A Visit To Grandma Jean

I got busy with things around here and these photos we took last weekend supposed to be posted right after we arrived home from a 4-hour drive from San Antonio but anyway here they are now. These are fun photos of our family with grandma Jean. I think the happiest person on earth being visited by us was Jean. 

Jean has two sons in California and based on her story, they have not visited her for a long time although they keep in touch by phone regularly but I guess it is different when you see your children personally, hug and talk to them physically once in a while, right?

She is not related to my kids by blood but they learn to love her as their grandma. She is my late father-in-law's girlfriend before he passed away. Their real grandma who lives in Florida haven't seen/met me and my kids since I arrived here over six years ago. Sad huh? Oh well, we can live without her.

 ...photo above is of us upon arrival from Fort Worth... this is our first dinner together...she served us pizzas in one of AFV's cafeteria

 ....... after dinner... looking at the old woman's face, you can tell how happy she is to see Jadyn again after six months of not seeing her...

 ....my family at Jean's apartment on the 5th floor ...

.......... second day of our stay right after lunch at Sky Lounge...

Wordless Wednesday: Birds, Water And Hand

Disneyland Discounted Tickets For Southern California Residents

It is every child's dream to be able to hug and see in person her favorite Disney character. Growing up being so familiar with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and other Disney characters made me dream to come to America and perhaps visit the Disneyland. Now that I am here, I still haven't visited the said amazing place where I can shake hands with Minnie. She was my favorite of all characters. We live in Texas by the way and going to either Disneyland or Disneyworld can be a bit expensive for all of us. We are a family of four, two girls have been added to us so you can only imagine the plane tickets and the Disneyland tickets itself would cost us a lot of money. 

With that being said, there are discounted disneyland tickets which we can buy on the internet and ships home, it is cold etickets which sells for 5% off any 10 tickets. However, if you live in Southern California, you can avail the discounted Disneyland tickets. Find out more on the link above. Grab those tickets before they are gone. I tell you, these are real deals for the whole family. Once you have the tickets, don't forget to book a hotel near the place in order to have a comfortable room to sleep in after a long day at the Disneyland.

Universal Studio Packages

For people who plan of looking for thrills, adventure and fun. Here is for you to look at, browse on different Universal Studios Packages in order to save some money in your travel. This exciting vacation packages include hotel accommodations and admission to Universal Orlando Resort. Where else can you get a four days/3 nights for only $359 good for two guests? Plus, breakfast buffet included in this package.

If we were to go on a vacation, I would choose to go to Orlando, Florida because I heard so many things to do in Orlando. A few people I have known have been there and they told me stories how great and fun it is to go there. Sigh! I am so jealous of them. Anyway, if you know anyone or your family are planning of having a good vacation this year, please tell them about this great package. And please like or visit their Facebook page.

Best Orlando Hotels

I grew up surrounded by beaches and for me being able to go to the beach anytime I want is possible. But then when I moved to Texas 6 years ago, going to the beach and play in the sand is no longer accessible or if I really want to I have to drive 6 hours to Houston just so I can enjoy the beach once again. But hey I am not going to do that.

I wish that we can visit or have a vacation in Orlando, Florida someday where there are plenty of beaches to go and most of all staying at one of the most loved Orlando Hotels will be perfect together with my husband and family. Searching for Orlando Hotels online wouldn't be difficult because www.orlandoescape.com is making hotel search possible, easy and quick plus we can also read Orlando Hotel Reviews so we know which hotel to stay and stay for a few days.

Wordless Wednesday: The Shamu

Places To Be

When a person feels bored at home, it is either he would go out with friends to their favorite hang out places or rent a DVD and watch a movie at home. We all have different way of entertaining ourselves, aren't we? For gay people, they do have their own and chosen places to go where they mingle people of their kind.

If you are in New York City and doesn't know much about the place, you may look or search for coffee shops and gay bars around the area and hopefully have some fun, meet new acquaintances and enjoy life! I hope this blog entry helps people who are gay and give them an idea on where to go or to search for some fun places to hang out with their friends!

Baby #2 And Grandma Jean's 1st Meeting

The whole family visited Jean, my FIL's girlfriend in San Antonio last Monday until Wednesday of this week. We are glad we got to see her once again after 8 months. It was baby M and Jean's first meeting together, and guess what? It made her Christmas! She was just so happy to have us in her place. She is like a family to us and us to her. Imagine she hasn't seen nor visited by her own sons in 30 years!

When we bade goodbye to her after the third day, we got her teary-eyed. Poor old woman, she had nobody, not a single blood family visited her on Christmas...nobody but US!

...... photos above and below show of our arrival to her place on Dec.26,2011..

..... photo above is of the grandma and my Princess at the AFV1 lobby

...... lunch with Grandma Jean before heading back home! December 28,2011

Back To Reality

As you may not know it, we just came back from our two-week stay from the Philippines for my father's funeral. We are now back to reality where nobody here that my Jadyn to play with. No one's around I can ask help with when I need something because there are just 4 of us in this house.

By the way, this picture is of my big Princess with her friends in Cebu. This was taken when we just arrived from our long trip from Texas to Cebu last October 20th. They are our neighbor's kids and I am glad Jadyn gets along with them even though two of these kids aren't speaking in English.

Business That Is Doing Great

Despite of the economic crisis there is business here in the United States that is making profit, travel agencies are doing well even though the economy hasn't recovered yet. People seek for a relaxation and vacation so they continue to fly elsewhere and do not mind what is going on with our economy. International flights for example are what these big time traveler often search as what I have seen on the news. Because according to some people, having a vacation and unwind a little bit is still important these days. If you could search on the internet for international flights you still find great deals if you are patient enough to search on different agencies and compare prices.

And since it is already a bit cooler up North, I am very sure that there are people are thinking of going to countries like Australia for an escape of the harsh cold weather awaiting ahead of them. If you know anyone who is planning for a grand vacation, you can help them find cheap flights by referring them this site called Travel.com.au. It is one of Australia's oldest travel websites specializing in international flights and overseas holiday bookings.

Dream Paradise

It is everybody's dream to be able to visit and see themselves the beauty of Hawaii. Those that have been there for business, pleasure or vacation they are lucky enough to have seen the place. I, for one is wishing to visit Hawaii someday. If there is somebody will invite me over I would love to do that. I had a friend who used to live there and she wanted me to come visit her but I refused. Back then, I was too busy minding my own life here in Texas. The opportunity comes only once and I kind of regretted for not making it to Hawaii because they are no longer living there. They moved to mainland USA and I doubt if I can ever see the place myself or perhaps someday it will come true.

Do you know anyone who is looking forward to relocating or retiring in Hawaii? Please give them this website of Hawaii real estate so they can browse for properties listed on the internet. Thank you!

I Wish I Can Be Away From Home

Just moments ago my husband asked me where I want to go today. While he asked me the best question ever, I couldn't answer him although I really want to be away from the corners of the house for a while. I am getting bored of being stuck in the house all day everyday. I cannot even go out for a walk for it is just too hot outside. Obviously, I am bored and getting very bored as days go by.

What I wish is for us to have that quick escapade from somewhere fun, somewhere there's a beach, a bit cooler than Texas and most of all an out-of the country experience is what I would love to have at this point of my life. While making this entry right now, I am also eying on HomeAway Holiday-Rentals where people can get amazing deals for summer of 2011.

Gosh tons of travel offers at this site right now and I am jealous. Makes me wish we had money to avail all the discounts they have for their clients so we can get away from Texas heat. And if ever we could do that, I would not forget to bring a Travel cookbook with me and make the whole family some of the featured Italian Main Courseson the cook book since I am in the mood for cooking and craving for something Italian to serve on our table. I wish! I wish! We can do this....if not this year, perhaps in the future!

Mellow Yellow Monday #: 12 A Big Bus To Kawasan Falls

This is me taken at the South Bus terminal during my vacation in the Philippines last November 2010-February 2011. We took a bus going to Kawasan falls with Filipinas and an American friend instead of hiring an exclusive van because it is more fun and such an adventure to take a bus rather than riding in a small and boring van for the whole 2 hours of trip. We all had fun looking at the beautiful mountains and winding road in the country.

Blowing Plastic Balloons

This is what she did the entire trip of 4.5 hours going to San Antonio last weekend. Thank God I bought her a plastic balloon for it really did entertain her. She didn't get fussy or whiny for she was too occupied blowing balloon. Doing the balloon is so much fun. This reminds me of my childhood where me and my friends will have a contest as to who can make the biggest plastic balloon. We also pop the balloon through our mouth and blow more air into it to make it even bigger but then if we wrongly pop in the rainbow it could make our job a disaster. Popping in a rainbow can make a big whole that sometimes we couldn't seal it right away allowing air to escape.

How To Get From Here To There

How to get from here to there, what do we do? To get from here to there is fly in the plane or ride a bus! Are famous lines of a nursery song I forgot its title but it's stuck in my mind right now. It's like riding a Woodbury common bus NYC to discover an entire new city in one day and be back in time for a relaxing evening in New York. Going to New York City doesn't require you to bring your own vehicle for there a lot of options or ways to ride and tour around the city. It's either by train, by bus or by taxi cabs. That's what I like about the place or to be easier, just walk along with other crowds to explore.

Woodbury common busy NYC can also take you to the following states from New York to Boston, Philadelphia or Washington D.C. and explore the historical sites of these famous cities. Looking for brand name savings? Hop on the Bus to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets from NYC for the best sales shopping in town! Rest assured of these buses you will be comfortable with your ride, for each unit has climate-controlled motor coach transportation to and from your destination. You will be accompanied by a friendly, knowledgeable tour guide who will share the fun facts and stories of the monuments, buildings and people of the city. You'll also have some free time to explore on your own and get lunch.

Time For A Perfect Getaway

It's Spring break, alright? You know what that means when we hear words like that. The very first thing that comes in our mind is VACATION or GETAWAY! It is what most students and parents love this time of year for they can take a short break from school, getting up early to prepare the kids for school, packing lunches, making assignments and projects, taking and fetching them to and from school. Those things sure are tiring. But comes with Spring break, they can unwind and relax their body by going for a short trip somewhere quiet and relaxing.

A lot of people have already gone and chose a place for that perfect getaway. Have you? If you haven't decided yet what place to go, here is I can offer you, a website that offers vacation ideas. You can search for vacation ideas by region or by types. This of course making it easier for you and your whole family to decide what sort of things you do and where to go to make that vacation of yours a memorable one.

If I were to go for a getaway, I would choose to visit a place where there is plenty of sun and the beach. There is no doubt I would say "YES" right away if somebody is going to ask me for it. Who am I to refuse such invitation especially if it's about having to have fun and enjoyment somewhere away from home?

Last Minute Eyeball

I did my last minute eyeball with Janette Berdon and Leizl the day I was supposed to be in the airplane flying back to Texas. When I did that eyeball (January 29,2011) in the morning I thought I would be flying that evening on the same day but little did I know, I already missed my flight. I realized it during midday that I should have checked in the 28th of January night. While I was having fun chitchatting with the girls, I did not know I was way behind my schedule so I re-booked my flight two days after. Luckily, we didn't pay a penny for re-booking. Thanks to our agent, Lily Bogan for her immediate help and for confirming our seats at the last minute. It was such a challenge for me because we didn't have confirmed seats until a few hours left before check in time in the evening of Feb.01,2011. Lily was our angel that day.

Despite of that, we made it to Texas safe and sound, only experienced a few area of turbulence and rough landing at DFW due to very bad weather. It was very windy and snowing the day of our arrival plus the fact that I was held for an hour in the customs and got a penalty of $300 for not declaring the foods I brought from the Philippines and for bringing fresh limes in my luggage. Such an experience that was. Promise I will do it again to piss them (government people) off haha!

.....me with the girls @ Gaisano Capital formerly Gaisano Mactan...

Exhausted Baby

Jadyn has been my partner in traveling back and forth to the Philippines. It was her second trip to PI this year. She is a fine traveler, really no complain nor crying during the whole flight. She would just eat, play and sleep when in the airplane. But the only thing I complain about her is that she DOESN'T WALK when I need her to walk. Why on earth she doesn't walk, she really loves watching me heavily burden by her plus I had to pull my carry-on and purse in the airport.

Okay, I understand flying in an airplane is tiring and exhausting that is why she had to sleep the possible way she can when she had a chance. Photos are proof of her looking exhausted. These were taken at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. Peacefully sleeping after just 4 hours of flying from PI to Incheon. Cute, ain't she?

Saying Goodbye Is Not Easy

Why do saying goodbyes to family or close friends aren't always easy? Although I prepared myself before I left in the Philippines, I felt a bit disappointed when the realization hit me when I landed in DFW International Airport. I saw some white dusting on the ground as I listened to the deafening sound of silence as I walked out the airport. It hit me big time when I realized I am no longer with my Filipino families and that I am back to reality where life is different. It is going to take another few years before I can see them again. Who knows when but all I know is that my next trip wouldn't be next years or anytime soon for the reason I am pregnant and there will be more than 2 people traveling next time.

However, I keep constant communication through long distance calling on the phone or texting them through yahoo messenger but that wouldn't be enough. Yes, you heard me complaining on Facebook about them being so noisy and loud mouths in the early mornings but that doesn't mean I am not going to miss them at all. All I have here are the memories shared with family throughout my vacation, the not so nice and good times I spent with them should be enough for now.

Here are photos of my final day with family. These were taken in our house and a few at the airport just before boarding in the airplane.

......... photo above is of Jadyn, papa and mama..Jadyn was resisting because she didn't wanna be held by them..

... still in our house with her fave uncle, Elan..Iyod as she calls him..

.....above and below photos are the final moments spent with them at Mactan-Cebu International airport before boarding on January 31,2011

2 Days

2 days more. I can't help but count the days I will be back to where I belong. I am getting tired of this wet weather condition here. Everyday it rains, many appointments to meeting friends have been canceled, I am stuck in the house and have nowhere to go. Aside from that, I wake up in the morning with loud mouths and so much noise that is unbearable. I miss the quiet and the stillness of the morning I used to have. So if I leave in this country, I wouldn't be sad nor disappointed my vacation is over because to be honest? I am really tired of being here. Quiet and privacy are something I cannot have here. If only...if only they can give me a full day of peace of mind...