Just the way it is...

I know I’m late again (things has been crazy these days) but still I want to thank some people (friends and families) who took time to flood my Facebook wall with warm greetings and messages during my birthday four days ago (that’s on the 18th), thank you so much.

Mr. John Knopp, a friend of mine made sure he won’t miss it so off to my Facebook page he said “happy birthday” way ahead of time which I find so sweet. A day before I also got this greeting card from Jobstreet.com – an Asian job portal site where I am a member for years now.
And on my birthday, Vix Parungao – a blogger friend sent this cute e-card my way.:)

All these are unexpected and I thought they’re very heart-warming gestures so for that I am grateful.

I didn’t have a fancy celebration... never have had any from the past, in fact; I only stayed home and spent almost the whole time exchanging words with online friends. To give highlight for the day, my family and I had lunch together. It was Saturday so everyone was there. And though it was nothing festive, I still enjoyed it somehow. Above all I am grateful to the big guy up there for every bit of grace he had given me for thirty four long years now. Praises are all HIS.

Next to Valentines, another significant event that people do also look forward to each year is the celebration of Mother’s Day.

A mother is something nobody can do without. Father loves her, daughters idolize her, son adores her, teachers phone her and the woman next door confides on her.

An excerpt from the story I’ve read online reads: “At home, she can be found standing by, bending over, reaching for, kneeling under, and stretching around, but rarely sitting on” which I believe is so true. That’s why for all that she is, all that she does and for everything that she is yet to do, a mother – yours and mine deserves nothing but the best on their special day.

It may be too early to talk about best mothers day gift ideas but as special as they are, they deserve a carefully thought of Mother’s Day present. Being a mother myself, other than love which I know is constantly there, the feeling of being surprised with something special by your loved ones is a delight too. Although not all mothers in the world share the same opinion with mine but it sure is an understatement if it won’t make you wear a grin once presented something you know would melt your heart come that special day.

So, to everyone out there… go ahead… plan it out – a fine dinner, pampering treat, shopping galore, a personalized diamond ring – all for her… because she is special and deserves no less than the best.

We started it last year. Then we did it again this year. On Valentine’s Day we found ourselves (my sisters, brothers, mom and I) dateless (meaning with no one special to celebrate the day with) so we end up dating each other together along with the kids overs a buffet dinner at one of the local restaurants around… except my little brother though who chose to stay home and spent time talking to his long distance girlfriend over the phone instead.

So buffet dinner, it is. This time again we went to the same restaurant we went to last year for few reasons: one – the place is big with an open air– perfect for dating families with kids; two: they serve plenty of food choices including desserts (not really the sumptuous ones like the classy city restaurants have) but it was worth-spending still and everyone were satisfied.

People from all walks of life were gathered around. Some had to dress up for their dates while others just went in casually – that’s us.
As soon as you enter the dining hall this brightly adorned with flowers, white and red balloons stage will sure grab your attention. 
People who wish to bring home keepsakes of their Valentine date are free to pose for pictures using the adorned stage for their background.
There’s was really nothing too classy about the rest of the inside decorations except that they had to hang balloons and pin heart-shaped papers everywhere. Different flower arrangement were in every corner too while each table is topped with yellow and red heart-shaped balloons. They played soft love songs on the background too while an automated bubble maker blew some bubbles up on the air surprising the kids every once in a while.
After hanging out for few hours, we left the place with delighted hearts and quite overly stuffed tummies. And as long as we will still be all free to date each other again next time then we might still be doing the same thing next year. :)

  

Where did the days go? I can’t believe we’re on the last Monday of the month already. Just two more leap and here comes jolly December! Yea, kids around never fail to make December a merry one. Personally, it is what Christmas is all about – the kids.

It’s funny because I really don’t feel like putting up a tree this year. I have in the past with wrapped presents for everyone under it. This time, this lonely wreath is the only adornment I can think of using so far. It’s an old wreath from last year and I am hanging it on the same door again this year.
Oh geez, I am just feeling so lousy again that I couldn’t get motivated to do things that needs done. Or is it probably because I have been hinted I may not be getting anything this Christmas? Ha-ha-ha! Oh but come on, isn’t it just disheartening? I’d rather not hear it!

No but seriously, it doesn’t matter if I get something or not from whoever this Christmas really. I am so used to it… but not the little girls. I promised they will have what they wanted for a gift this year and that is what I’ve been so hardly trying to work on. My girls are everything to me and there’s no way I will break their hearts on purpose. And as for the decors, I may still have to add some to it. I just can’t figure out what yet… maybe lights. Oh well… let’s see.

If Americans had Turkey on Thanksgiving, we BISDAK bloggers from Davao also had a blast with the crocodile dish tasting on top of popular Filipino dishes we’ve ordered at Riverwalk restaurant in Crocodile Park on the night of Gagay’s birthday! Gagay by the way, is one of us – a Bisdak blogger, author of multiple blogs too like me, (he-he )and she came all the way from Cebu City just to spend that special day of hers with us and her family of course after that evening.

THE DINNER

I know events like this always make everyone's mouth the busiest (you know gobbling, conversing, ranting, laughing) but did you know it's a mortal sin for a blogger not to be able to take keepsakes of every event they attended to? LOL!

Whatever they are but in my case since we are about to try some crocodile dishes for dinner anyway, it didn't help me but to ask one of the servants if we could see first and take some pictures of raw (uncooked) crocodile meat while waiting for our orders to be served.

I was hoping to see big chunks but only thinly sliced, packed and frozen ones were all they got.
Did anyone even notice how long we've waited for our food to be served? I bet no one. That's because we we're all busy mouthing, ha-ha-ha.

Moving on... it's drooling time!

Firstly, we had the croco fried rice.
Of course it's a birthday so we had fried chicken :D
 The mouthwatering grilled 'panga' (tuna jaw)
 Everyone also had a warm hearty sip of 'sinigang na tuna' (tuna stew in tamarind)
 And finally, the star dish of the night... the SIZZLING CROCODILE SISIG!
It was everyone's FIRST to have tried a croc dish. I am not sure how the rest like it but for me personally, it's not the taste or how it was presented but it's the fact that I was finally able to try crocodile meat. I mean it's something I never thought or dream of doing but I just did and to me it's something worth sporting, ha-ha-ha!

THE TEXTURE. I'm not sure what part of crocodile it was but the meat appears to be a little chewy to me.

THE TASTE. It's spicy but oh-so-creamy. No doubt, this will make an ultimate "pulutan" for beer drinkers.

And how can we forget the sweet treat? A whole round of blueberry cheesecake for everyone! Oh sweet Jesus. Have mercy on our drooling eyes! 
Alright, alright... I'm done making you crave, LOL!

Well now it's time to meet 'The BISDAK bloggers from Davao' (Thanks Ace Nierva for the photo.)

It was Teacher’s Day on the 5th and too bad I failed to greet my mom for the occasion. I was out to the city the whole time that day and when I came home the following day I saw these bunch of bouquets and flowers laying on the table while some were at the counter top. It was only then I realized that it was Teacher’s Day. I grabbed my phone and right away greeted her though a bit late a ‘Happy Teacher’s Day!”

Other than gifts, token and cards here are some of the flowers she got on that day…
I remember back then, whenever occasions like this will come, my mom has the most gifts received among teachers in our school. She had been a dedicated teacher from the start and even now that she’s already retired she still can’t seem to let go off her most cherished profession so until now she is still serving, teaching the children. - :)

Time and again I am reminded of how time flies so fast. Since the "BER" month has started I can't help but to constantly throw a glance at the calendar that's posted right on my bedroom door.

Unknown to many, October has been my most-awaited month of the year. Why, you may ask.

Well, there are many things for me to look forward to from this month and onwards and a lot of reasons to celebrate and be gay as well. There's my mom's 63rd birthday on the 9th, welcoming a new bundle of joy any time this month and of course the grandest of them all... my dearest JK's 15-day visit to the country for the second time!!! Huzzah!!!

And with him coming around 3rd week of the month, it means I gotta be celebrating Halloween with him and my family. Whew! How cool do you think is that? JK celebrating Philippine Halloween for the first time! Last year he was around during my mom’s birthday… this time on the Halloween. Are you seeing any pattern yet? Could he be celebrating Christmas with me next year? Too early to tell but we'll find out!

For the mean time, here's to look back to our first grand moments together from last year. You may click the image to view full size. :D

HAPPY OCTOBER!

This is to the man me and my family have been missing for long years...
Wherever you are, we miss you and we love you so much, Pa.

Graduation month is drawing near. In few weeks time, things will never be the same again to our dear graduates. I'm sure as early as now a lot of proud parents are already picturing out a party to reward their son and daughters for a well-done job.

Aside from a festive feast, a specially designed graduation cake like this is one of the most sought after gifts one can give to a graduate.

I don't have sweet tooth but just by merely looking at this creation and the rest of graduation cake ideas from a certain website earlier really made me wish to learn the entirety of the cake-baking craft. It really does sound so engaging to me. But then of course, it takes mind and will to do something. I guess for now I'll just have to settle reading bunch of free creative cake-baking articles that are available online.

Below I posted purely pics of the street dancing participants during the last Kadayawan sa Davao celebration last weekend. This time it's the pictures of us with the participants themselves.

We positioned ourselves to the starting point of the parade so we got the chance to snap pics with the participants either on our background or close with them for some before they start sporting their entry.




With me was my friend/former office mate, Anne and the ever jolly and sportive Jubix (Anne's friend) as our photographer.

Ahh! Never had that kind of fun and excitement felt for years. It was superb!

I was there and as usual here's my late Kadayawan sa Davao Festival 2010 post.

Yes, I've watched it live last weekend although not every part of the entire activities but I was there along with my friend Anne to witness the spectacular as ever "indak-indak sa kadalanan" (street dancing), to have fun and celebrate with the rest of the Davaoeños despite the scorching heat of the sun. I bet everyone who been there would agree it is better than to have a wet Kadayawan celebration, huh!

Here are some of the shots I took using my Kodak M1033 lens. Click image for full size view. Enjoy!

To those who find the word "Kadayawan" strange, here's Wikipedia to tell more about it, :D

It's August 1st and it's our dear municipality's 62nd Foundation day today. Like the previous celebrations one of the most exciting highlights this is a motocross racing. This kind of sports event is nothing really inviting to me until I experienced to watch it "LIVE" myself from last year's the same occasion.

Breathtaking, extra overwhelming and spine tingling - this is how I describe this event. Kind of scary, yes but it's all part of the thrill. The say if you don't have the nerve, better not watch. But I don't think that's true. Somehow I know the risk but my will try not to see it negatively when I first tried and believe me when you do that's where this event can become so extremely entertaining.

We will watch it again live later today. I hope the weather will cooperate.

In few days time another person that's close to us will be celebrating another glorious year of his life. He's my cousin's hubby, Norman. Being a public servant he seldom celebrate special occasions with his family. However this year he decided to make his birthday an exclusive day for his immediate and extended family to celebrate with.

As usual I was on my computer reading reviews for Norelco Electric Razors when they (Norman and my cousin Dinah) came in to extend to us their verbal invitation for his birthday next week. Hmm, seems like this big happy family of mine never ran out of events to celebrate. Although I didn't say yes to them yet so I shall see what may come around on the coming days then I will just decide from there.

What another memorable and fun-packed weekend it was for my family on my cousin's wedding celebration last Saturday. As usual it wasn't just a day but an overnight merriment with the whole family gathered around. Non-stop feasting while drinking and playing the family's favorite card game were the activities we've had. Good thing I've discovered the 7 day cabbage soup diet a little earlier than that special day or I would have had ruin yet another diet program and feel sorry for myself once again.

Anyway, here's one proof of that simple but successful wedding ceremony...

To all moms and moms to be across the world...


From the admin of www.onlinememorylane.com!

We got two new wedding invitations today. One from my cousin and the other one were from a former office mate. So the saga goes on for the family. Last year we also have witnessed two couples who tied the knot and another two more coming up again this year - oh, what a joy these
moments will be.

Special celebrations like this remind me of so many things. For one, the pictures from the previous weddings that I still have to organize. My girls and their cousins had parts during the two separate events so I am thinking of making a keepsake books for them to reminisce. I just really need to fit in some time for that project real soon.

Two, occasion like this reminds me of the things that I used to so love of doing - making cheap invitations and giveaways not just for wedding but all other special events. To me it wasn't just a job but a complete fulfillment the fact that somehow I have become part of other people's joy, satisfaction and success in life. Until now I still find comfort and great pleasure looking at all these stuffs online. I even consider of doing it again - but all in time!

When choosing a gift for someone you love often the cost is not the deciding factor but the intention of pleasing and telling him/her how much you care. However, isn't it also nice to have some convenient yet economical options somewhere?

This Valentine's Day, instead of buying those specially arranged long- stemmed red roses from a local retailer, why not try getting them straight and fresh from the farm?

For once experience not the traditional florist but the Island Rose way of sending Valentine's Day gifts to your special someone. They deliver flowers to the Philippines and as much as they appreciate the value of your hard earned money, Island Rose is giving away special discounts this Valentine season. Send gifts to the Philippines and you will be entitled to receive a 10% discount using their discount code VDAY022010 that is valid until February 20 this year.

Oh, I so knew how it feels like to have received the freshest long-stemmed red roses straight from the farm to my doorstep for the first time. Heavenly! Having them for no occasion at all made me feel so loved and special. I wonder when the next time will be. Will it be soon? Hmm, we'll find out!

We, Filipinos are considered one of the most joyful and sociable people and it comes not as a surprise that we have a long list of festivals and celebrations all through out the year. Town fiesta in honor of patron saints is one of the most anticipated events of the Filipino calendar. For many years I've been missing celebrating this occasion with my family but not anymore this year.

Rain or shine the Fiesta celebration must go on come the next two weeks. Everybody here in town are now preparing for this big event. I see people decorating all over the town. Streamers were hanged on the streets. A place where most kids would love to be, the carnival where lots of fun rides has been set up and is now ready to give the kids a fantastic ride of their lives, LOL!

I grew up looking at how occasion like this strengthen the bond of our family. Aside from the food tasting marathon, the event wouldn't be complete without the drinking session for the boys and a separate circle for the girls, a table for the most played card game poker and of course the unlimited chit chatting with cousins and relatives. I can't wait to embrace again the feeling I have missed for being away for a long time.

I didn't realize that it's already the 3rd Sunday of the month till I opened my Plurk account and read one common plurk for the day "Happy Fathers Day to all Dads!" Whew! That's how disconcerted my mind is lately. Anyway, I still don't want to miss this opportunity to send out my greetings...

To may late Papa whom I miss so much, to my late brother-in-law, Jimmy... somehow I have wished you didn't have to leave your little girls that soon, to the father of my kids...thanks for taking care of them, to my uncles and to the most important ‘dad’ of my life, JK for undoubtedly holding on to us through good and bad times. Thank you and Happy Father's Day to you all!

And of course, I'm sending out my greetings too to all fathers and soon to be dad around the world...