thankful with the happy news

another happy news for the family ... and more reason to celebrate and thank HIM for all the blessings.

read here to know more about our happy news.

good news for the family

Received good news from my aunt based in NY that her research paper was selected for oral presentation in the Gerontology Congress in Paris this July. We are really proud of her! Imagine, not only she'll be able to do some sightseeing and shopping in Paris, she'll do her case presentation in the study of Geriatrics (for the elderly) which she truly loves. Really, wow! I was told geriatrics is a booming field in medicine in the US. This is one of her reasons why she decided to focus her studies on elderly. As per my aunt, the US government prioritizes the health care benefits of the senior citizen's or elderly. As a matter of fact, they even encourage individuals, not only elderly to avail social security disability in preparation for their sickness or retirement. Like Allsup,a leading provider of financial and healthcare service to people with disabilities. It boasts a record of 98% proven success rate for individuals who comppleted the SSDI process. Wish our government and private health provider be as active with the geriatrics and disabilities benefits like in the US.

Anyway, congrats Tita Glo! Really proud of you ....

The HongKong Trip : Day 4

Our fourth and last day in Hong Kong went like a breeze. Ico and I woke up past 8am and we went to Mc Donald's (along Hankow Road, back of our hotel) to get breakfast take-out for us. Since most of the shops were still closed by that time, Ico and I enjoyed walking at the streets of HK with less hustle and bustle of the city. Love Saturday mornings here.

As soon as we finished our breakfast and after packing our things, we then went out for a little pasalubong shopping at the side streets of Nathan Road. We bought few items more at Giordano kids for Sam (jackets) using my Giordano discount membership card. I was able to buy three (3) items at 40% off. Really good deal. I earned my membership card from my previous day shopping for the husband and Ico. Then we bought pasalubong foodie (chocolates/biscuits/pudding/candies) at one of the wholesale grocery store near the Chunking Mansion and some Chinese-inspired items like bags and wallets for helpers, friends and relatives. We were able to accomplish a lot of pasalubong items at the side-streets of Nathan. Laavveet!

We had lunch at one of the small restaturant along the streets offering Authentic Chinese Food. Don't know the name, it was written in Chinese but the food was really good. Serving size bigger compared to Cafe de Corale but priced a few HK dollars higher. Really good as we are tempted to order one whole Roasted Peking Duck for pasalubong here in Manila. LOL.

And since Kowloon Hotel was kind to accommodate our request for late check out at 3pm, we had enough time to rest and re-pack our things before we head for airport. Instead of taking the hotel shuttle to airport which was HK $130 per pax , we decided to take the city cab instead. Much cheaper and convenient since we only paid HK $220 for the four of us. More than half savings compared to airport shuttle.

We arrived at the HK Intl airport with more than 3-hours time to spare, so we had sooo much time to eat at Cafe de Corale again and shop for more pasalubong items. The husband chanced upon on sale jacket items from the Disneyland shop. He was able to get Mickey Mouse cotton jackets at HK $349 for 3. Good buy. He bought blue Mickey Mouse jacket for himself, pink Minnie Mouse for my MIL and red Mickey jacket for my Mom. Bait na manugang! LOL. (actually, he was forcing me to get one jacket for myself but I am not in the mood to get one, thus I sugested to get instead for my mom and MIL instead...which he happily obliged!)

Anyway, flight back to Manila was on time. Weather was good with no glitches. Even the immigration process went like a breeze. Our flight (Sam, Ico and me) was one hour and a half ahead from the husband. So we opted to wait for the husband to arrive at Shakey's resto near the airport. We craved for pizza this time after eating all those Chinese food for 4-days.

Inside the train at HK Intl Airport on our way to our Terminal ride.

Sam goofing around at the gates of HK Airport, waiting for our boarding call

At Shakey's resto ... just few minutes after we landed in Manila.

All in all, the four day trip to HK was truly a memorable and enjoyable one for the family. Really quality time family bonding. We are hoping to do this yearly ... hopefully, if budget permits. But probably next year it'll be much, much more fun with a new baby addition in our family. Just can't wait to bring the little baby to our next trip. LOL.

Now the husband is complaining. With all the yummy Chinese food dining we had in HK, he gained few pounds after the trip. Of course he was surprised to see the numbers on the weighing scale. And the numbers don't lie. Hehehe! He's seriously thinking of losing those excess weight by doing some Kettlebell work-out excersises. He was told by one of his colleagues it is an effective way to get lean and firm muscles to better tone and sculpt his body. Hmmm...now the husband is very much eager to start the program asap. Hope it'll work for him.

The HongKong Trip : Day 3

June 12: Friday

Again, the little girl woke up with a happy smile on her face. Think the hotel room has something to do about her good mood. It must be the non-stop Disney cartoons cable show or the Mickey and Minnie picture on the wall. Or the idea of waking up with Mommy and Daddy beside her, and Kuya on the other side of the bed inside Disney room.

Anyway, our day started with swimming again at the hotel pool. The weather was good for swimming ... sunny compared to our first day swim. This time, Kuya Ico joined us for swimming while the husband ... the husband went back to sleep. Hehehe.

It's our last day stay in the hotel, and the hotel was kind enough to accommodate our request for late check out. We left Disney hotel by 2pm and decided to take the free shuttle bus back to Disney MTR station. Before leaving Disneyland premise, we had couple of shots again to re-live the magical experience.


Instead of taking the cab, we took the MTR going to the city. Much cheaper and faster alternative to go to Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. Total MTR fare spent for 3 adults and1 kid to TST station at HK $49 compared to HK $250 taxi fare. Big savings, huh! Once inside the MTR, we again took some precuationary measures by wearing our disposable masks and by dabbing alcohol in our hands. Check out our MTR pictures below.

At past three pm, we were able to check in at Kowloon Hotel. It is strategically located near the malls (Ocean Terminal) and shops along Nathan Road. I soo love the location. I can see the Peninsula shops like Chanel, Tiffany and LV from my hotel room. Hehehe, lavet!!

We again had our late lunch at our fave fast-food Chinese resto, Cafe de Corale along the Nathan Road. The husband ordered so much here ... kasi nga this is his favorite Chinese fast-food. Graabe! Together with Ico, they indulged in Roasted Duck, Roasted Pork, Chicken in Soya and Baked porckchop. OA talaga! Sadly, I wasn't able to take the picture of these yummy food. Left my camera at the hotel.

After eating at Cafe de Corale, we went shopping along the Nathan Road. The husband bought his office attire at G2000 while Ico shopped for school clothes at Bossini and Giordano. After two hours of shopping along the area, we all went back to hotel for rest.

Of course, the low EQ in me skipped the time to rest. Instead, I went to Canton Road to visit the biggest LV, Chanel and Gucci store in HK. But frustrated and sad ... went back to the hotel empty handed after few hours.

By night time, we all went out for dinner. Still at to our fave resto of all time ... Cafe de Corale. We ordered almost the same food for lunch. Roasted Duck and Pork. Can't get enough of it! Bwahahaha!

After dinner, enjoyed walking at the Avenue of Stars, Kowloon Bay. We were supposed to watch the Symphony of Lights but again, we missed the show. For years we missed this particular show. Hehehe! We never had the chance to watched it ever, either we are late or too tired from shopping to watch it. Perhaps, next time again. LOL.

The HongKong Trip : Day 2

June 11 (Thursday) : Disney Hollywood Hotel and Disneyland

Our second day in HK was spent early at the HongKong Disney Hollywood Hotel. After breakfast, Samantha and I went to enjoy the good weather at the pool area. With only few kids swimming here, we almost had the pool area entirely to ourselves. Samantha enjoyed the warm water and the kiddie slide. No worries with the safety and security of the kiddie pool. It was carefully watched by three life guards and they even provide life vest for small kids. Truly worry-free water fun for kids. Highly recommended.

By noon, the husband arrived from Manila. He took a cab from the airport (HK$90) and went directly to our hotel. After the husband had some rest, we immediately trooped to Disneyland to maximize our two-day Disney pass.

Our first stop, late lunch at The Plaza. A fine dining restaurant that offers Authentic Chinese food catered by Maxim's. Food here kinda pricey compared to other fast-food outlets inside Disneyland. But nevetheless, really yummy food with a serving size bigger than the usual a la carte restaurants in HK.

After the sumptous lunch, we then headed to watch the Disney Waterwork's Parade. Yes, for the 2nd time. This time we were now prepared with raincoats and umbrella to avoid getting wet. We even rented stroller for Samantha so we don't have to carry her all the time.

Then more pictures and rides at Disneyland. We rode for the second time Sam's favorite Cinderella carousel, Dumbo, Mad Hatter's Tea cup and It's a small world. We even watched The Golden Mickey (for the nth time) as well as the Lion King show. The little girl did not enjoy the Lion King again. Well, she never did enjoy this show eversince. The stage set was very dark, with super loud surround music inside the theater. Sam's scared here plus add the fire dance displayed by the dancers.

Samantha playing at the water fountain while waiting for Daddy and Kuya from the Space Mountain ride (adult roller-coaster). They enjoyed the roller-coaster ride so much. So much that they rode it twice. They tried also the new ride at Tomorrowland, battery-powered car by Honda. Kinda boring and ho-hum ride according to the boys but they still rode to experience it anyway.

It was a tiring 2nd day in Disneyland. After all the shows and rides, we waited for the usual Disney finale, the fireworks display! With this finale, I asked permission from the husband that I'll skip the fireworks show so I can have some shopping time at Tun Chung outlet (one MTR station away from Sunny Bay/Disneyland). Of course, he happily obliged to be left with Samantha at Disney than go with me on a shopping-spree in Tun Chung. LOL.

Ico riding the MTR going to Tun Chung outlet store

After spending few hours at Tun Chung, went back to hotel and call it a day. Of course the day has not ended for the little girl. She had so much fun at Disney, went home with her toy and she even enjoyed the non-stop Disney movies on cable. Perfect vacation treat for the little girl.

Samantha happy with her Disney toy loot : Disney playhouse

Day 3 and Day 4 HK post to follow ...

The HongKong Trip : Day 1

Last June 10, our family pushed thru with our much-awaited holiday break at HongKong. Despite the H1N1 scare, we still decided to push thru with our travel plans as a summer cum back-to-school treat for the kids, and my birthday treat.

Anyway prior the trip, we've made some precautionary measures to avoid the flu virus. Aside from giving them flu shots weeks before our travel, the family took ascorbic acid on a double dosage. From the usual 500g per day, it was taken at 1000g per day. We made sure that our immune systems were well-prepared to combat any possible virus.

June 10 (Wed) : Day 1 at Hongkong Disneyland.

Since we took the flight a day ahead from the husband, I've decided it will be more practical to proceed to Disneyland Hotel from the airport and enjoy Disneyland with the kids. Less fuss and hassle of course especially if you have kids in tow.

While waiting for our delayed PAL flight. From 10am flight, we waited another hour for our trip. We left Manila at 1115 am. Not bad considering there were few passengers only at this time.

Inside the aircraft, I was able to convince the little girl to wear her mask whenever we are inside enclosed places like plane and MTR trains. She happily obliged of course with a little bribe of a Disney toy. Aside from the masks I bought from our local drugstore, I also have pocket-sized alcohol to keep our hands clean. Safety net of course. Suprisingly, only a handful of tourists were wearing masks at the HK International airport and inside the plane. The H1N1 scare not that scary after all.

We were so lazy to leave the hotel thus we arrived at Disneyland (via free coach services) around 3pm. Just in time to catch the Disney Summer Waterworks Parade. If there's something I love about Disneyland, they always showcase different parade every year. For my past four visits at Disney, I haven't watched same parade twice. Which makes it more exciting and worthwhile to go back at HK Disneyland. Anyway, after the waterworks parade,we were all wet! Mind you they use Bonaqua for the water spray...that is HK distilled water! LOL.

And of course, more pictures with the Disney characters and Disney's famous landmarks

Trip at HK Dinseyland will not be complete without pictures with Mickey and Minnie.

And more pictures with some of the rides : Cinderella carousel, Mad Hatter's Tea cup ride, Flying Dumbo and the new ride which opened 3Q 2008 : It's a Small World. Sadly, the Winnie the Pooh Ride was under maintenance during our visit. The little girl missed this ride.

Sam's First Day in School

Just want to share Samantha's First Day in school at St. Paul College of Pasig. She's officially enrolled as Kinder 1, AM class. Though, she's not happy to be back ... yes, waking up as early as 6am proves to be a "big" commotion in our household lately, but I think with just a few days more, she'll adjust perfectly.

Anyway, some changes I noticed this year at the Kinder class. Sam's class size increased from a small class of 12 students last year, they are now maximum 22 students per class. Quite many, don't you think so? Her previous classamtes were re-grouped or distributed to different sections, hence only five of them remained as classmates this year. Luckily, this includes her best friend Valerie.

Samantha independently walking to her classroom ; and with her new teacher,Teacher Agnes.

Back with some of her old classmates: Shecka and Samuela

So, the stage mom is back again this year ... hehehe! So expect more school pictures and post about the little girl as she goes through her Kinder 1 at SPCP. 'Til next school post.