Safe Flight

Richard's back from another business trip!  I have yet to get used to these business trips -- don't think I ever will!  However, I have learned to cope and that's the best I can do.  Better than nothing, right?  Anyhoo, I'm just glad he got back safely.  I always pray for that.  When the hubby comes home, he never fails to bring home pasalubong for me and Aly.  That's the 2nd best part, I tell ya!  First part is having him back, of course.

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A new furry friend for his unica hija.

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We named her Candy Darling.

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Aly and her unicorn friend.

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My zero-calorie, zero-fat pasalubong.  Haha!  I asked him to buy me make-up instead of chocolates.  But I'm sure he was hoping that I asked for chocolates instead because buying make-up is a lot more work.  I gave him a long list of options and all of them were sold out.  He looked everywhere but still no luck.  Except for this.  Plus, of course, he was the only straight guy at the duty-free make-up counter -- and he had to buy this in front of his Japanese boss!  Only the best husband can do that!  Thanks, sweetie!

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He also brought home a box of Megamelt ensaymada which Aly really loved.  She kinda finished the entire box herself.  Haha!  Richard and I were happy about it.  She rarely does that.

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Thank you, sweetie for the goodies that you brought home for us!  We love you!

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Thank you, Lord for bringing my husband safely back home.

My Sister, the Doctor

Congratulations to my sister for passing the boards!
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Angela I. Manalo, MD.  Woohoo!!

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I'm very proud of you Ange!  I always knew you'd pass.  There was never an inch of doubt.  I have to admit I was super nervous -- Richard kept reminding me to relax and calm down.  He said you will pass naman daw for sure.  You know how much of a control freak I am.  I'm just glad the wait is over.  I'm sure you are just as relieved as I am.  

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Congrats to mom and dad too!  You share in this achievement because you were always there to support her 100%.

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Gosh, what an emotional afternoon it has been!  I called her as soon as I got mom's text.  We cried together.  I'm just so happy for my sis.  I know how hard she worked for this -- she reviewed all by herself, by the way.  She didn't go to a review center.  Ayan, umandar na naman ang pagiging stage ate ko.  Haha!  Ange, it's time for a much-needed R&R.  You deserve a prize!  Go ask daddy to buy you something.  Haha!  Love you!

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Thank you Lord!  Thank you mama Mary!  Thank you to all those who helped us pray for my sis. This is a great blessing for our family.

Aly's BFF

I already told you about my best friends.  Now it's Aly's turn.  

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Aly with her BFF Annie.

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They had their playdate here at home the other day and I love how they created their own little world with Aly's toys.  They're building memories.  I love that!  That night, Aly went to me twice just to tell me that she had fun that day.  She even gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek.  Goes to show that she's really happy and when my babe's happy, I'm in heaven.  I live for moments like that!

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Aly and Annie had another playdate yesterday, but this time it was in Annie's house.  She brought these home with her:

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Paper slippers that she and Annie made.

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I love how she placed them together with her real footwear.  Parang totoong chinelas talaga!  Haha!  She doesn't know I took these photos, by the way.  She was still asleep when I took them.  Heehee!

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I met my best friends when I was about the same age as Aly and one of the things that I wish for my daughter is for her to have the same kind of friends that I did.  But my situation back then was different; we didn't live in a different country so we all grew up together.  BUT just like the paper slippers, I know that Aly will always cherish those times that she had with her friends.  Sabi nga nila, it's not about the quantity; it's the quality that counts :)

Lazy Days

Aly's on a week-long term break so lazy days are here again!  Hooray!

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Pajamas in the afternoon?  Only on lazy days baby!

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Lazy days means doing everything late: waking up, breakfast, lunch...even showering!  Haha!  We just stay at home in our jammies and do almost nothing all day.  We wake up in our pajamas, shower and wear pajamas again -- a new set, though.  Hooray for lazy days!

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No more early mornings -- at least for a week and I'm looking forward to that extra hour in bed.  Ahhh...bliss!

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Thank goodness for this :)

Our Engagement

Gosh, I thought today was Saturday!  It's a Buddhist holiday here you see, so Richard and Aly didn't have work/school.  Friday pa lang pala.  Anyhoo, today is the anniversary of the day that Richard proposed to me :)

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My engagement ring was presented to me on this box. 

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Life has been great since that day -- er, night.  Thank you, Lord for all the blessings that you have given to me and my family.  Please continue to guide us.  Wag po sana kayong magsasawa.

Mommy Made My Day

Mommy in Bangkok, November 2009

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When we first moved to Bangkok, I cried buckets of tears.  I was crying the night before we left Manila, the morning I woke up, during the drive to the airport and when we arrived here in our new home.  It was THAT bad.  I cried because I was going to miss my family back home.  It took me three years to finally get used to living overseas.  No more drama at the airport during our last trip home.  Haha!

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When the hubby's at work and the daughter's in school, I get kinda lonely at home.  That's why I live for internet chats with my family back home.  It eases the homesickness and the loneliness somehow.  We seldom call or text each other because it's expensive -- we're kuripot like that.  Heehee!  So we rely mostly on the internet for communication.  Thank goodness for the internet!  

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This morning, I had my usual chika session with mom and it really made my day.  It always does.  Thanks mom!  I love you!

Positive Thinking

With Pat in our friend Ruby's wedding in 2007

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My bestfriend Pat is my walking, talking guide to everything.  She knows the coolest restaurants, the best desserts...she knows where to buy just about anything and everything -- food, art materials, even fireworks!  She's also my occasional personal shopper -- she knows what's in fashion and she bought me several stuff already so I trust her judgment completely.  She inspired me to go on a diet when I gained more than 20 lbs. and she never told me that I was fat.  Now that's a true friend.  Haha!

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Over lunch sometime last year, my bestfriend Pat and I were talking about our goals for 2011.  We both agreed that as long as we think positive, pray and believe, it will all happen.

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Last night, she told me that she had already achieved two of her goals.  Wow!!  And it's only the 2nd month of the year ha.  Talk about a great achievement!  Way to go, Pat!

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I love hearing good news like that.  When family and friends share great news and blessings with me, it makes me feel blessed as well.  It also makes me feel I'm next.  And I know it will happen to me because I believe it.

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Thank you, Lord for giving me a great friend like Pat and thank you for all the blessings :)

Love and Valentine's Day

This post was meant for Valentine's Day but the hubby had his new toy hooked to the laptop for days so I wasn't able to download photos right away.  Anyhoo, better late than nevah!

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If it were up to Richard and me, we won't celebrate Valentine's day.  I remember our first Vday together.  We celebrated it a few days after to avoid the usual Vday traffic and restaurant crowd.  Little did I know, he had already planned to propose that day.  But that's another story.

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Aly wearing the LOVE shirt that I got her for Valentine's Day.

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Our little girl, however, is big on Valentine's day.  She loves the hearts, teddy bears and everything else that goes with Vday.  Soo, nakiki-Valentine's Day na rin kami ni Richard because of Aly.

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When I think about it, I'm glad that Aly's there to remind us about Vday.  Her excitement inspires me and her dad.  She gives us a reason to go with the Valentine flow because for married couples, I think it's ok to be mushy and cheesy sometimes.  Kahit during Valentine's Day lang, not naman all the time. Heehee!

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This happy girl means everything to us and you won't believe how much she inspires me and her dad.  She brings out the best in us.  We love you babe!

My AC Friends

One group of friends that I always look forward to spending time with whenever we come home are my AC Friends.  We go way, way back.  Hindi pa uso computer at internet noon, magkakakilala na kami.  I met Ria when we were in grade one.  Si Pat naman when we were in grade two.  Fides and Katab were our busmates.  Si Abi naman, we were classmates in highschool.  We all grew up together so we're more like family than friends.

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Anyway, I just want to share with you some of the ker-razy times that we shared together.

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November, 2008.  Somewhere in Makati for Kerwin's birthday.

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Annual Christmas Party, 2008 in Tagaytay.

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July, 2009.  Birthday dinner for me and Pat at The Fort.

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Annual Christmas Party 2009, in Tagaytay again.

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If you think those photos are crazy, wait till you hear us.  Haha!  If we're in a restaurant, we're probably the loudest and noisiest group.  Ang lalakas namin tumawa.  Todo nganga pa.  I know, parang hindi kami Assumptionista.  Haha!  But I love them to bits.  We make each other laugh, inspire, support each other...true friends through good times and bad.  I don't know what I'll do without them.

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Thank you, Lord for my wonderful friends.

Aly's New Talent

Bright and bubbly: that's my Aly!

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We are celebrating Aly's new milestone:  she knows now how to pour water from the pitcher to her glass.  Yay!

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There's more: not only is she more independent (she doesn't have to depend on mommy and daddy anymore to pour her water when she's thirsty), but I also noticed that she's drinking more water now.  Yipee!  Nawiwili syang mag-lagay ng tubig sa baso kaya talagang ganado syang uminom ngayon.

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I'm just a little worried that she might be drinking too much water now.  The other night, she had to sleep later than usual because she complained that she felt like throwing up while lying in bed.  We had to wait for her to make wiwi twice before she finally went to bed.  Sigh...from very little to too much water consumption.  You really can't have it all.

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Thank you, Lord for Aly's new milestone.  I know we have a long way to go. Please continue to bless Aly with that thirst for knowledge and that sense of wonder that makes her want to explore and try out new things.  Make her brave, yet at the same time, please keep her safe always.  You know how clumsy she can get :)  

My Favorite 2nd Brother

I'm not just a stage mom to Aly, but I'm a stage ate to my three siblings as well.  I just want to say that have the best siblings ever!  Very good looking too!  Hehe!

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Arms wrapped around each other on new year's eve in Tagaytay.

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I love them all just the same and I'm equally proud of all three.  But today, the spotlight shines on our youngest, Jof, because it's his birthday.

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Showing off our prizes during our family Christmas party.  Jof, you can use that blender to make margaritas tonight!

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When he was little, I'd make this kissing sound with my lips and he'd always come to me to kiss me.  It was like a kissing signal of sorts and it worked all the time!  No matter what he was doing, he would drop it when he hears my kissing signal.  But as he grew older, my kissing signal lost its power.  Haha!

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I can still remember the day he showed his ate that he's no longer a baby.  When I was in 2nd year college, I'd drive my two siblings (Angel and Jof) to school everyday.  Every morning, I would drive from Tagaytay, drop them off in Alabang, head on to Taft and back in the afternoon.  It was a long drive so we kept ourselves entertained with cd's and the radio.  There was a famous song back then (can't remember the title) and everytime they'd hear that song on the radio, they'd crank the volume up and sing.  They loved it!  So one day, I surprised them with a cd.  Jof and I were waiting at the school parking lot for Angel in our Nissan Vanette when I showed him the cd.  I asked him if he liked my surprise and he said yes.  I told him to give me a kiss, but he said, "ate, ang daming tao sa labas".  Haha!  He was barely out of grade school that time.

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Jof in Hongkong, 2009.

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Sigh...that seemed like ages ago.  He's grown a lot since then and he's definitely not my baby brother anymore.  He may no longer respond to my kissing signal anymore, but ate will always be here for you no matter what.

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To my favorite 2nd brother, happy birthday!  May all your wishes come true.  I love you!

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P.S Hinihintay ka ni kuya Richard mo dito.  He's excited to show you the different kinds of beer that he saw in Villa Market last Sunday.  Sigurado daw na magugustuhan mo yon.

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Thank you, Lord for my wonderful siblings.  Please continue to guide and bless them everyday.  Please keep them in good health always.  Thank you, Lord too for Jof's birthday.  I hope that he will have more happy birthdays to come. 

My Man :)

I wasn't feeling well last night.  My body felt weak, throat was a bit painful...I really felt like I was coming down with something.  I told my husband about it and he was immediately worried.  He checked my forehead every five minutes or so (even if I told him I didn't have any fever), asked me if I was ok every ten minutes...heehee!  Oh, and he also volunteered to wash the dishes for me -- thanks, sweetie!

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But this post is not about me.  This is all about my wonderful husband.

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Baguio, December 2010.  This is one of my favorite photos of Richard, taken by his lovely wife.  Haha!

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It's every husband's duty to take care of his wife and family -- of course!  But last night was worth mentioning, especially the part where Richard volunteered to wash the dishes because not all husbands are willing to do that.  Believe me, I know a few.  Although I know some husbands wouldn't mind sharing household chores like cooking and cleaning with their wives, but they're a rare breed.  That's why I'm very lucky.

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Richard may be tough at work but when it comes to me and Aly, he's the complete opposite.  Uh, oh, hubby might kill me for saying this.  Heehee!  He spoils me and Aly to no end, giving in to our whims (within reason, of course), and putting up with all our drama (Aly and I can be a handful most of the time at times).  I said it once and I'll say it again: I am very lucky! :)  I love you, sweetie!

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Thank you, Lord for giving me the right man as my partner for life.  Please continue to bless him, keep him safe and may he always be in good health. 

The Power of Gratitude

Got this from Oprah.com:
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"If you want to start attracting positive things into your life, there is one small thing you should do everyday -- show your gratitude, appreciation and love for the people and things around you." Source

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I know I should post here more often because this blog, after all, is about being thankful even for the smallest things .  I'm not going to make any excuses but I will to try my best to post something everyday, starting with this:

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Ice cream afternoon at Umm...Milk.

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We spent the weekend doing family things: lunch out, malling, church, just sitting in the living room either watching tv or reading a book, talking and lauging together...thank you, Lord for the wonderful weekend with family.  

Breakfast Surprise from Aly

For some strange reason, our seven-year old wakes up earlier on weekends than on schooldays.  Richard wakes up at 6am on weekdays so he sleeps longer on weekends and that makes sense, right?  But for Aly...I guess she's just excited to use the computer on weekends (she's not allowed on schooldays) that's why she wakes up early.

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Anyhoo, Richard and I woke up last Sunday to this:

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Our dining table set and ready for breakfast!

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She didn't just set the plates and flatware.  She also prepared bread for me and her daddy.

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Wheat bread with butter and strawberry jam for me.

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White bread with Goober grape for her daddy.  Yes, not only does she know what kind of spread we want, but she also knows HOW MANY slices of bread her daddy and I want for breakfast.

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Of course, white bread with butter for herself.

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Richard and I are blessed with the sweetest and most thoughtful seven-year old ever!  And a smart one too!  Thank you, babe for the breakfast!  It was the best one ever!  We love you!