2nd Day in Cebu

We arrived in Cebu at 11:30am. My heart palpitated thinking that my family might forget the time of my arrival. I did saw them after 12pm. Aldin and Lawrence was outside and saw them then they got the car. When they arrived, my mom, sis in law and baby renzyl was inside. So happy to see them. We had lunch at Parkmall near SM in reclamation. Had pork bbq and the rest were eating chicken. It was nice.

Later, head straight home in Talisay. Gave some of my pasalubong then went to Lawrence house in San Isidro. We stayed there for several hours. Hubby was working so I just stayed while playing with my nephew and chatted with Lesyl. Sometime, my cousin Yasmin and her hubby Ronald came to the house. It was so nice to be able to see relatives that instant. We talked and got some positive new from them for an upcoming event on the 13th. Good to dress up :)

We got back to the main house after 6pm. Saw my brother Jerry and his family. So glad that all of us five were there to enjoy the moment. It was a great evening.

Today, I went to breakfast in Jollibee with hubby, Mom and Jecho. So good to have the corned beef. Nothing beats it. So yummy. I mean it's the corned beef I want regardless what company it is made as long as it cooked here in PI. In the US, it's very disappointing. Just for 2 days, the rice intake was so high. For sure, this 3 weeks will make me gain more. We got to the house and woke up Aldin. We then went to Sm, do some grocery shopping then head home.

At this time, I am in Gaisano Tabunok had a very good massage in Body in Soul with hubby. It's the place we always go everytime we are here in town. So far, my days are doing good. Til more news with the upcoming event.

Getting Ready

My day at work this week was so freaking busy. It wasn’t stressful but the loads that I am having. I finally got to breathe yesterday which was Friday the last day of the week. It was a relief to inform my manager all the things that needs to be done while I am gone. But we will be having a final meeting on Tuesday to clear all lines of responsibility and pass it on.

I started packing Thursday. I wanted to make sure I have my brothers thingy which was the expensive thing to carry. My friend in Texas had something for her family too so I put it all together with my brother stuff so it will not be left out when things can get crazy on Tuesday night. I have not finished the packing yet since I am confused what to do with the rest of the candies I bought for the relatives and friends in Cebu. Definitely one luggage can’t fit it all. It’s all boxes of candies. There’s no way it could fit to a medium luggage. Hopefully, I can take one more so I can take everything that’s important.

My flights are booked through Cathay Pacific and a trip to Boracay through PAL. I am hoping to get my parents with me but I can’t see flight on PAL with discounted rates. It is so expensive to purchase the tickets right now. I saw some flights going to Kalibo. I don’t want them to take that route for just the two of them while I will be with hubby to Caticlan. I am not sure if they can make it to their flight safe. They’re 2 old people they could get lost easily. People in the PI when you are at the port there will be a hassling moment. I don’t want them to get stressed especially my dad.

I hope for a fun filled trip in the coming days ahead…til then!

Mixed Emotions

Two weeks from now, I will leave the country to visit Cebu again. I miss my family so much. I miss my 2 little naughty nephews. Their mothers are pregnant too. It will be the second baby to them. Quite a pity for me, but hey it’s not yet my time I guess. If it comes, it will come. It just depends on what time of the year or what God’s plan is. If it happens that will be a blessing. It’s up to his hands.

I am a little bit sad about the condition on my dad. His too sickly these days. I am scared in a way on what’s going to happen to him in the next coming days and months. His getting weaker and he seemed not too determined to get well. He is not taking his conditions seriously and for me that is so critical. I love my dad and I am just worried with his health. I hope his going to get better and have the determination to get well. He needs the love he most need and I’m hoping the family can really take care of him. With me being there, I am sure he will be happy.

I am planning to take my parents for a get away in a beach just to take them with me and enjoy some time. When I spoke to dad, his not geared towards the idea. Maybe because of his health and his not too sure if he can stand the walking and stress with the travel. That’s a bummer. It’s my dream to take them to see a place they never been. I will call them again and check. If dad is better, then probably it could make my dream come true.

New years Celebration

My friends and I had a good time. We had started our night in a fabulous restaurant in Santa Row at Roux Louisiana Kitchen. Majority of the party came and it was a great dining experience. Hubby and I started with crab cakes and our main course filet mignon. It was a good meal. We saluted Kim for booking it for us.

Right after dinner, the girls and I took some photos outside the restaurant. We just could not live without it especially when you we were dressed and made up. We continued the party at Norie’s place. We had bought 2 bottles of champagne to share for the group. I on the other didn’t get the drink since I was the designated driver. I just had an apple cider which was not a bad drink either. We joined the count down viewed by live telecast on tv, took photos on the exact time and the group picture afterwards. It was a great evening to be with friends and to be with the man of my life.

Reflection on 2009

It was such a good year for me. I am better emotionally. I’ve got a fine spirit all year long. I am blessed to have a good husband who’s always been there when I am sick, in good health and with just anything that we did adventurously. I have friends who were there through thick and thin. I am so thankful getting into that direction. Though I had a rough start with my job and dealt with an old boss, the year ended with a new management and my responsibility stayed with no stress. I had almost given up on it but thanks to my husband who enlightened me about it. Our decisions were made and surpassed the ordeal.

Birthday celebration

I am so happy on the event of my birthday. We celebrated it on the night of the 23rd. Most of the people I had expected came to joined us. The party was a blast.

The weekend before the party, me and hubby set up the tent we purchased at the back of our house. We were kind of busy setting it up and trying to plan for decorating it. Until the day of the party, we pulled it together to make it work even to the last minute. But it turned out so well. We were too exhausted doing it but the hard work paid off because it was a great party. Too see the people I invited really enjoyed the food, accommodation and company of the rest of the crowd was enough to pay the effort we exerted.

I really appreciate all the people who came to the party especially that they did bring some food, gifts and great company. I can't really ask for more. I am so blessed to be around with lots of good people. I wanna thank God for the blessings this year. I hope for another good year next year.

First try in CLS

For those who doesn't know about me, well photography is my hobby. You can see most of my posts here that I always put some pictures of me and my friends. I am more with portraits which really is a challenge. The whole photography itself is a challenge. Sometimes I would like to enroll myself and get some little basic info in the course. I don't have to really make it serious but if that could give me additional at some point maybe I will take it a shot.

So, just based on viewing at tube and other CLS write-ups and bloggers out there. Below is my very first CLS shot. When I bought the flash 2 weeks before thanksgiving, I was kind of excited. I didn't play with it right away because I need to buy a rechargeable battery and the battery itself too. I already read some pointers online and tried it at a friends house. That first try, I failed. It didn't work. I wasn't able to synchronize the flash and the camera. It took me 2 days to have it running but it was my hubby at first who helped me configure the flash. I was so relieved when it worked. I thought there was some faulty on the flash but it wasn't. I tried it at home just to feel the difference with the flash and diffuser on and just the built in flash itself. Some huge difference on the lighting. It could enhance one object more vividly.

Yesterday, at my friends house. I tried using the CLS function. It worked well. Though I saw that the object I took created a huge amount of shadow at the back. It was because there wasn't so much light in the room and I pointed the flash at 45 degree angle centering the objects view. I tried on the side too and some lamp at the back but it still created some shadow. I feel like buying another flash, tripod and probably umbrella one day.

So here it goes: