a cleanup dive and we tagged along. We stayed in Pier Uno and the place is great for relaxation. It's a dive resort actually but we enjoyed nonetheless, I would really love to have a vacation house beside the beach. It's just so relaxing and recharging. We arrived at Pier Uno, saturday morning, too bad the weather is not cooperative, it's raining. Stayed for a while in our room to rest then we head off for our buffet lunch. After lunch, we (Kurt and Yang-yang) changed to our swimming attire with the hope of having a dip in the water, unfortunately Kurt is so afraid of the waves that he preferred throwing stones (since in Anilao, it's all stones, no sand on shore) on the water, while it's drizzling. We just watched hubby and team prepared for their dive. Some might see it as boring but I actually enjoyed doing nothing, though there were few moments i wished i brought a book or magazine. After that kurt grew tired throwing stones that he asked us to go back to the room and sleep. That's something new, he's the one who requested for an afternoon nap. I guess he's so tired to think we woke up really early, though he was sleeping on our way to Anilao. Dinner was buffet again. There were three performers during dinner, one lady singing, one in organ and one in guitar and I felt like we're in a rustic province bar. I really thought that they're the only entertainers for the night. I really grew tired of them so we decided to go to our room to rest already. Good thing our room is near the dining area, as we heard my name called in the raffle and we also learned that "Color it Red" is performing. Now, that is Entertainment! Kurt enjoyed watching the band that he doesn't want to go to bed yet, he's actually crying in our room pleading that he go with dada to clap and sing. He's so funny because he's using the wooden key chain as his drum stick or microphone. He's really enjoying his first band watching =)

Next day, we woke up at around 8:30am. I set up the alarm, fearing to lose the chance to eat breakfast. LOL

Had buffet breakfast, changed to swimwear for an attempt to dip into the water but to no avail again. Kurt really doesnt like the sea. Sayang ang shopping ko ng floaters. I bough him a life vest, ring floater, arm floater and we also have a beach ball. LOL So we contented ourself again to watching the divers prepare for another dive then when we got tired of it, went back to our room.

Francis then called us that it's time for lunch, buffet again! I think, I gained some pounds there! LOL! After lunch, we packed up our things then left for Manila.

We bought lanzones along the zigzag road in Cuenca, it's so sweet!

We went straight to Vibal for the bingo. When we got there, we were lucky to be playing the last three games. It was fun and what's even better is I won in the grand prize! Weehee! my first time! I was so happy even if we had a triple tie. I won in the "blackout" game and my winning number is G-48. The prize was P10,000 and since there were three of us, we divided the money.

After bingo, we had a family dinner to celebrate our winning, LOL! actually, it's hubby's advance birthday celebration. We ate at Aveneto in SM Hypermart in Pasig. Food was really great, we ordered 3 kinds of large pizza: Pepperoni, Howie's special (my favorite) and Special, then 3 kinds of pasta: Carbonara, Nut & Pesto Seafood, Meatballs parmigianna then mommy and daddy ordered seafood salad and tossed salad. Food is so yummy! It was a great weekend. We got home really tired. Funny that on our way home from Aveneto, kurt and his cousin sean are playing in the car, kurt is saying mine and sean is copying him. we realized then that he really has a very wide vocabulary already.

Day ending, well, we fixed our things first then kurt settled in to and watched Narnia while trying to fall asleep, we are all so tired that we slept with the lights on and Narnia still playing on the TV.

What a weekend!