Boracay Vacation

This is my first time to ever visit Boracay.  I know it is weird.  Most of my friends have been coming here for years!  I'm glad that the first time I visit is with my family.

The last couple of days have been pretty hectic for me --- had to find a sub for my classes in CSB, had to update him of the lessons for today and update Moodle, too, then there are all the preparations for the trip, and entertaining relatives who just arrived from the U.S.  I've barely had time to breathe.

I've also been pretty stressed out the last couple of months and I've been looking forward to this vacation as a chance to refresh and "reboot".  So far, it seems to be working. 

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We were in the Cebu Pacific bus (which was not usual for us) and were driven to our plane.  I could not help but laugh out loud at Erika's reaction when she saw our plane.  She has never ridden a small plane before.  The few times we have traveled together the planes have always been big.  This was her first time to WALK into a plane.  Usually its a tall ladder or a tube before the plane.
Since it was raining in Caticlan while we were in the air, we had to circle the airport several times to allow the runway some time to dry up.  this gave us the opportunity to be touristy and take some aerial shots of Boracay.

Annoyingly, our first few shots failed because the camera we brought would not cooperate.  It took several attempts and a lot of fiddling to finally get it to work.  I really should bring this camera to Canon to have it services.  It's the kit lens that's the problem.  If I have the cash, maybe I'll buy a new lens for myself for Christmas.

If there was any part we found tedious it would have to be all the transfers --- cab from the house, plane, trike, boat, trike, then a long hike down the beach to our resort.  It wasn't so bad, though, 'cause we knew the trip ended in paradise.
And what, pray tell, is a vacation without taking pictures of beautiful cloud formations, eh? I can't think of a single trip I went to when I did not take pictures of clouds. They're just so pretty! I'd say that to me looking at clouds is a spiritual experience 'cause it is like a visible sign from God that my vacation will be wonderful.

This is our bed (mine and my daughter's) in our room.  Isn't it pretty?  It's pretty comfortable, too!  The room is quite beautiful.  We love the bathroom, the aircon is working properly, the beds are comfy, the ref is cold, the cable TV works, and ... it's just wonderful!  I think it is a good place to stay for a vacation, for sure. Oh! I forgot to mention that while our room does not exit directly to the beach, it is just a short walk (no more than 25 paces) and you are already on the beach itself.

After an hour of rest our tummies reminded us that our last meal was at noon so we walked down the beach and headed for this resort (Two Season) my uncle recommended that served really good oyster sisig.  Great recommendation!  the oyster sisig too spicy for my mom and sis but Erika and I enjoyed the bite.  The beef rendang was perfect and so was the thai fish fillet.  We would take a bit and go, "I can taste coconut milk ... ginger ... and a little cumin." And then for the fish fillet ... our first spoonful of the rice was a happy shock.  OMG!  A cornucopia of flavor just partied in my mouth!  There was definitely some pineapple in there.  I wonder if the chef will share the recipe. 

So far, our first few hours in bora has been wonderful.  I wonder what the next couple of days will bring?

My shoes are so fab!

A few days before Christmas, my husband, Simon, asked me what I would want for Christmas. Whenever I am asked that question my mind always goes blank. Asking for gifts is not something I am accustomed to doing. This year the only thing I asked for from family and friends was votes to win a camera. I didn't win. But I had to think of something. Surely there was something I wanted or needed that would not be unreasonable to ask for, right?

I came up with one thing: SHOES.

My godfather, Uncle Ed, used to give me shoes for my birthday and Christmas, but after I got married I figured I must be getting too old to receive them regularly. And, as I said, I'm not one to ask so I wasn't going to remind him.

I believe that every girl should have at least one pair of strappy heels among her shoes. Aside from gold (or silver, can't remember) formal strappy heels, all my other shoes are either too formal or too casual. I have boots, and rubber shoes, aqua socks/shoes, flip flops, and office shoes. But I realized that aside from hand-me-down Skechers heels I had nothing that would go with anything. And so, when he asked me what I wanted for Christmas the only thing that popped into my head was "girlie shoes".

I wasn't expecting him to go out and buy them for me, though. Just like underwear, shoes are personal, so more often than not it is better to go out and buy it yourself than have someone else buy it for you. So ... Simon just gave me the money for it. Worked for me. That way I was sure to get the style I want and in the correct size. I;m a size 9-9.5 so it actually isn't easy to get me shoes. My feet are too big for regular sizes (which usually stop at 8) and too small for big sizes (which usually start at 10).

Yesterday afternoon Erika went with me to Trinoma and to The Block for shoe shopping. We ended up getting shoes from the store I wanted to get them from in the first place, So Fab! at The Block.

Aren't these shoes pretty? I love them! Over the years I have bought and worn strappy sandals until they wear out from overuse. I fell in love with this pair on site.

I showed them to my mom and dad when I got home and mom loved them. Her only question to me was ... am I not too tall already? With these shoes on I reach a lofty 5'10". Perfect!

Expect to see me in these shoes many, many times in the coming months. Thank you, daddy, for giving me the money to buy them.

Christmas 2009

Christmas is the time to see our relatives, catch up on news, eat 'til we bust, and, for those who could afford it, gift giving.

Christmas eve was spent with my immediate side (Angeles) of the family. The clan Christmas celebration will be in a few days.
Here I am with my immediate family and their spouses and children. My mom and dad were not in the picture because dad was in bed with the flu. Uncle Vic was with us for Christmas but he was busy taking pictures, so could not be in the picture with us. Noche buena was simple. We just had Majestic ham, queso de bola, scalloped potatoes, mango float, soda, wine, Absolut Vanilla vodka

Christmas day we went to San Juan to spend the day with Simon's side (Tan) of the family.

After lunch my in-laws decided to go to the mall, but I opted to go home so I could catch up on some sleep.

Yesterday we went to relatives on the Zaragoza (my mom's side) side of the family. There are quite a number of first degree relatives on the Zaragoza side and this photo is nowhere near complete because most of my mom's siblings are either in the U.S. or out of Manila. Same goes with their children (my cousins) and their children (my nephews and nieces).

There is one more celebration left before the year ends. It's the Aben/Angeles clan reunion on the 30th. 'Tis definitely the season to be loosening the belts. Exercise, we will reunite on January 3.

Pre-Christmas with my in-laws

I am blessed. You know all the things they say about how in-laws are supposed to be difficult to get along with? They're not true, at least, not for me. Even though they are not the most affectionate of people, I think my in-laws are wonderful.


Whether or not I asked for their help, they have made sure I knew that they are there for me.

Last night was my niece, Marty's birthday. We celebrated at TGIF at The Fort.


Dinner itself wastn't all that great because the food took too long to arrive and there was always something missing ... missing sauce, one chicken fillet short, serving size was smaller than Chili's, food was more expensive than was expected, etc. Suffice it to say the dinner was a disaster! We couldn't help comparing it to when we ate at Chili's where service was fast, food ordered was complete, and the items on the menu cost less.

But the evening did not end there.

As we stepped out of Friday's our ears were greeted by the beautiful sound of several male voices blended in pure harmony. And the first thing that entered my head was, "OMG, that has GOT to be Tux!" And true enough, it was!


I haven't heard them in YEARS and I've always enjoyed listening to choirs when they actually harmonize. I rushed over to check and sure enough, it was! I couldn't mistake them for anyone else.

Their program was conducted in front of Krispy Kreme so we decided to have our dessert and there. That way we could listen and sort of watch the show while we ate. After a while, my nieces wandered off to do some window shopping but I chose to stay until the end of the show. By the way, Tux is re-releasing their first and second album as well as a Christmas album but they are not yet available in stores. You can only get them directly from the band. I have the Road Manager's card, in case anyone is interested.

At the end of the evening, Erika and I decided to take some lookbook worthy photos.

From baby to babe ... they just grow up so fast!

There are so many shows out that teach us how to get a good outfit together, how to walk well, how to pose and project to the camera ... it's no wonder our youth love to pose. However, it cannot be denied, that with all this constant picture taking, they have certainly figured out how to look good in pictures. I don't spend so much time in front of the camera so it is usually hit and miss for me.

Anyway, here are some pics of my unica hija and her friends.

My daughter is the one in the middle.

These next series of shots are some of my favorites.











In case it isn't obvious yet, mines the tall one.

These ladies are all dancers. They are all members of LSDC Contemporary. I could be wrong, but I'm seeing a future in modelling ... or even acting right there. Wouldn't you agree?

They sure grow up so fast, don't they? I hope I did a good job.