It's Never Too Late!

TGIF! 

It’s going to be a long weekend for the esposo and I. It’s not a declared holiday but we can always declare day offs courtesy of our vacation leave.lol On Monday, we’ll be taking the road to Laiya in Batangas for the much anticipated rest and recreation time with the whole in-laws. My PIL will be treating their children’s family to this posh resort for their wedding anniversary. Actually, we wouldn’t file our leaves if we had a choice, but since this resort was so elusive and the only available slot they can provide us is on a weekday, we took it. Their wedding anniversary was last April 25, btw, we we’re trying to get a slot as early as the 1st week of April. Hmp! Acuatico Resort must be worthy of our looong wait, or else. 

This R&R may be considered as our last hooray for summer too. I’m sure my kiddos will have fun with their cousins. I am hoping for a good weather too, the not-raining-but-not-sunny kind of weather, for we will surely be exposed under the sun most of the time. I already geared my babies too, and I am so excited in seeing them in their swimming paraphernalia and all.hehe 

It’s going to be fun!

Silk (4th) Anniversary

I never knew that there were symbols for every year’s milestone until we celebrated our 1st family anniversary [before all I knew were silver (25th), golden (50th) and diamond (75th) anniversaries]. Family anniversary is the term I imposed proposed to call our wedding anniversary, anyway, a wedding is the start of family formation, it is where the couple’s love is sealed and made into a solid union. To make the long explanation short, the more anniversaries, the more reason to celebrate. lol Seriously, I termed it to avoid confusion against our (relationship) anniversary. Since this is a family anniversary, we will have that time of the year where the whole family can celebrate together and we can also have that “just the 2 of us time of the year” during “our” anniversary.

Does that mean our marriage is stronger now? Well, after passing through the paper (1st), cotton (2nd) and leather (3rd) anniversaries, with silk (4th), I can say yes, symbolism wise. It’s harder to tear, it is harder to rip.

But who needs symbolism to tell us we’re solid? As long as the flame of love is still at its burning peak, we know we’ll surpass any ordeal. I’m glad mi esposo and I maintained the bright and positive prospective as we started our relationship 9 years ago. Plus the blessing of additional family members sure does make us sturdier.

I’m excited to celebrate our diamond family anniversary, I hope we can still dance during the reception, I hope our children can afford the expenses for our renewal of vows. lol 

We cling on God’s providence. Thy will be done.

A Fancy Vacation

A group here in the office is busy preparing for their official travel to Palawan this April in relation to the forthcoming PAGBA Seminar. As they are so busy booking their flights and accommodations, I can’t help but jump over their excitement and plan mi own familia’s vacation. Haha

Mi esposo and I have been talking about a trip to a distant place for about forever, I just remembered it again today as I heard my colleague checking on the airfare rate. A trip to somewhere new is a yearly thing with mi familia. We make it a point to relax and unwind in time with the familia’s anniversary (our wedding anniversary actually). We targeted to visit this place last year but since mi bebe was too young, we reserved it to later date for her to enjoy as well. Planning for this trip for the second time around is as thrilling as the first time. But this is not for me to do alone, mi esposo and I always do it hand in hand. I hope it pushes through this year, anyway we still have ample time to prepare and to save-up.

As I checked on the rates over the net, I think this trip is achievable. Only we have to renew our passports sooner.

March 8 Celebrations

Today, March 8 (and every March 8 of every year), I celebrate 2 milestones. 1) I and the world celebrates Women's Day and 2) I and my family celebrates the birthday of Pong, the only nephew so far in the family. And although not a yearly thing, today, 3) I and my in-laws will celebrate the send-off of my BIL.

International Women's Day is a day all women should rejoice just because it is a day specially attributed to us, girls. Have you heard of a Men’s Day? I don’t, so I believe this is something women should be proud of. And this is also a day wherein women are honored and recognized. This year’s theme is "Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures".

Today, Pong is already 8 years old. Every year, he grows bigger and bigger (literally), he’s tall and chubby, bigger than a regular 8 year old boy. He is my big baby, he squish himself in our bed every time he sleeps over. His also a caring and protective kuya to mi bebe. He also has academic achievement this year, I heard. Although we don’t see him often, I know that he feels our love, I just wish he would not forget that. Happy birthday my big baby!

Goodbyes are always bitter-sweet. It’s sad that someone had to leave but we all know it is for the best. My BIL will leave tomorrow for an opportunity to provide a better future for his growing family. His family’s going to miss him so much and I’m sure he’s going to miss them too, but this is for their dream house. This is one exciting change that needs to be celebrated. Farewell and good luck Michael!



PyroMusical Competetion 2012

Update: For our pyromusical experience click here

Mi familia is scheduled to visit my in-laws this weekend. It's been a long time since we last slept-over and they are missing mi bebe bigtime. But my itchy-feet is clinging for another get-away so I suggested we visit MOA on Saturday and watch this years pyromusical competetion. As I checked on the site, China and The Netherlands are scheduled to compete this coming weekend (March 3), this must be good show since China was the champion last year, right? The competition started last February 11 and will last until March 17, with different countries competing every week.  

According to its official website: "The 3rd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition opens at the SM Mall of Asia, the country’s top lifestyle mall by the scenic Manila Bay. This annual event will put on a never-before-seen spectacle of lights and colors where the night sky and sea meet as staged by the world’s leading pyrotechnic experts.This competition will not only paint the Manila sky with brilliant bursts of vivid color, but will also be the venue to showcase the emerging artistry and evolving sophistication of Filipino fireworks technology. The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition will be imbued with the awesome fanfare and delightful displays of the world’s leading pyrotechnic events, but done with that distinct Filipino flourish that will surely bring together eager audiences from all over the region".

Sound exciting, considering this is the family's first time to witness such event. The kids will surely enjoy this one. 

Other schedule: 

• Feb 11 - South Korea and Malta
• Feb 18 - United Kingdon and Spain
• Feb 25 - Finland and Portugal 
• Mar 03 -  China and The Netherlands
• Mar 10 - Australia and Canada
• Mar 17 - Italy and Philippines

Ticket Prices: Patron (with Dinner) P1,500 / VIP P500 / Gold  P300 / Silver  P100

Floor Plan:

For tickets/reservation call: SM Tickets 470.22.22 / TicketNet 911.5555 / TicketWorld 891.9999

15th Month

Mi bebe is growing fast. Everyday, she surprises us with something we never thought she would know or recall. She’s only 15 months. She cannot utter a full word but she communicates. She responds to conversations like “who’s you Tatay?” (she points to wherever her Tatay is), “do you want milk?” (she nods), “let’s feed mash” or “let’s go out” (she automatically asked to be carried). She can gesture a dance move she once saw, she remembers each game we introduced her, she mumble syllables as if singing (you can name that tune). She identifies thing that belongs to her, she calls her favorite doll “bie”, and she grabs her pillow whenever she’s sleepy. She’s happy when we read her a book, she can count ‘til 5 with her finger. She’s techie-baby too, she can navigate her Tatay’s iPhone, turn-off a laptop and use a cellphone.

At 15 months, she already shared fair amount of tantrums. Had made her Tatay mad with her stubbornness, and made me disappointed especially during meal times. She makes me worry with her roughness with kids when she gets excited and concerns me with her stranger anxiety.

Mi bebe is exactly 15 months today, she cannot say an understandable, clear and full word, she still cannot walk on her own, she tests our patience at times, but she never fails to make us happy. She simply is our breath of fresh air.

Facebook Timeline

Seen below is my current profile picture on Facebook. This was taken during my MIL’s Christmas treat in Tagaytay last year.

my kids! =)

I heard from the news that Facebook is about to enforce the Timeline Setting to all its active social networkers. It is still optional until now, but on Monday, Timeline is going to be mandatory - read: the profile page we know and love will be totally revamped - whether we like it or not. Via the official Facebook blog, the site announced, “Last year we introduced timeline, a new kind of profile that lets you highlight the photos, posts and life events that help you tell your story. Over the next few weeks, everyone will get timeline. When you get timeline, you'll have 7 days to preview what's there now. This gives you a chance to add or hide whatever you want before anyone else sees it”.

People over the web make fuss about this, they say it exposes their entire networking history. They say, it reincarnates off pictures and posts that they might have wanted to forget. If you ask me, I also dislike Timeline, but that is just because I don’t like how it looks, to quote my friend, “it looks so Friendster-ish”, I do not like the photos screaming at your face and your whereabout is so stalker-friendly (I read that photo and albums can now be tagged with locations). Nice thing is that, Timeline comes with “hide” button. Which btw annoys me as well, I just don’t get why people post something that they really would not want to be seen. Users should be responsible with everything they post over these sites, once you post something, face it, it becomes public property, if you don’t want any comments and whatnots from seers, then don’t post, simple. I believe it’s the main reason why Facebook regulates the age of its users - R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y. If I may barrow GMA 7’s tagline “Think before you click” – that sums it up.

Yes, I’m furious, did you feel it? That’s because we are not allowed to Facebook here in the office! How can we be friends, oh dear Timeline, if we’re restricted like that. :(  

First Time Abay

That's me. In my 31 years of existence I just walked down the aisle two times - one of which was ofcourse my own wedding in 2008 (my first time to march..ever!) and the other was my sister-in-law's, last Dec. 2011. It's not actually my first invite though, I was just so unfortunate to turn down the others for some reason I can not remember anymore. I'm just so glad, Minnie considered us (mi esposo included) as their cord sponsors. She and her husband Emil were already civilly wed for the longest time now, they already have 2 pre-teen kids, their eldest (a girl) is now an in-coming highschool freshman. It is actually their daugther's pre-admission requisite to that catholic-all-girl-school that forced them made them decide to seal their vows in catholic church. 

mi esposo and I as we marched down the aisle

with the wedded and the rest of the secondary sponsors

mi bebe a flower girl wannabe

mi esposo forcing a smile on mi bebe

"the family" as we lead the wine toast 

seems mi bebe is hungry now 

she's hungry alright =)

solid evidence! lol (with her lolo daddy)

day 1 of cold for mi bebe

the family trying to be wacky at the photobooth

as ourselves this time