Mommy and Me Monday: At the zoo

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

@ Manila Zoo (August 29, 2010)

Read full blog entry about our family trip: Reminiscing the Past: Family Trip at the Zoo

I love this photo with the giraffe statue behind us....  There's no more giraffe at Manila Zoo...I missed it because when I was a child, I had a family picture with it here....

Mellow Yellow Monday: Yummy Cake-y Yellows

I missed Mellow Yellow Monday last week because I was busy at work.  Anyway, bawi nalang ako ngayong Monday by placing my daughter's Christening cake and first birthday cake. :)

My husband and I personally preferred the Angel theme of Max Restaurant for the Christening Celebration of our daughter, Rian.  The theme included the cute cake, as shown above.  We celebrated this last December 2009, around my baby's 5th month. P.S.  The blanket on the baby's head was edible!

My daughter loves Spongebob Squarepants.  That's why we ordered a Spongebob cake at Goldilocks for our baby's first Birthday Party last month.  P.S.  The jellyfishes were edible! :D

Happy Mellow Yellow Monday meme blogging! :)

Mellow Yellow Monday: My "Bridal Magazine"

My "bridal magazine"...get yours at http://www.fototrix.com/

Geez...I missed being the bride...heheee

Mommy Moments entry: Fave Rian Photos

theme: favorite photo of your kid

This was taken when my daughter Rian was 11 months old.  I love this photo because when I told her to smile to the cellphone camera, I was surprised to see that she actually smiled! (she didn't grab my cellphone or just stare at it like she did before)  Now that she understands that she should smile infront of the camera, I can't wait for her to pose infront of it naman!  Haha! :)

My husband loves this pic.  He had this photo on his Facebook profile for the longest time. Our daughter was around 5 months old back then and she showed so much excitement when we introduced the walker to her.  Yup, she really wanted to be mobile back then...and now, she strives hard to be mobile by walking with support.  Hmm...now I imagine how mobile she would be when she starts walking by herself!

A Yabadabadooo Picture!

from: http://i-love-cartoons.com/

I was browsing for a good clipart to add in my blog, and I found this one!  This picture really reminds me of my family---The Flintstones!--- I'm Wilma, Fred's my husband, and Pebbles is our baby Rian.  We don't actually have a dog to portray Dino, but we have a stuff toy cat named Baby Siops (a gift I received from my husband way back when we were still in bf-gf relationship).

I loved watching The Flintstones because it was funny and entertaining.  Actually, I enjoyed watching it than the Jetsons (which had a complete opposite scenario with the Flintstones because they futuristic).  Hey, I even remember that I used to take Flintstones Vitamins when I was a Kid!  And I still remember its TV commercial...why is my Flintstones different from your Flintstones?...Why are you wearing mommy's shoes???  Because...  Hahaha!

Hmm....now if I could just make a Flintstone theme design for my blog, that would be nice, isn't it?  But I'm not a web expert, hehe.  So I guess, I would just have to self-study on how to create customized blogs.  Well, I'm open to have somebody else create for me, but probably for a good price. :D

For now, it's a good feeling to reminisce the Yabadabadooo! child in me.

The Liwanag family picture, taken during Rian's baptism

Scary Photo (on the way to Baguio City)

Baguio City, Philippines is well-known to be a city full of ghost stories (and streets full of ghosts, actually).   And this one's probably a proof.  FYI, I didn't edited this photo.  I would like to share this with you so...see for yourself:

Our office department had an outing / teambuilding at Baguio City just this month (May 2010).  This was taken during our midnight trip to Baguio City. Unfortunately, our car broke down at the foot of the mountain. When I took a snapshot picture of one of my officemates, this image was shown-- with a thread-like light behind him. There were no cars around and it was very dark at that time. When we zoomed the digital camera, we found out that there's "someone" in that light. Do you see it? Scary, huh?

Well, Baguio City is not all scary.  It's actually a fun place!  Click here for my other blog story about Baguio City: Reminiscing the Past: Baguio Escapade 

Reminiscing the Past: Bohol Escapade!

It's been three years since my husband and I went to Bohol to take another out of town trip to get away from the stress caused by work for a short time.  Actually,our Bohol trip was his birthday gift to me back then.  We went there just after my birthday.  Bohol is the place in the Visayas region of the Philippines wherein you would get to see famous attractions like Chocolate Hills and the smallest monkey in the world (the Tarsiers).  The place is also rich in historical attractions, as well as land and water adventure sites.  Since we only had 3 days and 2 nights stay in the island, we just got to tour the spots on land (we never had the chance to go near the beach because of lack of time).

A plane ride from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol)

It was the end of September back then and we availed Philippine Airline's PALakbayan promo (with complete package-- fare and hotel for two). We spent almost P10000 for the complete package. I was already quite familiar about the tourist spots in Bohol because I had already gone there before (I contacted my college brod, Thirdy, who lives there and he took me for a quick tour at Chocolae Hills and Loboc River).  When my husband (who was my boyfriend back then) and I went there, Thirdy was not available to tour us around, so he suggested to rent his father's car and take his father with us for a day tour. 

Jeff (my husband) and I stayed at Bee Farm hotel.  It was a really nice hotel.  I recommend it for all those who want to visit Bohol.  It is located beside the beach.  It is like a country house wherein the aura is warm and relaxing.  A sure get away place from the city full of big buildings and lots of traffic and pollution.  The meals are healthy too because all that they serve is organic (I love their salad!  Imagine I ate fresh rose petals! Hehe!).  The rooms are accomodating and spacious.  What I loved most about our hotel roomm was the toilet / shower room.  The moment I took a bath, it's like I did not want to get out.  Too bad I forgot to take a picture of the toilet / shower room!  Too bad the weather's not good when we arrived there...we had a rainy first day at Bohol.

Spacious hotel room at Bee Farm

My hubby would like to post this pic in this blog...to show off the foods we ate at the hotel!

Drool on everyone! Teheee!

The next day (thank goodness, the sun appeared!) is the tour day.  Thirdy's father arrived at the hotel early in the morning to take us around the nice places in Bohol.  As I said earlier, we just went at the spots on land (someday we'll gonna go back at Bohol and go to other places we didn't able to reach that time), such as the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, the Tarsiers, Prony the snake, the underground cave, and the Blood Compact site (it's a historic spot in Bohol wherein a treaty was made between Spaniards and Filipnos by slashing their skin to drip blood to another one's slashed skin.  Wasn't that horrifying? Hehe. Don't worry, that was yearsssss ago.  people nowadays prefer to sign contracts with their Parker pens. Hehe).  I share to you our Bohol picture collection:

The Blood Compact Site.  Was my hubby one of them?????!!!!!

Prony the big goooooood phyton

Sooo....who among us is the Tarsier?

If Chocolate Hills are really chocolates...I would eat them all! Haha!

Lunch on the boat ride on Loboc River.  Eat all you can!

In the Hinagdanan Cave.  We can't picture the unerground pool water because it was too dark in there!

Back at the hotel...relaxing beside the beach with the waves

During our day 3, we woke up early to take a breakfast and enjoy the final moments in the hotel.  We took more pictures by the beach.  we even had a tour around the vicinity of the hotel, like their organic farm and bee hives (well, that's why the hotel was called Bee Farm because they specialize in Bee and honey products).  Then before lunch, we packed our things and went to the airport.  It was time to go back home in Luzon island. 

Just behind the hotel...

With the busy bees...

My hubby and I had an amazing time in Bohol.  In all the places I traveled in our country so far, Bohol is the province I really like best and I would really love to go back there someday.  But for the meantime, my hubby and I plan to visit Palawan by next year, on our 2nd anniversary, because it's our dream honeymoon place. 

Next time, I'll gonna share to you our Subic trip.  :)

Reminiscing the Past: Baguio Escapade!

Baguio City (the Philippines' summer capital) is one of the beautiful tourist destinations in our country.  It was a city on top of the mountain in the northern Philippines.  People love to go there especially during summer because of its cold weather there.  It does not snow there (how I wish!), but you really need a warm jacket to keep you warm (or a sweetheart close to you might just be enough!).

It's been 3 years ago (in 2007) since my husband and I went to Baguio City together to breathe some fresh cold air and get away from our stressed work life even for just a weekend.  We were still not married back then but we're already in a relationship.  Our out of town adventure was not planned...it was spontaneous. It was a Wednesday when I decided I wanted to go to Baguio and it was a Thursday when he said he wanted to come with me.  Then it was a Friday night when we went there for a 1 night-2days stay (I remember that we watched a baskeball game first before our departure.  The game was for the championship between the basketball team of his company, Sunpower Corp & our company, Toshiba Info Equipment Phils Inc.).

We left from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Metro Manila at around 9:00pm.  We stayed first at Xaymaca Bar at Timog to waste time because our scheduled trip to Baguio City was at 12:00 midnight.  We hung out with Brownman Revival band members (I was friends with them).  After the gig, we left for Baguio City via land transportation (Victory Liner Bus).  We took the last trip which was at 12:00 midnight.  The fare back then was aroung 400 Php-500 Php.  We had a 6 hour travel, with some stop-overs at Tarlac and La Union.  I was not worried about being lost around Baguio City because it wasn't my first time to go there (it was my nth time!  Baguio was a second home to me because I took my college freshman year there before.  That's why I'm quite familiar with the place).

My hubby and I in the bus, on the way to Baguio City!

We arrived at Baguio City aroung 6:00am. Taxi cabs waited at the bus terminal to assist tourists and suggest hotels around (for a fee, of course).  I already forgot the hotel we checked in but it was quite far from the main town.  When we're unpacking our bags, my hunny gave me a surprise gift...a stuff toy.  I was very happy because it was the stuff toy I really like to buy for myself before.  It was a fluffy brown cat.

My favorite fluffy stuff toy cat named Baby Siops

During our stay in Baguio City, of course, we never missed to tour around and visit the famous places there.  My hunny was so happy that time because, though it wasn't his first time to go there, it was his first time to go to some of the tour spots there, like PMA (Philippine Military Academy).  And I was also happy because I got to tour him around.  We bought pasalubong goodies like peanut brittles, marshmallows, strawberries, ube jams, and chocolate chips (I looove the chocolate chips.  I can never get enough of it!).  And oh, we also bought strawberry wine...but we drank it all after dinner. Haha! I definitely would buy that wine again the next time I'll go there!

The King and Queen of Bundok Tralala! (taken at Minesview Park)

Row row row your boat hunny! (taken at Burnham Park)

A visit at the church (taken at Baguio Cathedral)

Release the horses! (taken at Wright Park)

Our home? I wish! (taken at The Mansion)

Home of the soldirs-to-be (taken at Philippine Military Academy)

A big hat for a big soldier (taken at Philippine Military Academy)

We stayed for 2 days at Baguio City (a Saturday until Sunday morning).  And on Sunday after lunch, we traveled back home.  Our escapade was a very enjoyable one, because we spent it together.  Certainly, our work stress faded and we were ready to face our work loads again. :)

P.S. Did you notice in the pictures that I was wearing a Bohol T-shirt at Baguio City?  Hehe. Next time, I'll blog about our trip in Bohol.  It was also an enjoyable one. :)

The Daddy and The Baby

Among the baby pictures my daughter has with her daddy, this one's my favorite.  It was taken when my baby was 2 months old.  At her young age, she could already sleep on her side, and copy her daddy's sleeping pose! Haha!  Ok...I know that she was not aware of what she was doing, but the sight of that two adorable persons I love most with the same sleeping pose really made me smile. So cute! Ang kulet talaga!  The moment I saw them sleeping together like that, I hurriedly grabbed the camera and took a shot of them.  And when my husband woke up, I let him see the picture and he was also delighted.  It's one of those kodak moments we had ever seen in our lives!

For those who first encountered the term kodak moments, it means a special, priceless captured shot (by camera or video) which is not directed, nor edited. According to http://www.urbandictionary.com/, kodak moment  is a rare, one time, moment that is captured by a picture, or should have been captured by a picture.  And that special picture above is one example of it!

Somehow, that picture reflects the similarities of my husband and my daughter in terms of personality.  Both are hard headed and very persistent.  They never stop until they get what they wanted.  My husband loves computers and other techi gadgets...I think, my daughter would like them too.  Hey, whenever I place my baby infront of the computer, she would always want to press the keys.  And she also gives a lot of effort to grab our cellphones and play with them! Haha! Hmm...what else...well, they say that my baby looks more like me.  But when she's asleep, she looks like a mirror image of her daddy.  They both have the same facial expression while sleeping.  Not to mention same pose, as well!

It's not just the picture that gives me extra joy, but also the times when they bond together (whether playing and laughing together, until the baby cries and so, my husband would pass her to me).  I love the sight of them together.  I hope they would not just be father-daughter, but also best friends.  I really love those two very important persons in my life---my husband and my daughter.  Daddy and baby.  I consider myself lucky to have them! :)

P.S. Now that my baby is 8 months old, she does more than copying her father's sleeping pose.  She can now hug him while they are sleeping, as well.  Someday, I'll be going to take a shot of another kodak moment--- a picture of the daddy and the baby embracing each other while sleeping.  Nice idea, right? :)

Planner 2010 -- His & Mine

The story behind the Starbucks Planner


It was nearing the end of 2009 when my hubby decided to avail the 2010 Starbucks Planner. I thought he'd never get one because he might not afford to buy 21 expensive coffees, especially wer're into tipid mode. But then, it's just fair to treat himself once in a while, and anyway, I benefited from some of the coffees he purchased (hehe). It was almost the end of the promo period when, at last, my hubby completed the stickers (actually, he told me that the rest of the stickers came from an officemate who gave up his stickers to him). The design of the planner he chose was the one I told him that I liked the most.

After a month, the planner still looks fresh from the coffee shop. Its pages were still clean (I think there's just a note or 2 there). And guess what...it wasn't staying in my hubby's bag or in his office drawer or in his car. It is just laying quietly on our living room table, but away from our 7 month old baby's prying hands.

The story behind the Cosmopolitan Date Book

I was an avid reader of Cosmopolitan Magazine eversince I got my own earnings (got thefreedom to buy whatever I wanted!). In 2005, I got a complete monthly Cosmo (Phils) magazine. The next year, I stopped buying recent issues because I observed that some of the topics were recycled. So when I got intereted in a Cosmo magazine issue, whether it's recent or back issue, that's the time I only purchase. And anyway, the online cosmo site is just as entertaining as the printed one.

It was the last week of January when I learned from the cosmo website that there's a 2010 Cosmopolitan Planner. I got excited and decided to tell my hubby to buy me one (well, I would like to buy it for myself but I'm broke right now because I'm in between jobs). My hubby didn't get excited when I told him about it, and I got the kunot noo reaction. He thought it was just a waste of money.

Hmm...maybe he was right. It's just a waste of money. It was not on our daily budget. And well, I didn't have the right to get what I wanted because I was not the one who's earning money. He's the one who should be treated more than me...me who just wasted time in the house and takes care of our baby (gosh, I can't wait to have a job and spend my own money the way I want it!). Oh , all right, I didn't need a planner in the first place. What would I write in there?!

Honestly, I got really annoyed that time.

But, blessings came. Before the valentines week, I already got lots of gifts from my hubby...and that includes the Cosmo planner! When we head out to the supermarket to buy groceries, he told me to also buy the planner in the magazine shop nearby. And aside from the planner, I also got surprises from him--- 2 dresses from Cinderella and perfume + lotion from Body Shop...and the sweetest thing is, he made all the shopping for me! Wow!


Planners and personality


The planners my hubby and I chose to have this 2010 really matches our personality. My hubby is quiet, reserved, and warmhearted. He is like the simplicity of the planner, but with the aura of elegancy and class of the brand. When he wants something, he would do anything to get it. And when he wants something, believe me, it must be first class and top rated (in other words, expensive. hehe ). And this not just only applies to his shopping personality, but also in his personal life. He doesn't give up easily and welcomes challenges and responsibilities. Yup, he's a very responsible guy.

I'm somehow the opposite of him. Well, I'm still a warmhearted person but I'm the loud one. Talkative, lively, and amusing. I easily get bored if I get disinterested on something. That's why the Cosmo planner is really fit for my personality. It was not just another date book, but it also includes personalized to-do's, freebie coupons, and other interesting features such as quizzes, tips, and other activities. I definitely wouldn't get bored with it!

Well, that's it. His planner and my date book. Him and me. Having them not just makes our 2010 be more organized in scheduling, but they also describes us, the owners. Moreover, they also simply remind us to not just fill it up with notes but also fill up the year with lots of hopes, happiness, and love!