Thursday, March 13, 2008

Birthday reflections

March 13, 2008 7:28 am

Today is my birthday and I won't let this day pass without doing a blog, free flow of thoughts ulit hehehe :o). Just finished my birthday prayer and quiet moment with Him, what a perfect way to start your day. Actually, I woke up around 6:30 am despite having slept last night around 3:15 am. My husband and I finished filling up and securing 3 balikbayan boxes (and left 1 more box opened as we still lack the curtains that I'm bringing home) and our LCD TV, it's tiring but we treat it as another bonding time. This is the second time that I'm out of the country for my birthday, the first was last 2005 I was in Costa Rica that time.

I have to say that I am so blessed, always turn out strong on the ups-and-downs of life and always very thankful to the Lord, I can't thank You enough talaga po. I thank YOU for everything ......... let me mention a few...

1. For giving me life and good parents. Since the start of my life I knew I was meant to be on this planet hehehe. Premature kasi ako, I was born at about 3 lbs when my mom was 42 years old and yung sinundan kong kapatid (Ate Bebe) ay 10 years ang tanda sa ken. So when I was just about starting my school days, nagde-debut na siya. I grew up like an only child kasi nga bunso and medyo malayo ang age sa mga kapatid. My childhood days were superb, kahit alam ko napalo rin ako minsan na nakatitig pa ako sa salamin with "paawa effect".

2. For making me treat studying as a hobby. Yes, I never treated studying as a burden, I like doing it. My parents sent me to good schools and provided me with all the things that I need, what else can I ask for.

3. For giving me such a positive and happy disposition in life. During tough and sad times, I "bleed" pero very strong and tough pa rin, nothing can keep me from being cheerful and headstrong. Yes, nalulungkot and nase-stress but I stay focused somehow. Siguro, naturalesa ko and also training sa Intel, the company I worked on before. Steady under pressure, I would say.

4. For giving me good friends. Alam niyo na kung sino-sino kayo. I don't keep a crowd, I only keep a few but lasting, meaningful and mga "jologs" na friends. These are the people who makes like more meaningful, happy and somehow, makes me a better person. O totoo yun...

5. hep, ayan gising na si honeypunch, thank you Lord for another good morning kiss and birthday kiss from my loving husband. Ayan nawala tuloy concentration ko hehehehe.

6. For giving me my good, faithful, and loving husband, I always knew it was him. He is my love, my life and daily inspiration. My husband is the best person for me, because he not only brings out the best and also the worst in me, so balanse hehehehe. Though he is my opposite - we always meet half way and we can never be happy with anyone else. We are home to each other. And to top it all, guwaping ang loves ko! May kokontra ba? :o)

7. For giving me a pretty, witty daughter and malambing and "bruskong" son. Hindi ako madaling mabuntis, but we are blessed with one pretty, witty daughter who is a female version of her daddy. It took us about 3 years before we had our 1st baby, Nicole. After 2 years and 8 months, we were surprised to have Maqs coz I was just about to enroll on another aerobics session/s to conceive, yun pala preggy na ako... and boy pa. Thank you po Lord, sobra-sobra na po ito.

8. For giving me a good job/peers/company, 11 years of working on the world's #1 chipmaker is a one of the best milestones in my life, and I should say very rewarding to land on a QRE job, good boss and a lot of exposure to different culture. The opportunity to work with US, Malaysia and Israel counterparts - is simply challenging but I love it.

9. For giving me a chance to live the life of a simple homemaker, this is the most challenging role a woman can have. From then on, I realized all the efforts of my mom nung growing years namin until today when we're all married - wala pang maid nun ha. It's not just about chores, it's about running the whole show of your being a parent, wife, friend, teacher, nurse, lahat lahat na.

I also would like to thank YOU for all the things you never give. I always knew there is a good reason and You know what's best for us.

This is so far my busiest birthday, I managed to finish packing all the 5 balikbayan boxes (with help from Manny, my mom and my Kuya Bok) and send it off for shipment this afternoon. I am now packing for our baggage and hand carries. Anyways, happy birthday again to me and see you Philippines this coming Sunday, Mar 16'08!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Ipoh

February 9, 2008 was a normal day with a bit of surprise. My Ipoh friends met around 2pm at Petronas gasoline station along Jalan Kuala Kangsar. Each bought snacks, and goodies in preparation for a long drive... As everyone says, we're not really expecting so much, about the place but were surprised to know that after leaving Petronas station and driving for about ~3 minutes - "WE JUST ARRIVED". Yes, we are here... andito na tayo! Ngek, dito na pala.... Enjoy our little haven in the midst of the city. Sinong mag-aakala? may ganitong lugar sa likod ng gasulinahan... dito lang iyan sa Ipoh.

I found a good blog specially for Gunung Lang.... so I need not explain more of the place. Mr. Jon Tan has taken cared of that. LOL!

Gunung Lang, Ipoh
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I always enjoyed hanging around with this guy, cute siya no? And he happens to be my better half, what more could I ask for? Gala, pictures and him....
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Ipoh gurl friends with our kids - sa galaan, laging nagkaka-ayaan...
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We're waiting for our boat ride to take us to the other side of the lake. Masarap maglakwatsa kasama tong mga to...
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Finally, we arrived. This is our group picture for the day. Oooops, Beth baka mahulog ka diyan.
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Boat ride with Mabel and Neneng
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Very refreshing day, Russel tingin ka muna. At the back, is Marquez' family.
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Daddy and our 2 bundles of joy
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Itaas ang kamay, iwagayway. This is the path going to the park.
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Bougainvillea Queen
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With Mabel and Beth, ayaw umitim kaya payong muna....
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Playground with makulit na Nicole. I like the parks here, it always goes with a good playground and plenty of grass to walk on and play games too.
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My Boy Wonder, anak ang itim mo na kakalaro.. nasan ba ang tatay mo?
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At the back of the park, there are monkeys hanging around the trees growing on the hill. Very close to nature tuloy ang feeling, but somehow they got used to junkfoods that visiting people feed them. As of now, Maqs calls them "U U A A"...
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Playtime ni Daddy, este Maqs. This is what these 2 guys do - play around all the time. Kahit sa bahay kulitan yang dalawang iyan...
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Mommy's turn to play....
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Mga makukulit na Batang Ipoh
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Our kids enjoy playing together, and weekend is their chance to meet especially if there are scheduled trips like this.
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Mga Papa ng Ipoh, we often go out with these cool guys and their families.
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Smile, it will brighten up your day. While waiting for our boat ride on our way back.
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Gunung Lang Ladies.... Bonding time with my close friends here. Mga walang magawa ba? Sayang ang oras, while waiting for our "drivers".
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My moment, my time, my place ....
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Enjoying the view of the lake
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Best and cheap way to unwind, balik tayo dito daddy..
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And the winner is... ME!
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Daddy with Maqs, shaking this floating wooden boardwalk.. Tsk, tsk, tsk... Nag-trip na naman...
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Moms and kids, oops nasan mga anak ko?
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Daddy's day out, fine men of Ipoh
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Nice place, can't help to take some solo shots of myself.... who else?
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Siyempre, may solo dapat ako sa sign....
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Models of Gunung Lang Lake
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We enjoyed it here! Last pose before we leave the place.
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San ba tayo susunod? Jusco naman.... LOL!