The Month that was OCTOBER!

I have been out of circulation lately...guilty I should say coz' I haven't visited my BLOG site...honestly speaking, it has been almost 4 months since we moved back to the Philippines but still my adjustment period hasn't ended...it's like life is more stressful here...maybe its because of the daily driving I do to take the kids to school...

Well, anyways I know it's only myself that I have to explain to...:)
Hope my recap of this month's supposed to be blog subjects can compensate...Hihihi...

Dad's 40th Day ...
We remembered Dad during the 40th day after his death. It has been a sort of tradition with Filipinos to remember the dearly departed on this day because it has been believed that this is the day that they stop roaming around the earth and return to the Creator. Before dad's 40th day, I have been dreaming of him, it was always about him being sick...then the next day it was about his 40th day but the late Lola Agueda and Uncle Jaime were also there. Maybe it was a sign that they have met in the house of our Father.

We heard mass during that day, then proceeded to the cemetery and  prayed the Rosary. Afterwards, we had a simple gathering with people who also remembered dad on his 40th day.

The night of dad's 40th day, I had a dream again but this time around dad was smiling, he was happy...it was the image I want to remember about him...and I am happy because I know he is now at peace in heaven.

Asian Food Trip...

With our long stay in Singapore, we have been introduced with different cuisines and Korean food tops our list. Good thing that there is a sort of Korean invasion here in our place, we didn't have to go far just to satisfy our craving. The place we chose was SAM WON, a Korean Bbq place. It didn't let us down. The food was great, love the assortment of side dishes they have. The Japchae was the best I have tasted so far. Happy that my very choosy son tried and liked the food there. :)

 

 

The next day, while at the mall, we tried this new place, Black Canyon at SM Southmall. It offers Thai food with a twist. Actually, for me the name of the place doesn't even gave a connection with them serving Thai food. If one would tell me about Black Canyon, I would readily think that it is a steak house. Anyways, we tried their steamed fish and crab stick Thai salad. Food was alright but a bit pricey  and the serving size, well...just look at the photos...

Homelearning time...

Since we moved back to the Philippines, I was finally able to put out my homelearning materials and resources...been planning a lot of fun activities for the kiddos lately...hope I could keep up with the ideas I have in my head...really excited....







Trick or Treat...It's Halloween!

It all starts when kids have to choose the costumes they will be wearing for their school's Halloween Party. Little girl decided on a cute little witch outfit while my big boy chose to become a cross between a grim reaper and a death eater (Harry Potter). And again, this is the only time of the year that I let them consume the candy they want...as long as they brush their teeth afterwards...hahaha...

Weekend Getaway...TAGAYTAY

It was a spur of the moment plan to spend the weekend in Tagaytay.

We left at around 9 in the morning and went straight to PARADIZOO.

Located in Mendez, Cavite. Paradizoo is a 10-hectare theme farm and zoo. It is just a few minutes drive from the Tagaytay City proper. It is part of the group of companies that manages and maintains the ZOOcobia in Pampanga as well as the ZOObic Safari in Zambales. It actually looks more like a farm with the vegetable gardens and flower gardens in it. Notable animals we saw was a five-legged cow, an albino carabao and a camel. There were also different kinds of goats. We were able to see a demonstration of how to milk a goat and how honey is produced and harvested by imported wild bees. 

Paolo got to experience the fish spa too.

 

The kids had a great time exploring the place and running around in the open spaces filled with greenery. It was a breather from the busy life of the metropolis.

Come lunchtime, it was a no brainer for any Tagaytay visitor to try their famous Bulalo or beef shank soup. It is not the healthiest of Filipino dishes since it is loaded with Cholesterol but when eaten in moderation, it will be a great treat for soup lovers.

After satisfying the hungry tummy, it is time to satisfy the soul as well.
We also visited the Pink Sisters Convent and the Good Shepherd Convent.
It feels great to be in a serene place. It calms the mind and the spirit and relieves the body of tension and stress. It is indeed a must to have time to have this conversation with the Lord.

 

It was a day well spent indeed. So where are we off to next...

Driving?...It's more fun in the Philippines!

 

It has been almost 3 years since I last held the steering wheel of a car and I have yet to gather up my courage to drive the busy highways of Manila like I used to. 

It has been a month now being the designated "school bus driver" for the kids. And I should say, driving in the Philippines has really changed. One has to be both aggressive as well as defensive when driving. You are not only up against other vehicles but also motorcycles (which has tripled in number), bicycles, tricycles and even the pedestrians who just keep on crossing the street whenever they feel like it even though there is a pedestrian lane for them.

As for the motorcycles and bicycles, I just don't understand why they are always in a hurry, zooming on both sides as if they are in a car chase of some sort. Now I wonder if they are also aware of the traffic rules? 

Arghhhh!

As for the tricycles, aside from also using the same lanes as cars, they are a bit slow especially of they are packed with passengers and the worst part is that they suddenly stop without warning when a passenger will go off. AND they wouldn't even have the courtesy of stopping on the side of the road.

Arghhhh!

The pedestrians, well, I just don't know if they are aware of what they are doing when they suddenly cross the streets. I have also encountered people who are texting while walking and and they don't even realize they are already in the lane for the car...tsk, tsk, tsk...

Arghhhh!

For somebody who isn't used to these kinds of road situations, driving in the Philippines will surely be a super extra challenge for them.

So, looks like I just have to live with this. 

It's another driving day tomorrow!

Driving + Traffic = Stressful!

Another Heartache...

Barely two weeks when my dad returned to His Creator, we were again left with another heartache with the sudden demise of my aunt/godmother/ninang Mally.

Got a call from my sis and the first thing she asked was if I were in a good place, if I were sitting down...and I said, why ask me such questions...I was already running a lot of scenarios in my head as to what she will be telling me...and then she broke the news, my Ninang Mally was gone....

At first, I thought it was a dream, that I was in a dream...that maybe I heard it wrong. After the phone call, I called her again to confirm and reconfirm and reconfirm...and however I try not to believe what I heard, it was true. I was in a state of shock. I didn't know what to do, what to think...It just wouldn't sink in. 

It was another sleepless night for me, it was again a Wednesday...was it a coincidence that Dad and Ninang both left this world on a Wednesday. What does it mean? Why? Why? Why?

I kept asking WHY? 

But who am I to ask the Lord. 

Only He knows when is the time for us to part this world.

Only He knows what the future has for us.

Only He knows why.

All I could do was pray and pray hard. 

Pray for strength and understanding.

Pray to the Lord that He increases our faith in this trying times.

It was painful for me. My Ninang was like my second mom. We both celebrate the same birthday. September 15. She would always remind me that I was born while she was celebrating her 18th birthday and that my mom wasn't able to cook pancit for her. This year, she was 53 and I turned 35. We would always exchange greetings and wishes.

I miss her. 

I will miss her.  

I know she will be watching over us just like my dad is now.

I was also thinking of my mom. I know this is really painful for her. She was just starting to recover from the heartache of losing our dad and now, she lost her sister. I wouldn't know how to comfort her, to reassure her that all will be well. 

Life is indeed a mystery. You will never know when or how you will depart this world.

I even have to ask myself if I am ready to leave this world should the Lord calls on me to depart it. 

While at mass yesterday, during the Homily...the priest words struck me...

He said...

" If you die, did the world become a better place because you lived?..."

Indeed...something to ponder upon...

Oh September!

 

September has always been a month I look forward to, not just because it's my birthday month (15) but also my hubby's birthday month (17) and our wedding month (civil 17... church 18)...

Now, September would also be the month that Daddy left us and joined his Creator.



Happy Birthday Baby!

Papa Garcia also celebrates his birthday on the same month as I do! 
So he would always joke around when my birthday comes because we are of the same age for 2 days before he adds another year to his age. 

We usually choose one day to celebrate both our birthdays. 
Surprise each other with gifts.
It's so much fun to have the same birthday month.

11 years and counting!

This year, we celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.
Wow, can't even believe that it has been 11 years since we first started writing our love story together...and I would love to continue writing it til eternity.

To my dear hubby, as I have always said...always remember that
"My LOVE will stand when all else has fallen..."

I love you and Happy Anniversary!

Wedding Day

Pre-Nuptial Photoshoot

February 2011

2012

Thirty Five!

Turned 35 over the weekend.
Arghh, can't believe my age is not in the calendar anymore...hahaha

Tried to celebrate without much fuss for we are still grieving.

As always, it was rainy...and as they say, this means more blessings for me...Yipee!

But what I am really thankful for is that I am surrounded by love every time I celebrate my special day...

Thank you Lord for another year...you always amaze me!

A week after...

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, 

love leaves a memory no one can steal..."

- Anon

A week has passed since our dear dad joined our creator.
Yet all of us are still struggling to go back to the normalcy of our everyday lives BUT it's just so hard...still can't believe that dad is gone. There is this empty space in my heart that longs to see his smile again and hear him call out my name...

Now all we have are 

         memories...memories that will forever remain etched in our hearts,
           values...values that we will carry on and pass on to our kids and       grandkids...

I don't know when we will recover from this heartache but what I know is that Dad is now in a happier place free of pain and physical suffering...

I love you dad...I will always be your little girl...