I miss my parents

It's been six months and counting that I've been here in the Philippines and am feeling somewhat home sick. I guess you don't realize how much you miss people, especially family, until time passes by and you start thinking about them a lot. Although I talk to my parents on a regular basis it's still not the same as seeing them face to face especially seeing them interact with the kids. I'm sure they miss seeing Leon and Leanna and spending time with all of us too.

Mammang Lou gave me an old picture of mom and dad the other day that was hand painted by some painter back when they had lived here in the Philippines. Don't ask me what year the picture was painted but it had to have been some time before 1991 because that was the last time that we had lived in the Philippines. Also judging by the picture dad was a bit skinnier so it definitely had to be in their younger years because dad has gained a few pounds since then. They both look so cute and so young, two lovebirds in love. They have been married now for 41 years and their love gets stronger and stronger as the years go by.

Having raised 4 children, all with different personalities, must've been hard but they have done it and speaking for myself they did a good job:) I owe everything to mom and dad and am very thankful everyday for the many blessings and the things they have done for me in my life. Their love for each other is a true example of what love is. They have been through everything together and they have each other's love and commitment to keep going for the rest of their lives. This is an updated picture of them. Aren't they still so cute? Thanks mom and dad for everything, I truly love and miss you guys:)

Me Pictures

Finally getting the chance to post some pictures that I had taken of myself. These pictures were actually taken back in November but did not get the edited pictures until the beginning of this year. The pictures were taken by a very talented young lady named Raleene Cabrera. I found her online. She is only 19 years old and is currently going to school for interior design but she loves taking pictures on the side. It is her hobby and she said that is actually her passion. She does photos for different people when she can and she also does some professional shoots for magazines and various models as well.

My hair as you can see from the pictures was not cooperating with me. I had taken the pictures in Manila which is about an hour and a half away from where I live in Pampanga. My set time to meet with Raleene was at 1 p.m. so I left around 8 a.m. which would be give me time to travel there plus find a place that would curl my hair for me to give me some volume. Everything was going according to plan but unfortunately when we got there we had a hard time even finding a place to do my hair. I didn't want to just go to any salon that I saw so I had to do some searching for one. Of course the taxi driver was no help as we were in Makati and he didn't know where a good place was and on top of that he was a guy so he didn't know much about all that hair stuff. I finally found a place called Ystilo Salon that I thought would be good but boy was I wrong. I had my hair curled alright but it was definitely not what I wanted and I was crying because of how bad it was! By the time the hairstylist was done and another hairstylist had tried to fix it, it was already close to 2 p.m. I didn't have any time to argue with them so I left with a bad do.

I didn't even want to take the pictures anymore but I didn't want to bail out on Raleene so I just sucked it up and took them. She helped me with my makeup and for my hair I just put water on it and that is why on the pictures it looks flat and just outright ugly. In the end, although I was not happy with my hair I thought the pictures turned out o.k. Next time I definitely will make sure my hair is right:)

Having fun with hubby being home

I haven't blogged in a week as I am busy spending time with my hubby. I can't believe he's been here for a week now, my how time goes by!! It took him a long time to adjust to the time here and he still is feeling a little sleepy during the day. I keep telling him that he needs to stay awake the full day without taking any naps in order to have a good nights sleep but he won't listen.

We have just been hanging out at the house and spending lots of time with the kids, when they're not in school that is. The kids were off yesterday and today so they have an extended weekend. We have decided to go to Enchanted Kingdom tomorrow. Enchanted Kingdom is the Philippines' version of like a Disney Land. We're taking Gerlie and mom so there will be total of 6 of us going. What fun!! Can't wait and as always will post the pictures as soon as possible!

Busy Week

I am having a busy week this week!! First it was the wedding on Sunday then the kids have their final exams for the 3rd quarter this week which has been keeping me extra busy. Add to that the fact that I am preparing for my hubby's homecoming this weekend and I feel a little burnt out!

The kids have a lot of material to test over and since Monday I have been studying and reviewing with them at least 7 hours every day. I know that seems like a lot but I actually alternate my time between Leon & Leanna. Both of them have exams and the material is just as tough for each. The kids get home around 12 noon and we start studying around 1 p.m. after eating lunch and playing a little bit, then it's hitting the books until 8 p.m. when they have to go to bed. I'm glad that I am able to spend this much time with them though. There's nothing like being able to study with them and watch them grow and learn new things. The kids have 11 subjects believe it or not and here is just a sample of what they had to study for the 3rd quarter:

Leon - 3rd Grade

• Language: Sequencing events, adverbs (place, manner & time), prepositions (prepositional phrases & conjunctions) & kinds of sentences.
• Christian Living: My faith will make me a better person, fair at home, school & everywhere & 4 memory verses.
• Science: Plants (comparing them, monocots & dicots, & uses of plants and plant parts), matter & energy (states of matter, useful & harmful substances, & changes in the state of matter), energy (sources of light, how light travels, path of light, other sources of light, & behavior of light).
• Computer: Windows (desktop, icons, & start button), Microsoft Word (basic screen elements, formatting & editing text, closing, opening, renaming, & saving document).
• Math: Numeration (skip counting by 2's to 10's), multiplication (1-2 digit multiplicand & multiplier, & properties of multiplication), & static division.
• Sibika at Kultura (Philippine Culture): Mamamayang Nagkakaisa at Nagtutulungan, Pamayanang Urban, & Pamayanang Rural.
• Filipino: Pang-abay, Pang-angkop, Pangatnig & Pangungusap.
• Reading: Sequencing of events, characterization, & following directions.
• Mape (Music, Arts & PE): Musical phrase, musical instruments, string instruments, woodwind instruments, folk art, making cards, ethnic designs, track & field & lead-up games.
• Spelling: spelling words in all subjects.

Leon's school books

Leanna

• Language: Adjectives (limiting & descriptive), comparison (positive, comparative, & superlative).
• Christian Living: signs & notices, Jesus helped many people, & 3 memory verses.
• Science: Matter (characteristics of objects, basic feel of objects, states of matter, & 2-3 dimensional shaped objects), energy (sound, light, heat, motion, push & pull, other forces - magnet, wind & electricity).
• Computer: the monitor, the printer, computer lab rules, & windows.
• Math: place value, comparing numbers, reading & writing 3 digit numbers, multiplication, days of the week, & months of the year.
• Sibika at Kultura: Mag-anak, Pangangailangan ng mag-anak, & mga katulong sa pamayanan.
• Filipino: Pang uri, & Kaantasang ng Pang-uri.
• Reading: community helpers, parts of the house, mother and young animals, sequencing events, & sentence construction.
• MAPE: movements & rhythm, musical beat, rhythmic pattern, folk arts, paper craft, ethnic designs, individual games, group games & native games.
• Spelling: spelling words in all subjects.

Leanna's school books

It's a lot I know, but now you know how I feel. Wish me luck:)

Santos-Ocampo Wedding Pictures

The wedding this past Sunday turned out really well. I was up early as the people doing the makeup were at the house early. I thought they had come too early as it was around 7:30 in the morning when they had woken me up to go get mine done. I should've done my own makeup because as you can see through the pictures the powder they used on me was too light!! Oh well, I made the best of it and even tried to wipe it off a little bit. The makeup artist said it would absorb anyway during the day.

The wedding ceremony was touching as the groom was singing "Beautiful In My Eyes" while the bride was walking down the aisle. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to cry but when I saw the bride walking down and plus the song in the background I was overcome with emotion and I shed a few tears:) I'm a crier though, I love to cry! Leon was my photographer during the ceremony so some of the pictures are a little off but overall he did well.

The reception was nice as well and as expected there were a lot of people. The food was really good and I was glad they had served the entourage and the other sponsors as I would not have wanted to stand in the buffet line. The table I was sitting at was on the dance floor so I had a great seat on everything that was happening. I also took a lot of good shots. I was surprised that a majority of the guests left after eating but apparently that's what they do here in the Philippines. I don't understand why people take the time to get all dressed up then don't even enjoy themselves when they go to functions like this!

The kids and I had a great time though and of course the bride and the groom were as happy as can be. They will be going on their honeymoon tomorrow. They will be gone for three weeks taking an asian tour I believe to Thailand, Malaysia and other places. Congratulations to the newly weds, may their life be full of happiness, love and children in the future:)

Wedding Pictures

Holiday pictures 2009

Pretty tree

The kids with their presents

Me and Leanna

Me and Leon

This is kind of late but better late than never!! Here are our pictures from the holidays which includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and our outing to Manila on the 27th.

We went to Manila to give wedding invitations to Uncle Rudy's side of the family which included visiting 3 houses. Each house had food for us and after the first house I was already full but we still had to eat at the other houses of course! In the evening we went to Araneta Coliseum to watch Disney on Ice which was a fabulous show. The kids had lots of fun. We had left 7 in the morning and did not return until 10 p.m. that night so we had a long but fun day. Enjoy the pictures!!

Holiday Pictures 2009

Dress fitting and a fun filled day

Yesterday was a fun filled day. I was sad I didn't bring my camera with me because I really wanted to take pictures of yesterday.

I tried on the dress for my cousin's wedding this coming Sunday. It was a bright lime green long skirt and a corset spaghetti strap top that was green as well but had vertical lines of dark purple on it. After that we had lunch with Tin Tin (Christine, the bride to be) with her mother at a place called Toll House that was really good. Afterwards, we went to Ribeye Function Hall where they are having the reception to get everything organized and ready for the 570 guests that will be in attendance. Yes, that's right, there is a guest list of 570 people!! It's going to be interesting to see how the night is going to go especially when it comes time to serve the food.

They are having a buffet table but some guests, like the entourage and the immediate family of the bride and groom will be served at their seats. The hall was a bit outdated but it had a dance floor, a stage and a good sound system and was pretty spacious. I'm anxious to see it all decorated with flowers and stuff. Afterwards the girls (me, Mamang Lou, the mother of the groom, Maryann, the sister of the groom and Tin Tin) headed to SM (Super Mall) Clark to look for some shoes to go with our dresses. I was not lucky to find any shoes but Mamang Lou and Maryann were able to find some. I will just be borrowing a pair of silver shoes from Mamang Lou (we have the same size) for the wedding.

Well can't wait for the wedding!! Four more days. Will definitely blog about it the next day as well as post some pics.

My first blog for 2010

Well I am definitely ready for a new year!!! I have changed the theme of my blog and will be doing so every month as I like a little change here and there!

The kids are off today (Monday) and they resume their classes tomorrow. They have been off for the last two weeks and are ready to go back to school. They will be studying for their exams they have to take all next week so I will be helping them do a lot of reviewing.

My hubby will be back two weeks from now so we are all so excited about that too!! We will be taking the kids to Enchanted Kingdom which is a theme park in Manila. It's kind of like their version of Disney Land here in the Philippines.

My cousin (Peter Santos aka Kuya Dong) will be married next Sunday so we are getting ready for that as well. I haven't gotten fitted yet but I should be doing that this week. Leanna needs to try on her dress too.

Well I can't wait for the things to come this new year!!! Sadly as another year passes by my kids also get older. I always said that I don't want them to ever grow up and I still feel that way because they are my babies. It amazes me how fast they grow up right before my eyes. Leon will be 9 this year and Leanna will be 8. My, how time goes by!! Well at least for now I can truly treasure every moment with them and take lots of pictures too:)