Milestones: Lena on Drums

05.22.13

I cannot get enough of my pretty monkey. In my previous post entitled, Milestone: Dress to DeStress (click the link to read), I  expressed how happy I am in her progress with her reading and drum lessons. Today, I was in awe with her new tricks (do I call it that?) in playing drums. She is just five years old and she  has not made it big yet but I am her #1 fan. 

My daughters are one of God's greatest manifestation of overflowing love. My Creator has taught me to love and care beyond myself.  He has given me my daughters to nurture as His reflection. Responding to that call can be very challenging but with God's grace He will show us the way. 

I am forever thankful to God and to those who have been instrumental for my daughters to discover and develop their talents.

Wonderland: Subic

Discovering a wonderland is a dream come true for a wanderlust. Luckily, I have had the opportunity (though quite scarce due to my work) to be in places I have fell in love with. I only have a couple of places on my list but I hope to discover more of my personal wonderland in the future. 

The first on the list would be Boracay. I was just swept away by the pristine water and milky sand during my first visit in September 2011  (click to read my previous post) with my honey buddy, Faye Anne Marie. After that quick visit, I vowed to myself to return and I did on May 2012 with my husband, friend and bro-in-law for a pre- celebration of my 30th and our 10th wedding anniversary. Guess what? We will have another Boracay experience this October 2013 and this time with the whole gang. I would want my two girls and my mom to witness Boracay's beauty first hand. Although it is too early, I cannot keep ourselves from being super excited. Honestly, the desire to travel is one of my many motivations to work best and save harder. 

Boracay's laid-back experience is a sure treat for me. 

cave experience in May 2012

The second on my list is Subic. Ever since I set foot on the former U.S. Air Base, I have called it a happy place. It is not just because of the laid back experience, night out (which we hardly do in Davao) or the shopping spree at the outlet store but most of all this has been a bonding haven with my very beautiful (inside and out) friends. 

04. 2011

chicas with Mark at the Subic Yatch Club

chillin' at the club's resto

04.2013

Teachers know how to have fun... clean fun and enjoyment at the Pier One. It was indeed an epic night! (photos are from Mars Severino)

goofing around

class picture before going home

Laid back night out at the Lighthouse. It was a night of sweet music.

my chicas

Mars sharing his singing prowess

model wannabe pose

Child-like fun at Ocean Adventure was so fun despite the heat of the summer sun.

Ryan and friends

happy dolphins

We had a very good shouting exercise at the Treetop Adventure. My friends were able to try the Superman ride and Free fall.

the not so scardy crew

want to fall from that tree? i don't. LOL.

The tiger at Zoobic was friendly but still scary.

beautiful

more scary ba? LOL

We will be forever grateful for the hospitality and generosity of the Lacorte family who has been hosting us in Subic.

Lacorte brood

me and the beautiful Samantha

I have been in this happy place twice and I was happier when my whole family was able to have their own Subic experience. Our first stop was at the Zoobic then we headed to the Nike Outlet Store and had our lunch at the Harbor Point before going back to Tarlac.

Zoobic is not just for kids but also for the kids at heart.

fambam tiger pose

Lena was ecstatic after meeting the tigers

Lena's pony ride with Daddy Lo

AA's turn

And Oh, they could not forget about the shoe shopping!

panic mode

seeing double???

happy family, happy shopping

What makes a wonderland? Personally, it is creating meaningful and shared experiences with persons closest to our hearts in remarkable places (where ever it may be). Distance nor money cannot determine our wonderland. We do not need to go far or in posh places to make good memories which will be left in the deepest recesses of our hearts. Let us be in our wonderland! 

DelishTreat: Zabadani

05.18.13

Our beloved priest and friend Ismael Jose Chan- Gonzaga, SJ was in town and it was so unfortunate that I have to back out from our planned trip to Paradise Island because it was such a freaky Friday [please click on the link to read my previous post] for me. Luckily, I still had the chance to see him with Michelle and Anper for a Saturdate. We all agreed to have a dinner at The Peak of Gaisano Mall of Davao because none of us has been there. So for first timers, Michelle's older sister recommended Zabadani, a Middle-Eastern restaurant.

It was my first to eat at this Davao- grown restaurant and  I was intrigued by the aromatic and delectable taste of their food that I was able to consume a whole plate without noticing. My personal favorite were the Pita Cheese sticks and the Garlicy Ribs which we upgraded with Biryani rice.

pita cheese stick for Php140

Garlicy Ribs for Php 240+

One thing I appreciate from Zabadani is that they offer large servings. We ordered four large plates and it was more than enough for a table of six (and mind you we can eat a lot but they got us full). 

Syrian Beef Squares with Biryani rice

Grilled Chicken Breast with White rice

It was an added treat to find out that we run the same circle with the restaurant's owner. Wadi gave us complimentary drinks. The yogurt shake was refreshing. I had a heavenly foodie experience at Zabadani and I will surely come back to try their other offering. 

IJ with Wadi

coffee shot 

yogurt shake

the smile says it all.

I went home not only with a happy tummy but also with a grateful heart. There are just so many things to be thankful for. First, we were drawn to The Peak which has a beautiful ambiance (i will try the other restaurants soon). Second, trying something new is not bad after all. Zabadani made me appreciate more the food of other culture. I realized that going out of your comfort zone can be healthy too. Lastly, the place became more enticing and the food tasted more succulent because it was shared with people whom you value the most. These people you call your friends. That night was not just a celebration of good food, appreciation of culture but most of all valuing God's greatest blessing to humankind... FRIENDSHIP!

(L-R) Mark, Anper, IJ, Michelle, Karen

(L-R) Mark, Anper, IJ, Nonoy, Michelle

Milestone: Dress to DeStress

05.17.13

This has been one freaky Friday. My gurlies have full schedule for the day and the hubby was called to conduct a basketball clinic for the juveniles (which he has been doing since last year and it gives him fulfillment). It has just been so fortunate for us that the month of May (aside from it is my birth month) is our vacation month. Thus, I was able to accompany Jelena for her drum lessons and assist her in doing her Kumon assignment.

thank you to kuya Peter, Lena's mentor

she finished a level and i am a proud mama. 

In between Jelena's full schedule in the morning, I still have to bring Jessica to Musikademy for her voice lessons (which I have to do quickly because Lena will go wild with the thought that I left her). And in the afternoon, Jessica has to be at the Couple's For Christ center again for their band practice. I salute Jessica's enthusiasm for music!

At the end of the day, It was not a freaky Friday after all. It has been a day of consolation and affirmation. First, Jelena has been progressing well in her reading lessons and she is now gaining confidence at playing the drum. Second, Jessica received good feedback during her voice assessment and she qualified to join their recital. Lastly, I found my favorite chocolate (at SM City Davao dept. store) which was introduced to me by Ruel whom I miss so much. 

sugar rush, anyone?!

Whittaker's

This day was a proof that in life everything is a choice. Our choices and responses influence the life we weave and the person we become The ball was on our hands and we chose to be positive amidst a busy day. Our good vibes might have come from right attitude and was spiced by dressing up to beat the summer heat. We joined the bandwagon and had our first family "outfit of the day".

Delish Treat: Rice- less

My birthday month is in two days and it only means I am turning a year older. As I advance in age, I really desire much and pray hard for self- actualization. However, there is this narcissistic concern which is hounding me real time --- MY WEIGHT! 

lovi poe is my thinspiration

Unlike before, my weight is not what I eat. Now, I have to watch what I eat if I do not want to go beyond my healthy weight. So, my weight- loss resolution number one is to cut on rice. It is a good thing that my husband and I have the same goal, thus, he is quite supportive of what and where to eat. So, for our dinner Sundate, I had Dunkin Donut's corned beef salad bunwich with additional egg and cheese. It tastes decent but I would prefer lesser mayo because it was a little messy to eat and so i can taste the corned beef more.

big bun for Php 99

I have been trying my rice-less resolution for weeks now but i must say it is a struggle for a big eater and a foodie like me. Though, I have been trying, I have cheated during dinner when I took some of Nonoy's fries and coke (cutting on soft drinks is a bigger struggle though).

Big Mac meal with large fries, drinks and Iron Man 3 poster for Php 199

iron man poster 

As I turn three-one, I really desire much and pray hard to have healthy lifestyle. If I would like to maintain my healthy weight and stay away from illness, I should not only be conscious of what I eat but I should overhaul my lifestyle which includes exercising (less on being lazy), taking my vitamins and supplements (cut on being forgetful) and of course I have to enrich my spiritual being as well (never to give less on God and minus the pessimism). I am hoping that this renewed lifestyle will be actualized now as a way of giving back to my Creator. 

Cheers to a healthier us! 

Milestone: Jelena turns 5 ♡

She was a prayer we wanted and waited for. She is an answered prayer... a source of joy and a fountain of sunshine in our lives. One day, she will be instrumental for a person's answered prayers.

then and now she is loved.

My pretty monkey, though reluctant at the beginning because she wanted to remain as our baby, was happy to celebrate her 5th birthday after being assured and reassured of our big love for her. Our celebration was very simple but fun-filled which is very much required to a very kinesthetic birthday girl.

Play is her favorite action word. She literally jumped with joy when she learned that we will go to Zoofari (beside Outback Grill, Bacaca Rd.) for the first time. The big playroom, variety of toys, the adventure, affordable weekday hourly rate, free use of wifi and the ample food serving of their cafeteria made the place attractive to both children who love to have fun and to caretakers while waiting.

loving the hues

they conquered the height and the obstacles.

happy birthday girl and ate

Play made my girls hungry. Eat. Our family loves to eat and resto-hop is our favorite family bonding. The Outback Grill, which is just beside Zoofari, has a very beautiful ambiance, good acoustic singer and commendable service.  We had their kinilaw for our appetizer. The fish was fresh and the serving was big for three persons. For our main course, we had their Zoofari Bounty. The taste was good but I was not that impressed because it did not seem bountiful for me. First, the tiger prawns were not available that time. Second, they replaced it with two small chicken after the haggle. However, the rice is limitless. Despite the Zoofari Bounty, We will still come back and try their other food offering like the burger and steak.

her favorite things in the resto.

the ambiance.

zoofari bounty.

kinilaw

cake from Joniel's

blow the candle.

I will always have a grateful heart for the and will be opportunities to celebrate love, life and relationships. Every moment is a milestone!