Disappointed on a cancelled Davao Family Get-away

At the height of our excitement to finalize our itinerary for The Family's get-away
to Davao this Nov.30-Dec.2, Air Asia brought us the bad news. Our flight
was cancelled.  For whatever reason, The Family was really disappointed.

This was a long time dream and plan of The Family to explore Davao - the
Samal Island, Pearl Farm, the Eden Nature, Jack's Ridge Resort, etc. and etc.

This should have been my gift to my self on my big day.

To Air Asia, thumbs down. Even if you will refund our fee, nothing can pay
that cancelled trip.

And just reminding everybody to better double check your flight before
you book your accommodation and tour in your destination.  I almost booked
in Pearl Farm and for sure, refund processing will not be that easy. 

Wazz Up November?

Wazz up with November?  I pray for everybody's safety and good health and
thank you God for keeping us safe from storm Ofel and hurricane Sandy.

What better way to start November than having a long weekend - means
longer bonding time with The Family.

With All Saint's Day a time to pray and bonding time at home, we'll visit
our departed loved-ones tomorrow All Soul's Day.  Weekend will be another
swimming escapade for The Family courtesy of my brother in Pampanga.

And not to forget, Christmas is really really approaching. For sure,
after this weekend, everybody will be on their feet for the Christmas
preparation. For us, we usually put-up our Christmas tree around 3rd week
of November.

What more? Its a month before my birthday... Yahooooooo!!! will be a
year older but wiser and more beautiful!!!

And guess what? Something is brewing for The Family .this November.

Rainy October?

October just started and rainy days are here again.

I just wish it won't stay too long and no-no please on the last week
of October because The Family would like to enjoy its family bonding time
under the son.

And its the first day of the BER months....

And today is the first day of the BER months....Is it beginning to feel or look a lot
like Christmas?  Well, I just heard today a Christmas carol that was played before
the PTA assembly in my son's school started.

Despite recent calamities and loss of one great statesman Sec. Jesse Robredo,
there are still overflowing wonderful things that we should be thankful of.
And the start of the BER months is one way of giving hope to many to remember
and celebrate the birth of the only Saviour. 

Since it is nearing the last quarter of the year, I pray that everything will
work out fine according to His will - for my family, for the bread and butter
of The Family and for the country.

Resorts World Manila - A Lucky Chinese New Year for me

Relax, Shop, Dine, Enjoy and Play - all rolled into one where The Family can really
enjoy - Resorts World Manila.

It was last January 22-23 when The Family decided to experience RW Manila
in time for its Chinese New Year celebration.  As expected, series of entertainment
graced the event and was really jam-packed. 

Not to describe & criticize in detail the RW Manila but having been in RW Sentosa
Singapore where the famous Universal Studio is one of its main attractions,
can't help but somehow compare.  RW Manila still has a lot more to improve
on to stand up to the renowned RW - in terms of outside & building interior,
parking lot, number of luxury shops and restos, and gaming attractions for kids. 

Relax - It has the all-suite luxury hotels of Maxims Tower and Mariott Hotel but
we ended up to its budget Remington Hotel. Remington is good for those who
will just have few hours of sleep-over like us who stayed out most of the night
for the celebration and tried playing in its Casino.

Shop - A number of high-end shops like Bergamo, Bvlgari, Anne Klein, Paris
Hilton located at the Ground floor of Newport Mall while others are the usual
- Giordano, Guess, Adidas, Bench in the 3rd floor where I bought a nice
blouse-shirt

Dine - With few fine dining restos, bars and cafe.  Its good there is McDonalds
for the kids and Starbucks, UCC, Coffee Bean and the likes of Crepes and Cream
that can fit the budget of The Family.

Enjoy - It has its Newport Performing Arts Theater where the Sounds of Music
was shown, the Bar 360 for musical acts and acrobatic performances and
of course watch movies in comfort and luxury at the Newport Cinemas. 
Next time, The Family will try to watch movie there.

Play - Of course, we didn't miss to try its Casino. It was Chinese New Year
so I tried my luck while in red shirt.  I was more than lucky that I won few
bucks.  All expense paid by my winnings and still had a little to share with
The Family.  For the kids, the Game Zoo was just launched but
we haven't tried it. 

For sure, there will always be The Family's 2nd, 3rd...nth time for this
one great place of fun, luck and enjoyment. 

What I am looking forward to this 2012

I can say that 2011 was indeed a blessed year for The Family.   This 2012,
I'm praying that it would be a more blessed one - good health, more family
quality bonding time and closer relationship with the Lord. 

For my personal goals:
1. Enhance my technical skills @ work
2. Find time for sports - badminton, swimming, join some fun run
3. Catch-up with long lost friends
4. Eat more healthy food, hopefully lessen coffee intake while @ work.
5. Pursue on my personal business

For The Family's goals:
1. Continue to save for our son's education
2. Support my son's love for his sports - Taekwondo; Encourage him to learn
    swimming, drawing, improve in Math, introduce to him Religion, and most
    especially improve his social skills
3.  And will really pray for a baby brother to Marty. He likes a baby brother
     than sister simply because he wants a playmate.
4.  I want to experience - ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES....

A Blessed 2011 year it was!

2011 was indeed a blessed year for The Family.  More Sunday masses with our
son, no major illness and most of all, more quality bonding time by The Family
despite demanding time from work.

As couple, it was always a Friday night out to rekindle the fire.  Talk of
anything over sumptuous food or just a walk in the mall.

For The Son, he has grown to be a bright and handsome boy.  Completed
his Kinder 1 as Top 3 on their class.  He is great in spelling, reading and
addition.  His new love - Taekwondo.  This made him fit, strong, more
balanced and focused.  The Couple is always looking forward to watching their
Saturday TKD session .  He ended the year with his yellow belt on.

 

 

At work, we were able to overcome pressures, learn new things, meet, new
people in the industry, and enhance our technical skills. 

A closer relationship with each other's family.  More frequent visits to both
my parents and in-law's house.  Spent holiday vacation with them from in and
out of the country.

The Traveling Family - started the 2011 with a New Year in Singapore. We
went to Universal Studio, Singapore Zoo, Marina Bay Sky Park and a stroll
in the Orchard road and malls.

Last May, The Family had seen the Seoul, Korea's best.  A stroll in the Seoul
street, had a taste of their street food and other delicacies. Enjoyed the Han
River cruising, played in the parks and went in the Everland, considered as
Disneyland of Korea. Safari world is also inside.  We'll surely come back to
Everland for the Carribean Bay experience.

A photo-op on the Gwanghamun Square. Marty as heir to the throne...

At the Han River - cruisin and passing through different colored-bridges.

With the addition of baby Reina to the Catalan Family, we went back to
Korea but this time in  Koje island to visit our lovely korean niece last Nov.
Quite a short stay but really enjoyed every second of it.

We also re-visited Clark and had a taste of one of their luxury hotels-Widus-Hotel Vida. 

Also stayed in the city hotels with the family to celebrate special occasions
- Fathers' Day in Astoria Plaza, Christmas in Rockwell Club and New
Year in Shangrila Makati with the Santos Family.

@ the lobby of Shangri-la, Makati with Marty's beautiful cousins...

@ the Ayala Triangle Gardens watching the Christmas Lights show...

Not taking out into account, few bucks were saved also for the schooling
of my son.

As for my personal life, it was all about being a working mom.  Never had
the chance to catch up with old friends and no sports at all.  Maybe those
are the two things I also have to look forward to this 2012.

Over-all, it was really a BLESSED 2011 for me and for The Family.
For all of these, we gratefully thank the LORD.

A little rest after the New Year rush...

I think this will be the first Saturday that we will stay in the house after quite
a long time now. Its because my husband is a little sick and wants to rest
from last week's New Year rush.

Its a time also to sort-out and declutter things, clean the house, play with my
son and prepare a great lunch for The Family.  Whew....is that what you call rest? 

Anyways, a quality bonding time with my family is still the BEST.

Santa has dropped by..

Christmas has landed our home and look who has dropped by to see my son.

After 4 years of freeze-buying of Christmas decor, I finally got this Santa
for my son.  He is actually a fan of Santa and takes every photo-op
with him. 

 

Still too early but Santa will surely come back on Christmas eve.

Awesome Family Jumpshot Photos!

When my son started to learn the Jumpshot photo @3,  he can't resist doing
it every time the family gets together for a vacation.

The first jumpshot at Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui, HK last December, 2009

In our Spring vacation in South Korea, my son initiated this jumpshot photo.
Taken during our Hangang River ferry cruising last May, 2011.

A jumpshot photo in the coldness of Spring and brightness of the Cherry
Blossoms @ the Yeouido Park, Seoul.

And as being used to it, he forces everybody to do the wacky jump
shot - AWESOME!
This was taken in our recent visit to Koje Island of South Korea last Nov, 2011.

Hoping for a more Jumpshot photos with The Family.  It is more than a burst of happiness.

For now, excited for a Macau and another HK Family Jumpshot photos.
Woot....Woot......

My Korean Script Starbucks Mug

I am a coffee addict and I also love to buy coffee mugs with unusual designs. 

Luckily, I brought home with me my greatest find in Korea - The Korean Script mug

from Starbucks(Korea Starbucks Limited Edition).

I bought it for 7,000 won which is around 301PHP.  Kinda cheaper than here in
the Philippines.  

It is safely packaged in an elegant box ready for gift-giving.  This was one of our
"pasalubong" to our friends and they just loved it. 

Christmas is just around the corner

Had attended several halloween parties with my son these past days but
unfortunately, my digital cam's lense was broken.  I was forced to make use
of my old digicam which turns off every time a shot is taken.  So depressing...

And now that christmas is fast approaching, for sure a lot of happenings will
transpire and have to take photos of them.  I have to snatch up 7K from our
savings and buy one the soonest.

Just this morning of Nov. 2, we assembled our christmas tree and put some
decors in our garage.  Marty was so happy watching the christmas tree lights
dancing in different sequences.

While there are still sale from several malls, have to complete buying gifts for
our families, relatives, friends and "inaanaks".  This time, I don't want to see
my self anymore in a rush for beating the christmas mall hours.  Everything
should be planned and within budget. 

With the late rising of the sun and  the coldness in the morning, christmas is
just around the corner.

September Rush

Its the start of the BER months already.  It only means that Christmas
is already fast approaching and soon another year-ender for 2011.

For me, its the start of the rush mode for many things - my September Rush:
-completion of 2011 projects @work
-revisiting finances - savings and budget
-accomplishing my personal and family goals for 2011
-being a mall rat to look for great items on sale as christmas gifts
-preparing for another vacation for The Family this November

You? How do you prepare for the last quarter of the year?

Kumon Chronicles of my son - moving up to Reading 4A level

My son just completed the 5A level in Reading in two weeks and will now be in
4A level.

Although, he always tell me that he already knew the lessons in 5A on his
Kinder 1 class, he never missed any worksheet unanswered. He also enjoyed the
story reading time in the center after answering the assigned worksheets to him.
Even at home, he is prompt in doing his take home worksheets.  And every time,
he comes home with an Excellent stamp, he is very proud of his small
accomplishments. 

As what I observed after his two weeks  session, he has improved his mastery
of words.  He improved a lot in oral spelling not only on three-letter words but
also on 5 to 6 letter words (white, school, night, window, door, table, child, sight
and etc.)

For his 4A level, he is expected to continue developing pre-reading skills by
saying words with consonant blends, consonant digraphs, consonant-controlled
vowels, and long vowels produced by the silent e.

Well for now, it is working with my son. He doesn't get bored and I hope he
will not.  Since I cannot get him to studying his lessons when we are together
and all he wanted is to play with me, I'll take advantage of this Kumon way.

Rainy Monday of August 1

I again hit the snooze button of my  cellphone alarm and went back to sleep
for another 30 minutes.  I have to say sorry for my son because its his yaya
who fed and took him a bath this morning for school.  I still felt tired for the
activities we had this weekend. 


But when I remember that its August 1, its Monday and its a rainy day,
I immediately jumped from bed and prepared my self for work.

Oh yes, it will really be a panic and manic Monday @work. Review and
reporting of deliverables for the past month, continuing whats on the plate
and preparing for the upcoming assignments. 

Despite the unfavorable weather,  everything must go on by facing the
day with a smile and positive vibes. 

Have a safe Monday everyone!!!

My new baby Body Bag

This chic Mango body bag had been with me every weekends' walk for more than

1.5 years. I bought this last December 2009 which was my birthday gift to my self.

I love its 2-compartments style, its shiny dark chocolate color and its shape and

size is just enough to contain my kikay stuff and gadgets. 

 

It has gone places too.  Its very functional that it allowed me to carry just anything

with my two hands while all my money, gadgets and make-up were safe on this

body bag. It saved me the worrying part of ensuring that my bag is with me all

the time.

And if not for its faded color and its worn-out synthetic leather, I will not replace

my baby. It just made me look cool with anything I wore with this body bag.

Needless to say, it  already paid up for its value. Good bye my all-time fave

body bag.

After being a mall rat in looking for my new baby, I found this black and quite

stylish body bag from Esprit. 

Black is great since it matches all colors.  I love the front and its base design 

which allows me to fit in all my stuff and gadgets + a little more space left. Its

made of synthetic leather. Lucky me, I bought this with a little discount.

Just hope that my new baby can bear with me in all my walks...