tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86596352699239950822024-03-12T16:14:01.541-07:00Chronicles of MaiaA First-Time Mom's Documentation Of Her Little Girl's Adventurespyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.comBlogger476125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-34617506307888971072018-09-05T20:53:00.002-07:002018-09-05T20:53:50.794-07:00A Tween's Summer - v. 2018The past summer (which was just a few months ago) was the first time we allowed Maia to plan out on her own. She decided to just enjoy it at her own pace and opted out of any summer classes. In my mind, I badly wanted her to choose to train for any sport. But in the end, we decided to just let her take the lead. So free-range summer, it was.<br />
<br />
Unlike most school kids in our village, her summer vacation started during rainy season already (June particularly) so there's really not much to do anymore. She spent most of it indoors practicing on her calligraphy. And sometimes joining me in my painting practice sessions. She did a lot of reading as well. Over-all, I'd say the decision to go free-range was not bad at all. She had a tough time managing her time but it was a big step towards more independence and taking more responsibilities.<br />
<br />
The most memorable for me (and most productive activity) were the late afternoons where she'd perform her daily tasks of watering our garden plants, filling up the drinking bottles for cold water, washing the dishes and cooking the rice for our dinner (this one I still supervise since she can't turn on the gas oven on her own). With another baby on the way, I explicitly requested that she learned to master more house chores so we all won't have to deal with drastic adjustments once her baby sister arrives. She willingly (and I hope I got the vibe right -- eagerly) obliged. For almost a month, she diligently did the chores assigned to her.<br />
<br />
This is just the start. There's still more to teach. But I'm glad to report, there hasn't been any complains so far and that she willingly took on the challenge.<br />
<br />
The 10 year old gap between her and her little sister maybe too far but God probably knew this was the best set up for us.<br />
<br />
I'm so excited to see how things will work out for our tiny household.<br />
<br />
Do you have a tweener? What chores have you already assigned to them?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWWgI3csnNeG1kncmn-KKIUdwxBL9FRSB1Alb2AcmeTbZo7nb8QgUTZ6bQ0GRXJl4dGOZ1Am_ME-RjpvOSKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maia learns to cook rice</div>
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-28240080441465263922018-07-04T20:50:00.001-07:002018-07-04T20:50:09.283-07:00Konnichiwa from Japan!Ever since I saw the beauty of Japan, I've been praying that I can come back and bring the family with me. Prayers were answered last year when we scored cheap airline tickets. However, I almost couldn't join them when we learned we were pregnant early this year. But with proper care and obedience to doctor's orders, I was able to get clearance to travel and so off we went middle of June.<br />
<br />
It was the culmination of sorts for a lot of milestones that came and went the past months in our family - my 'early' retirement (May 2018), my 40th birthday (July 2018), our 10th year anniversary (October 2017). Japan was just the perfect place to celebrate them all in.<br />
<br />
I started planning for this trip around January. We were to go with our friends and I was sort of the designated planner for the trip (yes, despite the excitement I still hate trip planning). Thankfully, there's a lot of resources now to make this task easier. I turned to travel groups in Facebook like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/JapanForDummiePH/">Japan for Dummies PH group</a> for tips and help with our itinerary. The primary issue we ran into during the planning process was getting our accommodations finalized. We tried booking via <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/fpachocoparas">Airbnb </a>but we ended up getting last minute cancellations (twice actually and the last one was just 2 weeks prior to our trip, imagine the stress!) so we decided to go the safer route and booked a licensed apartment via <a href="https://www.booking.com/s/34_6/b005f2ae">booking.com</a><span id="goog_213879587"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_213879588"></span> instead. No regrets because the apartment turned out really great - clean, with complete amenities and very near Dotonbori and other tourist sites in Osaka.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrqRhK1lFJ-rxiSHJdJAI9JNA8U57h_23O8XY1n8rDoFRNy_AT3wivy8ekgcOQIOe4Jq-bRk5ngFwX0T5ZVEP6zpQIkXxABC0Y7Zb8b5DfvQDE3v3rsHM771746BUhr6NSl9Qh1znBq9O/s1600/blog1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrqRhK1lFJ-rxiSHJdJAI9JNA8U57h_23O8XY1n8rDoFRNy_AT3wivy8ekgcOQIOe4Jq-bRk5ngFwX0T5ZVEP6zpQIkXxABC0Y7Zb8b5DfvQDE3v3rsHM771746BUhr6NSl9Qh1znBq9O/s640/blog1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our apartment in Namba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The only (but most memorable) bump on this trip was the earthquake on our 4th day. From that day on, our itinerary was messed up. But all was good. At least we were safe. And we still were able to push through with almost half of our planned itinerary.<br />
<br />
If you want to check out what we had planned for our 7-day trip, here's the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LU5vEDrbxBW98cWRxYNmR6k8dY-_AgcT">link</a>. In summary, this was how it went:<br />
<br />
Day 1: Osaka Aquarium, Tempozan Market and Ferris Wheel, Lego Discovery Center, Dotonbori<br />
Day 2: Kyoto<br />
Day 3: Nara<br />
Day 4: Earthquake! - Stayed only in the apartment in the morning, Kuromon Ichiba Market and Shinsaibashi area<br />
Day 5: USJ<br />
Day 6: Shopping Day - Tokyu Hands, Shinsaibashi, Don Quijote Dotonbori, Walk around Tanimachi<br />
Day 7: Last day! - Endo Sushi at the Central Market, Tennoji Zoo and Park<br />
<br />
Due to my pregnancy (23 weeks when we went on this trip), we had to make a lot of adjustments to our itinerary. Most of the temple visits we had to push aside because I couldn't climb a lot and I walk slow and needed to take a lot of sitting breaks. If you are pregnant like me and was cleared to travel, there's no reason to worry because Japan is a very pregnant friendly place - clean restrooms, lots of areas to rest and efficient & commuter friendly transport system. Just don't forget to get a signed clearance from your OB to make sure you don't get held up at the check in counter. <a href="https://www.cebupacificair.com/assets/Documents/passenger-handling-form-11272015.pdf">You also need to fill out a waiver</a> (tried doing this ahead but the airport staff still made me fill out a new one during check in). Other than that, nothing to worry about.<br />
<br />
M and I will try to do a detailed post for each day of our trip. But sharing here highlights of the trip (mostly our fave photos). Given another chance, we'll definitely keep coming back to Japan. Its efficiency, cleanliness, polite air and general warmth was just too inviting for us to easily forget. Hopefully before it disappears from our memory again, we can come back during spring time where flowers are in full bloom. Or maybe in autumn when trees exude a different warmth in them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFBE56ps39s73LszVyEyJ1JZJi_t90HwUOUmXNvfAPPHZuasUHC96PI2SFk0JbgBLCCmXNmBR1d9z1OcIr0-h7-Y-9yea73ug_iloT8qqSNW71zRFZrEdsB3yKdkXbSTb0ZMlfdouOd2Y/s1600/blog2_kaiyukan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFBE56ps39s73LszVyEyJ1JZJi_t90HwUOUmXNvfAPPHZuasUHC96PI2SFk0JbgBLCCmXNmBR1d9z1OcIr0-h7-Y-9yea73ug_iloT8qqSNW71zRFZrEdsB3yKdkXbSTb0ZMlfdouOd2Y/s400/blog2_kaiyukan.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mural at Osaka Aquarium (kaiyukan)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoZCLyAkmRPN35hs-O_HBYhhSM5KQAur9_uxKaz797RVxRRPhRyFdNqKBcWJeg22TatQIZl92mC92bvGR12OLDB4QFyfUozDyZLZXCOYw5_SxjGP2MiF00LULRAI7MefvtUFUOtYC0rLo/s1600/blog+shinsai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoZCLyAkmRPN35hs-O_HBYhhSM5KQAur9_uxKaz797RVxRRPhRyFdNqKBcWJeg22TatQIZl92mC92bvGR12OLDB4QFyfUozDyZLZXCOYw5_SxjGP2MiF00LULRAI7MefvtUFUOtYC0rLo/s400/blog+shinsai.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoppers in Dotonbori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIEvl4Ps1NSaWxghJshWvoI5C2nAMtnC-UST44bnQfj3mrMx5b2IQg82kF6AXoqyzZiSHVbz4hoQseZVJMW3gVTT0csCkWLHXjrnsmEGSThkhGK6xYagY1tGyCR9v-ihlcnzRIShJnHwX/s1600/blog_centralmarket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIEvl4Ps1NSaWxghJshWvoI5C2nAMtnC-UST44bnQfj3mrMx5b2IQg82kF6AXoqyzZiSHVbz4hoQseZVJMW3gVTT0csCkWLHXjrnsmEGSThkhGK6xYagY1tGyCR9v-ihlcnzRIShJnHwX/s400/blog_centralmarket.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crossing the bridge from the Central Market to Awaza Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7Vn9A7zRpIExz_M2qUTzCCePTKINjbl9UQSgvEUuXRz81Thck67sFk0bIz54BrnGZDCopLQyNgeH0qWxcy7KsSJyWED9yJiXlx-wivu9tIJTAr6m9W1dQzq9oiag905MBOVz2vqMB286/s1600/blog_COLOR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7Vn9A7zRpIExz_M2qUTzCCePTKINjbl9UQSgvEUuXRz81Thck67sFk0bIz54BrnGZDCopLQyNgeH0qWxcy7KsSJyWED9yJiXlx-wivu9tIJTAr6m9W1dQzq9oiag905MBOVz2vqMB286/s400/blog_COLOR.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">resting before we board the train back to our hotel from Awaza Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_JHbT3Ex1e3fBsY_ivR2mpdz8KBRMmdsagCn8SFvBWBNNRQzY_fGbPz5Afrq5_rNcFpIacGjmgdidBofGEoxAAJTdmKRQkOOhvuAOLUrnyek10utfRPmkFHRIhBT0pl0I0T8sUrm_0u-/s1600/blog_hogwarts2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_JHbT3Ex1e3fBsY_ivR2mpdz8KBRMmdsagCn8SFvBWBNNRQzY_fGbPz5Afrq5_rNcFpIacGjmgdidBofGEoxAAJTdmKRQkOOhvuAOLUrnyek10utfRPmkFHRIhBT0pl0I0T8sUrm_0u-/s400/blog_hogwarts2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hogwarts at USJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpibBx2UPXby8YorMPh7li-r0OIrUljeZDaTX6hld1-82TgZTX44DkfTLvzzXdvaWvKcuBLpBnjmAwOERwmGOnQkH6ukpEw1k_meg2mbMHynM6JmMjLrSDkLqnjJL6QI6AI57ru7jFzkeE/s1600/blog_hogwarts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpibBx2UPXby8YorMPh7li-r0OIrUljeZDaTX6hld1-82TgZTX44DkfTLvzzXdvaWvKcuBLpBnjmAwOERwmGOnQkH6ukpEw1k_meg2mbMHynM6JmMjLrSDkLqnjJL6QI6AI57ru7jFzkeE/s400/blog_hogwarts.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gmICcRkha40_82M67hSseaIt4_1To5zY6MgwuZ_hehfohTLTSfiKtokbyWa9kVWttH5l8uSTtapaH7_GTMaBlpcxiqcJrMsp3SWHfRJiUjgOAE45ku1pNdqbwNvOCFz95lsOYMnlhyeT/s1600/blog_kaiyukan2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gmICcRkha40_82M67hSseaIt4_1To5zY6MgwuZ_hehfohTLTSfiKtokbyWa9kVWttH5l8uSTtapaH7_GTMaBlpcxiqcJrMsp3SWHfRJiUjgOAE45ku1pNdqbwNvOCFz95lsOYMnlhyeT/s400/blog_kaiyukan2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing the sharkies at Kaiyukan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJZ9hIjCbkwTi-euU0-hgKnHDnPuFhfifnXtEOzT2lHFPbdp3Txqx2e5qJ7T3Q1prmQRUJ5P6zeDcHuqpMjLmEWyWBThOHroe7s9s-csJbpdzWl7ZeLuLjCfDZ1zqz4JM7m9yvLHvTKb3/s1600/blog_kaiyukan3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJZ9hIjCbkwTi-euU0-hgKnHDnPuFhfifnXtEOzT2lHFPbdp3Txqx2e5qJ7T3Q1prmQRUJ5P6zeDcHuqpMjLmEWyWBThOHroe7s9s-csJbpdzWl7ZeLuLjCfDZ1zqz4JM7m9yvLHvTKb3/s400/blog_kaiyukan3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jellyfish at Kaiyukan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwiSOGIshPXFEq2taS0EDgy4eujJmKQyvNdgL5CVDWezrySXZqFqs1SiS84846ceAzNW7INgCxnhLRdjVbclJqT_ZWd_5x0lO5uOwcJPdFDgLyXLy4gK2L36ihSxVQSfp6-g1nqBXhKLm/s1600/blog_kuromon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwiSOGIshPXFEq2taS0EDgy4eujJmKQyvNdgL5CVDWezrySXZqFqs1SiS84846ceAzNW7INgCxnhLRdjVbclJqT_ZWd_5x0lO5uOwcJPdFDgLyXLy4gK2L36ihSxVQSfp6-g1nqBXhKLm/s400/blog_kuromon.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower shop in Kuromon Ichiba Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCPZuwxdtoTBsYFSjTfRP1d89IEPCQyRgrs-SgMEDg_DfIM9PYoXwCt1cqMwnaBomdSPuSWyqRutilIQ6ng1r5K47GZ3wepy6DGQNK_bwctLoGdWRhRF3skmHMaJWEcfx2XvAvWjA8qDY/s1600/blog_kyoto1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCPZuwxdtoTBsYFSjTfRP1d89IEPCQyRgrs-SgMEDg_DfIM9PYoXwCt1cqMwnaBomdSPuSWyqRutilIQ6ng1r5K47GZ3wepy6DGQNK_bwctLoGdWRhRF3skmHMaJWEcfx2XvAvWjA8qDY/s400/blog_kyoto1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenninji Shrine in Gion Corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GZwxxrAG0iYMfcvjnziWfP7sSMu6aFDcK9NC1rQD7s-eRuA8fMPxb4BXmDLptLtA1gDMfEcmXM6J_yWyFlwLIU-S-VzTx84XWOGAa_Y7TxssRt0C7gLYoRRpMfTpub8uw4L7EiKmIVlz/s1600/blog_kyoto2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GZwxxrAG0iYMfcvjnziWfP7sSMu6aFDcK9NC1rQD7s-eRuA8fMPxb4BXmDLptLtA1gDMfEcmXM6J_yWyFlwLIU-S-VzTx84XWOGAa_Y7TxssRt0C7gLYoRRpMfTpub8uw4L7EiKmIVlz/s400/blog_kyoto2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDwxX4jwxHc2uOQqcLRQ3N-v_XfaQCxPXhqh6INnaPELuN7qmDPe6DQt8JhgIT6UnVqKnLaXM9LgVz8KzSjEu-Nv3iUAyVhWjrNBmIhcCTu25iiWyFTl23h4JQvQzbYIKCT0-fMR3VEtj/s1600/blog_nara1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDwxX4jwxHc2uOQqcLRQ3N-v_XfaQCxPXhqh6INnaPELuN7qmDPe6DQt8JhgIT6UnVqKnLaXM9LgVz8KzSjEu-Nv3iUAyVhWjrNBmIhcCTu25iiWyFTl23h4JQvQzbYIKCT0-fMR3VEtj/s400/blog_nara1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI9Tw0Coht1BYZPSmk6UvboogFW6Zvdhl-Az33uW5yaAJibRFGP0hPyZW3c_xUG7Fih-ZQnQDMU7V2Tk0Kev9kSKbnje2zxcExLqUnDFByS5hdP4poCwCcZzJin-yv0E-U6T7Pn14zwKQ/s1600/BLOG+NARA1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI9Tw0Coht1BYZPSmk6UvboogFW6Zvdhl-Az33uW5yaAJibRFGP0hPyZW3c_xUG7Fih-ZQnQDMU7V2Tk0Kev9kSKbnje2zxcExLqUnDFByS5hdP4poCwCcZzJin-yv0E-U6T7Pn14zwKQ/s320/BLOG+NARA1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nara Deer Park - Feeding the deer some crackers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSaYw7vrlbg7JVsE3nXk6RCR1i2ftzvV_Eja_NRYsr2FdcXk-MHhf7Tf3dBLHApghT06Qwfq7o2lPG8icKSsh6VmdtMXPoywihJX66XtNWwkWoqfxz6WDFgTAF47HqrBZPNW4tthRdTL/s1600/blog_osaka1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSaYw7vrlbg7JVsE3nXk6RCR1i2ftzvV_Eja_NRYsr2FdcXk-MHhf7Tf3dBLHApghT06Qwfq7o2lPG8icKSsh6VmdtMXPoywihJX66XtNWwkWoqfxz6WDFgTAF47HqrBZPNW4tthRdTL/s400/blog_osaka1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japan at its finest. Noticed the details even on manhole covers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc9AulX3Uo5YLHWbHr_L1WLCaz7CQxZYK-jfBVJRqz3Lxg71RykJboFolvxOU7EqVjZS-uZs1jvsYWcuOQKOT-gF3vKi0SGCiM-wfrau7-Jv4RmyHYYJi5oMg8bsFqsqkSI_Qgs8je8Xe/s1600/blog_osakaatnight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc9AulX3Uo5YLHWbHr_L1WLCaz7CQxZYK-jfBVJRqz3Lxg71RykJboFolvxOU7EqVjZS-uZs1jvsYWcuOQKOT-gF3vKi0SGCiM-wfrau7-Jv4RmyHYYJi5oMg8bsFqsqkSI_Qgs8je8Xe/s400/blog_osakaatnight.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of Osaka City from Lucua (Umeda)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPh-EZnd3tqYjb58oybsVUuvFjmWyjjYUrSfVN-ruPVe3QEvc7OjC7Rg4NeU46eueK0wQI2pEwDk95_iKQe8lrPidoMt8ULhVRGmRKp-HpyyE1XG6uDZHvNMjYx_i6LMGcnVufLKfxnLb/s1600/blog_RAIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPh-EZnd3tqYjb58oybsVUuvFjmWyjjYUrSfVN-ruPVe3QEvc7OjC7Rg4NeU46eueK0wQI2pEwDk95_iKQe8lrPidoMt8ULhVRGmRKp-HpyyE1XG6uDZHvNMjYx_i6LMGcnVufLKfxnLb/s400/blog_RAIN.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainy day in Shinsaibashi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkPlOjhL3e7fwmadWhEJDMpo-7bz763DJvDFH7eI7JQO1v6bqFYAtlSVzXXZZdg20nP1Ko_0CSiZWIH-GP8lxYPvjiFsrh_UTdhYMgR-55l9K4BfGG4fKYE5ze18eE43XGIk9LocZAceL/s1600/blog_tennojizoo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkPlOjhL3e7fwmadWhEJDMpo-7bz763DJvDFH7eI7JQO1v6bqFYAtlSVzXXZZdg20nP1Ko_0CSiZWIH-GP8lxYPvjiFsrh_UTdhYMgR-55l9K4BfGG4fKYE5ze18eE43XGIk9LocZAceL/s400/blog_tennojizoo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tennoji Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9op7G66H8P_Eu9rHKKkL1LiUE5ycWPljqBMT6YjZNfCIV8Fz_-0HLS1fQcQJvmAxo5MOCa3xz3HQN3X7oj8BSLkGXPcgmpPJNfzeS1EMZdKOYrm_K8mCuc6sKvne3rFNwSgP2v7E-WBQ/s1600/blog_USJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9op7G66H8P_Eu9rHKKkL1LiUE5ycWPljqBMT6YjZNfCIV8Fz_-0HLS1fQcQJvmAxo5MOCa3xz3HQN3X7oj8BSLkGXPcgmpPJNfzeS1EMZdKOYrm_K8mCuc6sKvne3rFNwSgP2v7E-WBQ/s400/blog_USJ.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-4281092838103576482017-10-29T01:23:00.002-07:002017-10-29T01:32:50.800-07:00Curious and CuriouserToday is one of those days we wish we had more of.<br />
<br />
We had a good night's sleep (read: 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, hallelujah!). Maia and I cooked breakfast together and we ate it out in the garden (it's been sooooo long since we did that). I organized our art stuff and spent about an hour watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TibsandFaye/videos" rel="nofollow" target="">Maia's baby and toddler videos</a>.<br />
<br />
I guess all that reminiscing struck a chord on our little miss because she started asking a lot of questions. Questions which led to more questions and then later to her saying -- "Maybe in a billion years Mommy, someone will have answers to all my questions, no?" -- all that said in a rather broken voice and which eventually brought out tears and some meaningful insights from her.<br />
<br />
You see she started her rally of questions with - "I wonder, Mommy, who decided that water should be called water. Or named the sun, "Sun"? and who thought of the dinosaurs? and asked if they ever existed?'<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG5pmYsV-SRE3uYFGrTPeRb6DFib7GVFwdqB1nqoHohDDCB91b9J_7r9C8eTbVNPZJhyphenhypheneud-xcnFFtDJkaBIZiFDvwurJ9lXslWN-FJfLRiSOByiy4PHNEiRHwEs1RL2jcXVG0tuCiNbE/s1600/22828966_10156074764189396_2036446530750715969_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG5pmYsV-SRE3uYFGrTPeRb6DFib7GVFwdqB1nqoHohDDCB91b9J_7r9C8eTbVNPZJhyphenhypheneud-xcnFFtDJkaBIZiFDvwurJ9lXslWN-FJfLRiSOByiy4PHNEiRHwEs1RL2jcXVG0tuCiNbE/s400/22828966_10156074764189396_2036446530750715969_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who named this place Tagaytay?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a loooooot of questions thrown at me in about a minute. I had to catch my breath before I answer. Well...I needed to sit down actually. And stand up again to take out some books to back my answers out. And in case I ran out of things to say, I can just hand the books over to her to read.<br />
<br />
So I attempted to answer. I think I did pretty well considering the situation. Then she started asking about careers and professions. What these and that do. How important are they in this world. Some questions were just technical for me and I just wasn't equipped yet. Should expose her to more "community" helpers, I guess.<br />
<br />
But I'm thankful for that publishing house with the "S" logo for helping me out on situations that would've have been difficult for me to get out of.<br />
<br />
For now, we leave our little miss with some homework to do during this one week break from school.<br />
<br />
My takeaway from this day is that being intentional has no boundaries. and I guess, the husband and I realizing early on how much our words and actions is impacting our kid kind of paid of right now. Hearing my daughter's thoughts about what path she'd like to take when she grows up and asking herself what taking that career would do to save the world is a little fascinating at this point. I forced myself to remember how I was back to when I was 9 and I don't think I was this conscious about my choices yet. <br />
<br />
But we continue to pray - for wisdom and for mindfulness to always be present to me and my husband -- so that no matter what our little girl chooses later on, she would always take with her all the values we're teaching now.<br />
<br />
<i>Dearest Maia,</i><br />
<br />
<i>I told you today - if you ever choose to be a writer, or pursue being a fashion designer, or maybe take an entirely different path later on -- just remember that as long as you as joyful with your choice everything else will follow. The struggles won't be as hard to take on if you LOVE what you're doing. Choose that. </i><br />
<br />
<i>I've taken a looong break from filling up this place but our conversation today inspired me to write again. I want to put my memory of how this day went here because as you know, Mommy is very forgetful already. </i><br />
<br />
<i>You were very concerned that if you "just" become a writer or a fashion designer it might not help the world at all. That they are NOT as important as the work of a scientist. or a doctor. or that person that dug up and discovered the dinosaurs. </i><br />
<br />
<i>But you what, the lives of this people, or their discoveries might not reach others. They will need writers to tell their stories and share their discoveries. Fashion designers can be vital to saving the environment too. You can come up with clothes that upcycle so not a lot of stuff end up in dumpsites. </i><br />
<i>Opportunities are limitless. Keep your heart pure and your intentions good. Stay compassionate. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Love you to the universe and back,</i><br />
<i>Mommy and Daddy</i> pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-57484988539884749712017-02-19T02:23:00.004-08:002017-07-15T23:44:01.602-07:00Celebrating Valentine's DayDearest Maia,<br />
<br />
Unlike most families in our circle, we are NOT big on celebrating valentine's day. In fact, your dad refuses to acknowledge that this day exist. He absolutely abhors the horrendous traffic that goes with it. And how commercialized it has become.<br />
<br />
In our household, this year was the same as any other valentine's day in the past. It was as normal as any given day. Except that you made us a card. That as again melted our hearts. Thank you for reminding us how love should be celebrated. Not just on valentine's day. But EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.<br />
<br />
You are growing up like the fine lady that we expect you to be, Maia. One of these days, the inevitable will come. Someone will ask you out for a date. My fervent prayer is that...may you always remember how your special dates with your dad was like. May they serve as your guide. <br />
<br />
You daddy treated you like a real princess, little girl. (I was the queen so you have to settle with that title for now). May you find someone someday who would treat you the same way, or even better, as we continue to pray always.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Daddy and Mommy<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cUCAxoSSMNlbmH0c3f07GNE0_m6AXPUZKtTH_rCJWmJTJRyIG_oKt0Q_6AVEoDUd84aWAlNejubud4a_igytm0l2_jDDrlzhgfWQhuw7z-YZKAuHIj4sQs5ktO5s19jvLK2oUG_hcbf/s1600/P_20170218_084901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cUCAxoSSMNlbmH0c3f07GNE0_m6AXPUZKtTH_rCJWmJTJRyIG_oKt0Q_6AVEoDUd84aWAlNejubud4a_igytm0l2_jDDrlzhgfWQhuw7z-YZKAuHIj4sQs5ktO5s19jvLK2oUG_hcbf/s640/P_20170218_084901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Voila. Post-valentine's date c. 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-23518309599272776452016-11-26T02:12:00.001-08:002017-01-15T01:56:12.840-08:00Milestone: First Holy CommunionIf you are a Catholic, do you still remember your first holy communion experience?<br />
<br />
I received my first holy communion as a Catholic when I was already 29 years old. I received 3 sacraments all in one day - baptism, holy communion and confirmation. It was a prerequisite for the next important sacrament that I was to receive - Matrimony.<br />
<br />
Was it a memorable one? Well even if I was an adult, I don't think I have really accepted Jesus into my life then so it wasn't that memorable for me. I vividly remember getting free breakfast at McDonald's Tagaytay from my Tinong Jess right after the ceremony but that was all that was left of that day.<br />
<br />
As much as I would want my little girl to chart her own experiences, for this particular one, I wished and prayed for it to be a lot more memorable for her than it was for me or her dad (who also barely remembered anything from his own FHC).<br />
<br />
But how to make it memorable? Always, always a challenge.<br />
<br />
Good thing, as I am not much of a planner, I had plenty of friends whose kids are also going to have their FHC. My good friend, Maqui, thought of getting letters from her son's godparents (with them sharing their FHC experiences). I love letters! I think what really spawned my love for writing was my love for letter writing. And Maia also love reading letters. So it was perfect!<br />
<br />
Next challenge, how to convince godparents to write. With such short notice. By short notice I mean 2 days prior to the FHC event.<br />
<br />
But guess what, everyone was just so nice. They immediately sent it letters. All of the godparents I asked sent it a letter for Maia. Here are samples:<br />
<br />
From Ninang Ching:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyxj-9g9lQ7HVnPtBLTlfzcPHOqLoTsNjvsUmpQGz_rUTIGmPYc22m5Y95ccEd40zscucU95dxcS6ofRhGw-M6Sxb-Cq5DgnGu2yN2JFAMzd635KdKy3Uixtk3jOek2Mdt_NUuSc6lIU7/s1600/Ching.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyxj-9g9lQ7HVnPtBLTlfzcPHOqLoTsNjvsUmpQGz_rUTIGmPYc22m5Y95ccEd40zscucU95dxcS6ofRhGw-M6Sxb-Cq5DgnGu2yN2JFAMzd635KdKy3Uixtk3jOek2Mdt_NUuSc6lIU7/s1600/Ching.png" /></a></div>
<br />
From Ninong Nono:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijawh3UqPGaCM2XrQ0xZAb8heEQlUZJFRMBjl65-NzjbPYEI_GwlfG0Z1LHSIXvh5JX2n1DzDiUXFC19uyVJ35x_3_gyESYbzzNkFxoDjv2gOzsza9i0cgsvOOQxTeCJVXGny_i6HW4PqX/s1600/Nono.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijawh3UqPGaCM2XrQ0xZAb8heEQlUZJFRMBjl65-NzjbPYEI_GwlfG0Z1LHSIXvh5JX2n1DzDiUXFC19uyVJ35x_3_gyESYbzzNkFxoDjv2gOzsza9i0cgsvOOQxTeCJVXGny_i6HW4PqX/s1600/Nono.png" /></a></div>
<br />
From Ninang Kleng, Ninang Manet, Ninong Ronald and Ninong Ren:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxnRbupy5hlt7Jhw0pkZ0NVMcg7beebrh5lFI9mCVufi8FXLQErkEtvjNiZA4pHSxgRJ25Gu_OiX-ry5nCK6ep1gIdxhL06Bc1-PKaLPYOmImwJVo96dqLe6HHXaUZNhnCQCd9W5kt8_S/s1600/Kleng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxnRbupy5hlt7Jhw0pkZ0NVMcg7beebrh5lFI9mCVufi8FXLQErkEtvjNiZA4pHSxgRJ25Gu_OiX-ry5nCK6ep1gIdxhL06Bc1-PKaLPYOmImwJVo96dqLe6HHXaUZNhnCQCd9W5kt8_S/s1600/Kleng.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIooDJWxgesUb9Hx8c98sd0TIq8qwK_UvfZFYY1inxzH30H7letp47Hhr4gg9x_2tu-kI-ja__agXSVzPv44_No-1CXoe65Ckfa-PnQEvG2UeICNrHcrcnhJk7a5Co0rED80gLlqB2Uuu/s1600/Manet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIooDJWxgesUb9Hx8c98sd0TIq8qwK_UvfZFYY1inxzH30H7letp47Hhr4gg9x_2tu-kI-ja__agXSVzPv44_No-1CXoe65Ckfa-PnQEvG2UeICNrHcrcnhJk7a5Co0rED80gLlqB2Uuu/s1600/Manet.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MmjutKc6ouaOCd3WYo6KOFcGC0_rpq-gkBfRqQ6y5UmfcpFPdNnwtxU9maVI971PnnkFS8NyWZcvYb6Jz4lMPdIWTHc8ylY2iqg5hEG-MPJfzxFnKQZjxyimHvirpHJXmHk7S1YX824I/s1600/Ren.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MmjutKc6ouaOCd3WYo6KOFcGC0_rpq-gkBfRqQ6y5UmfcpFPdNnwtxU9maVI971PnnkFS8NyWZcvYb6Jz4lMPdIWTHc8ylY2iqg5hEG-MPJfzxFnKQZjxyimHvirpHJXmHk7S1YX824I/s1600/Ren.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHdsK-a-GMAI0WWhYNgzKURytR3EfGTJ0qVDgb1Bvkd4lvWFZ81qtMaFookwmea-uJA9sibd2CKEwSIrRjYDXt54T_jv_Y7SxbyObzdR8l7qiY_Zp6rM7bHKSI8qIlvyVqQ2jlQ9JMmmF/s1600/Ronad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHdsK-a-GMAI0WWhYNgzKURytR3EfGTJ0qVDgb1Bvkd4lvWFZ81qtMaFookwmea-uJA9sibd2CKEwSIrRjYDXt54T_jv_Y7SxbyObzdR8l7qiY_Zp6rM7bHKSI8qIlvyVqQ2jlQ9JMmmF/s1600/Ronad.png" /></a></div>
<br />
Ain't she lucky to have these wonderful people as her godparents?<br />
<br />
Congratulations again for this milestone, Maia! We're really proud of how far you've come and how you are growing to be such an amazing child of God.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcHjZWF-iflQeqEa3UXJOz7wcYur0janCkFJc_35BSRwYLrQsKsry_KmEv-SfrX6v3akLPEsMAG_WROHcAjXmy660Gvs6rQmlVtRf0ymyH2NYgyfy2DB-R2Ee0lE6tXHleC1BZGeJc9Wv/s1600/15235939_10154988294369396_7785797133769396129_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcHjZWF-iflQeqEa3UXJOz7wcYur0janCkFJc_35BSRwYLrQsKsry_KmEv-SfrX6v3akLPEsMAG_WROHcAjXmy660Gvs6rQmlVtRf0ymyH2NYgyfy2DB-R2Ee0lE6tXHleC1BZGeJc9Wv/s640/15235939_10154988294369396_7785797133769396129_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Keep the faith. Keep the spirit. Let God be your guide always.pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-26732741093229988872016-07-16T09:25:00.000-07:002016-07-18T23:19:34.660-07:00Maia Recommends: Kite Flying In Luneta ParkOne of our household's biggest struggle after a very sedentary summer was finding outdoor activities that the little miss can genuinely enjoy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Weekend food trips to the city usually end up with her tugging us relentlessly to go home. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"This is boring, Mommy." (translated to: I need to get hold of my gadgets before school starts on Monday)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today, we braved the city traffic once again to try a new activity - kite-making. The NCCA has been holding several activities (all weekends of June) in Luneta Park and this weekend was the last leg of their Arts in Public Places in Luneta series. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHQTEp-WOb1PvgfnZohBVb_Mn16CN8BHmTXKx-PRnckDc1vLMBvgB4IWKVKYEDUcpm9uPDUlYBZqWWCzLnZbLjiCVK0FpLtaA2ZfPWqLjiJONvkiP7G9eFV4ip59h-evr0msJcIOAiDMT/s1600/blog0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHQTEp-WOb1PvgfnZohBVb_Mn16CN8BHmTXKx-PRnckDc1vLMBvgB4IWKVKYEDUcpm9uPDUlYBZqWWCzLnZbLjiCVK0FpLtaA2ZfPWqLjiJONvkiP7G9eFV4ip59h-evr0msJcIOAiDMT/s640/blog0.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We left home at a little after 1pm hoping to get ahead of the traffic congestion but ended up getting stuck anyway. We arrived in Luneta a few minutes after 3. We searched for Burnham Green but after being dropped off right in front of Jose Rizal's monument, we couldn't find the venue of the event. I approached a park guard and we were pointed towards a cluster of tents across the road. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI8rj3UjFZadq6TbQ9T3WufDzyDK9g-1epr6CDyn-yIuuWQeR4UFRXfLb_6pYz2qVltyUBGIfO3sf7hIswHrez1WNpeVnpSFNtVwOpthVZzitGM4FxhD2-r3___3sbF12bFHzosCTcDEv/s1600/blog1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixI8rj3UjFZadq6TbQ9T3WufDzyDK9g-1epr6CDyn-yIuuWQeR4UFRXfLb_6pYz2qVltyUBGIfO3sf7hIswHrez1WNpeVnpSFNtVwOpthVZzitGM4FxhD2-r3___3sbF12bFHzosCTcDEv/s640/blog1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sadly, the event was not publicized well. At 3:30, we were the first to register. We waited a few more minutes before we started making the kites. Nevertheless, when we started flying the kites, people started noticing the activity and a few more kites joined ours in the air.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirabGK7lt2RqRf44S3rGsBsJ17m7YCvbnhQnCwyfmF3PPybO2WAsJqSjz8t99P-3zTFjIKCq8hGcuON3Qut8YpMF-ygFSX2UX6p4lE0F8Zkict3xJQzshZzUjlABiPP-kp-dsfw6-KrjyX/s1600/blog2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirabGK7lt2RqRf44S3rGsBsJ17m7YCvbnhQnCwyfmF3PPybO2WAsJqSjz8t99P-3zTFjIKCq8hGcuON3Qut8YpMF-ygFSX2UX6p4lE0F8Zkict3xJQzshZzUjlABiPP-kp-dsfw6-KrjyX/s640/blog2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I do hope the NCCA will continue to organize events like this which parents like me highly appreciate. We get to pry our technology, gadget-loving kids away from the couch and remind them that spending time outdoors is still so much fun. </div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/07/18/Getting-kids-to-appreciate-the-arts-and-outdoors.html">Watch video!<br />
<script>var w=window,d=document,e;w._fpes||(w._fpes=[],w.addEventListener("load",function(){var s=d.createElement("script");s.src="//embed.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/embed.min.js",d.body.appendChild(s)})),e=[].slice.call(d.getElementsByTagName("script"),-1)[0].parentNode,w._fpes.push({e:e,l:"",c:{"ratio":0.5625,"rtmp":"rtmp://s3ekkj4q9j3i04.cloudfront.net/cfx/st","live":false,"origin":"http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/07/18/Getting-kids-to-appreciate-the-arts-and-outdoors.html","analytics":"UA-60111879-1","key":"$166952631088920","swf":"http://cnnphilippines.com//static/flash/fl6/flowplayer.swf","swfHls":"//releases.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/commercial/flowplayerhls.swf","adaptiveRatio":false,"clip":{"subtitles":[],"sources":[{"src":"rtmp://s3ekkj4q9j3i04.cloudfront.net/cfx/st/mp4:96822.mp4","suffix":"mp4","type":"video/flash"}]}}});
</script></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I myself didn't realize how relaxing and delightful kite-flying was until I got hold of the string and started maneuvering the kite to stay up in the air. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLM9pl9uBAhObPi58_GcF5VGM0kjb9HLHmiEAt17v6ecuY2Qxba-mo6r4bMEMHSBGVaAgZOFTy3ZJQzwRyJzwNBOcv3WkfkXPGz8fDprhg7ClJ-JMudSMkABj859k72WntM_6xDx0oSFf/s1600/blog3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLM9pl9uBAhObPi58_GcF5VGM0kjb9HLHmiEAt17v6ecuY2Qxba-mo6r4bMEMHSBGVaAgZOFTy3ZJQzwRyJzwNBOcv3WkfkXPGz8fDprhg7ClJ-JMudSMkABj859k72WntM_6xDx0oSFf/s640/blog3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"It's fun to steer, Mommy!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRCdINsNHYdz5Fk4amD_2PJe0RQOIMH5E1l9oScgJeK1iwLxNLV29cSGATUg8OqTOUlX_KUYn3zNJcTwKNEfkpGYGJK2EwQHtlVLxVkB5CeXWHWInAyvdeT9x2HjqUk6mlIJ02Ji_JQtu/s1600/blog4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRCdINsNHYdz5Fk4amD_2PJe0RQOIMH5E1l9oScgJeK1iwLxNLV29cSGATUg8OqTOUlX_KUYn3zNJcTwKNEfkpGYGJK2EwQHtlVLxVkB5CeXWHWInAyvdeT9x2HjqUk6mlIJ02Ji_JQtu/s640/blog4.JPG" width="526" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0SAJVdPX3aV3lUAp3oZo2mnkkjZTTrdG_t2R8GlGTF1XWMlIju4HiVO0Hx1U7l6rhlFviVF2kJVIb8rBZMcW-8H_u459A4ZBK1PBW73nb7IZaE2bAsLu6c-yXYw8kFmRKlr-wqhmAsuL/s1600/blog5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0SAJVdPX3aV3lUAp3oZo2mnkkjZTTrdG_t2R8GlGTF1XWMlIju4HiVO0Hx1U7l6rhlFviVF2kJVIb8rBZMcW-8H_u459A4ZBK1PBW73nb7IZaE2bAsLu6c-yXYw8kFmRKlr-wqhmAsuL/s640/blog5.JPG" width="522" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We will come back soon. Luneta Park as night is yet another thing that we are looking forward to experience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-STh6a7hI7zdxxGC3BvDCrQKJWb-CsKt-UprbKa4g2eeNKmmoq7TYLxK9I0WNDowHzsoA0IbCrDugB5C84ZEYeO4OqtQ-8fITHK0iVmzOjxEAUEuii8dwhC9-Z7raMGIXRoTdMm50147x/s1600/blog6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-STh6a7hI7zdxxGC3BvDCrQKJWb-CsKt-UprbKa4g2eeNKmmoq7TYLxK9I0WNDowHzsoA0IbCrDugB5C84ZEYeO4OqtQ-8fITHK0iVmzOjxEAUEuii8dwhC9-Z7raMGIXRoTdMm50147x/s640/blog6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The larong pinoy and kite-making event still runs until July 17th. Do drop by and join! Click here for the event page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/228961770830778/" target="_blank">Larong Pinoy & Kite-Making.</a> Like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial/" target="_blank">National Commission for Culture and the Arts</a> page as well to get updates of other government sponsored art activities around the metro.</div>
pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-622900811589337302016-04-15T20:28:00.000-07:002016-04-15T20:28:18.944-07:00Brownie, Our Adopted Dog (And A Few Tips to Prevent Heat Stroke on Pets)About 9 months ago, a frail, scrawny dog took refuge in our front steps. She was so thin and almost hairless, most people would feel too icky to come near her.<br />
<br />
We were no exception. We wanted her captured. We didn't want her lingering around our property.<br />
<br />
But she was persistent. She persevered to stay even if the village guards would chase her away day in and day out. She eventually recognized the sound of the guards motorcycles that even if they were still far away, we'd hear her growl like a tiger.<br />
<br />
The guards and maintenance crew eventually gave up.<br />
<br />
We couldn't just let her starve so we started feeding her. Once a day. Twice a day. And then before we even realized how far we're dragging ourselves into, it became a regular thing. A few weeks after, we started seeing her orange-y fur come out. In a month, she was far from the scrawny dog that she used to be. We saw how pretty a dog she is.<br />
<br />
But we still weren't ready for a pet. So the husband befriended her and eventually tamed her enough to get a leash on her. When we were about to hand her over to the guards, we asked where she'd be taken to and was told they will just throw her out of the village.<br />
<br />
The hubs looked at me and I knew. That day was the day we officially became pet owners. My daughter immediately christened her "BROWNIE" and the rest was history.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/6JTsn-R0LF/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Say "hi" to the newest member of our family. Maia named her "Brownie". (Hahaha galing nya pumili ng pangalan di ba?). She was a scrawny stray that refused to leave our doorsteps and expertly evaded the nth attempts of the village guards to catch her. Tibs eventually decided to buy a chain so it would be easier to turn her over. But after learning that she's just going to be thrown out of the village, he decided we'll just adopt her instead. Bagong kalaro. Napakabait. She learned sit and stay very fast. Her first time to get inside the house but she didnt leave the door. #pet #mustlovedogs</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2015-08-09T02:13:10+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 8, 2015 at 7:13pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
Beginning that day, we arranged our schedules so we won't have to leave her alone for so long. Fortunately when we needed to go on long trips, we were very lucky to have family and friends volunteering to take her in temporarily. Come to think of it, her very gentle demeanor makes is very easy for people to grow fondness of her.<br />
<br />
Soon we'll be celebrating our first year as dog owners. I never realized I'd get deeply attached with anyone else other than my little miss. But a few days ago, I lost myself in panic because I thought we were going to lose Brownie.<br />
<br />
We were oblivious to the symptoms but it turns out she was already suffering from heat stroke. And early morning on Monday, I found her gasping for air almost breathing her last. For the first time, I was lost. I didn't know what to do. I was stroking her gently, hoping my touch would calm her down and take the pain away. But as I looked at her with tears streaming down my face, I felt her starting to close her eyes and giving in. I knew I couldn't just sit there and watch her die. I asked a neighbor if they can drive us to the vet clinic outside of our village and they did not hesitate. Unfortunately, the tricycle that we were taking wouldn't start.<br />
<br />
I decided I will just try to carry her. I thought I had enough energy to carry her to the clinic but after about 100 meters of walking, my shoulders were already surrendering. The guards eventually decided to just use their motorcycle. The clinic was still closed when we arrived. I looked at my watch, 10 minutes to opening time. I knocked and called for help. But I guess I was too gentle, so the building guard approached and pounded on the rolled up door shouting "EMERGENCY!!!!". After a few seconds, the door opened and they let us in! "Thank you, Lord!"<br />
<br />
They clinic assistant took Brownie's temp and shouted for the vet to come out. "Emergency doc!" They couldn't get a good reading of the temp because the 2 thermometers kept showing "E". Later I'd find out, her temp was just too high the digital thermometer couldn't display it anymore. They placed 3 ice bags on her and attached her to an IV bottle. They put her on whelping box and allowed her to rest. After about 30mins, oh boy, I was so happy to see her sit up and bark. Despite seeing her active after an hour, I was asked to leave her for the rest of the day to finish the fluid therapy. The doctor gave me some tips to prevent her from having another heat stroke:<br />
<br />
1. Check her water regularly. Make sure it's clean and cold (as much as possible).<br />
2. Spritz some water on her and her puppies several times in a day.. Even "aspins" need to be refreshed too.<br />
3. Don't allow her to drink water immediately after a walk. It shocks their organs and that's not good. Let her rest for a few minutes then give her water.<br />
4. For newly birthed dogs like Brownie, they're more likely to suffer from <a href="http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/hypocalcemia-dogs">Hypocalcemia </a>after 2-3 weeks of giving birth. So best to supplement in the meantime.<br />
<br />
Brownie is doing good now. She kept us up for a few more days but I think she's recovering well already. Soon, her puppies will move to new homes. But for now, we enjoy having them around. Even the little miss is very eager to take on the responsibility of making sure the pups are well fed and well hydrated.pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-10843260110454741012015-11-10T02:56:00.000-08:002016-04-07T20:46:14.935-07:00Maia Travels: Day 1 - Arriving in HK DisneylandWe planned this trip for almost a year. Our not-so-little girl had picked to go to Disneyland instead of hosting a party because "I'm not a party girl, Mommy". Much to my delight, this decision of hers. So we proceeded to book our plane tickets (lucky for us on one of the piso fare sale of a local airline) and started saving for this trip.<br />
<br />
Despite our excitement for this milestone trip (her first out of the country trip), we rarely talked about it with her because we wanted to keep the excitement at bay till a few days prior. The day before we left, she was more worried about the classes she'll miss. They just got back from a week long semestral break in school so she sort of miss her classmates and teachers. Gladly, we got permission from her teachers and she was allowed her to miss 3 days. Guess what, all those worries were forgotten the minute we stepped out of the plane and boarded the MTR to Disneyland Resort. She was just ecstatic, sporting a grin any parent wouldn't dare wipe off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVza90sbNgLMIPupZLGsFrImRPnfixe43q71vxydhlzR1IRgif-aq6qjVhldqycqLEmfHNRR3BqPFNasKrWd4DhSsgE5RKxKBqCwfw3VNqCgpknJg0Nu-sHF7jt0HvVxxPZuHTsv0vKqQs/s1600/PB040499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVza90sbNgLMIPupZLGsFrImRPnfixe43q71vxydhlzR1IRgif-aq6qjVhldqycqLEmfHNRR3BqPFNasKrWd4DhSsgE5RKxKBqCwfw3VNqCgpknJg0Nu-sHF7jt0HvVxxPZuHTsv0vKqQs/s640/PB040499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We dedicated 2 days of our 4 days, 3 nights in Hong Kong for Disneyland alone. My husband bought the tickets from <a href="https://www.klook.com/activity/39-hong-kong-disneyland-hong-kong/" rel="nofollow">klook.com</a> and opted to just claim the tickets on the ticket counter at HK Disneyland upon our arrival. We checked a few options to buy the tickets and klook.com came out the cheapest. We saved (if I remember correctly) about HK$30 for each 2-day ticket. Sign in as a member and you get additional discount as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvTOoWUWVBg7SNR4kSN2TRzM0Pp-jznhawssBMlOkmZ6jF3JoktIjLQH-fky-KoD2zEuZr3wOFg_LfKDQTQp2u-mpSFQyJ4CgOeEqls-bVjhFs-oR9RGgFmEQH-N-2BfAS0D01EiSBQ6Q/s1600/P2_HKD+Tix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvTOoWUWVBg7SNR4kSN2TRzM0Pp-jznhawssBMlOkmZ6jF3JoktIjLQH-fky-KoD2zEuZr3wOFg_LfKDQTQp2u-mpSFQyJ4CgOeEqls-bVjhFs-oR9RGgFmEQH-N-2BfAS0D01EiSBQ6Q/s640/P2_HKD+Tix.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got tickets! Ready to rummmmmbbbbbble!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We didn't get lost from the airport to Disney, yay! Despite the language barrier, we didn't encounter any trouble during the train rides. We arrived in the resort at around 10:30am. We decided to take the shuttle bus to <a href="https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/hotels/disneys-hollywood-hotel/rates-rooms/">Disney Hollywood Hotel</a> (where we spent one night) drop our luggage first. We booked 45 days in advance and got a discounted rate for our one night stay. We weren't sure where to leave our luggage but took the chance anyways and fortunately for us, the hotel had a designated baggage drop for early arrivals. We didn't have to worry even if our check in was still scheduled at 2pm. We settled our hotel reservation and headed back to the park by 11am. We decided to just grab a quick bite at the park in case we get hungry. We were still full from the brunch we had earlier anyways.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn4A2R_Rz8bv9aHqIHAUKbR-deCyk1p2_OKdPW1hCIlx8ioDIM-B19utU2-XSmdbhOxGuCDKe4u5yDtyeJGzqyq_uDjClpiPfFhZM7ksY7cPryp7j5255a2DLQ-eitMX2y0G5H50PltQr/s1600/P2_HKD+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn4A2R_Rz8bv9aHqIHAUKbR-deCyk1p2_OKdPW1hCIlx8ioDIM-B19utU2-XSmdbhOxGuCDKe4u5yDtyeJGzqyq_uDjClpiPfFhZM7ksY7cPryp7j5255a2DLQ-eitMX2y0G5H50PltQr/s640/P2_HKD+Sign.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Disney adventure just about to start (and those tired faces were replaced by delight when we got into the park!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since we arrived close to opening time, there wasn't a lot of people yet at the park. We got maps (got extras too for friends) and other informational fliers at the gate and got into the park.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZw2as5GKPk4ZU0XHwSd3f5rP7GHCK4y-bZ3YXj53_044TjNMKsu2xTFBl6iEAGbXHe_b_oqZZKGfZqqs8Yab-uHItT3smB-yJ9H0zrmCL5LyABE4lw91bbi5y5hN4MVaaHCr2nVb5yuq/s1600/P2_HKD+Gate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZw2as5GKPk4ZU0XHwSd3f5rP7GHCK4y-bZ3YXj53_044TjNMKsu2xTFBl6iEAGbXHe_b_oqZZKGfZqqs8Yab-uHItT3smB-yJ9H0zrmCL5LyABE4lw91bbi5y5hN4MVaaHCr2nVb5yuq/s640/P2_HKD+Gate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauGO5LCRPaY6egH2HYHnHII6W-cAJ2rDqo-OulLGYZ1AlYhvkAhQtLUBFBSrvBhQpJm3wvSUYbjkHbWZrw997Ys8NwSzKn6qFqa8PJpzKmbGeUMsbBhLZ24FS6fRaP2aY29itl_dU8Ouj/s1600/P2_HKD+Entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauGO5LCRPaY6egH2HYHnHII6W-cAJ2rDqo-OulLGYZ1AlYhvkAhQtLUBFBSrvBhQpJm3wvSUYbjkHbWZrw997Ys8NwSzKn6qFqa8PJpzKmbGeUMsbBhLZ24FS6fRaP2aY29itl_dU8Ouj/s640/P2_HKD+Entrance.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're here!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy to know that the park publishes a weekly schedule of activities so it was easier for us to manage our 2-day trip. The little girl couldn't wait to plan her day!<br />
<br />
We decided to walk around first while we plan our two day park itinerary. We wanted to get as much autographs as we can (the little girl made an autograph book for characters to sign during meet and greet time). But we also wanted to take our time at each stop as well.<br />
<br />
Let me indulge you with photos for the remaining part of this post. We spent 11am-3pm walking around and trying out some of the rides. By 3pm, we were really beat so we decided to head back to the hotel and rest. We wanted to have plenty of energy for the Night Parade (no expectations. Our goal then was just to experience what it feels like at night in Disney).<br />
<br />
Several things I would like to note in here as well:<br />
<br />
- We regret not taking the opportunity to have photos taken with the toy soldiers, Jessie and Woody in Toy Storyland because we didn't get the chance to meet them anymore in Day 2.<br />
- We wish we brought more snacks for the little miss since it was allowed anyway. Best to pack light sandwiches for your little kids to munch on. Bring lots of water if you can. We were there November so we were expecting colder season but had to contend with a hot and humid afternoons instead. Winter came late for HK in 2015.<br />
- Make sure to check the weather forecast a week before your trip so you can pack appropriate clothing.<br />
- Our daughter can already handle long walks. But the park also rent outs strollers so you don't have to break your backs carrying toddlers and babies if you're with one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsEhBGWDnd7zCo_fIR46TYk4SHV41X_U_YDjG0cH7Rs47UepDbVF1bC50nLc2UDg4VjkXXQs2gf-Aav-7e8S9o02XYYdSUxMZTNGQ6brjwBLubBfhEEWk5NTDxvOJDh8P7ZW3YlvVyNI2/s1600/P2_mainstreet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsEhBGWDnd7zCo_fIR46TYk4SHV41X_U_YDjG0cH7Rs47UepDbVF1bC50nLc2UDg4VjkXXQs2gf-Aav-7e8S9o02XYYdSUxMZTNGQ6brjwBLubBfhEEWk5NTDxvOJDh8P7ZW3YlvVyNI2/s640/P2_mainstreet.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Street, USA. Most of the shops are found here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaSFXVKqwap5ayb511MOmTHi4FNrdvRNbOFPNuyaenwI2LR3UXsAqhAwd6AyAHIs6teHeDTbJ3H4yfUJywfSdrM4qlh_L4doorSQJ3jDbg3uELLMtzyfKNXcsm8hxRCsZNFggCVKEzp_3/s1600/P2_endofday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaSFXVKqwap5ayb511MOmTHi4FNrdvRNbOFPNuyaenwI2LR3UXsAqhAwd6AyAHIs6teHeDTbJ3H4yfUJywfSdrM4qlh_L4doorSQJ3jDbg3uELLMtzyfKNXcsm8hxRCsZNFggCVKEzp_3/s640/P2_endofday1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo53Xgcc95miVK8Qj9qiysmfrXricK2IUwvv88Fc_2FCVdgKz0_D6UWf602l2dRK-udEEI_Ylp8obyfyBHbXCzUDjHTfVQ9aZk4NtYaAwzxqHP-Vt7yoJSrJZQrOtfMF2ZsZin1uLPPv0h/s1600/P2_toystoryland2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo53Xgcc95miVK8Qj9qiysmfrXricK2IUwvv88Fc_2FCVdgKz0_D6UWf602l2dRK-udEEI_Ylp8obyfyBHbXCzUDjHTfVQ9aZk4NtYaAwzxqHP-Vt7yoJSrJZQrOtfMF2ZsZin1uLPPv0h/s640/P2_toystoryland2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her first ride was here. Via the Slinky Dog Spin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6al6W4Ws5_zuHWyODFcoWljUB0ngviPjVAzCgw__4_T0243LrMHpMpwelYUwlFpuUHL02tLMtqof7vFBso6L53fWC3N2vJ5r9NNgduzsMWbWsfuBujrFkZ-Zaku1bP4t7RFVA4H-dD0yh/s1600/P2_parachuteride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6al6W4Ws5_zuHWyODFcoWljUB0ngviPjVAzCgw__4_T0243LrMHpMpwelYUwlFpuUHL02tLMtqof7vFBso6L53fWC3N2vJ5r9NNgduzsMWbWsfuBujrFkZ-Zaku1bP4t7RFVA4H-dD0yh/s640/P2_parachuteride.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Toy Soldier Parachute Drop.She rode this with her dad.<br />
"Parang sakit ng tyan ko, Mommy! Pero ang saya saya!!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrEvjcQSkl0JMqQ8RmWMhAHJbzZMpCmGR9gBrZm-q9sf9I9PdPStM-ll9KYdJzMFFW0sMcUszbjuxpzE9oImWVHLpikbSz5XomN6J8nwA32UDAGeKB4-TMQtRs-d3dOMmI1UiKryi0YoH/s1600/P2_mine+cart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrEvjcQSkl0JMqQ8RmWMhAHJbzZMpCmGR9gBrZm-q9sf9I9PdPStM-ll9KYdJzMFFW0sMcUszbjuxpzE9oImWVHLpikbSz5XomN6J8nwA32UDAGeKB4-TMQtRs-d3dOMmI1UiKryi0YoH/s640/P2_mine+cart.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that mine cart on the left? She rode that too! Was too much for me but for her, it was just gut-wrenching fun! Haha.<br />
I think we have one adventurer here, Daddy! Get readdddyyyy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwawGkTFVmaacgdY40n7Fftr8Nr-qvKBXz0K-wlafHp2LNZR63RsPhy5XyRsXvLp6W8X1yT3xgv5n9F5eQyMPIFHX1W9wU4_YNkTJOv-PYBy9HEYUU-uBZyW7gDD5zEw6fKvFRWRpdOt4x/s1600/P2_mystic+manor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwawGkTFVmaacgdY40n7Fftr8Nr-qvKBXz0K-wlafHp2LNZR63RsPhy5XyRsXvLp6W8X1yT3xgv5n9F5eQyMPIFHX1W9wU4_YNkTJOv-PYBy9HEYUU-uBZyW7gDD5zEw6fKvFRWRpdOt4x/s640/P2_mystic+manor.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She passed up on this. Because we can hear the "screaming" from manor entrance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60oxxmvrczOSPfgT2SfGwUPQJ3N94xz4X40T3ot9siSD_MzKvtaUWx6usGuHrRyot_UXvz_JW5C8qTzncofSBr5ZaqYmYooa85ILsmCAkeupHMZ-PTDYF1uwxtOs2ahtSTOxtt1Ex-b2A/s1600/P2_endofday02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60oxxmvrczOSPfgT2SfGwUPQJ3N94xz4X40T3ot9siSD_MzKvtaUWx6usGuHrRyot_UXvz_JW5C8qTzncofSBr5ZaqYmYooa85ILsmCAkeupHMZ-PTDYF1uwxtOs2ahtSTOxtt1Ex-b2A/s640/P2_endofday02.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was her at 3pm. Sooooo tired. We decided to head to the hotel first for a quick rest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Read Part 1 <a href="http://maiaisobel.blogspot.com/2015/11/maia-travels-hongkong-disneyland-part-i.html">here</a>.<br />
Read HK Disneyland at Night here.<br />
<div>
Review of the Disney Hollywood Hotel, Breakfast with Chef Mickey and Day 2 of our Disneyland experience here.</div>
Read about Maia's HK Science Museum experience here.<br />
Exploring TST and Mongkok here.<br />
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-70549469829706610662015-11-09T04:30:00.002-08:002016-03-27T05:43:00.106-07:00Maia Travels: HongKong Disneyland (Part I)"Byebye Disney. I will be back. Kung sana malapit lang dito bahay natin no? Or kung pwede na lang tumira dito, Mommy ano?"<br />
(If only our house is just near, no? Or if only we can live here, no Mommy?)<br />
<br />
That was my daughter's emotional farewell while we were walking out of HongKong Disneyland. I used to think I'm tough enough to never be lured by the tag line "happiest place on Earth" but turns out the tag line is never bounded by age nor race nor generations. Only by your wallet, I suppose. Hehe. But this trip proved to me one thing -- the child is me is still alive, after all!<br />
<br />
We arrived in Hong Kong half past 9 in the morning last Wednesday via Cebu Pacific Air from Manila. Good thing our flight was on time. Building itineraries are not my best points, so I told my daughter and husband to manage expectations. Anyways, we planned for a slow-paced trip so we have plenty of time for rest stops.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEz_DQ59URfBaOVvLPOWLRJYQSk1kg38EJTmlpVJWLr7pLCDd-2iuwxEqWdgz6i3Q6RDoR_DJZSsPjc1hJldIvQRHwTMZ2FKOLUw1J4tVhsW255ukEkk83kQep7lJmGY0wavBxnC3j0H7/s1600/D2_Plane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEz_DQ59URfBaOVvLPOWLRJYQSk1kg38EJTmlpVJWLr7pLCDd-2iuwxEqWdgz6i3Q6RDoR_DJZSsPjc1hJldIvQRHwTMZ2FKOLUw1J4tVhsW255ukEkk83kQep7lJmGY0wavBxnC3j0H7/s640/D2_Plane.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9Xc_ZaCjTN7muKJGmC97-FHW9zyaSGy5QRNF9fskjShEBPL9Yx_NDsuds3tZvWEkQnWYTCw1XZINSxUWZFrXhz7LpbKDWqoUZzPamJgM4gYAH97bSJ8Gg234Jkhyphenhyphen-tOVdrcZH9kZGXqD/s1600/D3_Airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9Xc_ZaCjTN7muKJGmC97-FHW9zyaSGy5QRNF9fskjShEBPL9Yx_NDsuds3tZvWEkQnWYTCw1XZINSxUWZFrXhz7LpbKDWqoUZzPamJgM4gYAH97bSJ8Gg234Jkhyphenhyphen-tOVdrcZH9kZGXqD/s640/D3_Airport.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxAkTlvLM0nSNJ6QfPDHktIqn5OgHvhE5fdmYg7LFMwSGHDiPwmfRg-ekMAn6zworwiURx0n3jT2eQfzaS7Zb2ltxIFhVn-5lW_ic1G0Uhklg5Zzvqh2ifld1bANp1opjNLY1IRbru-8-/s1600/D4_Airport2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxAkTlvLM0nSNJ6QfPDHktIqn5OgHvhE5fdmYg7LFMwSGHDiPwmfRg-ekMAn6zworwiURx0n3jT2eQfzaS7Zb2ltxIFhVn-5lW_ic1G0Uhklg5Zzvqh2ifld1bANp1opjNLY1IRbru-8-/s640/D4_Airport2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We took our sweet time lining up at the immigration since its the little girl's first out of the country trip we tried to explained how things work when one leaves his or her home country and arrives in a different territory. I couldn't really tell if she understood everything. I will probably find out the next time we go on another trip abroad. But for now, I took all the nods as a "yes".<br />
<br />
After exiting immigration, we went to find <a href="https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/t1/fastf/cafe.html">Cafe De Coral</a> at the 7th floor of HKIA since we wanted to fuel up before leaving the airport. We wanted to have plenty of energy in case we get lost on our way to Hong Kong Disneyland.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU76UQDWXtTK3n42rC5OxJg3c54owg3GgKLxvkPEN6m-eVLM31WO_rSq1O29hkHt_QDFXjbnpF5UcKBB89cgxUaKUHW_lBE4WXmGKks81GAQQ_gcm_Tshyphenhyphen53I8WD_IOP9OBcH-f2me2wsS/s1600/D1_Cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU76UQDWXtTK3n42rC5OxJg3c54owg3GgKLxvkPEN6m-eVLM31WO_rSq1O29hkHt_QDFXjbnpF5UcKBB89cgxUaKUHW_lBE4WXmGKks81GAQQ_gcm_Tshyphenhyphen53I8WD_IOP9OBcH-f2me2wsS/s640/D1_Cafe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of the breakfast items were already sold out. The cafe was already starting to put out the lunch menu. But we still managed to eat a decent meal. We ordered meal sets. I think we spent about HK$70 for 2 meal sets but they were already very filling. The little girl liked the ramen soup particularly and finished the hefty serving all by herself.<br />
<br />
After the hearty breakfast, we prepared to leave for Disneyland. Being first timers in HK, we went to find the information counter at the airport first to make sure we are headed to the right direction. There's several ways to get to Disney. I supposed the cheapest would be to take the bus but we decided to take the train instead since we have a kid and 2 luggages with us. It took us 3 train rides to get to Disney. But the transport system in HK is very efficient so we didn't feel any hassle despite having to do several train transfers. All 3 rides were comfy enough for our little girl to enjoy the ride. I'm sure in her mind - "I CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO DISNEY" was on constant play.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1tk-xze60bnS-2quD38c1CdJoHdXMSH5mZx5arhb0dc2bXU7E8836deX3d9NqOqjLE8QWITd-Zyo95QFh1WghsOFXgQtAfnf46CpGqNLa3Zzw9KYIfTgRWQWi5miNZYfujsSYbu7SVT/s1600/D5_Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1tk-xze60bnS-2quD38c1CdJoHdXMSH5mZx5arhb0dc2bXU7E8836deX3d9NqOqjLE8QWITd-Zyo95QFh1WghsOFXgQtAfnf46CpGqNLa3Zzw9KYIfTgRWQWi5miNZYfujsSYbu7SVT/s640/D5_Train.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train from HKIA to Tung Chung (this was the shortest but most expensive among the 3 train rides) then Tung Chung to Sunny Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cvqvvGbTnmgvtXIQPuIWJ2jhd5vgD3gcV-ykPyx5XFk9LrYeW4fWTUqNIom1DGHEHtZJI8OJRydgfgZpdZRaFjiSYX6Mh2mUbNLPD9Ek3KXan-ezCACtNOC9cWRndk6GugP0cNFQc0W/s1600/D5_Train2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cvqvvGbTnmgvtXIQPuIWJ2jhd5vgD3gcV-ykPyx5XFk9LrYeW4fWTUqNIom1DGHEHtZJI8OJRydgfgZpdZRaFjiSYX6Mh2mUbNLPD9Ek3KXan-ezCACtNOC9cWRndk6GugP0cNFQc0W/s640/D5_Train2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunny Bay to Disneyland Resort!</div>
<a href="http://maiaisobel.blogspot.com/2015/11/maia-travels-arriving-in-hk-disneyland.html"><br /></a>
<a href="http://maiaisobel.blogspot.com/2015/11/maia-travels-arriving-in-hk-disneyland.html">Part 2 here: Maia arrives in Disneyland Resort.</a>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-80046358780443588872015-09-19T21:35:00.000-07:002015-09-19T21:35:02.542-07:00Recipe: Easy-Peasy Cinnamon-y Bread PuddingI hate to throw away food. As much as possible, I cook just enough to serve the number of heads I am expected to feed. But of course, on occasions where leftovers are just inevitable I try my hardest to be creative. And I believe, modesty aside, my creative juices flow better when I'm in kitchen.<br />
<br />
Not to say that I don't rely on recipes entirely. I have yet to level up to being an innovator in this field but familiarity with how ingredients would taste or react with each other helps me a lot when I cook or bake.<br />
<br />
The other night, a Facebook friend posted her freshly baked bread pudding and I remembered again the bread loaf that I've been keeping in our freezer for two (I think) weeks now. I immediately asked for her recipe and seeing I had everything on hand got me giddy to bake again.<br />
<br />
This morning, the little miss and I finally got to work while the Daddy of the house is still asleep. I had about 4 cups of old bread and we tore them up to tiny pieces, dumped them into the baking pan, poured the custard (well, more like milk really) mix and pop it into the oven.<br />
<br />
Here's a list of the ingredients:<br />
<br />
4 cups of old bread (torn into tiny pieces it was a mix of white and wheat bread but it didn't really matter)<br />
2 large eggs, well beaten<br />
about 1 cup of evaporated milk<br />
about 1 cup of non-fat milk (since that's what I had left)<br />
4 tbsps muscovado sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract (it would've better if I had vanilla beans, i'm sure)<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp nutmeg (I used McCormick)<br />
a pinch of salt<br />
about a tsp of unsalted butter to line the baking pan<br />
<br />
<br />
suggested toppings: cold condensed milk, peanut butter, chocolate spread, whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, honey, fresh berries/fruits<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihStiHQcsD53Shy7mjLoOeNmatOL3Q4C_DlqbSBlmm8vfptJbMEwL6h3ExiVvml2Pi6GCN4XCQZOPrIxjmRACRfM-RdmK8nPAHd1j87q1jinr9devMBFNAh9QX-ZkuMj43PMMe1iDr4pBM/s1600/P_20150920_080027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihStiHQcsD53Shy7mjLoOeNmatOL3Q4C_DlqbSBlmm8vfptJbMEwL6h3ExiVvml2Pi6GCN4XCQZOPrIxjmRACRfM-RdmK8nPAHd1j87q1jinr9devMBFNAh9QX-ZkuMj43PMMe1iDr4pBM/s640/P_20150920_080027.jpg" width="640" /></a>How we did it:<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius.<br />
Mix all ingredients - eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg - except for bread.<br />
Line the baking pan with butter.<br />
Fill the pan with bread (about 2/3 of the pan).<br />
Pour milk mixture over the bread until they are thoroughly soaked.<br />
Press with spatula to even out the top.<br />
Brush with softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.<br />
Bake in oven for 40-45 mins till knife comes out clean.<br />
<br />
The pudding was done just in time for breakfast. We had it warm and topped generously with condensed milk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC7sTlsdLNi9gC2zMXlQ9KRwmjIuhtRiTavFVPxMcDeIhmW0EP29aeAtmKo-HlYyv6w2KGL8lY1zzB_5Pt4HiY1WZ_JhQbYpn4zhQgN7u5cZr8o-h9cOTwSXtR8IXUn7Zi-ugWM0qjiIn/s1600/P_20150920_091756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC7sTlsdLNi9gC2zMXlQ9KRwmjIuhtRiTavFVPxMcDeIhmW0EP29aeAtmKo-HlYyv6w2KGL8lY1zzB_5Pt4HiY1WZ_JhQbYpn4zhQgN7u5cZr8o-h9cOTwSXtR8IXUn7Zi-ugWM0qjiIn/s640/P_20150920_091756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin, crisp top and soft on the inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are an occasional baker most of these ingredients are probably already available in your pantry. This is so easy to make and my little girl was so proud to serve this to her dad at breakfast. I'm happy that I finally made time to try this today. This is a great alternative to french toast (another leftover bread recipe) which is also one of our faves. Will share the recipe in another post next time.<br />
<br />
p.s. Thanks <a href="http://thelisashow.com/">Lisa </a>for sharing that photo the other night!pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-5197911643917907762015-08-01T22:39:00.000-07:002015-09-19T22:40:05.944-07:00Daydreams Of The FutureOn quiet moments, you'd catch me and the husband staring at our little girl more often than usual.<br />
<br />
Chubby cheeks still intact but when we hold her legs and thighs, we can see how strong this kid is growing up to be. Will she be a runner/sprinter? A soccer player (Like Tito Bogart and Tito Manuel)? A volleyball player (like her Tita Bim)? A swimmer perhaps? We wonder all the time.<br />
<br />
Our mind would skip from scene to scene imagining us cheering by the sidelines from one game to another.<br />
<br />
Yes, of all the things the husband and I wish for her to excel in, sports sits on top of our list. She is starting to be a voracious reader (because I am a bookworm, Mommy! [insert giggle]) and doodles her idle time away. And we still support these 100% but we believe that while these activities sharpen the mind, sports will help build and strengthen her character (resilience, competitive spirit, persistence to name a few). So yes, I hope soon you will find that one (or two, or even three) sport that will ignite your passion, little girl.<br />
<br />
Soon, we can imagine you already joining me and daddy in fun runs. Longer than the 500m dashes that you used to participate in. We can start with that. She just might be the motivation that I've been looking for several months now having gone on plenty of running hiatuses since me and the husband ran that first full marathon in 2013.<br />
<br />
Soon. Soon. Soon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPHW-dKnFulIKQJKU1dXvmSS7vbBkSS2naNowBeW6SG3Zj2TGEWnvbUMQwy8wsoXNK1pLeS-Laf-6L7hvv3i17_O4LBzJWkkDvp9YTgO1ImHlUh-i3llwZg1AVD9oNJg5JoS9PmK6Y1Gb/s1600/SPORTS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPHW-dKnFulIKQJKU1dXvmSS7vbBkSS2naNowBeW6SG3Zj2TGEWnvbUMQwy8wsoXNK1pLeS-Laf-6L7hvv3i17_O4LBzJWkkDvp9YTgO1ImHlUh-i3llwZg1AVD9oNJg5JoS9PmK6Y1Gb/s640/SPORTS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">racing with her manong Gogol somewhere in Guimaras, c 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-45538420300075094012015-06-03T00:03:00.000-07:002015-06-03T00:03:04.175-07:00First Day Of School TraditionsThe other day a blogger friend asked me if we as a family observe any first day of school traditions.<br />
<br />
This year will be the 4th year that we will be welcoming the first day of school with our little girl. Traditions?<br />
<br />
Well, apart from me ensuring that I personally prepare her lunch box and snacks (at least) during the first week of the school year, I'm not sure if it can be considered a tradition but we have been consistent in the last 3 years of ensuring we have our family photo taken in front of our house.<br />
<br />
We're just going on our 4th but when I look back at the last 3 years, I can clearly see how much this little kid has grown. I personally miss the chubby cheeks she had when she was still in preschool.<br />
<br />
When she graduates from Grade School, I think it would be nice to gift her with a collage of all these family photos, don't you think? I sure will try to keep on doing this as long as we can.<br />
<br />
How about you? What first day of school traditions do you observe with your kid/s?<br />
<br />
Sharing these interesting ideas for first day of school traditions that I found online:<br />
<br />
<h3 class="r" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kids-korner/25-fun-first-day-of-school-traditions/" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">25 Fun First Day of School Traditions : The Dating Divas</a></h3>
<br />
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-67145809072552724612015-06-02T00:58:00.002-07:002015-06-02T07:04:30.888-07:00Summer - 6th Year EditionFor school-aged kids, summer is probably like Christmas in April. There are no gifts, but this is where you get to be free of tight schedules and early wake up calls.<br />
<br />
My little girl just had the taste of that "summer" this year. Being a gradeschooler, she had to contend with 7pm bedtimes and 430am wake up calls for 10 months. So when she learned there is such a thing called summer vacation, oh boy did she looked forward to it big time.<br />
<br />
In the past 5 years, being the working mom who felt like she had to prove she is wonderwoman, I several activities lined up already before summer even started. And the little miss never retorted. But this year, she insisted to just stay at home. To appease me, she promised to do some readings and take notes of new words to increase her vocabulary. (Poor girl, right?)<br />
<br />
Fortunately, it turned out to be something she really enjoyed. By the end of the summer, she finished 6 Thea Stilton books and still managed to squeeze in 10 sessions of basic swimming lessons.<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/2nzvHPx0Dq/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Thank you for taking good care of these kids Teacher Veron! Till next summer! #swimclass #summernimaia #MaiaIsSix</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A video posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2015-05-13T12:24:46+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 13, 2015 at 5:24am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
This summer felt like a full transition period for us. Growth spurts, more freedom, less hovering. We are witnessing more and more independence unfold in front of us. It is almost heartbreaking. I couldn't count the times when I would hear the husband heave a deep sigh and mumble -- "hanggang 6 ka na lang muna Maia, please".<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/2uU5YcR0Cf/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Happy Saturday! #sunkissed #summer #MaiaIsSix #PicsArt</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2015-05-16T01:09:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 15, 2015 at 6:09pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
Next week, we start our 2nd year in Grade School. Just more sighs, Daddy. I don't think we can really stop time.<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3S-4E4x0Pa/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Someone went to see her new classroom today. #Grade2 #Gradeschooldiaries #LittleMissMaia</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2015-05-30T06:49:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 29, 2015 at 11:49pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-69947792080689904772014-11-06T14:38:00.000-08:002014-11-09T15:02:46.910-08:00Milestone: Lost A Tooth TodayWe first discovered her loose tooth 2 days ago. We attempted to remove it right then and there because it seemed to be loose enough to pull but I was wrong and the kid fell to drama mood so I decided to wait.<br />
<br />
While I was wiggling the tooth (made sure that finger was clean):<br />
<br />
"(sob) Is it going to be painful????" (sob)<br />
<br />
"No, it won't be...but okay we'll just wait for it to come off on its own"<br />
<br />
"But how will I eat? What if I swallow it?"<br />
<br />
"I'm sure you won't swallow it. You will feel it once it comes off"<br />
<br />
---------------------------<br />
<br />
Two days later, we decided to let her skip school because she was feeling dizzy and nauseous. It was probably a combination of a lot of things (drowsiness, cold and maybe oil/lactose intolerance?), she was already crying while I was dressing her up. She actually didn't want to skip school and was worried about her Filipino class activity later (they were asked to bring a few cut out pictures). I assured her I will write to her teacher and that calmed her down.<br />
<br />
After throwing up her breakfast, the tooth came off too.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/vCYo9wx0Gg/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Someone just lost a tooth. She had to skip school today because she was feeling dizzy and nauseous. "Mommy, I wany you to stay but I know you need to go to work *insert sob* Five minutes later, she threw up her breakast and out came the tooth as well. "Ahhhhh, maybe it was the tooth that made me dizzy" #witty #naisahanyatasimommy #milestone #MaiaIsSix #PicsArt</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2014-11-05T23:56:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 3:56pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/vCY__YR0HG/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Hello new tooth! #MaiaIsSix</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Faye and Maia Paras (@chroniclesofmaia) on <time datetime="2014-11-05T23:59:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 11, 2014 at 3:59pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-5985875343644406092014-10-16T07:21:00.003-07:002014-10-16T18:44:47.598-07:00School Immersion First Grade Edition<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="2" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding-bottom: 55%; padding-top: 45%; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<div style="-webkit-animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -44px; width: 44px;">
</div>
<span style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; position: relative; top: 15px;">Loading</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px; word-wrap: break-word;">
Kumusta kaya ang araw mo, Maia? Bigla ka namin naalala ng sabay ng Daddy mo. Naisip namin sana matawagan ka man lang namin para kamustahin. Pero naisip din namin dadating din yun. Sa ngayon ayaw namin magmadaling bigyan ka ng telepono hehe . Ang aga mong nagising kanina. Sobrang eksayted ka sa araw na to. "Di na ako inaantok! Bangon na ako baka maiwanan ako". Enjoy ka anak! Ikaw na lang kumaway pag nadaanan mo office ko :) #fieldtrip #schoolgirl #letterstomaia</div>
<div style="line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/uMvGtIx0Mo/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_top"> View on Instagram</a></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Today, my little girl went to her first immersion (a.k.a. field trip) as a grade schooler. A month ago when this was announced, she immediately marked the date on our calendar. She was so excited we were reminded almost every day to make sure we bring her to school on time because she did not want to miss the bus!<br />
<br />
So we were up early today. At 4am to be exact. And unlike the usual school days where it takes us at least 3x to hit the snooze button before someone finally jumps out of bed, she was first to rise and wake every one up!<br />
<br />
We were in school 10 minutes before the call time of 6am. Ah despite of the 2 hour delay, she spelled the day in 3 letters - F.U.N.<br />
<br />
Her dad picked her up from school and on their way home, she had tons of questions and stories for him:<br />
>Bakit andaming mesa sa bahay ni Jose Rizal, Daddy? (Why are there lots of tables in Jose Rizal's house, Daddy?)<br />
>Ano ang ibig sabihin ng 24/7, Daddy? (What does 24/7 mean, Daddy?) Apparently noticing this signage from one of the popular burger joints she saw on the road.<br />
>Daddy! Dinrowing ko na lang yung mga napuntahan namin kanina. Yung mga hindi ko na makita, inimagine ko na lang! (Daddy, I drew the places we've been to earlier. I just imagined those that were out of my sight already)<br />
<br />
Our little artist. Our little storyteller. Our curious cat. Our princess.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="2" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding-bottom: 55%; padding-top: 45%; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<div style="-webkit-animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -44px; width: 44px;">
</div>
<span style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; position: relative; top: 15px;">Loading</span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/uOv8kbR0F4/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_top"> View on Instagram</a></div>
</div>
<style>@-webkit-keyframes"dkaXkpbBxI"{ 0%{opacity:0.5;} 50%{opacity:1;} 100%{opacity:0.5;} } @keyframes"dkaXkpbBxI"{ 0%{opacity:0.5;} 50%{opacity:1;} 100%{opacity:0.5;} }</style></blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
<br />
Time flies. Sooooo fast.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-71446098367005622952014-08-17T08:32:00.004-07:002014-08-17T08:32:40.952-07:00Crush/ed.This morning we had a very interesting topic over breakfast.<br />
<br />
Crushes.<br />
<br />
She told us she gets teased often in school now. I bet the our daddy's heart was a bit crushed seeing how her little baby girl giggled at the mere mention of the word.<br />
<br />
And yet, when we asked her if she knew what it meant - she still responded with a NO. So for now, we gave a simple explanation in the form of the word "LIKE". And we impliedly discouraged further use of the word "CRUSH".<br />
<br />
But she did admit she gets "kilig". What is "kilig", Mommy?<br />
<br />
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaay Maia. No wonder your daddy wants to freeze time now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s7AeMqwRfFV0KfaNCqJ2Xw8sVYodwlnMpe8nQDYiVavH_euaShf-3gfQW8QzKHoUwXJLgRcIg6WgYWmfFYFwP2ZYvWW0DT-tSEajfkky8Kx8ekKN4Mq5GWXlSpIU9eY203co0zFhxtjC/s1600/IMG_20140531_140558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s7AeMqwRfFV0KfaNCqJ2Xw8sVYodwlnMpe8nQDYiVavH_euaShf-3gfQW8QzKHoUwXJLgRcIg6WgYWmfFYFwP2ZYvWW0DT-tSEajfkky8Kx8ekKN4Mq5GWXlSpIU9eY203co0zFhxtjC/s1600/IMG_20140531_140558.jpg" height="640" width="449" /></a></div>
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-46556617314963434432014-08-16T08:14:00.000-07:002014-08-17T08:33:44.141-07:00Hello Grade School: Things We've Learned So Far<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thought when my kid finally sets her foot in big school, there will be plenty of opportunities for me to revisit my old selfish self. I thought there would be lesser late nights spent trying to catch up on assignments or coming up with reviewers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well lucky for me, I have a good support system to back me up. I admittedly didn't have to spend too much time with assignments or reviewers as I usually come home to a first time grade schooler who is already sleeping soundly and comfortably. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yet, two months after the school season officially opened, here I am dazed from lack of sleep. Our household alarm goes off at 4:15 am Mondays to Fridays. We had to make sure breakfast is ready by 4:45 so the little miss will have enough time to eat before the school service arrives to pick her up at 5:15. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYMYnFQcuNE0bE2uhSCFWLVT2_5yXHyH6hhqVyl6Mi1Z5Jsdzh9IQU37ytmYtvzIDwj4JRlkTb2BFxam0ACwV3eg6xUU6h4nWi4qzBa2vn0NY0VERy7KomJsaylqkWeth5c7AXNTvX2r/s1600/GS1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYMYnFQcuNE0bE2uhSCFWLVT2_5yXHyH6hhqVyl6Mi1Z5Jsdzh9IQU37ytmYtvzIDwj4JRlkTb2BFxam0ACwV3eg6xUU6h4nWi4qzBa2vn0NY0VERy7KomJsaylqkWeth5c7AXNTvX2r/s1600/GS1.JPG" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, you read that right - 5:15. Ridiculous is the first thing that came to my mind, when I was told about the pick up time. But then again, I am proud to say that my little gradeschooler is adjusting pretty well. The early wake up call is compensated by an early bedtime by 7pm. And she does not every single day with no complain, except on days when several chapter tests are line up the following day and she had to stay up till 8pm to finish reviewing. Those days are days she looks forward to like a reward day because those are the days when she can wake up an hour later and get a little extra treatment in the form of me or her dad personally dropping her off in school. (Ahhhh really, the joy of being a kid)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Grade school was a little bit tougher than what I thought it to be. I am still adjusting to the demands of it. Our entire household is. Happily though, this entirely new experience has demanded that each of us contribute something to make things easier. I've cleaned up the white board that has been idle for sometime now into our weekly breakfast/lunch menu board and the little girl enjoys planning her lunch menu with me. Now that she can read majority of the things I write, she doesn't miss to check what the next day's menu when we're having breakfast. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe_GRCP5p2A7qre-qtrrRamDyE_Y40A4-_c5K6jBK5_Qlu9Z6gWur_6tVbR7CyacYvTo_n56VzOTdMX8XTO-ASxvvew3I5pMUC9ZIcEnf0nqh20dW6y4Lw5YtP_ZpM5aT_fyThQ9Xqe9I/s1600/20140618_070626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe_GRCP5p2A7qre-qtrrRamDyE_Y40A4-_c5K6jBK5_Qlu9Z6gWur_6tVbR7CyacYvTo_n56VzOTdMX8XTO-ASxvvew3I5pMUC9ZIcEnf0nqh20dW6y4Lw5YtP_ZpM5aT_fyThQ9Xqe9I/s1600/20140618_070626.jpg" height="400" width="323" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I promised myself I was going to share our <a href="http://maiaisobel.blogspot.com/2014/06/baon-ideas-what-to-pack-for-light.html">weekly baon list</a> to help other moms who might be having the same difficulty planning their kid/s daily lunches but I unfortunately have yet to consciously make time for that. Right now, honestly, blogging would have to take the back seat again and I couldn't commit yet to make regular posts. For now, I end this post with the takeaways we had in the past 2 months as first time grade school parents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qp5MY12Qi33DlZnZvHELvt7nX1rIO6pGHuCJEw8PWjNoSer8TTS8Dgl0326TCmIYxfRkjB9yFIJw6sxKiAgfSJJtAb4omKX3drU1AWWXONzlXUsOErE1wIHkRaVoANy7U05022m0ApxP/s1600/20140618_071553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qp5MY12Qi33DlZnZvHELvt7nX1rIO6pGHuCJEw8PWjNoSer8TTS8Dgl0326TCmIYxfRkjB9yFIJw6sxKiAgfSJJtAb4omKX3drU1AWWXONzlXUsOErE1wIHkRaVoANy7U05022m0ApxP/s1600/20140618_071553.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Be consistent.</b> Having learned the value of consistency early on in this parenting journey, this was easier to practice for us. Consistency is most important in setting schedules for reviewing the next day's lessons and implementing the sleeping time as well. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Be present. </b>Since we don't get to talk about how her day went before she goes to bed, we make sure we take the opportunity to do so during breakfast. We make it a point to eat breakfast together. Even at 4:45am. This is something our little girl looks forward to as well every single day.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Be involved. </b>Even if I had to bring home work (which is rare nowadays, thankfully) I make it a point to check her diary. I leave a note for each of the teachers if there is something that concerns that little miss or if I need to clarify anything. Some days, I get a reply. Most days I don't but I still make sure I leave those notes. And we've been present in all parent's meetings so far. They were helpful and we take the opportunity to talk to the teachers as well in those events. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE! </b>Kids are very perceptive. And in my kid's case, since she really feels we're always happy to hear her stories about school, she volunteers them without our prodding now. She's gone far from the little timid girl she was just a little over 3 feet tall when she started going to formal school. Although we secretly wish she stays 5 longer, it's always refreshing to hear her growing up stories. And we always make time for it no matter how busy and tired we are. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOE8Svxpi8LltE1XodnzR8bhsU8MvyFlOeO9oUorLbTCTDOiUM3Anz5QMxovZdde-V86pi5cpyV9dzbHhmOGn1DoKzt9zidn95dlFQExfNrloL1yjReUw_BOgLXXCQIlKXbxPLbd89FGk/s1600/20140617_063514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOE8Svxpi8LltE1XodnzR8bhsU8MvyFlOeO9oUorLbTCTDOiUM3Anz5QMxovZdde-V86pi5cpyV9dzbHhmOGn1DoKzt9zidn95dlFQExfNrloL1yjReUw_BOgLXXCQIlKXbxPLbd89FGk/s1600/20140617_063514.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></div>
pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-55956138983992711452014-08-16T02:39:00.000-07:002014-10-12T03:31:43.851-07:00Recipe: Vegan BrowniesThe little girl was invited to an impromptu playdate down at the village pool this afternoon. I didn't know what to prepare since our pantry was almost empty.<br />
<br />
Luckily, while I was searching for a brownie recipe I chanced upon this <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/vegan-brownies/">vegan brownie recipe</a>. I had all the ingredients on hand except for eggs and this one didn't call for eggs so I got all the ingredients out and prepared to bake.<br />
<br />
I would wish I can come up with a dessert that will require less oil (if possible, none at all) but that will have to wait for another day.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="2" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding-bottom: 55%; padding-top: 45%; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<div style="-webkit-animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; animation: dkaXkpbBxI 1s ease-out infinite; background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -44px; width: 44px;">
</div>
<span style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; position: relative; top: 15px;">Loading</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px; word-wrap: break-word;">
#Vegan #brownies for the kids swim playdate later :)</div>
<div style="line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/rv8a4tR0As/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;" target="_top"> View on Instagram</a></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I was a little anxious at how this experiment would turn out but in the end, it proved to me that you can never go wrong with chocolate.<br />
<br />
The recipe did not need much tweaking but let me just type it all in here for easy reference (in case you are like me who doesn't like to jump from one page to another)<br />
<br />
Vegan Brownies<br />
Yields: 16 brownies<br />
Prep time: 15 minutes<br />
Cooking time: 25 minutes<br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour<br />
2 cups white sugar<br />
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder<br />
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolates<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 cup water<br />
1 cup vegetable oil<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I added 1 more extra vanilla in here)<br />
a pinch of cinnamon<br />
colorful sprinkles<br />
<br />
What you need to do:<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).<br />
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.<br />
3. Pour in water, dark chocolate, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended.<br />
4. Spread evenly in a 9x9 inch square baking pan.<br />
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny.<br />
6. Take out of oven when toothpick comes off clean. Add colored sprinkles on top.<br />
7. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.<br />
<br />
It was a hit among the kids and yayas. I even brought some for my officemates to sample the following day and they loved it too.<br />
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-45552741243223690042014-08-12T08:11:00.003-07:002014-08-12T08:11:31.746-07:00How Fast Time Flies Grade 1 EditionThis phase of our school adventure has given me enough validation for being a camwhoring momma during my little miss's early childhood years.<br />
<br />
She was asked to bring 7 photos to school this week, depicting each of her growing up years starting from infancy and while I was picking the photos I can't help but chuckle.<br />
<br />
Look at how she's grown!<br />
<br />
If you are a new mom, I encourage you to take pictures of each moment of your kid's growing up years. Although my energy has waned, I still grab any chance I get to freeze a certain moment and encapsulate it in a photo. Such joy to really watch your kid grow through photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFvI74Pbxhj7niSkutFtaSpGNYBTxFBLdR4FW5ICY4iX5Psn1VvkU9ke_T4WLLaAH7zKsP23liW9_ryPQm5F2kYBzi56dgVqhvC3Riobcwp63lAhnoa1RMYlTEDp2N1KLJJS6MfN0QZll/s1600/27wks++1+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFvI74Pbxhj7niSkutFtaSpGNYBTxFBLdR4FW5ICY4iX5Psn1VvkU9ke_T4WLLaAH7zKsP23liW9_ryPQm5F2kYBzi56dgVqhvC3Riobcwp63lAhnoa1RMYlTEDp2N1KLJJS6MfN0QZll/s1600/27wks++1+(10).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAiyRmnSeuw13Lnv5Fe5Fx-VqFdN3QtrO0OMSKPHUDpJrhRaFgX1pC1osbk3udYKQNrozBht-0E2LcRjZtgy2HKMvGgMSRDv2jLHoeLewo8w6QWH5L5-1Xer0Anjlm0AT87tMk-LPnM4l/s1600/infant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAiyRmnSeuw13Lnv5Fe5Fx-VqFdN3QtrO0OMSKPHUDpJrhRaFgX1pC1osbk3udYKQNrozBht-0E2LcRjZtgy2HKMvGgMSRDv2jLHoeLewo8w6QWH5L5-1Xer0Anjlm0AT87tMk-LPnM4l/s1600/infant.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4It02Xh4IaVL7G9dtEJ4aH_eoWZyI35YMsXrhUxGWjoi08g76-Wkt3igKqm6yMH_3_2A9f0d3aeyaNWV749dvDWf_lMJ27De1rMN8rblC7g-lEpoFpSYDFUadsBXL9rqqmlhWK8L_FaF/s1600/1yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4It02Xh4IaVL7G9dtEJ4aH_eoWZyI35YMsXrhUxGWjoi08g76-Wkt3igKqm6yMH_3_2A9f0d3aeyaNWV749dvDWf_lMJ27De1rMN8rblC7g-lEpoFpSYDFUadsBXL9rqqmlhWK8L_FaF/s1600/1yo.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn44RRd5_ECvv7jeCBHQ112Pb1B7q7FcEjxE82WbVn01UIuUfdG2yhoyN_nR8jRwI7Od2wTMCRmJhJl-ZkyRHCSB9ZPy6wPtKniwa-vbwHct7PGfeigguturPopRPx5QBrjf3R8XsdKuqI/s1600/2yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn44RRd5_ECvv7jeCBHQ112Pb1B7q7FcEjxE82WbVn01UIuUfdG2yhoyN_nR8jRwI7Od2wTMCRmJhJl-ZkyRHCSB9ZPy6wPtKniwa-vbwHct7PGfeigguturPopRPx5QBrjf3R8XsdKuqI/s1600/2yo.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFm6k3hh2I0cIX3MW7g0hFQbbeQjmjXUdjsZ04R3Avbg4ONVxu4AJF3U4vLt5-kydKPNeESMYxgDsE2KIJoukU4Xp0gE0tIKZaZ7ymHbaF1KLwd4-fZA7ckZL3FjvxRaS3fvcwOcfOJod/s1600/3yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFm6k3hh2I0cIX3MW7g0hFQbbeQjmjXUdjsZ04R3Avbg4ONVxu4AJF3U4vLt5-kydKPNeESMYxgDsE2KIJoukU4Xp0gE0tIKZaZ7ymHbaF1KLwd4-fZA7ckZL3FjvxRaS3fvcwOcfOJod/s1600/3yo.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRpBEX0w9Qxr_CFN7NHVwjgV6llusqLcDrDLXoWBCfY97GDFCU2Yqh-dUpgDLPaZs0hXf_fqma2fOJ4TsxiADLiLw77zbR713oLUZ1Sihj3Ho8x_Op3MtaUIDAZblQMm-JN2KE4ub9EEK/s1600/4+yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRpBEX0w9Qxr_CFN7NHVwjgV6llusqLcDrDLXoWBCfY97GDFCU2Yqh-dUpgDLPaZs0hXf_fqma2fOJ4TsxiADLiLw77zbR713oLUZ1Sihj3Ho8x_Op3MtaUIDAZblQMm-JN2KE4ub9EEK/s1600/4+yo.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDBkZrXpbiGzwUARYyFzMaq4YFJVeNvMxr2zLo6kmVqUq4pEydQ94lss0-QXTH7WTCVy_mPt77YaAti5kk8zvyCsU-tOXndqR7tm_gcpF3kJ1DINuHmC3ZxREYeGBhrv9_iL62GIWKXxn/s1600/5+yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDBkZrXpbiGzwUARYyFzMaq4YFJVeNvMxr2zLo6kmVqUq4pEydQ94lss0-QXTH7WTCVy_mPt77YaAti5kk8zvyCsU-tOXndqR7tm_gcpF3kJ1DINuHmC3ZxREYeGBhrv9_iL62GIWKXxn/s1600/5+yo.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gCQsdnv-ibrtKjmrb7HYnMt_-yKVWxzuiLKwXxy1DjJ-gV0V3BjE_T2e5k521NMj0AUP0e_kCSnK2NjdDQxt7UVnwpBfU0zxefyXyTu-F2y2RTvkVnJRZyyJTu0V-u4GKrP2lV8oYzo6/s1600/grade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gCQsdnv-ibrtKjmrb7HYnMt_-yKVWxzuiLKwXxy1DjJ-gV0V3BjE_T2e5k521NMj0AUP0e_kCSnK2NjdDQxt7UVnwpBfU0zxefyXyTu-F2y2RTvkVnJRZyyJTu0V-u4GKrP2lV8oYzo6/s1600/grade1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-78502386640395407152014-08-02T07:23:00.000-07:002014-08-03T08:02:28.567-07:00Maia Recommends: Engineering For Kids - PhilippinesDid Science ever interest you as a kid?<br />
<br />
It really did for me. Well, it was probably due to my dad's (who is a mechanical engineer) influence and he really did talk day in and day out about science at home. He trained us to approach problems the scientific way and that really helped me a lot in solving my daily dilemmas, not only as a kid but even now as an adult.<br />
<br />
I wanted my kid to develop interest in Science too. But I guess I was never like my dad. And since both my husband and me have day jobs that wasn't directly connected to science, it wasn't a topic that is often discussed at home. I didn't push anymore, I figured since she's now in grade school, she will eventually figure out for herself if Science is something that she likes or not.<br />
<br />
Thankfully though, I didn't have to wait long to get my answer. A couple of weeks ago, a generous soul from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mommybloggersphilippines/">Mommy Bloggers Philippines</a>, a blogger group I belong to posted an invitation for interested mommies who would like to try out a session at the recently launched <a href="http://engineeringforkids.net/"><b>Engineering For Kids</b></a> after school program at the BGC. I immediately grabbed the chance to introduce Science in a fun way to my little miss and signed up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKSjiTPNepzUEjGukqerfEZLsINaMH_Nf9bj6GNmjqKSmY0zrsjqkWq13cy3t2ikqMELAzT1grF62FjR2MV98uB1RkPutfCVEu78JaZ9grM1iKAqmw7B_k-Dmzo0qtAy-d_1WsllTDros/s1600/EFK7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKSjiTPNepzUEjGukqerfEZLsINaMH_Nf9bj6GNmjqKSmY0zrsjqkWq13cy3t2ikqMELAzT1grF62FjR2MV98uB1RkPutfCVEu78JaZ9grM1iKAqmw7B_k-Dmzo0qtAy-d_1WsllTDros/s1600/EFK7.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hGf2ppksxZQYOAG0RUViaOybjU3Da0BhLRjny_KYqYIE74MqTIz7nJ9X5nMZ4mkVXW_6BF99y9vUQ4T7orDwsezloVyNFwfBrvhsOmlOMn41bu1ftK8qdAIDfyck5QSMOFizFFwIHJKe/s1600/EFK6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hGf2ppksxZQYOAG0RUViaOybjU3Da0BhLRjny_KYqYIE74MqTIz7nJ9X5nMZ4mkVXW_6BF99y9vUQ4T7orDwsezloVyNFwfBrvhsOmlOMn41bu1ftK8qdAIDfyck5QSMOFizFFwIHJKe/s1600/EFK6.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP15eygygNGfdXOnY8qD2jycKMzyWMILdpch6Zd5bLhXcj4oNQA0rGrRnQEPTvjYViB5PN1UY9PkfdwnjqcRa613JHSyyM_ONSIY2y39v8tDhqbzngQ0axH8cLeP42oyx3gIySTiZxtltP/s1600/EFK11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP15eygygNGfdXOnY8qD2jycKMzyWMILdpch6Zd5bLhXcj4oNQA0rGrRnQEPTvjYViB5PN1UY9PkfdwnjqcRa613JHSyyM_ONSIY2y39v8tDhqbzngQ0axH8cLeP42oyx3gIySTiZxtltP/s1600/EFK11.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally last Saturday, the little miss and me trotted off to Bonifacio Global City with our mom-daughter partner in crime - <a href="http://glammamomma.com/">Erl and Kelsea</a> - to try out the Aerospace Engineering session. We made it just in time (despite the delay that Maia and I caused) for class after travelling for an hour. Thanks to Erl for the free ride. If we were commuting, I would probably have to allot at least an hour and a half since I was coming from Cavite. Good thing we picked the 9am schedule so the traffic on the roads was still free flowing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhXbuN12hqy6WqNZk-zrbDN7b_g-XmnUK2ITdR-KbhXj6dAY2sgYRSzValzypKWh-kGHOa5msGpGHwqw0HjLNQc2mneeJflKw8pQtwvzLZ-pmb5vkqQTh5-DUV-mlVC_x_cnFbXvqrPCU/s1600/EFK1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhXbuN12hqy6WqNZk-zrbDN7b_g-XmnUK2ITdR-KbhXj6dAY2sgYRSzValzypKWh-kGHOa5msGpGHwqw0HjLNQc2mneeJflKw8pQtwvzLZ-pmb5vkqQTh5-DUV-mlVC_x_cnFbXvqrPCU/s1600/EFK1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we got to the venue, the kids immediately got themselves seated while Erl and I were briefed about basic info of the program. We were handed a kit that contained the list of what the offerings were for the month and a flyer that discussed the history of the program. We learned that Engineering for Kids Ph is a franchise from the US. It was started by a mom-teacher who saw the rising need for an after school program that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are two classes offered: Juniors (4-6 yo kids) and Apprentice (7-14 yo kids). Every month, they offer new sets of topics/projects for each of the programs offered. Weekend rate is P4500 while the weekday rate is P6600 (if I remember correctly). There are 4 sessions per month for the weekend class and 6 sessions for weekday class.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-sKnuTsVDI7Du8RgjjTQVaghrKZAuWSmohWa18dnF_KFqOQv9FVGfalF71GOrT7m6UDH4U8LrHxI7wRH20_uslCQZbjNyrucetOVlhzT-MCE1AJl91zXlNoLTsK5uj0i2uvwDuavMM6k/s1600/EFKcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-sKnuTsVDI7Du8RgjjTQVaghrKZAuWSmohWa18dnF_KFqOQv9FVGfalF71GOrT7m6UDH4U8LrHxI7wRH20_uslCQZbjNyrucetOVlhzT-MCE1AJl91zXlNoLTsK5uj0i2uvwDuavMM6k/s1600/EFKcollage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The class that Maia and Kelsea tried was under the Aerospace Engineering program and for the day, the project that they were designated to work on is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomp_rocket">Stomp Rocket</a>. The class was a group of 6 kids - 4 boys and 2 girls (Maia and Kelsea). They started off the class with a brief introduction of the parts of the rocket. Teacher Em started it with a song which immediately got the kids' attention. After about 15 minutes, the kids started working on the rocket. Before we knew it, the allotted one hour was up and the kids had started taking turns stomping on the makeshift rocket launcher.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_3PLoPUx3utuHyuU8TZei3jC4_46dF3YZ6beuE0hdp4gW5DK6m85UxEHNRcRo0EjOT09XR8mnKbIuVkH2oXN4zYq09TaBZfVf-mcxummO860Bxy2jqI4C_Hx9Y4rLcfLDD8rqwCSBYJR/s1600/EFK9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_3PLoPUx3utuHyuU8TZei3jC4_46dF3YZ6beuE0hdp4gW5DK6m85UxEHNRcRo0EjOT09XR8mnKbIuVkH2oXN4zYq09TaBZfVf-mcxummO860Bxy2jqI4C_Hx9Y4rLcfLDD8rqwCSBYJR/s1600/EFK9.JPG" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMA54p6Q0eAyntlBakOHMcVtEMhqv0vhF9_PKFvo0OKtkc1pR4ZGHoBeHpduvEcgdRZN4q7XuJZieQ7Wg0U-uUv76_AC0ZNL5zWrw-Ki0fXuOn42RWGbrwNNoW2FjXoxBjXyUt3uKpucQ/s1600/EFK8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMA54p6Q0eAyntlBakOHMcVtEMhqv0vhF9_PKFvo0OKtkc1pR4ZGHoBeHpduvEcgdRZN4q7XuJZieQ7Wg0U-uUv76_AC0ZNL5zWrw-Ki0fXuOn42RWGbrwNNoW2FjXoxBjXyUt3uKpucQ/s1600/EFK8.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She went back to stomp a couple more times. Gone was that timid little girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">But while the boys couldn't wait to get their foot on the stomp rockets, the little girls took their sweet time making their rockets pretty. Maia was so proud of her rocket she immediately ran to hug me when it went up so high it almost touched the ceiling. It was a fun class and the way the activity was structured, I doubt if the kids even realized they were dealing with Science at all. I just hope a few years from now when the kid starts to study physics she would remember this experience.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe-pvVnpcvNsfeAlnHwvMAuGPnlW4690ZUMXC8VuYZGNvOsoVUotp1jh_kMaE85Ar_CC_01MwVJ18Yd1rD1hjUxX1-saKN6mCr67KhJFCw852AxzeoxH3TtkhMexQ7DfiqoDeve9LkvDL/s1600/EFK10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe-pvVnpcvNsfeAlnHwvMAuGPnlW4690ZUMXC8VuYZGNvOsoVUotp1jh_kMaE85Ar_CC_01MwVJ18Yd1rD1hjUxX1-saKN6mCr67KhJFCw852AxzeoxH3TtkhMexQ7DfiqoDeve9LkvDL/s1600/EFK10.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class picture minus Kelsea (Do you know how to add her via Photoshop, Erl?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Would I recommend it? If you live near BGC, I would. But if you live farther (down South like us or up North in QC), I don't know if the travel would be all worth it since the class runs for only an hour. Or best to just call and ask where the other branches are located.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Engineering for Kids is offering early bird discount till August 8 so if this is something that you are interested to try, contact them at:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tel Nos: (02) 224.4170 / 0917.551.8705</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Email: info@smilegroup.org</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They are currently doing classes at the Function room, 5/F of Forbeswood Parklane, Rizal Drive, BGC, Taguig. More info at their website: www.engineeringforkids.net</div>
pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-87307400153172038922014-07-12T20:18:00.001-07:002014-07-12T21:08:12.238-07:00Maia's Favorite: Saranggola Ni Pepe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghnmp6tmIUENEvIM5SaJFe37f7bFhzbXhRJsEfnqd2wK5OjuEI26ZKHUlUiUgqyop3p7ITbjxWfBHOoSiTQfp1DhnJcm_ZArGYlvoRTKyWkG0C6evHJkTYa58-fb7mJSSMXAvTxk5oUES/s1600/LOLC8666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghnmp6tmIUENEvIM5SaJFe37f7bFhzbXhRJsEfnqd2wK5OjuEI26ZKHUlUiUgqyop3p7ITbjxWfBHOoSiTQfp1DhnJcm_ZArGYlvoRTKyWkG0C6evHJkTYa58-fb7mJSSMXAvTxk5oUES/s1600/LOLC8666.JPG" height="393" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Salamat sa gumawa ng You Tube video na ito. Tuwang-tuwa ang aking anak habang paulit ulit na nakikinig sa kantang ito!<br />
<br />
Nakahanap na kami ng kakantahin niya sa kanyang Pambatang Awitin sa iskul.<br />
<br />
Ang pinakapaborito niyang parte ng kanta "Hinuli ng ibon, pinagsuot ng pantalon...Tinali ng pisi hindi na pinagsinturon"<br />
<br />
Sa unang pagkakataon, na-imagine niya ang sinasabi ng kanta. Non-stop ang kanyang tawa talaga.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JxfCRbd5bnY" width="459"></iframe>pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-82107871509885830822014-06-28T08:29:00.000-07:002014-07-27T08:30:48.466-07:00Maia's Favorite: Milo DinosaurAs most little kids (and the not-so-little even) are, my little miss is also fond of chocolate drinks. She weaned from the bottle early. By the time she turned two, we said goodbye to formula milk. Gladly, she was never really picky with all the milk we tried and tested for her. Eventually, she decided for herself and settled on chocolate flavored milk (yes that popular brand that just couldn't decide what is it exactly -- gatas na choco or choco na gatas?, the little miss is low maintenance like that). Since then, that has been her daily choice. Although for the past 2 years, she only takes about a glass of milk daily and usually before bedtime.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/oyA1EHx0Bl/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
Last summer, her love for chocolate milk was replaced by this latest discovery - Milo Dinosaur. Why is it called Milo Dinosaur, you ask? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_Dinosaur">Wikipedia</a> doesn't have much to say but to quote:<i> <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">the "Dinosaur" in the beverage's name on its own means "[a] heap of Milo or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horlicks" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;" title="Horlicks">Horlicks</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">powder on the iced drink"</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br />
</span></i> How is it made, exactly? Well, it's really just a glass of Milo topped with the powder. But we add a spoonful or two of condensed milk to sweeten it a bit more. (no wonder it's a hit among kids, no?).<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/pxkHk5x0HB/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
In a 16 oz glass:<br />
<br />
4 heaping tbsps of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milo_(drink)">Milo</a><br />
2 tsps of condensed milk (no particular brand for us)<br />
about 1/4 cup of hot water<br />
a cup of ice<br />
a shaker/container<br />
<br />
Cover the bottom of the shaker/cover container (I usually use a mason jar) with condensed milk add 3 tablespoons of Milo dissolved in hot water, dump in the ice and shake to your heart's content. Once mixed thoroughly, uncap the cover and top with the remaining Milo powder.<br />
<br />
A pack of 300g Milo used to last our household two weeks or even more. But now, our consumption has doubled. Since the kid has been skipping the bedtime milk drink for a few months now, I also sometimes opt to use fresh milk instead of plain water. She doesn't mind. As long as there's still a good portion of Milo on top of the glass.<br />
<br />
What about your little kids? Are they fond of chocolate drinks too?pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-28166011243033737792014-06-15T01:56:00.000-07:002014-06-15T01:56:33.296-07:00Baon Ideas: What To Pack For Light Lunch/SnacksIn two days, my little girl is going to start a fresh adventure as a grade schooler. We're all set. I managed to get everything done at crunch time. Books all covered, bag's packed and ready, school uniform waiting to be pressed, organized her drawers and sorted everything out (socks, undies, hankies and towels). Am I excited? Or am I excited? Can you tell? Haha.<br />
<br />
I'm all set...except for the menu plan for her snacks and light lunch. We just learned a few days ago that her school schedule overlaps lunch break and now that school day is getting nearer I'm starting to panic (only in my head. i'm still smiling from ear to ear as I write this).<br />
<br />
Thank God, I came across another blogger mom's post about <a href="http://www.mrspcuyugan.com/2014/06/welcome-to-the-3rd-grade-baon-plan-1.html/">baon ideas (thanks Mrs. C</a>!) and I had a light bulb moment. Some days, the pack rat in me comes handy indeed. I dug up some of Maia's old menus when she still was enrolled in a "nutrition program" in school. I'm partly wishing they still offer that in grade school because that would really save me from the headache of planning menus week in and week out. I guess the good thing about this is I don't have to crack my head thinking about the household menu as well. The challenge here is for me to come up with a sustainable way to plan this (or maybe find a way to delegate the task to Ate Inday without me having to closely monitor).<br />
<br />
For now, I will rely on the ones listed on the little girl's previous nutrition program menus. What's good about it is, they sent us copies of the menus and it was good for one quarter. At least I am safe for the next 8 weeks or so. And I know that they have been tested and proven since the kid hardly went home with left overs then.<br />
<br />
Also I have a couple of the little girl's favorites that I've shared here and they will probably going to see their way into our weekly menus more frequently from now on. Unless, I find a way to convince the preschool canteen to still offer the nutrition program to the little miss at least for this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRV6mWP_Jzxft9MTl7TLhViF47P1IYG3FMNTF6s1K9-VwyijN1CgrQKqSvE8rPu_FLEHRu-aBd4li8uqAWBsTNqEK9haf1JXpd1BJOGEPpTIdXVUZbrY5T-fZ9JMlLdCaVxpG2h-Rxe_h/s1600/menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRV6mWP_Jzxft9MTl7TLhViF47P1IYG3FMNTF6s1K9-VwyijN1CgrQKqSvE8rPu_FLEHRu-aBd4li8uqAWBsTNqEK9haf1JXpd1BJOGEPpTIdXVUZbrY5T-fZ9JMlLdCaVxpG2h-Rxe_h/s1600/menu.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-82578787943035714282014-06-08T06:37:00.000-07:002014-06-08T06:37:03.265-07:00Are You Ready For The Next School Year?My little girl officially starts her new adventures as a grade schooler in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
Are we excited? Of course!<br />
<br />
But if you believe in "action speaks louder than words", that might not really properly translate to us being very excited to have a grade schooler this year.<br />
<br />
I did school supplies shopping rather late this year. I got sucked into a blackhole the entire summer and I barely got out of it alive. But thankfully, I'm back. Not in my best self yet but I'm just happy to report...I AM BACK.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/or47cXx0CD/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
So the cramming worked. I finished labeling most of her stuff and checked off and packed those items that we needed to deposit to school on the first day of class. Although I have yet to buy her books and cover them up. The little girl's books need to be covered because based on experience, a few months into the school year, you'd normally see her books looking like it's almost the end of the school year. Have to work on teaching the kid how to be more careful of books and school stuff.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/or-aXuR0LB/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
This year, thankfully, I didn't have to buy a lot of school supplies anymore. Some of them, I still had stocks from previous years so I didn't have to buy anymore. I was actually tempted to recycle even her crayons but I found a cheap box (toxic-free, made by a trusted yet practically priced brand and looks every bit like the expensive brand) of 24's in SM Hypermart and I kind of still remember how good the smell of newly bought school supplies were (hehehe, I'm weird yes) so I didn't want to take that feeling away from my kid.<br />
<br />
The only difficult task I had to do now is train the kid to sleep early and wake up early yet again. Her sleeping schedule changed drastically this summer (and yes, I'm partly blaming my blackhole tale for that) and we need to reverse that soon! Please send me good luck vibes. And may we reach our goal by the end of this week.<br />
<br />
I am well aware of more challenges coming when we officially welcome the school season. I still have not thought about mid-morning snacks menu planning, for one. And we're still waiting to get her uniforms shipped from Angeles (we thought we can find a cheap mananahi there but turned out to an epic fail too). I can probably list a dozen more but I've decided I am taking them one challenge at a time. This strategy worked well, in the past. I hope it still will, this time.<br />
<br />
Crammer moms, unite! :)<br />
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8659635269923995082.post-81561483690712698542014-06-07T01:32:00.000-07:002014-06-08T06:37:29.179-07:00Arts-N-Crafts: Looms and Colored BandsI just recently found a new, effortless, no-sweat (well, except nowadays when the daytime summer temp never goes lower than 37) and very cheap way to relax myself.<br />
<br />
And what is that?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwRPgT87wPKzW066px2PzyGVQ65-qDjDKoYt1LfVsq-RyGbo3UySBkecLP8V653GB-VK2FnvoQe_x4086qJkX85zh09zgiPQx7CgHIY6y1_-MxJfahyfFtrKV2y-sPC4L3pjwcLFzj3YG/s1600/20140608_121835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwRPgT87wPKzW066px2PzyGVQ65-qDjDKoYt1LfVsq-RyGbo3UySBkecLP8V653GB-VK2FnvoQe_x4086qJkX85zh09zgiPQx7CgHIY6y1_-MxJfahyfFtrKV2y-sPC4L3pjwcLFzj3YG/s1600/20140608_121835.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was down to just this few bits after spending about an hour sorting nearly a thousand bands. Haha.<br />
Ibang level lang ang addiction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Sorting rubber bands according to color.</b> Last week, I went to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attraction_Review-g298573-d549830-Reviews-Divisoria_Market-Manila_Metro_Manila_Luzon.html">Divisoria </a>with my friend Scarlet and we kind of spent 1/3 of our time checking out loom bands. I finally bought a loom kit and burned a couple of hundreds on different colored bands.<br />
<br />
I know. It's kind of riding on the latest craze. And so not me at all.<br />
<br />
Early this year when I first heard of rainbow looms, I actually was a bit intimidated by it. I wanted to encourage the little miss to try the activity but I couldn't find cheap kits then. But I did find it very creative and I think also quite a nice exercise to test her skills on following instructions since you will have to check out tutorials before you can develop your own designs (well, that is my opinion).<br />
<br />
But yes, sooooo expensive for my taste. (I know, I've always been a cheap-o. Not ashamed of it)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghisU7kMEED5ESBezqL-R9ADTy5eOl7YGEDoymS6W0kH8kf5Wnj1VCS8hV4uw-Igcdo31rn5t-EOnq17zFcd7XENLYrBupvZejPhOCZPX96yS8_vKK35yxsbya_DKFtK1R6xdOzPJP0fVF/s1600/20140608_121814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghisU7kMEED5ESBezqL-R9ADTy5eOl7YGEDoymS6W0kH8kf5Wnj1VCS8hV4uw-Igcdo31rn5t-EOnq17zFcd7XENLYrBupvZejPhOCZPX96yS8_vKK35yxsbya_DKFtK1R6xdOzPJP0fVF/s1600/20140608_121814.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Enter friends in facebook announcing Divisoria's latest "hot" product. I just have to find an excuse to finally go and check out what is there to check out. There were plenty (too bad was too scared to take out my phone and steal a few photos)! What's even great, pasok sa budget (which was a mere 500 pesoses if I recall it right).<br />
<br />
I just love seeing the colorful mix of the bands. And well, browsing through tutorials kind of revived my dormant crafty [albeit self-confessed] self. I wanted the little girl to get hooked on it thinking this would at least help in getting half of her attention away from her latest favorite (Thank you Lolo Boy for this priceless gift!) toy but sadly, it was me who got hooked and I have yet to find the best way to curve her gadget use.<br />
<br />
A few minutes or sometimes [if I'm lucky] an hour during the day though, I am still able to convince her to sit with me. And sort the bands. Hmmm come to think of it, we still bond at least.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShcir57ndIc2OKJ5mbnWff1H43-7Zgem4rWwYdo19Fhl2NGBN3O6b8k6jUvN0lcvWqoQ8BrUo8CezG-L02Vd0-ZS1Fdt0jnL5GnlC6rW4Vul7McMUI-7082i7pV7maW7dY2dCdWgLHDWB/s1600/20140608_155801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShcir57ndIc2OKJ5mbnWff1H43-7Zgem4rWwYdo19Fhl2NGBN3O6b8k6jUvN0lcvWqoQ8BrUo8CezG-L02Vd0-ZS1Fdt0jnL5GnlC6rW4Vul7McMUI-7082i7pV7maW7dY2dCdWgLHDWB/s1600/20140608_155801.jpg" height="640" width="554" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my creations just this week. (clockwise: triple single, railroad, inverted fishtail, single loop, single squared loop, Maia's favorite design - the fishtail, and the diamond)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But yes, sorting is such a relaxing activity. I burn at least an hour a weekend doing this. And I'm a better person because of it! [seriously haha]<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/o4VCJuR0EX/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="710" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/o4VLe8x0Ee/embed/" width="612"></iframe><br />
<br />
p.s. I usually view tutorials from this site: <a href="http://loomlove.com/category/rainbow-loom-tutorials/easy-rainbow-loom-tutorials/">Loom Love</a>. But pinterest has plenty of tutorials as well.<br />
<br />pyxxie0703http://www.blogger.com/profile/05124955144877842698noreply@blogger.com2