Summer!

After five days if staying at home, we decided it's about time we get some sun lovin'.  The past few weeks were all about rain and clouds and dark days.  This time, summer says hello and we hope it's here to stay.We went to nearby beaches for a good dose of fresh air, golden sun, and warm sand.  Don't be fooled!  The water is still too cold!!!We just had to do the japan japan thing...Sun bathers and the hungry birdiesLow tide....

Go, Love!

Flashback to June 8, 2014...I have been blessed with a passionate husband.  His passion in basketball is not to be questioned or belittled, and it is very evident with his gusto for NBA, UAAP, and the liga back home at their dear Baranggay Espeleta.I was so happy to see him at his best, playing enthusiastically for his team during the finals.  He ran, played hoops, shouted, defended, rebounded with all his might.  And I, the stage...

My Girls

Flashback to June 7, 2014...Had lunch with my beautiful ladies when I went home last June.  It was a good meal at Riche's home.  I finally met Riche's 2 lovely daughters, y and z, and I finally set foot on Riche's lovely abode.After lunch, we headed to a nearby cafe and had a blast reminiscing and making chika :)Thankful for friends who defy distance and time.  I've been through a lot with these girls - good, bad, and everything in...

One Shade of Grey

After our Boxing Day date yesterday, I had a glimpse of my first gray hair.  I was waiting for this day to come!  A grand announcement of my old age!Thoughts?  Growing old... Maturing... Getting wiser, hopefully!  I've been alive for a third of a century or a little more than three decades, and I've been tremendously blessed all throughout.What's next?  Well, more gray hair, of course!  And more fun in the midst of the wonderful signs of aging process!  Happy agi...

Random

We've been briefed (or warned for the pessimists) that life in New Zealand could be pretty relaxed (or boring for the pessimists).  Malls close at 5PM on most days of the week, as if telling people to just stay at home with your family.  The other day, I asked Mike if he is starting to feel bored here.  He said no.  I feel the same way.  Hehehe.  Life has been good so far!Here are some random beautiful things that I've...

One Month, Five Days

This is how long Mike and I have been here in freaking cold Auckland.  Freaking cold for people like us who hail from the tropical islands of the Philippines, and Singapore - which is just as warm.  It's freaking cold here because we arrived during winter, but it's not that bad.  I'm actually starting to like it!I feel bad for not posting for the last 3 months.  A lot of things happened, each month worth remembering.On June, I went home to the Philippines for a three-week vacation.  The highlight of which was the road trip...

The Bum Gets a Day-Off

Friday! It's my farewell lunch with my Moody's friends. Incidentally, it's also my first time riding the new Downtown Line MRT - fromBugis to Downtown station.I love the theme: baby colors! I've seen baby blue, baby yellow, baby green. So nursery-ish!Notice how clean the train is? It smells so new (except the walk from bugis to downtown because it smells foot-ish). The handles match the seat color. How dandy!There are also... hmmm, are these...

Farewell, Moody's!

The final day ended fairly fast. I just sent my farewell email, shook hands with some members of the team, surrendered my laptop. I went out at 12 noon and have never felt so liberated! I'm sure a smile was permanently pasted on my face and I could understand why.After graduating from college on October 2001 (I feel so old saying this), I had a good rest for two months before I got my very first shining shimmering splendid job offer. Don't get...

Satsatan

                      One of the most amazing benefits of mobile technology is the fact that your loved ones are just a few finger strokes away. I particularly like WhatsApp, Viber, iMessage. I have group chats with my family, St. Paul, SPI, UBS, Moody's. Everybody is so reachable and I love it! The most active channels are family and St. Paul. Family discussions include weekend...

Dark Clouds

My view this morning from the office...Ominous! Exactly the opposite of what I feel leaving these halls. Today is my last working day. I'll still go to the office on Monday morning but only to surrender my office stuff.I get overly dramatic when leaving a work. This time though, I am more of excited to leave the chaotic work behind. I will miss the pinoy barkada I've gained here. I will miss the umay factor if there's no work to be done. Likewise,...

Pests

It's been a known fact that mosquitoes find my scent yummy. My cousin doctor said my body is warmer than usual that's why these pests choose to attack me more than the others.  I haven't been bitten for a long time. But lately, there seems to be a mosquito nest somewhere in our house. Let me sit for a few minutes and they come swarming towards me. The most that i've had is around 15 bites in a span of 3 minutes. I have no idea how they do it...

Ho Chi Minh City - Day 3

last day! we went to the kuchi tunnel since we had an evening flight to singapore. jake's flight was at noon so we bid our farewells at the hotel. it took us around 2 hours to get to the kuchi tunnel. but before that, we were dropped off at the souvenirs shops in kuchi village. the crafts are made by 3rd gen survivors who were left with disabilities after the war. our guide was a war soldier. i felt the pain in his voice. there was...

Ho Chi Minh City - Day 2

day 2 was mekong river day. we started off early by taking a bus ride from the city center to the mekong river. the trio at the boat. jake in his japan japan pose. the river bank and then we started sailing through narrow canals reminiscent of the pantanals in corumba, brazil. wow! i haven't been to brazil. i only read about in in grisham's 'the testament'. bwahaha! this is our happy tour guide. i unfortunately forgot his name....