Quality Time with Family and Friends

Just a few days back we were able to find some extra time to unwind and relax. Moving from one home to another is also stressful. Once we got settled, we received an invitation from one of our close friends. It was their daughter's 1st birthday and it was held in a private location in Tagaytay, City. Perfect timing right? considering the weather was still cool, we just have to go.

The hosts chose the perfect venue. They rented the whole place and they also treated us for an overnight stay. Well, it was also a get together for us. We arrived early to help prepare for the birthday party. I piped the icing on the cupcakes and frosted the birthday cake.

Like us and everyone else in the group, the whole theme of the party had a personal touch to it. It was quite a big event but they didn't hire a caterer, the hosts prepared and cooked the food themselves. Shopped for materials, made the giveaways and games personally. I just love it!

It was a wonderful gathering. After the party, when the other guests had left, we stayed in a small patio. It was nice to be surrounded by friends, in a private place with mother nature watching over us.

The following day was a cool morning, so after we ate, we went for stroll to discover more of the enchanting place.

It was truly an experience for the whole family especially that we haven't been anywhere since the last quarter of 2014. Then with the build- out of our home, with school and work and transferring on the side, quite an adjustment I must say. But we went through it, a new life is about to begin.

Van de Graaff Generator At The Mind Museum

As a pre- Mother's Day celebration, my husband and I took our kids to the Mind Museum. It was my first time to visit the place and it was Frankie's 2nd. I've been curious of what this museum has got to offer. I've seen pictures and have read posts about it. Finally, I was able to step inside one of Manila's most visited museums.

It was a fine summery Saturday morning. We opted to go early to beat the crowd, thinking that it's Mother's Day and a weekend everyone's going to be out celebrating. Tickets were at 450php per head which was good for the whole day until the museum closes.

When we got inside, we were greeted by Aedi (idea). Aedi gave a short message on what to expect and see inside the museum.

The first thing we saw was The Majesty of the Universe area. It was the most visited when we were there. Maybe it's because most of us are curiously in love with knowing the universe and visitors are automatically pulled at this section of the museum.

We watched a short film. I enjoyed the whole clip because I was opened to new information about the solar system, space and the whole universe.

My eldest son, is very fond of science and experiments. He went back to see the T-Rex that's made up of real fossils. How cool is that?!

The highlight of our visit was to experience Van de Graaff generator for the first time. My son was scared seeing the hair of the ladies who went ahead of us go up. Something that he can only see on television shows and movies. Later on, he became comfortable. He has short hair, but you can see hair at the top part of his head raised up.

If The Majesty of the Universe is the most visited, the Van de Graaff generator holds the longest line. These are just few of the wonderful things seen at The Mind Museum. It sure is a place for learning both for the kids and the young at heart.

SEE: How Van de Graaf Generator Work

Welcome To The Christian World Mikee!

Here are the bits and pieces of a well celebrated occasion. It was an intimate gathering with our close friends and family. 

Welcome To The Christian World Mikee!

The name Mikee was derived from his first name Michael. There are 3 reasons why Michael.

1. I am a St. Michael the Archangel devotee, I truly believe in the power of his prayer.
2. My eldest son Franky was born on the feast of  St. Michael the Archangel.

3. In memory of my husband's younger brother named Michael who passed away a few days after he was born.

Our close friends graced us with their presence. Being able to celebrate with them is such a blessing. Most of them are the Godparents of Mikee.

The Baptismal Mass was short but it was filled with moments contemplating on the purpose of the Baptism, how sacred it is and the importance of our obligations to the Catholic Church and as parents. As always, my husband and I always make our celebrations simple yet worth remembering just like our wedding. Being in the presence of the people close to us and the people we love makes everything special. Lunch followed in a nearby Max's Restaurant.

No String Attached

This is one achievement I am very grateful for. I'm very supportive of what my husband is very passionate about. At his gig last Saturday, the crowd at The Penguin Bar loved his music. And with that, every time my husband was asked on how he manages to play music and work , all he answered was: I have a very supportive wife. 

I learned to open myself to all kinds of music because of my husband. And it was very fulfilling to appreciate the core of each genre. 

Through His music I met new friends and I also learn from this people. His music brought out the best in me. It gave me an open mind, it's very liberating and knowing that my husband is the one giving me the music to my ears, it boosted my confidence. From the moment he started playing again, I made sure that I will be present not only to give support, but to inspire him more.

Last Saturday, when we arrived, as he was setting up his guitar, he noticed that he was missing a guitar string. I don't know how to play guitar but I felt the pressure. I told him that: I know you're a good guitar player, you can make it sound like you're not missing a string. I just know that he can work his magic. And he did, he blew the audience away. He played perfectly, better than having all the strings attached. Nobody noticed, but we told sir Richie Quirino after the gig. 

Dolf: Hey Richie, I was scared to tell you earlier, but the whole time we played, I was missing a string.

Sir Richie: I didn't noticed. As long as you play from the heart, it doesn't matter.

Which is true. My husband enjoyed his play, his improvisation was great, it was one of the highlights of our evening.

Revisitng Eastwood Early In The Morning

It was a lovely sunny  morning when my husband and I decided to have breakfast in Eastwood City. It's been a long time since our last breakfast adventure.  We agreed to lessen our frequent dining out. And it's been almost 2 years since I last posted a related food trip. As part of the adventure, we would often just get in our usual clothes then drive around looking for the perfect restaurant, whatever we feel to eat  at the moment.

Since Franky didn't have school that day, we took advantage of the time so we can try it again.
Along the way...

When everybody was stuck in traffic on their way to work, here we are, also in traffic but taking our time thinking of a good place where we can have breakfast. Sometimes it feels good to be exactly the opposite.

As always, Eastwood was our choice of location. It's very near our house. Eastwood City is a nice place to visit in the morning, coffee shops are open and most restaurants are also ready to serve heavy meals. It is also my kind of area where I can go for a relaxing stroll on a cool morning, especially when there's not much people around.  What a great way to start the day right?

Picture: Eastwood Mall at 9 o'clock in the morning; breakfast buffet @ Something Fishy

A Previous Breakfast Adventure

Mom It's A Foot!

Remember this cloud formation I posted almost a year ago? Coming home from Franky's summer school graduation, while waiting in traffic, my son pointed to the sky and shouted "it's a heart mama!" From then on, his interest on cloud formations grew bigger. He is always fascinated by the sky.

My son's imagination is one of the things that keeps me going as a parent. Cloud formations are one of the small things that I didn't realize when I was a kid. I'm appreciating it now through Franky.

This afternoon, I went out with Franky. While he was biking, he shouted in excitement "mom, it's a foot!" and pointed at a cloud formation just above us. Good thing my camera was out I immediately took a picture.

It's not as clear as the heart, but even an adult will see and imagine that it does look like a foot. A giant foot.

So what made your Monday extraordinary?

Me And That Famous Street

It was a typical Tuesday for me. Today was also my son's last day in school. He celebrated with the rest of his classmates, while I went to do some errands after dropping him off. I seldom find myself doing errands or going places alone. I always have Franky or the whole family go with me. It does feel kinda lonely, especially I'm used to be around with other people. But every quiet moment spent alone is also a chance to ponder on things that most of the time we never think of.

I was caught between myself and this famous street in Cubao. It's just me, an empty bench and New York Ave. For the past 5 years, I have been a frequent passer- by of this street. Everybody knows New York Ave. My husband grew up here. Aside from that, it has also been part of fun punch lines and topics.

Taga saan ka ? (Where are you from?)Galing akong New York (oh wow, New York), yeah...New York Cubao (I'm from New York, New York Street in Cubao)

Pretty corny huh? but this old joke makes me smile all the time. Now, I have witnessed what life really is in New York Street Cubao.

My son's school is located along this busy street. After having breakfast in Araneta Center, I immediately went back and waited for Franky instead. I opted to stay outside. I was just in the mood to feel the 'ol street of Cubao.

Tricycles everywhere, cars honking, vendors and school children passing by... These made me realize that living here in the Philippines may not be as high as the life we see in other countries, but we are filled with the blessing of being able to see and appreciate the simple joys in life. This is clearly the reason why we are still here.

Dito, simple lang ang buhay...
I ♥New York Street! It completed my day.

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.

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.

HE Painted Over Our Weekend

My picturesque weekend started last Friday. My husband took me and Franky out to the Mall of Asia. Originally, we're suppose to check the Science Discovery Center. But when we got there, the majestic sunset and the Manila Bay caught our attention instead. Well, the sun went down already... but that didn't ruin our afternoon. Looking at the people by the bay, made us appreciate family, nature and what a looonggg weekend is about.
The clouds above was naturally painted with red and orange... My husband took most of the pictures. He said: God just finished a new wonder...

I looked up and it was very beautiful. Then, I looked around, families everywhere enjoying the fantastic day. It was heart-warming seeing Filipinos have a good time.

Photographers from all over came to shoot the sunset...little they notice the sky above them.
Later that evening, as we were strolling and looking at some guitar shops, we heard a loud bang. My guess was right. Its fireworks time!

It was amazing.
I didn't get nice shots, or at least clear ones. I ran all the way from the guitar shop to the bay area.I was everywhere and my camera too.

My picture-full weekend didn't end with fireworks though...
PORTRAITS will be posted soon.
Smiley Face

Have a lovely week!

La Mesa Ecopark

Private Transport: From QC Circle, take Commonwealth Avenue---Pass Sandiganbayan---Fairview Public Market---bear right look for Winston Street---Dunhill Street---La Mesa Ecopark

Public Transport: Fairview bus or jeepney that goes all the way to Litex. Go down at East Fairview Subdivision gate. Ride the tricycle to the ecopark.

The Park Map

Welcome to the La Mesa Ecopark!

Boat Deck

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream...

Park rates and Amenities

Main park...perfect to play some games and to go on a picnic

Butterfly Trail and Hatchery

La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City is the primary source of drinking water of about 12 million Metro Manila residents. To sustain the Save La Mesa Watershed Project, Bantay Kalikasan, in partnership with the MWSS and the Q.C. Government, rehabilitated and renovated a 33 hectare public park located right outside the natural boundaries of the watershed and 40 meters below the reservoir. La Mesa Ecopark envisions a better environment for our children. Our mission is to spread environmental awareness through education and advocacy. La Mesa Ecopark is a venue providing for healthful outdoor recreation and a true forest experience. It is a living classroom and laboratory for environmental education and aims to be a center for biodiversity conservation. In 2006, over 280 different schools from all over the country, some coming from as far as Laoag, Bohol and Cebu, trooped to La Mesa Ecopark for their educational school field trips. Today, the park continues to be a popular destination for family outings and picnics; a more healthful alternative to shopping malls.-source-

We will be going back this weekend to go on a picnic, fishing and swimming :D