just got home from a long drive

some more art work

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Had a tough time taking the shots. The art work served as a ceiling. Interesting art work up there. I promised to come back for the right shot.

Kublai's Unconventional Center in Davao

I have been to this small hotel for many times and I have not really scrutinized every art work of Kublai. He owns the place and I know he is exceptional in many ways with his work. Here are some of his work and I will still be featuring the rest later. Please enjoy this art journey.

stray cat on top of my neighbor's tree

My baby with Josh Groban

Today I had a big fight with my mother but after several minutes to make everyone relax I thought of asking my niece, Thea to look for a website wherein we will see (in a sort of simulation) my future grandchild Zak Kairi.

I was actually guilty because I raised my voice to my mother. It was not good. Even if I think that I was really right.

Anyway because I felt bad, I told everyone that I was at fault.

I started picking-up from a bad mood when Thea started pairing pictures of my son Kaiser and his girlfriend Hannah. The babies that came out were really hilarious. It was fun.

But I went back to my chores.

My niece have a natural flare of making everyone feel good. She did something that further lifted my spirits. She knew that I have such a huge admiration for Josh Groban. And she paired my picture with Josh that resulted that very adorable baby in the picture.

I love it.

Ostrich egg

My niece and I came across this restaurant that serves exotic food. I am not much of an animal-rights activist so I want to taste that Ostrich egg omelet in the menu. I am not sure of the Crocodile sisig and Ostrich steak though. The restaurant also serves BBQed crocodile and ostrich meat, something that I should refuse too.

The most exotic food I ever had is fried frog. Which I have eaten a long, long time ago. The recent favorite which is not really exotic but is close to being gross is chicken feet in a local Chinese restaurant here in Davao.

I think that is how far I could be adventurous when eating. I am not very choosy with what I eat really but I do make some combination that could be grossly. I love "champorado" (chocolate rice porridge) with "tuyo" (dried fish). I also asked my niece to taste a long-time favorite, "galunggong" ( a kind of fish) and hot rice topped with condensed milk.

But I would never eat crocodiles, snakes, dogs, cats or any meat in that league.

the red plant between us

First, I was only interested with the red plant between me and my niece. During that rainy night, looking at the wet red leaves was just so lovely. That was the only reason for the origin of the poses.

Was it?
I sometimes marvel at how simple life could be if we are to appreciate the things around us. I believe that I should have some time each day to communicate with nature. Be one with them and be sensitive to its existence. The plant was just simply placed there for whatever reason but what makes it significant is how it has become an instrument to the people's happiness.

We still can afford to smile.


Today, I am just glad that I was not in Haiti for that recent earthquake.

Even with all the catastrophes that is happening around the world, we can still smile.

yellowcab dinner

My children just loves pizza! I do not know why but I think because it is so easy to eat than the usual Filipino food. The last time we ate pizza together was Karl's birthday 2 years ago. Whenever they have some cravings I prepare a simple home-made pizza.

I buy a crust in the grocery. The toppings usually is a mixture of a bottle of catsup, a box of cheese (the ordinary one) and ham - that gives them the same delight when eating a pizza at a restaurant.

I was touched when they were given this treat by my mother. We often pass-by the Yellowcab and even when they beg to eat there, I thought we could still survive even without that pizza from Yellowcab.

And this came.

I am glad my children acquired such patience and understanding at this point in our life. I often told them that even if we are deep in crisis, there are still blessings that we have to count. We just have to adjust and adapt and make the crisis work into making us better than break into pieces.

The family enjoying each other' s company and the food!

Cheers again!

Practice driving and some delight

Today was my niece's (Thea) 3rd day of practice driving. We went to Sun City a vacated subdivision near our place. The rumor was that there was an issue of the land acquisition thus the selling of the lots were stopped.

The place was perfect for my niece to practice. The place have wide streets, old trees are lined alongside and in the islands, have slopes and leveled streets not only for an ambiance while driving but get to try lots of competencies in driving as well.

Yesterday when we first tried the place, I think there were 3 other cars (probably practicing driving) cruising with us in the streets so it was quite fun. Because it was a Sunday there were also lots of people seen in the vicinity while we were driving.

Today was a different story. It is a Monday so I guess everyone else were out. We were alone except for some tricycles and vehicles going and getting out from a subdivision nearby. Creepy!

There was one woman we have jokingly included in our topic (only for entertainment) because for more than an hour that we spent there, she seemed to be restlessly waiting for something or someone. God knows. Whenever we get by where she is, we jokingly talk to her (of course she can't hear us!). Telling her " If it has been 5 weeks that you have been waiting there, it is time to go. Your man is no longer coming back. Common move on! "

Well, we did not know that we were in to some more delight!

At a curve, we were surprised that there was suddenly a parked white car. It was not there some five or ten minutes ago. Well, I said candidly and jokingly that "Hmmm there must be some f_ _king inside". It was a joke that I regret I have said. I wanted to take it back because I realized I got my niece with me. Well she is an adult and thought that she is kinda game about these matters and why not we entertain and learn about it?

Now, we were slowly approaching them...Oh my God! Now I am afraid to look but I saw a man and woman. My niece and I were both frantic and mustered lots of judgemental comments. Sorrryyyyy!

I remembered our conversation to be really so ridiculous and funny then we decided and said "common lets go back to check if they are really doing it." And we did. Grrrhhhh. Why did I ever conspire with my niece with something indecent like this?

I was not able to look but my niece said, "Tita A, the seats were down and I think they are lying down too." OMG again.

Anyway, we did not go back once more. But I said something like "I would prefer doing that in a decent place and on a bed."

But we both came up with a mature note when it was time to go home. We both agreed that "It happens".

countdown

embracing 2010

The video shows happy moments with my family while welcoming 2010. Davao bans firecrackers and fireworks thus giving us an opportune time to spend the coming of each new year silently.

The gathering with the family is a tradition. We talk about some important moments in life, reminisce a year of good and bad moments, recognize directions and give each and everyone of us the chance to express thoughts and feelings.

I am just proud of my children - how they look at life, express their thoughts and feelings, level of acceptance to life and love. I loved the way they treat their cousin, Thea who came to visit and spend the New Year with us. I admire the way they take care of my mother. But most of all I just can't help but marvel at their level of understanding towards Kaiser, Hannah and the new member of our family, Zak Kairi (the baby boy).

Blessings do come in many packages. I have a family. I have a husband who got such a mammoth reserve of patience with me too.

2010

I will be a grandmother to Zak Kairi.

I have been busy preparing my son and his girlfriend Hannah for their first baby that I did not have time to think about my life.

I was driving my mother and two other kids to school this morning and I was unusually quiet for some time. It was like trying to gather some more calmness and sense to where I am now at this point in my life.

2010. Grandmother at 46.

2010. My youngest who will be 16 is in a relationship with his first girlfriend.

Time flies so fast.

I think I have to schedule the 2D Echo recommended by my doctor.

2010, please be good to me.

the video tells it all

I have been wanting to write but I seemed to be at a lost for words. When the family welcomed the New Year I was trying to push for a positive 2010 because I seemed to have a mediocre horoscope for 2010. Although I do not exactly rely on horoscopes about my fate for the coming year, it somehow makes me feel good to read about good vibes at least. I am sad that I did not get what I wanted from Astrology.

I was keeping up with myself. Pushing myself to feel good and positive to drive away clinging bad vibes but I came into realization that I just really have to wriggle it off. I cannot let it cling to me. After a difficult 2009, I would not entertain another idea of a bad 2010.

It is funny that my eldest son revealed something to the family on new year's eve something that shocked me and at the same time made me excited but scared the hell out of me. Made me worry too.

My son got his girlfriend pregnant.

The video caught me with mixed emotions and reactions about that news.

What shocked me? I think because I will soon be a grandmother.
What made me excited? It is the baby.
What worried me? It is my son's early introduction to fatherhood and family life.

I think, everything else was meant to be.