15 November 2015
Patrick and I reached our 21st year of togetherness last November 13. Yep, Friday the 13th yet again! But that didn't bother me except for the fact that our DVD player went kaput that time haha But that was more coincidence and inevitability than anything else :)
21 years! You've gotta give us credit . That's 10 years of being a couple and then 11 years of being a family. With no breaks or cool off periods. Of course, just like any other relationship there are ups and downs and we've had our fair share. We just go with the flow. Do we fight? Heck yes! But do we decide to let go? Hell No! Arguments, discussions and disagreements are as much a part of being together as the good times. The bad parts actually make you stronger for being able to overcome them as a couple, as a family. The kids are right there with us. We don't hold anything back.
You know that you've been together long enough when you're in sync. We often think about the same things at the same time. It happens more often now, I've noticed.
Patrick has also gotten more grumpy and I teased him about it saying he's beginning to be like the man in the movie UP haha He actually acknowledged that observation and agreed with it! hahaha
But anyway, here we were on Sunday eating at our favorite burger joint, Charlie's Grind and Grill. We've been craving for this for so long! (finances have been tight recently so we consider this bit of luxury). This was our Anniversary Special ! hahaha
After a very filling lunch, we headed to Cubao to do some grocery shopping at Shopwise. While walking around the area, I told Dana that when they're older, they'll be the ones telling their kids how they used to walk with us in Shopwise just the way that we tell them how it is with our parents. Patrick and I have that in common - going to Cubao for shopping and entertainment when we were kids and we often tell Dana and Dylan what we used to do with our parents while in Cubao. Dana remarked, "There might not be a Shopwise by then Mama" hahaha She may be right hahaha
We also went in search of a new DVD player and there's really not a lot now, funny enough. But we did also find great toy bargains at the Farmers Plaza. At the ground floor, there's a Toy Kingdom sale. We were able to buy some for Christmas gifts but ssssshhhh no one's supposed to know yet hahahaha'
We went home after, and nobody wanted dinner yet because we're all still full. Near Sta. Mesa, near the Illumina condominium, we got caught in traffic which was unusual since it was a Sunday and normally the traffic wasn't so bad. Finally, we found out that there was a fire and that further on, traffic wasn't moving and we were advised just to turn around and go back which we did. The route that Patrick took, the Kalentong way, was also at a standstill and we had to make a U-turn again and he decided to just go the Aurora Boulevard route. It took us around 1 hour and a half to get home. Dylan was already snoring in the backseat haha
Well, so ended the day. Tiring but fun because we're together. Here's to more years!!! :)
Today marks the end of Dana's elementary school life. I can't believe that time has flown so quickly that Dana is now finished with elementary and will now be embarking on her High School journey. Still, this is a milestone in our family's life and we're just so proud of her for making it this far. Congratulations Dana! :)
Well, it's Sunday and today was my nephew's son, Joaquin's baptism. Dana, Dylan and I traveled by ourselves all the way to Fairview/Caloocan to attend the event and the travel was an adventure too. We had to take an FX to get there because Patrick was still in Bohol and I didn't know how to drive so we couldn't take Stanley. 
After attending the Nihongo Fiesta 2016 and seeing Joe Inoue live in Manila (here's the post), Dana, Dylan and I went to SM Megamall for the "Art for Everyone" exhibit. Dana remarked that it was weird that we just visited a Japanese anime event and now we're headed to a contemporary art exhibit. The exhibit features several diverse pieces from local contemporary artists using a variety of media and subjects. It's free and open to the public until February 28 and will have other ongoing exhibits at SM City North EDSA, SM Aura, SM Southmall, SM Cebu and SM Lanang. 
Today was supposed to be an ordinary day until Patrick tagged me on this link. Joe Inoue, the singer of "Closer", one of Naruto Shippuuden's ending songs, was going to be performing live in the afternoon at the Nihongo Fiesta 2016 sponsored by the Japan Foundation Manila at the Shangri-la Plaza for free! Dana, Dylan and I were so excited because first, it's free! Second, the venue was accessible! Third, we had plenty of time to finish our chores before we go! :) yay! There was a moment of doubt because we might have a hard time coming home from there since I remember that area always being jam-packed with people during the rush hour. But, what the heck, it's a rare opportunity so we went!
Belated Happy Valentine's day everyone!
Happy 1st Birthday SOLE!
Another happy event to start the year 2016 - A reunion with College Buddies! Our buddy Marlon and his family were back in the Philippines for their annual vacation and naturally, we had a little get-together :) It's a little impromptu because when balikbayans come back to the PI, their schedules are usually busy with many family gatherings and trips planned. We can only be there when they say they're available on a particular day and/or time but that's okay because the important thing is that we see each other even if it's just a short while. 
01 January 2016
As is our tradition, Patrick, the kids and I went to the Aguilos Christmas Eve gathering, this time held in Urdaneta. The family, collectively called P4 because of the Escalante home in Project 4 was the original site of THE gathering, is growing larger and fit much more comfortably in the home in Urdaneta :) We arrived around 1030PM to see the party in full swing. Gifts were being exchanged, stories were being told and people were partaking of the great feast on the table. We brought pork adobo as our contribution :)
Another event to fill our October weekends is the Baptism of Grayson Lucas, the son of my cousin Joann and her husband Gabz. The christening happened at the St. Peter Parish in QC while the reception was held at the King Bee restaurant in Commonwealth. It was a simple gathering of family and friends with lots of sumptuous Chinese food.
Kids grow up so fast and we couldn't believe that Stevie's only daughter, Hannah, is turning 7. When we celebrated the baptism of Luke last July, Toni mentioned Hannah's wishes of having a rockstar-themed birthday party. It looks like her wishes came true! Her party was held at the Loyola Grand Villas Clubhouse and it was really a day to be remembered!
Everyone woke up early excited to attend Daniel's 1st Birthday party. The invitation from Donna and Brian, whose wedding we also attended in 2012 and which I wrote about here, mentioned that the schedule for the party was 1030AM to 3PM and I knew then that it was going to be a blast, much like their wedding. So, we all trooped to the car and anticipated a great day (which it was) and read on to see what happened at the party!
Today, the 5th and 6th Grade students of Dana's school went to the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo to watch Gantimpala Theater's performance of Ibong Adarna. Dana was very excited to watch another play. 
