Chaotic Weekends!

Well, the chaos is more on being disorganized these past couple of weeks.  This is because of the "new business" we have.  The Subic rental property is in its early stages and the marketing plan is still being worked on.  Even with the unit being so-so, we decided to market it and have people rent it out.

But that being beside the point, the whole point of the chaos lies in being in a lot of places these past few weeks.  I am personally living in three locations- I go home to Olongapo from Las Pinas on weekends.  Las Pinas is where I am most days of the weeks because of my work in Taguig.  On weekends I go to Olongapo in Kessing Street where we have a house cum office cum warehouse cum staff house.  But over the weekend, we tried staying in Subic to do some work on the unit and see where we can improve on. 

We also had friends come over last weekend on the ground floor unit and the other members stay on the second floor unit.  So much so that even in Olongapo, I am moving around.  We spent the first night on the lower unit and the second night on the upper unit.  All the time lugging our stuff.

Then on Sunday, we have to go back to Las Pinas for a school reunion and for Lisette and the kids to buy some staff for out scheduled trip next week.

We have been in this chaotic setup for the past 2 years and it is creating us a lot of stress as we need to travel more.  We are losing stuff along the way.  Not knowing if we have missing stuff in Olongapo or in Las Pinas.  The third house is already contributing to this.  I left the air pump in there so we used the airbed as a mat instead.

This chaotic setup is not by design. But I am not complaining about it.  The more important thing is to enjoy life even in the midst of all this.  Mixing life, business and pleasure is something that has become natural for us.  We take time to have fun in the midst of the chaotic setup we have.

A nice lunch followed by a long trip. A long trip with a side trip to shops where we can get ideas on how to furnish our rental units.  A side trip followed by a short business trip to pick up some inventory.  And while waiting for this, we had fun eating Mount Pinatubo (one of creamline's ice cream concoction) in record time.  We quipped that maybe next time, we'll try eating Mount Olympus or Mount Everest.

I think this is a gift of being 'free'.  Free to follow what comes naturally fun or functional.  I am not into spontaneity.  In fact I abhor it.  For me, things are planned and well thought of.  But sometimes in the middle of trying to make a living and trying to love life and whatever comes with it, you have to learn to go along with what is best at the time.

Everything turns out to be enjoyable in the end.

Oh, I forgot to bring the keys to the car, the rental units and the office in Las Pinas and we were in NLEX when I remembered it that I left it in Papa's house.  This happens in a very chaotic situation such as what we are experiencing now.  But we still manage to enjoy it in between.  Perhaps that is the only thing keeping us sane.

The Mt Everest, Mt Olympus or Mt Apo ice cream concoction is non existent at the moment.  I think it is worth suggesting.

Ocean Adventure: 24 Jan 2010

Lisette decided to organize a trip to Ocean Adventure in SBMA. Considering that the place is about 30 minutes from where we are staying, we have not really been there since it was fully constructed a few years ago. Since Olongapo residents are entitled to a 50% off, well this good reason to visit it. We would have wanted a more elaborate plan including a one night stay in Camayan beach but decided against it. We reasoned the we need more time for that so we plan to make that happen in the near future.

So off we went to this far away place 20 kms from where we are. We were there by 9:45am in time for the 10:15 am show. But i guess the tourists have a better plan than we do. They went ahead of us. And as we entered we were given a fair warning by one of the park attendant, "Sir, there are many visitors today so please be a bit more patient." O well, what else can we do.

The first show, was a the sea lion show. It was in a small and cramped stadium designed for the 20 minute show. I could have filled this blog with negative comments but hey, we went there for fun.

The show was followed by some number invlving a dance number and some acrobatics. The sun's heat was bearing down on us in this particular show and my mind was composing a complaint once again until the trampoline acrobats entered the show. They were great. They made wild use of the trampoline and the guys appeared to be having so much fun bouncing on it. These guys can really be entertaining.

In between shows, i tried to explore my artistic side by taking random photos. I was imagining a I have a Nikon D90 with me and tried several interesting shots. Knowing well that I am just holding a 5mp Canon A610, i did do some good shots. At least for my own standards.

In the eco show, we were introduced to some 'ordinary' animals- a rat, reticulated python, a bat, and eagle and even an askal. The animals were not really all that special. They were made special by how the show was organized. Even the aeta can crack a joke every now and then. It was interesting.

The hilight of the day was suppose to be the Dolphin and False Killer whale show. We were able to make the bystands of the show. Enough to take a peek on what's going on but not fortunate enough to be in the amphitheater and get some good view and perhaps some good shot. O well, we were burdend by the lunch we decided to take and by the time we realized it, it was too late. Rather than wait for the 4:30pm show, we just find some open spaces and manage a peek into the show. Lisette and Nic availed of a photo op and was given the chance to touch a dolphin.

In the end, it was a nice day and it was an experience.

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.

Disney On Ice Manila, Dec 2009

We took 8 kids to the Disney show in Manila last December 26, 2009.  Overall it was fun. The only scary moment was when Lisette and Nic was tying the shoe lace of one of the kids and they motioned to me asking me where Yanna is.  That nearly drove me nuts.  Turned out she was just picking her nose a few paces ahead of them. Whew!

Went to Clark for an ice cream after that.

Not much photos of Vinz and Nic. 

Reminds me of the time when my Aunt took us to watch, no, to EXPERIENCE, a show. It was called HOPE HOLIDAY ON ICE.  The show was a lot of first for me.  It was a first live show for me and I really wondered how fast they can move on ice.  And how the hell did they get ice in Araneta?! 

It was the first time I saw white people.  And I think I fell in love with one or two of them.  They have their hair pulled back and they have the whitest skin and the pointiest of noses i've ever seen.  I was actually thinking they were angels.

As for the kids who were with us.  I'm sure they will remember this day.  They kept jumping and yelling and stumping their feet when they see their favorite character.  It must be overwhelming for them to see them 'live'.  They may be mascots but it was as real as it gets for them.

On the way back, we figured it would be safest for us to be in a less crowded place.  So we chose Creamline ice cream house in Clark Field Pampanga.  It was a nice cap for the day.

Chilling Out

Photos from Starbucks in Subic.

 'd sleeping pose

 Kuya sneaking a sip of coffee.  you'll regret this day!

Mommy and Nic enjoying a PC game.

All four of us

Memories from An Old Picture

I was sorting through some office files.  In my old desk I saw an old photo frame with Kuya and Nic in it.  They look so cute!

I still remember that photo was taken in the Konica Studio in Pangasinan.  As to when, I am not so sure.  Maybe 2004 or 2005, Kuya maybe was just 9 and Nic 6.  They've grown so fast. Imagine that!  In so short a time, Kuya now is in HS and Nic is in Grade 4.

Old pics help us relive our past and somehow, it is so full of good memories.  And sometimes that recall extends beyond that.

I remember when they were born.  Until they've grown big enough we just had them sleep on our chest.  We'd take turn having them close to our chest every night.  Never mind the inconvenience that it may bring us so long as we can feel them and respond to their cry.

It reminds me again of the project the I have been planning but haven't exerted enough effort to make it happen.  A scanner, a computer and some serious storage device is what I need to make it happen.  And probably a help from someone to have the old photos stored digitally.
 
This reminds me of a lot of things.  Kinda puts life in perspective.  You appreciate the gift of having a child.

More importantly, it reminds me that I have a responsibility and that it fuels me to do some more to make life a bit more comfortable for all of us.