The 1st birthday of Grayson Lucas at the PAF Aerospace Museum

06 August 2016

Yesterday, we went to the PAF Aerospace Museum to celebrate Grayson Lucas' 1st birthday.  We were all excited because the kids and I haven't been to the PAF Aerospace Museum before.  So, this was a birthday party, a reunion and an educational field trip rolled into one!
Thanks Jops and Gabs for inviting us!! :)  Happy birthday Grayson Lucas! :)

Attended a free ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) Seminar that taught the basics of teaching ESL in Japan

27 July 2016

Last July 23 and 24, my High School friend Erlinda (who represents companies looking for prospective Filipino employees/workers) held a two-day seminar/orientation for people who want to work in Japan.  She presented opportunities on the first day and offered a tutorial for ALTs on the 2nd day. She actually regularly does this now since the demand is becoming great but this is the first time I've been fortunate to attend.  It gave us a chance to catch up too, during the break and afterwards :)

Tasting Bo's Coffee's "Sablan Reserve" Premium Washed Bourbon #boscoffee

02 July 2016

I love coffee and it's always a joy discovering new coffee products and tastes.  We received this 200g can of Sablan Reserve as a gift and it has been sitting in our pantry for a while now since it had to be ground before we could actually brew it.  It was worth the wait! :)

1-Day Sale at The Reading Room in Cubao X

02 July 2016

It's always nice to discover new shopping haunts, particularly if they're entrepreneurial boutiques that offer unique and interesting products.  Today, we found one when we went to The Reading Room, Shop #39 in Cubao X (formerly the Marikina Shoe Expo).  I saw their 1-day sale announcement on Facebook yesterday and as Dana and I browsed their products, we squealed when we stumbled on their Totoro Luminous stickers and then and there we decided to visit their shop :)  This was also the first time for the kids to visit the former Marikina Shoe Expo.

Admission to the National Museum (and its other museums nationwide) is Permanently FREE!

01 July 2016

Our family so enjoyed our visit to the National Museum and the Museum of the Filipino people last May that we follow the National Museum of the Philippines' Facebook page for announcements on FREE admission schedules.  Just yesterday, I was so surprised and exhilarated to learn that the National Museum, through its Board of Trustees, has established that admission to the National Museum and its other sister museums nationwide will be PERMANENTLY FREE starting July 1st 2016!

Interesting finds at the new Miniso store in Robinsons Manila

25 June 2016

As we walked around Robinsons Manila, we naturally gravitated towards Daiso, our favorite Japanese-brand store.  Even though we didn't have anything to buy, it's comforting to be surrounded by a ton of kawaii and practical stuff :) While there, the kids needed to go to the bathroom and when we went to find one, we ended up seeing the new Miniso store at the 2nd Level of Robinsons Manila (Padre Faura wing).  At that point, Dylan, Dana and I simply couldn't resist and went to check it out =)

After-dinner desserts at Cafe Mary Grace in Robinsons Manila

25 June 2016

After a satisfying early dinner at Erra's Vest Ramen in Malate, we went back to Robinsons Manila because that was where we parked the car.  We went around the mall for a while, trying to walk off a sumptuous meal =)  We weren't aiming for anything in particular but we all came to stop when we reached the Cafe Mary Grace area.  Dylan, Patrick and I have tried their desserts when my friends and I met up one time in Makati.  Now, Dana was with us and we wanted to share the experience with her as well.

Ramen for 100 pesos or less at Erra's Vest Ramen in Malate, Manila

25 June 2016

Today, we received a treat from my cousin Joyce who asked me to take the kids somewhere nice for the day.  Patrick and I decided to go to Erra's Vest Ramen in Malate, Manila as they're known for authentic Japanese ramen for P100 or less.  Since we all love ramen and the price is a great come-on, we all trooped to Erra's Vest Ramen to explore their offerings.

Day 1 of Toy Con 2016: Part 2 #ToyConPopLifeFanXperience

10 June 2016

This post is a continuation of our experience during the First Day of Toy Con 2016.  The first part of our Day 1 adventures focused on the ToyCon itself, with the Toys and Collectibles booths and exhibits.  This time, it's the PopLife FanX side of the event.  Halls 3 and 4 were dedicated to this part of the event.  Read on to see what the Stan Lee Excelsior Exhibit is all about.  Look at the giant, life-sized Funko Pop figures.  Check out pictures from the press con with Kristian Nairn, Dean Cain and Daniel Logan.

Day 1 of ToyCon 2016: Part 1 #ToyConPH2016

10 June 2016

Today, Patrick and I attended the ToyCon 2016 + Poplife Fan Xperience event at Halls 1-4 of the SMX at the SM Mall of Asia.  The Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention, shortened to "ToyCon", is now on its 15th year and has partnered with PopLife (makers of the popular Funko Pop figures) and Salt Lake Comic Con producers Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg to add another dimension to the event with the highly anticipated "Poplife FanXperience".

The event showcases 3 days (June 10-12) of toys, cosplays, exhibits, performances, panels, photo ops and autograph signings.

For today, we saw the Stan Lee Excelsior Exhibit, attended the Press Con and interview panels with celebrities Kristian Nairn (Hodor of Game of Thrones), Dean Cain (Superman of Lois and Clark) and Daniel Logan (Young Boba Fett of Star Wars) and browsed the many booths and displays.