The Joy Of Having All The Space

Aside from getting another desktop last Friday, my husband added a 500gb portable hard drive for my pictures and blogging needs. From documents, music, and most especially photos both original and edited copies.

Exact brand I bought

It's really a great help to separate my files for blogging. It does not only save time, but space as well. And knowing that you have all the space you need, you can actually take all the photos you want, file more articles without having second thoughts.

Boo!!!

Meet BOO. A Belgian Malinois.

The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) (pronounced /ˈmælɪnwɑː/) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Malinois is recognized in the United States under the name Belgian Malinois.

A 4 month old Malinois. We always make it a point to buy pets (most of the time dogs and fishes) while they're still young.

For the dog, we will be able to train it accordingly and we also learn the right process of growing a pet. Complete with papers and vaccination.

A Belgian Malinois is known for a lot of things.

As a working dog for personal protection, security work, search and rescue, and sport work.

-source-

It is a very active dog. I remember posting some years back in my first Multiply blog that I wanted a Black Labrador as pet. Same reasons, so we can train it and still work as man's best friend. I appreciate having a pet that's active, that grows really big and at the same time gives the love and tenderness we want from them.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed a long walk with Boo. We plan to bring him with us on Saturday for Franky's sports fest which is going to be held in one of the parks here in Quezon City. He's very friendly by the way. He loves to jump, run, and jump again and play fetch.

Our Kind Of Adventure

One of the family activities we have planned for this year is to go Camping. It's been a long time, we had this on plan since last year, but it was very difficult for us to find the right location that is safe. We found 2 camping grounds. One in Tagaytay and another in Subic. Camping Equipments are one of the things that we have already settled.

Tents, sleeping bags, camping tools, camping table and chairs are all ready. It took us months looking for a sturdy tent and other reliable equipments. Outdoor Clothing, the only item we have on our list. Once were able to sort on the clothes we need, we will be out camping soon!

Circle Of Fun

Last Saturday the family went out to have lunch with a friend and our Ninang whom we also consider as family. She was my best buddy in college and she was also my maid of honor. We had lunch at Serye Quezon City Circle. It was a peaceful Saturday. People were out jogging, playing ball, strolling and enjoying a relaxing day. After parting ways with our friend, we took Franky's bike out of the car, so he can bike around. We planned ahead, QC Circle is a nice place to go biking without any hassles.

My boys--- my husband helping Franky off the sidewalk and on to the main road for bicycles. We walked around and discovered Circle of Fun. Right now, I am telling you guys that Quezon City Circle is indeed a Fun Circle. It is the only park I've seen that is safe, clean, covered with trees, with big grounds covered with grass, that also has a playground, a bicycle area, food area, an amusement park and have clean bathrooms.

Imagine Circle of Fun as the mini Star City or Enchanted Kingdom. Most of the rides are for kids. The fun part, the adults can ride it too.

I was totally into Waterball.

I rode Leap Frog with Franky.

Entrance Fee: Php20

Rides costs Php30-50 per head

It was an awesome day! We loved it! There were no boundaries, we rode almost everything with Franky. Something we can't do in the usual, big amusement parks.

Lucky or Not- Solar Eclipse January 15, 2010

I got really disappointed I thought I missed it. Well, I over slept this afternoon. When I went online, some friends Plurked that it was still ongoing. So I immediately went to our condo's rooftop hoping to capture this wonderful event. It was very cloudy and the wind was very cool.

I do consider myself lucky and blessed. I was able to experience 3 Celestial Events for the past 6 months.
1. Solar Eclipse July 22, 2009

2. Just recently, I was able to capture the rare "Blue Moon"- A Lunar Wonder January 1 & 2, 2010

And as we begin 2010, I was able to witness a new one. To my surprise, today's eclipse was also the longest Annular Solar Eclipse for the millennium. I was able to view it wearing my sunglasses and through my camera's lens. But it didn't manifest on my shots. I used an improvised filter, but it didn't work.

I may not be successful taking the picture of today's Solar Eclipse, but I am grateful to witness it with my own eyes, and was still able to take a spectacular image of the sun.

"Photographing an eclipse is possible with fairly common camera equipment. In order for the disk of the sun/moon to be easily visible, a fairly high magnification telephoto lens is needed (70–200 mm for a 35 mm camera), and for the disk to fill most of the frame, a longer lens is needed (over 500 mm). As with viewing the sun directly, looking at it through the viewfinder of a camera can produce damage to the retina, so care is advised." -source-

The next total event is the solar eclipse of July 11, 2010.

Mom Hopes To Fulfill A Grand Dream Vacation

I'm not really in a hurry to go to Boracay. Peak or Low, my family has always love the beach. It just so happen that I was looking for another getaway location for my family. I asked my husband to scout on Boracay packages, hoping we might nail a good deal. I for one, has never been to Boracay. It would really be an awesome experience to finally go and check- out the famous island with my family.

Since my husband was all ready for work, I did the surfing myself.

I've been told that Boracay also holds a great list of the cheapest accommodations you can ever imagine. But then, you're going to lose the whole essence of you're main purpose. To relax, to get pampered, to have a good time, to eat good food, to enjoy nature and sports. Then, at the end of the day, all you'll want is to go to a room that will make you comfortable and dream for another good day in Boracay. Of course it will depend on how you view things, how you'll picture your vacation.

As for me, I want it just right. An unforgettable stay in a clean resort near the beach, tasting authentic Boracay food while watching the Boracay sunset. But too bad I can't afford it yet... as you can see, I am just a stay at home mom. And here I am blogging and hoping to win the greatest Boracay Package for my family.

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year business anniversary during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Beach Resort on Boracay Island.

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Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

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I'm very hopeful to win. I really want it. With God's Grace I will be able to take my family to a grand vacation (for the first time). A new experience to remember and will be filled with moments that we will cherish and treasure forever.

Blogging On A New Phase

Hey guys! it's been awhile since my last post. I'm trying this new thing--- making my weekend "blogfree". Things has gotten more serious for us since the first day of 2010. Serious in a way, that my husband and I wanted to make our goals for the future to be clear as crystal water. You know, putting our words into action. Sometimes, if we share too much, something prevents it from pushing through.

My family is going to move to a new place some time soon. Anyway, packing and moving may take away some of my own time blogging. As much as I want to share, I can't tell where were moving... Part of bringing things to action is not putting things into details. And this is one goal already happening. So yehey! it's working!

Since it is going to be a new beginning for us (again), a new year, a new place, it is a perfect chance to make some changes online too.

I've decided to be more choosy of the stuff that I will share over the internet. Mostly for personal reasons. As in personal, just me. Family will always be the subject of my blogs, and as always, FOOD!

If you might ask, why? Over-all, this is to prevent unwanted visitors from getting ideas about me, prevention from making comparisons and stealing information. I just want to play it safe.

It's a thought that came to me one night while I was having coffee with some friends. I saw the excitement of keeping some pieces of my life private online. I looked at our friends and asked myself, "should I blog about this wonderful night?" Usually, as soon as I get home, I'll upload the pictures and start blogging. The feeling was different this time.

It's "that" part of my life I haven't fully opened yet. Well, I'm trying to keep Photography on a different level too. For now, the camera will just be a camera. I am keeping these (friends and portraiture) as it is, leaving them half-open just to be more on the private side. I want to keep this special people to remain a mystery, my photos in a simple story, the very same people and interest that's been completing me as a person aside from my family. These 2 go well together...

If we have the option to share everything, we also have the choice to blog without giving too much info, at the same time, we can still make it worth reading. Besides, all I mentioned was just being choosy on some stuff, not totally erasing everything, so expect for some surprises along the way.

Ezy Rollin' with Ezy Roller

The holidays are over, but gift- giving is considered good all-year- round. My son is very fond of any toy with wheels. He actually received a new bicycle for Christmas. But it doesn't stop with a mere bicycle. Because every time we would go to a toy store, he would always get a free try with something similar to an Ezy Roller.

Ezy Roller is a three-wheel cart without pedals, a chain, or batteries. Instead it glides forward controlling it using your feet. Every part of this roller is very solid and sturdy. From the tubular steel frame to the canvas seat. It rolls on non-marking polyurethane wheels and bearings. Suitable for kids aged 3-14. Kids at this age are very restless, they want to try everything. It's the perfect toy for every growing child. Unlike rollerblades, Ezy-Roller has a handbrake built in and top speed is about 12mph. You can buy them in Pink, Red and Turquoise Blue.As for me, I want to redo our bedroom and own some personalized pillowcases as decorative pillows. I have read so much on personalizing pillowcases. It brings the usual bedroom look into a whole different level. All you have to do is to match it the right way.
This Chocolate Minky Dot pillowcase actually matches our covers and comforter. Great gift for friends and loved ones, especially for newlywed couples. When you travel by car these pillowcases will look nice. I mean, if you're going out on a fun road trip, might as well bring something colorful and fluffy right? For the kids, a nap mat will answer their every need. Nap mats are padded and lined with nylon and cotton with a ribbon trimmed, soft, fleecy blanket.It rolls up and has a Velcro closure with carrying strap. It has a soft fleece blanket attached and a removable foam pillow. All items are great if we're going to talk about comfort and style.

A Lunar Wonder

Once in a blue moon, we witnessed one on New Year's Day and the day after. While having dinner January 1, 2010, we were astonished by the the sight of the great moon. I had struggles on taking pictures and wished that I have a telephoto- zoom lens.

A "blue moon" is also used colloquially to mean "a rare event", especially in the phrase "once in a blue moon".


Two full moons in one month:
* 2009: December 2; December 31 (combined with a partial lunar eclipse visible in some parts of the world)
* 2012: August 2, August 31
* 2015: July 2, July 31

The next time New Year's Eve will fall on a Blue Moon (as occurred on 31 December, 2009) is after one Metonic cycle, in 2028: at that time there will be a total lunar eclipse.-source-

2009 bridged us a magnificent entry for 2010. We're very grateful for these welcoming experiences.

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue – the name has nothing to do with the color.

Xtraordinarymom Now Plurking!

So here I am finally Plurking. Since 2008 I already deleted 2 accounts under Plurk. First look, it seems like its quite difficult to understand. Figuring out how this "karma" thing works. It was fun and entertaining reading Plurks from other websites.

So while on vacation these past weeks, I decided to try Plurk once again. This time, I took the liberty to study and learn how Plurk really works. So far, so good!

Plurk is a wonderful place to post your shout outs at the same time, it can be viewed in an instant in your website.

Enchie Now Plurking!

A Colorful Start

December 30, 2009 My husband took us to Manila Ocean Park and had dinner at the famous Harbor View Restaurant.

Even our view of the harbor was already pretty colorful.

It was a relaxing night and our moment to talk into details of our goals for 2010. Very excited on what's waiting for us...

Last time we witnessed some fireworks on New Year's Eve was 2 years back, welcoming 2007. Opening our arms in welcoming 2008, we decided to stay indoors, but we made it super memorable with my father-in-law. And with 2009, it rained hard. Looking back at the events that made news this past year, the rain that poured welcoming the 2009 was a sign that a great trial will come for the whole community. But with faith and hope we're all able to stand up once again and were able to celebrate the holiday season.

We Filipinos, "we never give up, we never let anything stand in our way to spoil our precious moments".

It took 2 years for us to finally watch some colorful fireworks. We gladly accept whatever is in store in this brand new year and the start of a new decade. Watching the fireworks made us feel that the years to come are going to be delightful.

It was very timely...

• Was able to watch fireworks--- more fireworks welcoming 2010 compared to the past years

• New Year

• New Decade

• New Chapter

Rizal Fireworks

Quezon City Fireworks

We're going to take this colorful celebration as a good sign. When or How it's going to be a good year? We'll never know... It's up to us to look at things positively. It's up to us to make it work. Hopeful that it will result to something good.

On the other side of our New Year's Eve celebration...

Since this color symbolizes both good and bad, we decided to wear clothes that has a hint of it. Over-all, this color possesses good. According to Henry Dreyfus, it is popularly felt that red, the color of blood and fire, represents life and vitality. Red also signifies the color of the sun: a symbol of energy, radiating its vitalizing life-force into human beings.

Before and After ending 2009, my family and I spent quality time together. We went to places in the city which we haven't visited yet.

January 1, 2010 After spending New Years at my parent's house, we went up to Antipolo and took Franky for some sightseeing.

Overlooking Manila--- Leaonardo's Antipolo City
Another colorful sight.

Welcoming 2010 shed some light that no matter how colorful or dull life may be, staying positive is key to everything. It's the strong force to enjoy a new year and a decade for us to fill with fulfillments.

School, Parenting, Lesser Me, Mostly Us...

After thanking 2009 for a memorable year, it's now time to set our goals and dreams f0r 2010.

I saw a lesser reason for me as an individual, I saw content on my part as a person, and I am very thankful that at an early age, I'm done with myself, I'm done with pampering myself with what I want. Besides, I'm a SAHM, and being a stay at home mom doesn't require too much to live everyday. I've graduated on being just "Enchie" and I passed the exam on being a great Mother and Wife. We will all come to a point when we realize that "I'm happy, I can't think of anything for myself!"especially when all we see everyday is our family.
For the past 5 years, I enjoyed "the real life", living by our small dreams, anything that money can't buy. Like having my own family, witnessing my son's every milestone, being a hands-on parent with all the laughter we share.

One of the main highlights of 2009, was my son's firsts in school. It was made official that it feels like I will be attending school once again. Teaching him his lessons, giving him advance notes and feeding him all the good values on becoming a good student. A year from now, we will be choosing a big school for him... A big part of 2010 is going to be all about Franky. As parents, we hope for him to follow the footsteps of his Dad, Lolo Pops and great grandpa on being BLUE. We will do our best to give him the best of everything. We are going to triple our efforts not only for this purpose, but throughout the time he'll be going to school.

Family is the only inspiration I have at hand. As a person blessed with this experience, I will do better and be at my best everyday. Inspirations--- my Mom and Mama (my mother-in-law). I don't see them often, but remembering their own tales that defined them as parents and wives are enough so I can create the right environment for the family and be sensitive with the small things my husband needs.

Like I said in most of my posts in the past, "it will take your entire lifetime to know your partner". It is also the secret in keeping the flame going and for the sparks to light some more. Something that will keep the relationship healthy, something to look forward to everyday, something to laugh about, and something to be proud of. And I don't need 10 years just to realize all these.

My recent discovery--- My husband loves to cook! He is now officially the King of my kitchen. He cooked for my birthday, he cooked for Christmas Eve, he cooked for New Year's Eve. From planning the menu, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the ingredients and cooking, he did everything! This holiday season, it was my first time to actually hear him wish for a cookingware. He baked, he grilled, steamed, sauteed. As for me, I was just sitting and playing around being a Queen.

One thing I love about Dolf is him being super thoughtful and sensitive. Even if I don't utter a word, he knows... And he doesn't need an event or something big just make him feel that he needs to be thoughtful or be extra- sensitive. It's already in him, it's his nature. He makes sure that I am well-taken cared of with our without his presence around. And as early as the first day of the year I am already Thankful once again to The One above for bringing more color to my life---

2010 is going to be all about values on life, family and keeping a positive disposition. It worked for the past 5 years, why not now.