Patrick's Trip to Bangkok, Thailand

March 24-27, 2010

Patrick and I have often argued that his job, though he loves it, has a lot of downsides.  For one, the pay sucks and if you have a family it really can't sustain you.  Sometimes, the work also spills over during family time when on the weekends we have to troop to car events and such because he has to cover them for the magazine or for the website.

However, he loves it and I mean really loves it so what are we to do?  With it's downsides, it does have a lot of perks.  He gets a lot of freebies from the events that he attends, like free gasoline, free motor oil, lots of T-shirts, discounts on car services and he gets to test drive cars that normally he wouldn't able to drive let alone, touch LOL  Also, we can't deny he gets free out of town trips like his stay in Cebu (which we would've loved to be with him) and this time, his trip to Bangkok, Thailand.

At first, we thought he wouldn't be able to make it because he only just applied for his passport and it was taking a long time to process.  It turned out that the DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs) was moving it's passport processing department to a new and more modern building.  But in the end, he was able to go :)


When he told me what his first impression of Bangkok was, I laughed, because he said it's very much like Manila except that it has more fly-overs hahaha  Oh and before I forget, the reason why he's in Bangkok was because of the 2010 Bangkok International Motor Show which he had to cover.  He really was astounded by the sheer number of cars and people at the event.  It was like nothing he has ever seen before and he was just amazed at the effort the organizers put in.



Though he didn't really have a chance to go around the city, he did see some interesting sites :) Like, this Porsche "service" station by the side of the road.  And, the great monuments that are easily seen from the many highways in the city.  I was a bit scared for him though when I heard that people were rallying on the street.  Having lived near the Malacanang Palace here in Manila, I was exposed to a lot of coup d'etats and I know how dangerous things like rallies and protests can be.  Oh and he said these pink taxis would do MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando proud! LOL





Anyway, nothing bad happened and he really liked where he was billeted during his stay there.  He was given accommodations at the Jasmine Executive Suites Hotel and he marveled at how big the room was :) He also enjoyed the buffet breakfasts every morning  :)

Though we really missed him during the time he was working, I'm really happy that he got to go on his first out of the country trip.  :)







Here are his pictures at The Bangkok Motor Show.


Dylan's 4th Birthday

Happy Birthday to Dylan !!!

He's 4 years old and we're excited because good things are happening to him.  His speech therapy classes are going well.  He's improved a lot considering he has been in therapy for the past 3 months.  He is now able to speak more words although he still needs to be prompted for some stuff.  At least, we've noticed that he's singing more and is more receptive to learning than before.

However, like all birthday celebrants (at least in my family) we always end up in the hospital in some way or another during our birthdays.. In Dylan's case, we ended up at the emergency room on the night of March 23rd because he slipped on the stairs and he got a nasty bump on the head.  Den's friends who were here at that time were almost passing out because of all the blood on Dylan's head but I kept my cool because I knew that head wounds tend to really bleed a lot.

We went to the nearest hospital and Dylan needed to have 4 stitches.  I couldn't bear to watch him because it was obvious he was in pain.  I was thinking that if Patrick was the one who had to go with him, he probably would pass out too.  Injections and blood don't hold too well with him :)  I was also reminded of my brother experiencing the same fate.  But with Allan, he was jumping on the bed, lost his balance and he hit his head on the corner or our Betamax.  He was taken to the same hospital and he also had stitches to the head.  It's funny, because now, Dylan, Dana and Rhys (their cousin) have the same scar on their heads LOL kinda like Harry Potter look alikes LOL

I don't have pictures of him while at the emergency room because it seemed wrong to be taking pictures while he's in pain but I did take a picture of him with his head bandaged and it seemed like nothing happened after the stitching hahaha  In fact, while he was being fixed, he was crying so hard and it was like he took a bath with perspiration.  The nurses had to keep him bound with the blankets so he wouldn't be squirming and moving, it was really hard to watch.  But immediately after the bandages were on, it was like nothing happened.  He was back to his cute and charming self :)

I took about a week for the sutures to come off.  It was hard cleaning the wound and protecting it from germs because of the gauze tape that keep getting attached to his hair LOL that was what was painful to him. :D

Anyway, his wound and scar is a story that he likes hearing about all the time :)

Dana's Graduation from Kindergarten


Here's another milestone in Dana's life - her graduation from Kindergarten.  I can't believe that time has flown so quickly and she's finished with one year of school.  To top that, she's graduating as the Third Honor in her class! I couldn't believe it.  I knew she was consistently the 4th in ranking but she must have really done well during the last quarter of the year which is why she got promoted to Top 3.  You know what she said, "Mama, now that I'm Top 3, you should take me to Subic as a reward." hahahha That's my girl! hahaha

She was so proud to have earned a medal and it was also funny that I also got one, as recognition for parents of those in the honor roll.  So, Dana also got to put a medal on me and both of us went on stage a number of times :) That's what I call bonding moments! :D

This is Dana with her teacher, Ms. Del Rose Fantone.  Dana really learned a lot from her.  Dana even kisses her before leaving the classroom   during dismissal time.

I think it's really important that kids have a good rapport with their teachers especially during this stage in their life because it will define how well they will like school.  Parents can only do so much before kids go to school and then these fine teachers will take over the parents' job.  But that doesn't mean parents won't do anything else.  They still need to support their kids and continue with education at home.  I'm glad that my Mom was a teacher and I learned so much from her.

After the ceremony, we all went back home to rest for a while and change.  We took this opportunity to take some pictures with Dana's certificate and picture :)  Of course, she can't resist making funny faces even though we asked her not to haha

Another death in the family

It was on Saturday morning, April 13, that my Tita Baby called to say that my Lolo Ted (my mother's uncle) has passed away.  I was so surprised to hear that because when my Lola (his sister) came here last December, they were still able to see each other.  I knew that Lolo Ted had health issues but I didn't expect him to pass away so soon.  I wasn't even able to visit him when my Lola was here because of the hectic schedule last December.  As usual, it's only when someone passes that you really find the time to be there with them.

I remember Lolo Ted as one mischievous man LOL He used to trick my brother and I with "magic" - he'd rub the phosphorous from a match onto his fingers, then he'd rub his fingers together and there would be smoke and my brother and I would be so enthralled to see smoke coming from his fingers! Of course, we didn't know his trick then hahahha

He also used to make the best Laing in town.  Laing is a native Filipino dish made of coconut milk, taro leaves, and chili.  He made it so tasty and spicy that it's a great dish to eat with lots of hot rice! :)

We were only able to visit him and my Lola Betty that Monday evening.  There were so many errands during the weekend that there wasn't time and Patrick even had to cover an event so we couldn't go as early as we wanted.  On Monday, we could only leave after 7PM that night because of the color coding being enforced on vehicles.  We were a bit apprehensive during the drive to the funeral home because we weren't familiar with the roads going to Cavite.  Fortunately and thankfully for wikimapia, we were able to trace the right way.  The new Daang Hari road going to Dasmarinas really cuts travel time by half.  We got there around 9pm and we didn't get lost! :D

Lola Betty was surprised to see us.  She wasn't expecting us and she told me she was really glad I was there.  There were some hurts and misapprehensions between her and my mom which were inadvertently passed on to us.  That all faded away when she saw us.  To her, it was like the pain in her heart was lifted and I was glad for that.  We stayed there until around 11PM catching up.  We couldn't stay longer because it was Dana's graduation the next day and we had to be up early for that.

We did meet up with them after Dana's graduation the next day.  We were too late to be at the cremation but we did manage to be at their house.  This was practically the first time she'll get to meet Dana and Dylan so that was a big deal.

Hopefully, this won't be the last we'll see of her.  We must find time to see each other.

Pampering at Hot Nails Spa

March 11, 2010

I've always been on the lookout for a good hand and foot salon.  I'm used to doing it by myself (the cheapskate in me) but I figured I think I would want to experience being waited on hand and foot (literally) by someone else for a change :)

So, I looked around and compared services and prices.  There were many salons and spas in the malls but I figured they'd be too tired and they'd probably speed up the service because there were too many patrons.  I also don't like it when the attendants all chatter and gossip while they're working on you.  It ruins the atmosphere.  Call me picky but pampering to me should be a relaxing and quiet experience LOL

Anyway, the Internet is a lovely way to research.  I found Hot Nails Spa through the Net but I also saw their sign while passing Hemady Street in Quezon City on our way home.  So, that got me thinking.  "What's a nail and foot salon doing way out here?"  That piqued my curiosity.  So I emailed first and asked about their services.  And surprisingly, I got a reply from Ellen Edwards which I considered plus points for their salon because sometimes, people advertise their services but they don't take the time to answer their emails.



The first time I visited their salon, I went with Dana because we wanted some pampering just in time for Rej and Oneal's wedding (which I posted about earlier).  We both loved the way we were treated so we really wanted to come back.  So, for Dana's graduation, for which we all needed to look good again, Den, Dana and I went back to Hot Nails. :) Dana got treated to their Little Princess service, which was a basic ManiPedi for kids.  It also involved some bubble scrubbing perfect for Dana's pretty feet! :D  Here she is with her Attendant Eunice :)

Den got treated to their Global Chic ManiPedi Package (cleaning and nail polish).  It was her first time to be here and I believe she loved it as well :)

I opted for their Diva Scentsations Package, their Aromatherapy Hand and Foot Spa.  Oh and you also get a free drink of your choice - green tea, iced tea, soda, coffee or water :)

I have to say I look content and sleepy because the massage that was part of the service was sooo good! :) especially on my hands which are often tired because of being on the computer the whole day.  I now understand why people really spend a ton of money on their ManiPedi routines hahahaha  It looks like I'm hooked too hahahaha

So, if you guys want to feel pampered, head on over to Hot Nails Spa, #9 Hemady Ave., New Manila, QC.  They're open Mondays-Saturdays 11AM - 9PM and Sundays 10:300AM - 8:30PM.  Calling for reservations is encouraged and will be appreciated.

Dana's 6th Birthday

We didn't celebrate Dana's 6th birthday with a party.  The day coincided with her Final Exams so naturally, time should be devoted to studying (yeah right!) hahaha  I just bought some pancit malabon from our favorite store, Patrick brought some ice cream when he came home and that was Dana's party :)  The important thing was that she knew we remembered and that we're together as a family to celebrate it :) I did still promise her that on the weekend, we'll have our very own Mama-and-Daughter Day Out to celebrate her birthday.

Alice in Wonderland [Blu-ray]So, on Saturday after her exams, Dana and I went to Gateway Cineplex 10 in Cubao to watch Alice in Wonderland.  Silly me, I haven't been to the theater in so long and I'm amazed that 3D is back LOL I never really liked 3D - blame it on my wacky eyesight but I'm content with 2D films hahahha and the price, oh the price!! It was almost double the regular ticket price of movies.. man! it's no wonder the government can't really staunch the proliferation of pirated DVD movies.. most people (I think) can't afford to spend this much on movies! :O

Anyway,  so Dana and I still went through with it.  Of course, naturally, she enjoyed it as it was her first 3D movie ever!


After the movie, we were hungry so we ate at Reyes Barbecue at the Food Court of the Gateway Mall.  Having regained some of our energy back, we both decided to go shopping like the good girls that we are LOL

We ended up buying swimwear and swimming implements for our upcoming summer trip :)

Pyromusical Competition at the Mall of Asia

February 28, 2010


Last February 21, 2010,  Den and her friends were resting at the house after their "Unending Race", a type of Fun Run event to commemorate their last field work for their CWTS (Civic Welfare Training Service) class.  Den ran the 2k bit while Philip her boyfriend won the 5K run.  Being the great Aunt that I am (wahahaha) we all went out and treated Philip to dinner at JT's Manukan Grille in San Juan.    He hasn't been able to eat there (their chicken inasal is to die for!) so we all trooped there and had a great time! :)

After that, Patrick suggested that we all visit Mall of Asia so that we can watch the First Pyromusical Competition.  We didn't expect to see such a huge crowd and Patrick ended up having to drive around for a place to park while we went to look for a good spot to watch.  We found a good vantage point (even though it's free) and the kids all had a great time watching the fireworks display.  The UK and China were the countries participating for that week and it was really worth the watch! :)  So naturally, we checked the schedule of the next performances and we made plans to be there for the next ones.  



The next batch of competition involved France and Japan on the 28th.  Patrick was fortunate enough to get free tickets from Hooters (really!) so that we have a better vantage point this time.  Since the show was scheduled to start at 7PM, we had dinner at Hooters, of course! :)  It was also the first time we've seen so many yachts so close to the breakwater - they're out to watch the fireworks too! :)





So we had dinner at Hooters while waiting for the show to start.  We had bottomless drinks, onion rings, Buffalo Wings, hamburgers and chicken with fries for the kids.

The kids were really preoccupied when the show started.  They were really loving the Japan part of the show because the fireworks exhibited  lots of smiley faces and recognizable characters.

All in all, it was a great and exciting night for everyone!