My 1st And 2nd Time

. . . to meet such fine and respectable bloggers!

On my short stint at Manila 2 months ago, I made sure to see some of my blogging friends; and Ate Lena is surely on top of the list because I have met her before and became a really good friend. I contacted Ate Beng of Beyond My Quiet Zone; Ate Liza of A Simple Life, Mom's Check Nyo, Mommy's Little Corner; another Ate Lisa of In My Kitchen, My Online Journal; and Kap Marie of Vanidosa.Marie.

Ate Lena as always, was available. Ate Beng and Kap Marie responded as well, and we exchanged mobile numbers. Ate Liza was busy, while the other Ate Lisa was at Pangasinan. I, being the link of the 3, asked them each when they will be available and where they prefer to meet up. Ate Beng was so polite to agree at anytime and at any place, considering she lives in the far North.

I set-up the meeting on a Friday, 18th of December at Mall of Asia around lunch time. Sadly, Kap Marie could not make it because she's got a party to attend to that afternoon. So it's just Ate Lena, Ate Beng and me.

As the Little One and I were on the way there, I got a text from Ate Lena that she'll be a few minutes late because her GrandSon Ethan was sick. She said she just could not say 'NO' to me. "Wow, ang lakas ko kay Ate Lena!"

Kaiden and I went around the mall and got him some toys. Ate Beng texted that she's already there, so we walked to where she was. We were on the phone talking as I saw a tall lady walking towards me. I didn't thought Ate Beng was that tall. She said I was pretty, bigla tuloy akong nahiya! Hahaha! I get coy when being praised.

Anyways, we headed towards TGIF where Ate Lena and Ethan were waiting. When we got there, I introduced the 2 lovely ladies to each other and Ate Lena acquainted Ethan with Kaiden.

As the gorgeous adults started talking . . .

The cute little rascals began playing. They got along pretty well. Ethan is so nice as I know he was being patient with my Little One's kakulitan! Kaiden kept on hugging him and giving him kisses! He even want to take Ethan with us! I tried, but Ethan doesn't want; he said he wants to stay with his Mum (Ate Lena).

While we were talking, we got entertainment on the side, as the crew performs a dance number everytime 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas was being played.

Ate Lena, Ate Beng and I talked about our respective lives, other bloggers, celebrities and even politics. Ate Lena was the one who's got connections everywhere! And like last time, time ran out and we have to go our separate ways.

I am so glad to have met Ate Beng (my 1st) and Ate Lena (my 2nd). Another reason to come home to, to catch up form where we left off.

Thank you ladies! I had such a wonderful time! Till my next trip!

P.S.
Thanks again Ate Beng, for your pretty gift! Bawi ako sa pasalubong ko next time!


Gorgeously . . .

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My Valentine Date And Surprise

The Little One was my date last Sunday. Though he said he doesn't feel that it is Valentine's Day because they did not do any art thing at school, unlike last year in Prep. I think he just got the confirmation when the priest briefly mentioned V Day during the Mass.

We got to talk to The Husband when we came back from the church. I was teasing him that I will be waiting for a surprise that day. (I have mentioned before that B's Mum died on Valentine's Day; and his Dad asked the 5 boys not to celebrate V Day, in remembrance of their Mum.) But I wasn't counting on it as I know he's got a lot of things going on and he said that we'll just make up the missed occasions when we're together again.

So Kaiden and I just spent the day eating out from breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had the last meal of the day at a Thai restaurant near our place and the owner said it was sweet having my Son as my date! Most diners were couples or family, at least we're different!

Mid-afternoon, B called if something had arrived. I said none. I asked what it was, he said nothing. I got a bit suspicious because he had been calling almost every half an hour to check if "it" arrived. Then he got no choice but to reveal "it" to me. He said he ordered 'something' for me and the Little Boy to be delivered that Sunday. I was surprised! I told him I understand that we need not to celebrate that day, though he had been doing things every year for me. Then he said: "Do you really think I would let Valentine's Day go without doing something for you, especially now that we're apart?" I was speechless! B do love me! LOL!!!

We came home from dinner, tucked Kaiden to bed and still no delivery. The Husband is getting frustrated. Nobody answers the company phone, so he sent them an email. He said that it will probably be delivered the following day which is totally pointless. I told him that it's alright. The fact that he made an effort to do something for us for that day is enough, late or nothing at all.

Then as I was watching TV, a van pulled up in the driveway. 'IT' had arrived . . . finally, at 15 minutes to 2200H! The lady was very apologetic for the very late delivery.

This was what I got:

The Little One got a plane with toy soldiers. Wasn't able to get pics because I put it next to him in the bed that night and forgot about it as I was takings snaps of the flowers.

I tried calling B several times to let him know that his Valentine surprise were here but his phone was off. Was probably too upset that his plan had a minor (or major?) setback. He was so disappointed on his numerous calls that day.

Valentine's Day is not really that big of a deal for us. I feel like we were over that stage because . . . we're old! Hahaha! Kidding aside, everyday feels like the Day of Love for us, together or apart. Better stop at that, I'm getting cheesy!

Gorgeously . . .

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V Day

"Love, an emotion so strong that you would give up everything. To just feel it once, to know that you are part of something special. To know that you can feel what love really is; to know, to feel, to love."
--Unknown

Gorgeously . . .

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Valentine Tag

Got tagged by Arlene. It has been quite some time since I've done a tag. This is a cute one for Valentine's Day!




Here are some simple mechanics:

1. Post this tag in your blog (multiple blogs allowed) with these mechanics.

2. Don’t forget to use the widget above linking to the site.

3. Post a photo of anything that has the color red.

4. Include also a saying or quote related to LOVE or the LOVE MONTH.

5. Tag as many as you can and instruct them to get back to Arlene's site to leave their url if they have joined.

"If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things you lack.If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough."
--Ann Landers

This is one of the souvenir that we got from our wonderful stay in Latvia.

I am passing this along to Ate Beng, Joy, Michelle, Lynn and Rose.


Gorgeously . . .

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Meeting With An Admirable Blogger

This post should have been done about 7 months ago; but I just got busy.

Anyway, there's quite a few bloggers out there that I can easily relate to and somehow have been my constant cyber friends. One of them is the author of And Life Goes On and Manna From Heaven. I call her Ate LENA.

I admire how she manages everything in her day-to-day life. She is a devoted GrandMa, a doting Mother, a good and very understanding Wife, a fine architect, surely a true and reliable Friend and one smart Blogger!

We met up on my last week in Manila, during my 2nd visit last year. We were suppose to meet earlier but I got prior commitments, then she flew to HongKong for a few days. We finally got to see one another on a sunny and humid Wednesday (22Jul) morning at Mall of Asia. Of course I took the Little One with me.

Ate Lena is lovely and younger in person! Her weight loss made her look young for her age. If I may say, that is one example of growing old gracefully! As we started talking, my Son drifted away and got interested with this:

I haven't been on that particular area of the mall so I do not have an idea what that thing was. Ate Lena gave Kaiden a coin to slide in it. Oh, the Boy did liked it and asked for some more coins. So while they were at it, I snapped a shot. We stayed there for a few minutes then we walked along.




We were about to have lunch when my Son saw the inflatable slides at the open-air entertainment hall. We just let him play there while we had coffee and more than an hour long chit-chat. Talking to her was like talking to a long lost special friend! We could talk for hours and hours if only we have all the time in the world and I don't have an impatient child in tow!

I think we have talked about everything! We have only just met but we opened up about our personal lives, it was like talking to an old friend. Good to know too that Ate Lena is a close mate of my childhood crush back in Fort Bonifacio! Hearing her tell stories about him made me feel like a giggling high school student!

She soon had to go. Kaiden and I stayed a bit longer till I thought of getting his hair done so we traveled back to Makati and went to Rustan's for his hair cut. I so wish we had more time to be together. Feels like we had a lot of catching up to do. And I sure am meeting her again on my next trip home, which I did!

Of course we would not let that first meeting end without photos! We actually asked the mall's security and cleaning aid to take the snaps for us!

Gorgeously . . .

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Our New Year's Eve Holiday

Following the late Christmas entry . . .


When the Husband was away for 4 days after Christmas, we were talking about what to do for New Year's Eve. He told me to look for accommodation along Surfer's Paradise so we can see the fireworks again. I sent him links to what I've found and he said that he'll just check it when he gets home.

He flew back morning of the 30th. By that time, prices of most accommodations went overboard. I could not believe the cost so I told B that we'll just stay put and welcome 2010 here at home.

Minutes after, the Husband told me to pack our stuff because we're going to the Gold Coast! I printed our reservations and found out that we'll be staying at Sofitel. The new year's eve rate alone cost almost $700! You can do the math on how much was spent on hotel accommodation for just a few days. There were different rate for each day from December 30, 31 and January 01, 02. B said it was too late for me to demur because it's already been paid. Am I being stingy? Hahaha! So Sofitel it is.

The Lobby

Our Room Number

Our Bedroom

A simple TV greeting

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The Pool and Tennis Court

The View

Some of the yummy chow we had

6 hours before 2009 bid farewell, it rained. We were having dinner then and got a bit wet because we were in an alfresco dining. Our plan to walk the beach after dinner and wait for the 2100H fireworks were aborted because it was still pouring by the time we were done eating. We walked back to the hotel and watched the fireworks from there.

We were confined in our hotel room because of the rain. The Little One just watched TV as the Husband and I gave in to the bed's temptation . . . we slept, on separate bed! Sofitel's beds and pillows were divine! I had never slept so soundly like that in such a long time!

I got up just a few minutes before midnight and checked outside. The rain stopped so I woke up B and asked him if he still want to see the new year's eve fireworks in the beach. He got lazy to get out of the bed and said that we'll just watch it from our balcony.

The Q1 started the countdown 10 seconds before the clock strikes 12, then the big fireworks! Too bad because the big building a few meters from our hotel was blocking the view of where the fun was happening. All we could see were bits of the fireworks and just its smoke! The Little One was sooo disappointed! It was too late for us to go down and walk to the beach. So we just listened and watched the live telecast on TV at Sydney.

It was the first day of another decade and I won't let that fireworks ruin a beautiful start of the year, so we just stayed on the balcony and watched the people enjoy the street party. B just looked on as Kaiden and I danced with the music and made fun of ourselves!

And of course, took photos.

Gorgeously . . .

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Celebrating Without The Celebrant

Last Sunday was the Husband's birthday. The 2nd time that we celebrated it apart.

The Little One and I gave B a call first thing in the morning. He said he won't have any celebration for there's nothing to celebrate, as he was alone. I told him that I will make that Sunday a special day for Kaiden and me because I want the Boy to have fun on his Dada's birthday.

We had brunch at C'est La Vie and had these:

I felt kinda sad while eating because I kept on thinking about B. That cafe is one of our favorite eating place.

Kaiden and I stayed at the mall all day. B wanted me to get the Little One a special gift for the day. I was about to, but Kaiden misbehaved and got a bit uncontrollable. I gave him a number of warnings that he won't get a toy if he continue to be mischievous. Being the hyperactive boy that he is, he went on. So no toy for him. I explained the consequences of his actions and let him understand that it's not good to disobey Mummy.

It was hard seeing the disappointment in my child's eyes. I was so tempted to get him something and it is very easy to always say 'YES'; but giving in to everything will not teach him anything. Like right now, he thinks that everything is easy and that he can get/do whatever he wants. Sadly, life is not like that. And as a parent, I know I should be guiding/teaching him about the facts of life as early as now.

B and I are thankful that Kaiden is sort of matured for his age. He asks a lot of questions and try to decipher things on his own. You can talk to him and seek for suggestions; though his answers are childish, it sometimes makes sense.

Anyways, to top our celebration for B's Birthday, we had dinner at Hog's Breath.

The Little One had fish and chips.

I had steak with mushroom, veggies and mashed potato.

Kaiden and I were almost halfway to our meals when he said that he wish Dada was there with us. That B would fly here just for 1 day to be with us! I so wish too!

We are missing B so much that we did not get to finish our food.

I don't want to end our day on a sad note so I ordered their
Strawberry and Chocolate Fondue for dessert.

As always, chocolates will make you feel better; and we did . . . somehow!

Gorgeously . . .

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