Tagaytay for a Good Friends' Wedding

I'm going to Tagaytay for the third time this year. This time, it's going to be for a good friend's wedding. 

I'm excited to take pictures! Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! 

I don't get to do this often with my little girl around, so I am taking advantage. 

I'm also excited since this will be my and my active son's first out-of-town date. I'm sure he'll be enjoying the hotel, and he has only asked one thing from me so far - to swim. 

Zivv at 1

 “I'm so proud of you that it makes me proud of me. I hope you know that.”  

John Green, Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Next week, I'll be planning a date with my little girl. Which of these suggestions from Take Your Child on a Date By Wayne Parker, About.com Guide could we do ...

Make and fly kites

Go through old family pictures

Go on a hike and take pictures

Tour a local museum or historic site 
Go to a sporting event

Visit the local zoo

Assemble a jigsaw puzzle

Go on a trail ride on horseback

Attend a stargazing event at a local planetarium

Traea at 1

“My daughter and two sons are the flowers in my heart and garden.”
― Ana Monnar

J'aime Ma Famille! I Love My Family!

As a child my family and I lived in San Juan and Fairview was really far. Still, we'd go there regularly on weekends to visit our cousins and cousins from Iloilo would stay with us for the summer. We always enjoyed playing and watching rented movies with each other. 

I remember the awkward years when we became teenagers but that didn't last long. We'd eventually go out on gimmicks together.When we had our own children, we'd still visit each other. It probably helped that the kids came in batches so there were always topics to talk about and reason to get together.  

Even so, I've never appreciated the closeness until now. Maybe that's because it had always been there so I never really felt it out-of-the-ordinary. I can really appreciate it now that I see our kids enjoying each other so much. They look forward to seeing and playing with each other, as much as we, the adults, look forward to sitting around and talking about everything under the sun. It's a warm feeling when the kids prefer each other over friends because it means they're happy at home with family.

I'm glad I have my family. Weekends are always so much fun. Doesn't really matter if it's in Fairview, Mira Nila or even Alabang, as long as we're all together creating wonderful memories with the kids. 

“I sustain myself with the love of family.”-Maya Angelou

Staglorette

I and some of my high school friends went to Tagaytay two weekends ago to have what I coined "Stagelorette" but sis told me yesterday it sounds better if the "e" was removed. Coined it as such because it was an out-of-town affair for a good high school male friend who is about to get married. There were ladies, and there were gents, thus a fusion of the words Stag and Bachelorette - Staglorette.  

 Cliffhouse

Buon Giorno

View from the host's home at Canyon Woods

It was different fun. Of course you associate high school friends with high school activities, but then I suppose we've all grown up and our fun too. Nonetheless, it was memorable. 

We'll be back here in the coming weekend to celebrate the wedding. 

I'll be going with my handsome eight year old date, and it's going to be a treat for him since we'll be staying at a hotel again. 

Dad and adorable baby girl staying in Manila. 

I'm sure I'll be able to collect really nice pictures. 

Shabu-Shabu

When work comes, other work follow. Working on an on-going project, and beginning a new project. I'm taking a quick time off from them to put my thoughts into words. 

I don't know what it is with going out to eat that I like so much, but I like it so much especially when it's with the kids no matter how stressful it can sometimes get. Shabu-Shabu, Rockwell was fun with them beside me, eating. It's a surprise how much they like it, and I'm happy they do because it's healthy food.  

Dinner's about to begin.

Waiting for the grandparents so we can all go down to Rockwell's parking lot and go home.

Now going back to work so we can have more eating out in the future. 

 

Life Happens and I Tag Along

A lot has happened since my last blog. It wasn't just the work but life events that happen in an instant you might forget. I want to write about them already, but more work have come. 

When you're a freelancer like me, you have to schedule your time wisely to accommodate work that may come along in hurried and unexpected times.

 

"Don't wish it was easier wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge wish for more wisdom" - Jim Rohn

So I'll just tag the events for now and write about them later.

 Shabu-Shabu with family.

Tagaytay with friends.

"I believe that every single event in life happens in an opportunity to choose love over fear." -Oprah

Work Days

I will be working like my daughter who has been actively at work since the beginning of the new year. 

 

Working for the next two days will mean time to earn, time to learn, time to glorify and time to rest from activities I usually enjoy and feel blessed to be doing. 

 

Tagaytay Day 2 Evening

Little girl wanted me to carry her the whole time. She didn't want to walk. She didn't want to say hello to people. She most definitely didn't want to walk down the aisle. Well, it was enough that she wore her dress, that's one mountain climbed for my very cautious daughter. Just like me when I was a flower girl for my Tita Via's wedding back in the 80's when I was six, she slept through the whole wedding rite. 

Sleeping on Mommy's lap at San Antonio De Padua Church.

Meanwhile, my big boy was his usual bubbly, active and out-going self. 

Climbing up the steel bars at Church. Photo by: Justin Sta. Maria Aquino

Festivities began at Splendido, Tagaytay and she was herself again. Playing around with familiar faces and even going up to her Papa Lolo and Mama Lola while they were in the middle of the floor giving their speech. Kuya on the other hand was with his fellow bearer boys playing with their tablets on the other table. 

With her grandparents in the middle of the floor.

Overall, I think it was a good experience for all of us as family. We've attended weddings, and my son has been bearer numerous times before, but this was one wedding they enjoyed because of the mini vacation that came with it. 

As mom, I hope I did well to make them remember the whole experience lovingly - flaws and all.  

Tagaytay Day 2 Morning

I got up early to have my coffee and morning musings alone. Went down to have my second cup of coffee at the lobby while waiting for the buffet breakfast to open, and as I did, tinkered with Instagram. I am loving Instagram. Love how I get to see different pictures from all over the world. Going back to my breakfast, below was how the place looked very early in the morning. It was lovely actually.

Towards the end, ate with my in-laws as they too went down to have their breakfast. After the yummy buffet breakfast which included the usual Filipino food, I started to fix my self up already. After that, it was the kids' turn. Of course waking up meant a little bit of snuggling first. 

A little snuggle goes a long way to make your child happy the whole day.

Cooperative but sleepy and tired of having his picture taken.

Got her to wear this without much fuss. Purple and white Dora rubber shoes.

She doesn't like dresses, but she sure loves make up.

It was certainly a busy morning, but it was fun dressing myself up and my kids. 

I can only do my best and hope that my kids will remember these times as happy and fun. For sure these times I will fondly remember.

Tagaytay Day 1

The schedule we had at Tagaytay was just right. We went up in the late afternoon and thanks to my in-laws right away to our room in Taal Vista Hotel since they had gone ahead of us. 

The kids were so excited about the spacious room, and even more excited to see the Suite their Papa Lolo, Mama Lola and Titas were staying in. My son asked why we weren't staying there with them, and I explained that it was the special room because the bride was staying there. We went back to our room where they enjoyed jumping on the bed and watching black and white Cartoon Network. I even saw Tara - a student from when I was teaching - and her family as models for the hotel ad. 

After a little bit of rest, we headed to the Cliffhouse to have dinner. There, the kids enjoyed walking in the cold, especially my daughter. 

Walking around in the cold.

Cliffhouse has a nice hotel to stay at with its view and restaurants to choose from. I saw a steak house! Yum! Maybe we'll try it next time we go back to Tagaytay. 

Hoping for a happy and productive week ahead. 

Back From Work

Have been working for the past two days and I must say it was pleasantly fast and easy given that I have rested for two weeks and expected a slow pace at the beginning. 

During my breaks, I would play with my newly set-up Instagram on the Family Tab. Loving Instagram!   

 

Caught her in a good mood to agree with me to wear the dress for a little while so I can take a picture of her

http://instagr.am/p/UTaPnVPkgs/












Good mood and a little bribery.
http://instagr.am/p/UTbHrGPkhJ/
















We'll be attending a family wedding this weekend in Tagaytay. So it's going to be like a mini vacation for my family. Hopefully, the cautious little girl wears the dress and enjoys the event. Crossing my fingers that everything goes well so she does.

The kids are excited because we'll be spending the weekend at a hotel.  

I'm excited to be spending it with them, lounging around in our pajamas the whole morning and clicking away for those captured memories for our albums, and Instagram too!

I really am at my happiest when on vacation in a hotel (a shared pleasure with my son) with my husband and children.
 

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” ― Mother Teresa

 Enjoy your weekend with family however it makes you happy. 

Work Day Today

It's work day today.

Smashbook

Found something really interesting. SMASHBOOK. It's a journal of your thoughts, ideas, experiences, anything and everything under the sun you'd like to keep a memory of. 

 Google Pictures

You may or may not put a theme. I think one of the advantages of having one is if you freely put there the things you want to put, at the end you'll see it makes it's own theme that can reveal to you what you may not even know about yourself. It reminds  me of Sarah Ban Breathnach's Illustrated Discovery Journal which I do too. 

Google Pictures

I'm thinking if I should get one or make my own. Making your own is a novelty in itself, but acquiring things such as this also helps you to create. Seeing, smelling and holding materials aid in thinking and feeling creatively. It doesn't hurt to help creative people by supporting their work too.  

Beginning My First Project Part 3

The first page usually sets the tone of the whole album. My first page usually represents how my husband and I are at our relationship. While doing this one, I realized I'm not so stressed over making it perfect and ideal. I enjoyed making it and added a recent conversation we had. My only concern would be the children's inquiries later on which I'm sure I can answer. So I'm hoping they would ask me when they're already adults themselves :) 

  

Living Life

"The only way to have a life is to commit to it like crazy."

- Angelina Jolie

 Tweet by Women of History

I agree. This is very true in so many ways. It can also be misinterpreted in a dangerous way. My prayer for us today is that we find the right balance of crazy to live our best lives. May you enjoy your Saturday with great love and appreciation.  

Beginning My First Project Part 2

After doing errands in Ortigas, I walked to Mega Mall and did what I enjoy doing exactly the way I always do it. I went straight to Fuji Film to have our pictures printed. Then I went to Simple Joys and National Bookstore. These places are a challenge. I always want to buy everything. Good thing I've learned to  focus on what's needed. Right now, it's my and husband's album, which means I don't allow myself to buy anything else - even if I do find the pink ribbon so cute for Traea's album or adorable train embellishment for Zivv's album. This time, I passed by Filbars too to get my yearly back issues. Such an enjoyable trip. Despite the heat and increasing number of people on the MRT, I was still smiling. 

Sorting pictures
Additional paper and embellishments

I already have an idea for our 
cover page. Yipee!   

My favorite magazines, Oprah and My Home. Added Sharon to the list when I saw her topics. Didn't find Martha Stewart this time though. These are good magazines to  draw layout and design inspirations from. They have nice pictures to cut out too.   

Beginning My First Project Part 1

Today I begin my first project of the year - mine and husband's album. Since it's not very earth friendly, but I love doing it, have decided to print a photo or two for each mini-milestone and put it in an album filled with adorable paper and notes. I have to admit that using embellishments is a challenge for me. I tend to stick to the basic and focus on a specific layout. I like it that way, but maybe I should venture out some more. We'll see. These are the materials I have so far.

So far these are my materials. 

Scissors my sister never got back that I've been using for 10 years now, and my glue. 

DCWV Paper my friend of 18 years gave me as a Christmas gift. Found these Kakuzoko Bags at Greenbelt 5 and will see what I can do with these on an album.

As I've mentioned, use of embellishments  is a challenge so I make use of already made ones and beautiful creations I see. The box is from Simple Joys and beside it is an old calendar of pressed flowers.

I have two pages left here so I'll be using that and then I'll have to make a cover page for the new one. 


  


I look at my previous albums to see what I've done so far, get ideas and weave ideas together so there's continuity in what I do. I also look at others' ideas. Once I've done that, I try not to look again so that what I do is always fresh and from the heart. 

I'm going to Mega Mall today and see what other creative materials I can use. Enjoy your Friday as I know I will enjoy mine.

Table

I've been practicing Simple Abundance by Sarah Breathnach for two years now. In fact, I read her book two years in a row. This year, I wanted to read it again to guide me in my everyday walk, but decided to let it go and practice what I've learned on my own. 

So last year, when I was walking along my MRT to Makati and back route, and doing a little Christmas shopping, I found these beautiful table knick knack holders or what I choose to call them. I once saw on the same Landmark spot some things I regretfully didn't buy so this time I took the chance and grabbed them. A week after they weren’t there anymore. The same happened in Simple Joys. I found several beautiful items. One of which is a mug that I now use for my morning coffee. That store is so wonderful. It makes me want to buy all the things in there, but when you practice Simple Abundance, you'll know which items are yours. 

You see, in Simple Abundance, you only buy what tugs you in the heart, and these tugged mine so hard, so fast, I had to grab them. Of course, it’s not as simple as that, you’ll have to read the book to know how to know if something is really meant for you. The principles in the book are weaved together.

So here they are on my table. They are beautiful reminders of what life is all about for me.

Mug from Simple Joys, Mega Mall

Table Knick Knack Holders, Coasters and Pen Holder from Landmark, Makati

My table at home that used to be Mama's. This is where I pray, work and play.

Starting The Year Right

I start the year right with the right tools. Bible to start each day right with a clear and open heart. Notebook for everyday blessings I am grateful for. Notebook for my thoughts. Big notebook for ideas. Pens to write smoothly with. 

Plans for 2013

One of my plans for 2013 was to start blogging again with a new name. Unfortunately, all the names I want were taken. This led me to look at my old blog. Looking through the past posts made me see a different me. Neanderthal, no. Young, yes. I have matured after all :D

Looking through it reminded me of the past that was and how it all came to be. I remember my sister introducing me to it. It was a good avenue to share pictures and thoughts about my first born son. 

It would’ve been nice too if I had continued it during my first try at being a stay-at-home mom, but it was cut short by a good opportunity to work part time which became full time. The job was a good learning experience but it took a lot of my time, energy and idealism. Nonetheless, I am grateful. It opened a whole new world for me which I am still in. It was also during that time that I had my second baby – a girl. Complete you think, but that’s for another post. Reminds me of Smart Parenting’s November 2012 issue on Mommy Diaries: Should We Have One More? By Vicki Glembocki.  

So, I have decided to keep this one, as well as the older posts. My past will always be a part of me no matter how good or bad. They are part of what made me into what I am today. Let’s see what I’ll think a year from now.

Here’s to new and better posts that enrich minds, hearts and souls. Cheers!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! My wish is for everyone to feel the way I do - happy and looking forward to the new year. I have so many plans for this year. So many new things to see, new food to taste, new activities to try. With the kids around, there will definitely be new experiences to try. I am open to anything and everything good. See you soon.