All Soul’s Day

For us Filipinos, All Souls Day is as important as Christmas and New Year’s Day. Yet, I can’t remember the last time when I spent these days in my hometown together with my family. This year is no different and all I can do is offer my prayers.


God our Father, we ask that you hear our prayers and bring us some consolation in our lives.

As we remember in our prayers all of our loved ones who have died, we pray that they will have received the promise of eternal life and that they are with you in experiencing the joy of heaven.

Amen.

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I wish I could sing

A few days ago, I happen to visit a store with 1960bx sale, reminding me of my father who happened to love anything music-related. When I was still in highschool, my father even gifted my brother a set of drums, an electric bass, electric guitar and a couple of guitar speakers. Of course I’ve learned to play but I enjoyed singing more.

These days, each time I go back to my family’s home, I always turn on the karaoke and sing some of my favorite songs. Since I don’t have karaoke machine here in Singapore, I just look for karaoke videos in YouTube and sing. I sometimes record some of my karaoke sessions but of course I keep it for myself.

I wish I had a good voice, then I would definitely join auditions. I enjoy singing and it would be great if you do something that you really love.

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Shaynna in her school uniform

I can’t believe it took me more than 2 years to add another post to one of my blogs! It’s not the right time to scold myself now so I’ll just get down to sharing some updates.

Shaynna is now 7 years old and she’s turning 8 in October! Time does fly so fast and I’m already very anxious about her becoming a teenager (and I still don’t want that)!

My little girl is now in second grade but she’s as thin as she was in first grade. It is still so hard to convince her to eat a lot. The photos below were taken last year but there’s no difference now (except for the larger hair accessories that she always wears nowadays).

Here she is in her school uniform:

In her P.E. uniform:

She experienced her first disappointment at school a few months ago. She didn’t make it to the honor’s list because she got a low grade in Mathematics. Of course I didn’t scold her. Who would have the heart to after hearing from her that she was angry with herself. I even had a hard time holding back my tears when she told me that.

Instead of sulking in the corner, she has decided to join the Mathematics Club in her school and she’s one of the officers.

I don’t know where she got that attitude of standing back up again. So proud of my little girl!

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Lots of cards

During my childhood days, I love making greeting cards for my parents. When my father was still working in Saudi Arabia, I am the only one among my siblings who sent letters and greeting cards. Now Shaynna at seven years old is the same. During special occasions, they make greeting cards at school and she always reserve one for me even if I’m not there.

I celebrated my birthday last January in the Philippines. I met her at a restaurant during lunch time and when she handed me the card that she made, I found it difficult to hold back tears. She gave me a handmade card on mothers day 2011, and this year, I’ll be more than delighted if she makes another one for me.


This photo was taken during my Nth (sorry I no longer want to disclose my age) this year

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Dreaming of summer in Philippines

I don’t like swimming, but I do love chilling at the beach. And the best time to do it is now until mid-May! Yeah, it feels as if it’s always summer in the Philippines, but June to December means having frequent rain and occasional typhoons. February to May means calm seas and sunny days!

How I wish I had enough to spare for a round trip ticket and a short getaway to Bohol or Camiguin! I can almost feel the sea breeze while lying in a hammock.

Well, I don’t have to travel and spend a lot because a few minutes walk from my family’s house is a magnificent place. It’s not blessed with white sands but beautiful nevertheless!


The photos above was taken last January so the weather was not at its best.
You know what I also miss? Fruits that are only abundant in summer! Mangoes, jackfruits, guavas, young coconut, the list goes on.

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Welcoming 2012

My first post for 2012! I’m busy as always but the major problem was I couldn’t find the motivation of writing something. I’ve finally decided to write just about anything and keep going.

So, while our neighbors lit some firecrackers to welcome 2012, here’s what my family did…

It was fun as always, even more exciting because the teens and adults joined in.
I’m looking forward to doing this again next year!

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29 Days to Christmas

29 days to Christmas! 29 days more then I’ll be on a plane home! I’m so excited already. I look forward to seeing my little girl again. I already have lots of things in mind that we’ll do together, one of them is of course, photo-shoots! I don’t have an SLR but I just love taking photos of my favorite models. ;)




Photos taken during my Christmas vacation last year @ the Gaisano mall in Iligan City

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Maze Parks and Resort, Iligan City

Iligan City is blessed with majestic waterfalls and cold springs. So, there’s a number of spring pools and resorts in the city. One of them is the Maze Park and Resort which is locally known as “Maze”. Maze is not as accessible as the Timoga spring Pools but paying the extra fare or renting a jeepney to go there is worth it. Two years after my last visit, I was able to have a fun day at Maze with family and relatives last April.

Here’s the spacious entrance to Maze, so you won’t have a problem looking for a parking space.

The entrance fee is only Php25.00 per adult and Php12.50 per child. It’s 50% cheaper than in Timoga spring pools. The cottage is surprisingly a lot cheaper as well. I only had to pay Php250.00 for this huge cottage!

There are two kiddie pools:


One junior-size pool (I think it was 4 feet deep) and an Olympic-size pool.

If you want to take a break from swimming, you may listen to the child in you or pay the animals a visit.

If you choose to go to this place, make sure that you have enough food because there’s no nearby lechon stand. I think the place has a restaurant but I don’t know what kind of food they serve. Although you can find a small sari-sari store with reasonable prices.

I have no idea why this place is called “Maze Park and Resort” when there is not a single maze in it. Maybe because getting there is just like a maze?

Shaynna is already asking me to go back there when I get home in December. :)

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