Mommy's Birthday: March 20, 2010

Mommy turns 40 on this day!  We were suppose to go to Baguio but there was a relative who passed away so the plan did not materialize. Instead, we had the usual dinner at the house.  It was attended by us and family members and her angels in Luming's curtains.

In the afternoon of her special day, we spent the day sleeping.   Hehe...what a way to celebrate!  We had late lunch and we went to Remy field to have a picnic until it was time to go home for dinner.

Since we were 'bitin' by this celebration, we decided to have an 'extended' celebration and declared Monday as a no-class day for Vinz.  We went to the beach the following day and checked in at RK hotel for an overnight stay.  Like any celebration, it is not complete without food.  So instead of a one time big meal, we did it one meal at a time.  We had lunch at Meat Shop.  This is not exactly fine dining but on the more expensive side of dining that we got used to.

Then Dinner was spent in the hotel.  Just to make them feel that we are patronizing what they have.  I decided on something Korean and I was having runny nose by my third serving because of the spicy Korean dishes.  It was not exactly the best tasting food in town, but it was an experience.  The kids capped the dinner with a nice slurpee from the nearby 7-11 convenience store.

Since Lsette has taken a vow of service and charity, we invited two semi-orphaned kids (their parents were busy with work and business) to celebrate with us the following day.  Kyle and Endro were brought by Lisette to the hotel the following day so they can take a dip in the hotel pool.

So Mommy Lisette is really some sort of s superwoman.  In between the celebration she still managed to sneak some work typing some documents, delivering some products to customers after hearing mass at 6am.  Mommy is such a supermom that she can do all that and still enjoy the company of her loved ones- including her extended family.

Mama seems to have figured out something that I haven't she seems more relaxed and more happy with everything that is going on with her life. Her business, her church service, her time with Nic and her extended family happily intertwines with her daily routine.  There are stories that brings laughter every so often.

Our weekend was capped with one lazy afternoon mini picnic at Remy Field.  We just rolled out our picnic mat had some snacks and just enjoyed the afternoon breeze.  "I can get used to this.", I kept repeating.  And as I was lying on the ground, Lisette had her laptop on my stomach typing the reading for the following day's mass.  She can really be sneaky at times!

Life seems to take on a new meaning when you lead a more purposeful life.  And i think my Mommy has found her purpose.

Despite not having any grand plan for the weekend, we managed to celebrate. It was one special and wonderful weekend.  Happy Birthday Mommy, I wish you all the best!

Valentine's Day 2010

It's the LOVE month again.  For the past few years we have been going out as a family, all four of us.  Tradition as Lisette or Vinz would say.  Although Vinz is after the meal part.  He would ask us where we'll be having our 'special' dinner.

We had dinner in Tagaytay I think for the last two years or there was maybe one in Subic.  I can't recall correctly.  But for this year, we just want to relax.  A private pool perhaps.  But is wouldn't be as relaxing as a jacuzzi with just the warm water and an indoor environment.  So the best thing to go?  Victoria court.  I learned some hand signals in the process.  This will definitely help me the next time.  hehe...

We figure it would be crowded in the metro during this time of the year so we headed for the Pampanga branch and we were assigned the X-Men theme room.  Well, as usual, the internet picture looks good.  But the real place is not as good. The kids didn't like the ambiance as the room looks weird for them.  WE tried another room but the operator said there was none available.  I figured that they just don't want to fix the other unoccupied rooms.  O well, we're just victims of high pitch marketing I guess.

So what else can we do in such a venue, just watch TV, sit around and enjoy the warm water in the jacuzzi.

I guess the kids are not so much into this kind of place.  Motels in the Philippines have such bad reputation.  I was actually bothered by it.  I just found out about it when Nic decided the roam the area just to check the surrounding.  Oh well, she's too young to know about it and it was better that way as she can just enjoy it.

I'd say it was not one of the better celebrations we've had in the past.  A nice cozy dinner would have been better but, since we're all there, it was ok.  We'll do a better planning next time.

2009 Christmas and New Year Photos

Times does fly. It's now 2010 and the next thing you know, it's Christmas once again. Here are some pics from 2009.  We spent our first Christmas party with our company, Tenstreams Business Ventures Inc.  We celebrate it at Ann Raquel's resort in Olongapo city.

New Year was spent in Las Pinas.  Well the usual 'eating' place pa rin, which is the front of the house.  Nothing really new except perhaps for the food and the people getting older each passing year.  The night was capped with the gift giving from the kids- Ann, Nic and Kuya Vinz.

What's interesting to not about the way we celebrate is that the season will not be complete without any imperfection on the food we prepare.  This year, the macaroni salad is still as bland as ever.  Courtesy of me of course.

This was followed by a reunion of the Lingad family in Pampanga.  It was a nice start for a new year with the Lingad side having a reunion.  It was held in a private resort and we had the place to ourselves.  There were games, food, swimming and the usual photo ops.

14th Year Anniversary

After dropping Vinz to school on a cold Tuesday morning, Lisette and I started the day with breakfast at Delifrance. Omelets, coffee and some bread, yummy.  Then off we went to San Juan Batangasfor some R&R.  Basically, we'll just a day off from the stress of day to day living and enjoy some quiet moments.

Our place of choice is La Luz beach resort.  We have been there twice before and we think the place will be perfect for our purpose.  The resort's ambiance is for those who love some quiet moment.  Located at the edge of the Laiya beach, the place has a small cove and offers some view with very little else to do.  The beach at the front is ideal for snorkeling- for beginners at least.

The main agenda for the day:  do some snorkeling, have a massage, take pictures and relax.  Not that tough to follow.

The beach does not offer much, mostly water activities and some basic services.  It's not intended for those who wants videoke to spice up their drinking session.  That's what we like about the place.

Of course, the day will not be complete without some gift exchange.  The gift giving part is not something I look forward too.  But it's a ritual and it somehow keeps events like this more interesting.

I got Lisette a new Nokia 5800 phone and as for me, I got Clinique1  Yehey, my favorite perfume!

We did some snorkeling a long the beach not far from the shoreline.  It was a surprising find to see fishes of different color even in areas not too far off the water.  It has been quite sometime since we last had something like this.

In the afternoon we had massage.  It was great and I almost fell asleep and Lisette was ready to call it a day.  It was great and we are looking forward to more of the same sessions in the coming days.

Well, after that, all good things must come to an end.  We left the place at 4:30pm with plans to go back with the kids.  Maybe for an overnight stay so we can enjoy the serenity of the place even more.  Doing nothing is something we should all look forward to.

We capped the day hearing mass at the Lipa Cathedral. It was a fitting moment to end the day.

It was a moment to be thankful for all the blessings and offer our future plans to Jesus and our Holy Mother Mary.

Overall, it was a nice treat.  My mind and body is screaming for some more but we have to go back and mid our businesses for the following day.  Bummer!

Well, i'm already a believer of Tim Ferris mini retirements!  We have yet to complete the day and plans for the next vacation is in the offing.  One month of stay in a new environment will be very ideal.  But the current situation, this will have to sit a while.  We need to design our lies first to afford us this luxury.  This will happen soon!

After everything's been said and done, life's a beach!