We are going on a Summer Holiday

It's the children's summer vacation soon and the annual trips are planned.

First stop will be Manila of course. My youngest sister is tying the knot and I have to be there to make sure it's tight (baka mali ang buhol haha) It will be a short visit as I have to get back to work before taking off for 2 weeks.

Being more environmental as our kids grow bigger, we decided to go to Chiang Mai, Thailand and visit the Elephant Nature Park there. We'll spend a night in a hut and the comfort of our mosquito nets. I haven't told my kids yet or they won't stop asking me when when when are we leaving. I'd rather they don't look forward too much ahead so they don't forget to enjoy and appreciate "today."

Our connecting flights were pretty tricky to arrange but when there's a will there's a way, ey? Singapore-Bangkok-ChiangMai-Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi-Singapore. Thanks to the budget airlines and we didn't have to pay a fortune! After the 4 days in Thailand, we'll be flying to Langkawi and staying 10 days there. I found a 4-star resort with not so painful rates and gives me the peace of mind that my kids can still continue schooling after vacationing and also satisfying the hubs' standard (I think) ;-p

Am so much looking forward to getting away from city life. It really gets boring with just shoppers and malls around.

Life outside the bubble please?

The Birthday Man & his Mini Me

Dinner at Paulaner Brauhaus with friends, followed by drinks, cheese and lots of talking at home.--we were totally full!

Father's Day was simple. Brunching on Nutella bread and salamis then off to the movies we went to watch Land of the Lost---no thinking required for once but just shallowness and laughter. The boys continued some extra bonding after the movie and me and Alyanna also had girlie time meeting with "Sushi and Shopping."

We closed the weekend with National Treasure and 10,000 BC.

Hmm, typical Men Movies? teehee

Keanu-Nanu Time

The afternoon was long and it was time to go home. Keanu and I passed-by the petshop to buy dogfood then we hailed a cab. Keanu was tired and put his head on my lap.

Keanu: Mommy, what did we have for lunch again?

Me: Chicken rice. Why? Are you hungry now?

Keanu: No. I'm just thinking.

Me: What are you thinking my love?

Keanu: Why you smell like fish?

Me: Huh?! What do you mean?

Keanu: Your feet smells like fish, Mommy. When I lay my head on your lap, I smell it.

(at this point, I noticed the cab driver looking at me)

Me: thought in bubble: Que horror! My feet don't stink and quickly, I needed to find what it was.

Seconds later, I realized the dogfood I bought was not Eukanuba or Science Diet but THIS and was proving true to its name.

---------------------------------------------------------

I was at the grocery with the little ones and after prowling the place and gathering stuff, I summoned the wolf cubs to stay near as I paid.

tink. tink. tink the scanner went then:

Keanu: Mommy, is it expensive?

Me: I don't know yet but we'll know soon. Why?

Keanu: Do you have enough money?

Me: Yeah, don't worry.

Keanu: Because we don't have to buy so much. Only what we need right?

Cashier glances at him and smiles.

Me: Yeah, Mommy tries to buy what we need so we don't waste food.

Keanu: (in the mood to be teacher continued with)--Because wasting food is not right.

Me: Yes, my love. Good that you know that.

silence...

I paid with the debit card and as we were waiting for the receipt, Keanu said:

Keanu: Mom, you're smart.

Me: Surprised what smart thing I did for once---I asked Why?

Keanu: Because you used the card to pay so that means, you don't lose money. Right?

Me and the cashier laughed and I had to explain.

Me: No Keanu, I still lose money because the card I have is only allowing me to use the money I have. If it's empty then I can't buy with it.

Keanu: Oh...

Remi-missing

I've been browsing through photos from my CD's and photo sites lately. It's the once in a while moment when you feel like reminiscing and then wonder, where have those days gone? Then asking yourself if you would've lived it differently. I probably would.

This shot was taken in Germany on 2005. It was around end October and actually my favorite season. Autumn.  The little ones and I biked to this playground where I was making photos for memorabilia's sake. I miss this time of the year!

Stop! you human. Always wanting what you don't have. 

MY call, not yours (II)

We were sitting in front of each other (an unfortunate table seating arrangement) and the discussion was being overheard by others. Their faces wondering where this will lead and I was neither planning on being gentle and tactful too long. Someone already warned me about your airheaded & closemindedness and they said how that seemed to be your agenda every time---to show-off on how flawless your choices are. Sorry to disappoint but you barked at the wrong tree and I'm so not impress rather feeling pity for your innocence at the age of 44 so I educated you more about life OUT of the book.

You're surprised that the Philippines is a 3rd world country but you cannot accept that a 3rd worlder like me, has a vivid description and experience of certain places you'd want to live in. You haven't been to the Philippines?---I stand corrected, you have not been to ANY third world country at all. You wanted me to either be wowed or silenced when you uttered those words but your lack of knowledge and actuality are far more pathetic than enviable. My disinterest confused you so you had to continue with another topic of which again was a wrong choice. Religion.

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt by convincing myself that maybe you mean well and it's not to criticize but what was I thinking? You spoke with a more holy tone this time. (that usually happens to people when they talk about religion--the feeling righteous ones.) What belief do you practice at home? None officially, but my kids know about God. You mean you don't go to church? No. Are you Catholic? Yes. Was. What do you mean, was? I was baptized one but my mom became a born again Christian so we eventually followed by choice. Oh, I'm Christian too. What about your husband? He was baptized a Protestant I think but he believes in Evolution now. Huh? so how does that work? Aren't the kids confused? No. Why should they? The kids don't have to choose sides. But how can they become better people if they're not Christians? It was time to end the tutorial, I raised my brows and flatly said, No offense but I know people who are regular church goers, bible holders, choir singers and cry their hearts out but trust me, they're NOT better people for being so. Some are mistresses, scandalmongers, backstabbers and the likes...they're just using the church or religion to feel cleaner, ask forgiveness for their 'justified' human weakness, and do things that they lack better judgment of. You saw some agree with me for there was truth on my last statements and you didn't push it more and you gracefully said, well hopefully you can visit ours one day. Maybe, who knows?

We both know that's not likely to happen though.

OUR call, not yours (I)

Leave me alone and I'll let you be, but don't try to convince me with your ways of which I don't agree. Your views are different than mine but that doesn't make you right and me wrong. I really have no willingness to endure in silence and let you get away with it. If I choose to smile, not react and be diplomatic, then STOP, I'm hoping you're not that stupid. But if you still don't get that and you continue to probe, I'm happy to indulge in a discussion where I will let my, what you'd call, different perhaps stubborn frame of mind be known. It's not meant to be liked or disliked. Just another proof that we're different.

You asked me about my kids. Where do they study? In an Int'l School. Why there and not the local schools here? Because I'd like them to continue from where they started. But what about the younger one, he could've continued with a local school since he was in a local kindergarten right? I wasn't sure why you're so concerned with MY 5 year old since you have yours to be busy with but anyway. True, but we'd like him to learn German and not be too stressed with learning yet---the schools here demand a bit too much from the kids, eventually becoming stressful for children and parents. Of course, kids can handle it, but since we have a choice and can still afford it, then why stress us all if it's possible to be not. But your kids will be behind you know? I knew what you meant but it was nice to drag it longer. What do you mean? Kids in local schools, while in kindergarten can already read and do simple math but the Int'l schools, they do no learning at all. A definite statement that was so true in your little perfect bubble. Hmm, if you meant reading and solving math problems, no, not yet but they're learning in other ways. If they don't do school work and just go to play, then what do they learn? I gave a long sigh then continued to educate you. Well, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and watching a seed become a plant---you don't consider them learning?

pause...the birthday cake arrived