The Year that was .... 2008

The most significant evenr for 2008 is when Barack Obama got elected as President and the magnificent Beijing Olympics with Micheal Phelps as the star Athlete.


The year 2008 will probably the most memorable year for me ever. A lot of things happened on the last 365 days that will come to past in a few hours from now.

One of the most tragic event that happened during the year was when my nephew Micheal Querubin perished at sea on the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars. I should known that fate dictates when it is really time to go or not. Two weeks before this tragic event, I sent my nephew money for him to go back home from Manila to Cebu. I thought he was already home weeks before. Then one Saturday morning I just receive a call that he was one of the passengers of the ship. My heart sank, and was full of questions of why and how it happened. I later found out that Micheal did not took the flight home 2 weeks ago because he was waiting for the results of his examination for working on international cargo ship. Sometimes our dreams will lead us to our final destinations where we can never come back. Micheal’s dreams for this world sank with ship in the sea Romblon but he was able to achieve a bigger dream and that is to be in a place with everlasting joy and happiness.





On happier moments we also have a lot of joyful events during the year. To mention a few:

The late Spring vacation on Chincoteague Island



The Summer Camp at Virginia


The weekly (Summer) swim at Olney Swim Center and Summer Walks on the park

The Birthdays’ and BBQ’s with friends


The parties, movies

In a few hours 2008 will now be a part of History. When the New Year arrives we will all leave things behind and will look forward the upcoming year. We will ask the Almighty that He will always shower us more blessings to survive for another 365 days.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ……..

Halloween

These Pictures are little bit late... but Halloween is just too fun for us to share.
Jeter dress up as the Scream guy... he loves this old raggedy costume. We were a little bit old to do trick or treating.... but what the heck.... it is still fun.... and most of all it is just to sweet for us not to celebrate it....

Christmas is here

This year we started trimming the tree last December 7. We selected the perfect tree at Home Depot because they are selling trees at a discounted rate. I was planning of getting it on a Christmas tree farm somewhere in Germantown or Poolesville but it was just too cold that day. It was not that hard to select a tree specially if kids are around to help you. It was a very good family trip down to the local Home Depot. It is now a yearly tradition for the family to pick the tree and listen to Christmas carols while trimming it. I posting here some pictures of the tree trimming activities. I hope my family in the Philippines can experience this. There is nothing like the scent of fresh pine... Merry Christmas to All....

CPi 40th Anniversary at the Willard

On the eve of November 22, 2008 we celebrated Computer Packages Inc. 40^th anniversary at the Willard Inter Continental Hotel. This occasion is one of the many functions that I truly treasure down to memory lane. Although this was the second time we had anniversary at the Willard Hotel but this one seems to be the most memorable one for me. 2008 is also the year that I turned 40. It was founded in 1968 and few months after that year I was born. I have been looking forward to this joyous occasion and my wife Myrna had some good bonding time before and after the celebration.

As early as November, Myrna have been scouring the bargain stores (including the Thrift Store) to look for the perfect dress to match the occasion. My suit, which I bought ages ago, won’t fit me anymore. I have considered renting out a Tuxedo but never really got into it. One time I went to the mall and have ask for the rental price, It will cost me a hefty 150 dollars. It’s too pricey for me… I might as well buy one myself and wait for the sale. After so many stores we visited Myrna finally decided to visit Banana Republic.

When we saw the dress on the window display, we knew that it was the perfect dress. An electric blue Evening dress. It looks so magical on the display and Myrna knew that it will look good on her. On the fitting room she tried several dresses but the blue dress was a standout. It is not often to get invited inside the women’s dressing room by the sales clerk. Watching your wife try some nice beautiful dresses where we can barely afford is a sight to behold. It was just like in the movie… like watching Carie from Sex in The City… changing clothes….hahahaha…. at least for a moment there I thought I was Mr. Big (at least on our dreams). I also did try some suits but the store is so discriminate about XXL sizes. The sales clerk did told me to order online… there goes my fashion store… only available online.

Only one week left and I still don’t have my suit ready. I still have to bring Jannee to attend a modern dance concert for her friend at school. Jayjay decided to accompany here sister in Laurel Maryland. While waiting for both of the inside the theater, we decided to take a look at the Columbia Mall. The mall was good… nice retailers and a lot of people shopping. The mall is so vibrant with customers. This is where I found my suit (jacket only) on sale at Sears. I am really what we call Mr. Good Deal guy…. I wont really buy something not unless it was worth the amount I paid for it. Got the suit, but I still need to have the green Shirt similar to the one I found at Lords and Taylor, a green Calvin Klein shirt. It seems it is so hard to find one having the same quality on a lower price range. A week later I finally settled for something lesser but almost of the same value at the Macy’s store.

Saturday came (November 22, Anniversary Day). I was hoping to go to school at 1pm but later decided not to, since I already got an "A" on the midterms at least the worst that could happened will a downgrade on my Final Grade. The day was very hectic. I was cleaning all day that morning and did a lot of chores with the kids. Myrna likewise was so busy with the laundry but we still manage to have a walk in the neighborhood with our dog. Janneee decide not to watch Twilight since her friend forego to watch it next week. Janneee had been waiting for this movie since last summer. She has read 3 volumes out of the 4. My daughter is into a lot of this Romantic / Horror books. I don’t really know why… she just does not like the simple romance books… it has to be with something like a fantasy or supernatural. She had been writing stories online and have it critic. Jannee is also fascinated by Filipino love stories. She had observed that it involves a lot of drama. Unlike the romance stories she had read where the plot are simple but the feeling is more in-depth. I pickup Ade and Shane to stay overnight the house with the kids. We left for Washington DC at 3:30pm.

Upon arriving we were met by a gracious Valet parking attendant and was escorted towards the revolving glass pane door. Here I am standing in one of the Washington Dc’s prominent and historic hotels. I was amaze of its splendor and was thinking that this hotel door is the same door where President Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. also pass and entered. The Hotel Lobby is a little bit small compared to other big hotels but you can sense the character and history written beyond those walls. We proceeded to the check-in counter where a towering mahogany shelves will greet every guest. The Hotel management did a magnificent job in restoring the old ambiance of the hotel.

The hotel rooms are big and spacious and the interior is quite nice. I love the mini-bar and the choice of snacks. The plasma TV was good and the furniture is perfect. The bed felt cozy and warm, the sheets smelled clean. So far it was comparable to Lansdowne. We then got ourselves ready for the cocktails at 6pm. Myrna just look so lovely in her blue dress. She looks good in blue. I wore black toned suit with no tie. I don’t really like wearing a tie; I just don’t feel comfortable with it. Down we go to the function rooms all dressed up for the party. I met Carlo and his Wife, they were the first to arrive and we took pictures. The cold hotel basement suddenly started to feel warm as soon as the guest started arriving. I am so glad to see common friends all dress to the nines. Some look Chic and some just look overly done. Compared sometime 5 years ago where most of them dress like middle age debutantes. Now, they have mellowed down their fashion and not much cleavage exposure makes their attires appropriate. They are not desperate housewives after all.

Since we are already talking about Anniversary fashion let me start by telling that the most gorgeous woman on that party was no other than Myrna on her Blue Banana Republic Dress. Some who came close were : Janet who donned an a.k.a Vanessa Hudgens look, Rea for a beauty pageant look , Marites went for a J.Lo outfit, Fe for the sophisticated classic look. Off course the husbands cant be far behind. I went for the hip Sopranos’ look , Darwin, Jonald, Ric and Vincent are all dress like groomsmen on a wedding. There were some who dared to wear the unthinkable…. Some wore dresses that don’t fit every curve of their bodies…. it really justified the cliché “who ever made that dress for her, ought to be shot…” in this case nobody made it for them and they are the ones to be in the firing squad. But who cares, they are having fun… I am having fun… I really don’t mind what people wore…. As long as we enjoyed that night….come-on let dance the night away….

Fall 2008

My sister Vangie came to visit us last week. We had fun on apple picking and some shots in Black Hill Park. Unfortunately my car was also robbed. Thank goodness they did not like my old run-down car but the burglars were able to get Myrna's purse. Credit card companies are now alerted and we put a credit lock on Myrna's account. But we did have fun....no burglar can rob that away from me !

Photo Shoot at Black Hill Park

My Favorite Photographer D. Tiu did a a photo shoot for my Family in Black Hill Park. They kids had a good time during the photo shoot. The only problem is, I was not able to join them because I was bussy cooking bbq during that time. Jeter was also bussy playing with friends. The girls took the chance and here are the photos.

A Model Fan (Jay-Jay)

Jay-jay
My chubby little girl… now almost 5’5” tall. She had gone a very long way from the sweet innocent (quiet) little girl to a bubbly young lady. She will always be a Star… she will sing her out and announce to the world that the next big talent is coming soon.
She had this quality to become a leader. Leading any activity specially when it is related to theater. She dreamed of having to direct a musical play herself, she even wrote some scripts about it. Her bubbly personality will let her breeze thru the experiences in life. Someday this girl-next-door will become the next IT-girl of Hollywood.

Featured Fan (Earl)

Earl is one of my dearest fan of ILoveMrQ. This boy amaze me... This child of Ric and Rea will go a very long way and be very successful in life not to mention his thoughtfulness and compassion towards the people he love.

I have known Earl since he was 3 years old. One funny moments I can share with Earl that always amaze me was when I brought him over to party (Ric and Rea were not around) he always see to it that he brings something home for her mother, a little slice of cake, an eggroll or any small give-away. His thoughtfulness makes him a standout !!!

2008 Birthday Pics

We had a lot of fun this September because it's Jeter's and Myrna's Bday. Jeter was so happy to receive his new Wii Game. Myrna already had her gift even a month before. She dedicated her Bday for charity. What a way to celebrate a bday... as they say charity begins at home.

We had a bday picnic for Sis-terrets Rhea and Maritess and for Earl. It was held at Black Hill park Maryland. It was also Pristine's (my niece from Miami) first to be at Black Hill park.

CampRock 2008 New Port News VA

I thought that this camp will never push thru. I was scampering to find campsites in Rocky GAP State Park but they are already fully book for the Labor Day Weekend. I made a few calls here and there and it was decided by the group that we try camping in Virginia. It was not really a hard decision to make since New Port is just very close to Virginia Beach and the kids love to go swimming. It really was worth the trip and effort. We had a lot of fun at NewPort.... so we thought.

We started driving from Rockville to Virginia almost around 11am that Saturday. Rhea and Ric as usual delayed the trip probably lovers quarrel or they could be smooching for all we know. I am very sure Argie and Earl are soo dying to go to camp but Mom and Dad are delaying. With that delay it also allowed us to check on all of our equipments. Jojo have to rush back home to get some electric wires. I have to walk my dog so it will pee before we drive for 3 hours.

We arrived past 2pm and we all hurriedly put up our tents. The place, at first look spooky but after you have settled in you will get the camping ambiance. The kids were all busy gathering firewood for the campfire and I did some errands to the nearest grocery. One good thing about New Port is that it is close to a lot of convenience stores. They have 7Eleven, Food Lion and even Walmart.

On our first night we had barbecue pork and chicken. It was a feast., some Red wine and lots of beer. All the 8 noisy kids have a fun time roasting smores (marshmallow, chocolate put on graham crackers). Some got a little tipsy and others have a little bit more to drink. We ended the party around 1am.

Bed time was not good. The weather was too humid for me. I was sweating like a bull (not pig...) the whole night and Jake kept on barking all the time. It was only around 2:30am that I was able to find my dreams. I have been counting sheeps for more an hour, who doesn't get tired of that...

Sunday morning, we all had fun paddling the boats. The pier looks so cool. We took a lot of pictures and live up our lost dreams of becoming Top Models. As they say Men look theri best when they are on their Middle ages. I tease the children about this trip is just like Camp Rock. Anyone of them could pretend to be Joe Jonas (or was it Nick... or Kevin, I always get confuse with their names) and the girls could be Demi Lovato. I started singing the signature song Buring UP ... with voice calistinics on the pier but they all screamed at me .....hahahahhaa.

Later we went for a quick drive to Colonial Willamsburg. This place is soo rich on American History and Heritage. We met writer of a history novel and he gladly signed the books for us. The book was a gift for Janneeee for taking up American History this year. The place is good but very expensive. It would cost around US80 and 50 dlrs for the kids to see the entire place. I told myrna that this place reminds me of Bahug-bahug sa Mactan. They also do re-enactment here as if you were really living on the civil war Era, complete with costumes, machinery and even the war re-enactment.

We had lunch at Virginia Beach which was an hour drive from Williamsburg. Since we could not wait any longer our lunch ended up eating at MCDonalds. The water was just perfect but you will have to endure the ver strong waves. Bodyboarding is what they do here. More or less like Skiboarding but you dont stand up on the board but let your body glide thru the waves.

We spent the lastnight of our camp having fun on the campfire. It was a little bit cold now, just a perfect weather for camping.

Summer Pics

Graduation

Washington DC 2007

The Great Falls

DisneyWorld

Universal Studios

Mga Pics sa Rockville

This is the surroundings around Rockville. These pictures were taken by a colleague (photo hobby) just across the street where I worked. If you have so much to spare you can actually have lunch here everyday. The lifestyle is quite expensive but I always keep myself grounded. I always make sure I have baon/home made snacks and besides I am trying my best to keep the pounds lower on the scale.

The Things We do for GK

We did our own small things for GK. This activity was performed at Washington DC some years back. This is for GK advocacy on the celebration of the Philippine Independence. We had rehearsals almost every week for 1 month only. Our small house was packed with these little critters running around and jumping like monkeys ( I hope I wont get into trouble with this....).

It was also JJ's first attempt to perform in front of thousands of people after her therapy (selective mutism). She was a little bit anxious before it all started but she finally mustered her will to face the audience and whooooolaaaa the ice had been broken.

That's one of the many funny and good things I remember on those photo stream set. Childhood innocence and stage parents....hahahha (just kidding).

KFC Kids Village 2006

This photo stream was taken during the KFC Village in Pennsylvania. It was held late summer, in fact only a week a way from the first day of school. I also stayed in the village camp with Myrna. It was a very good experience and my first time to sleep on a rugged log-cabin. The only problem on that day was Jeter. He really hated to go this camp ( on all camps) and was throwing his tantrums all day. Overall, the experience was worth it.

Look at that Smile ...thats a Close-Up Smile

I have a few random close-up shots of the family. I cant write the stories on each one of them but just have fun on browsing thru the pictures. I have still a lot to post both from old and new.

Summer Camps

Here are some of our camping pictures taken at Solomon Island and in the lake (Urbana Md).

Solomon Island is not really on a separated island from the mainland they just happen to name this place a such in relation to the real one somewhere in Papua New Guinea. We actually stayed inside a protected area in the Naval Army Research Center Facility. You need someone from the Navy for you to guarantee entrance. This one is courtesy of the Agravante's who is enlisted in the navy.

The boating pictures and the lake is somewhere in Urbana MD. The lake shore is paved with white sand (hauled from the beach) and the mountains provide a fantastic view. We camped out under the trees. What is good about this camping sites is that they are all equipped with Bathhouses, water and security.

Chincoteague (pronounce as Ching-Ko-Teg)

It is already in the middle of summer and this blog entry is quite late but I still have to put it up since it would be such a waste not showing the nice and interesting things that happened in Chincoteague.

Chincoteague Island is located on the eastern shore of Virginia. Approximately, a 3-hour drive from my place. The Island City is separated from the main land and connected only by a small bridge. It is a very laid back city and tourism is the main industry. Somehow they were able to preserve the island in spite of the sprawling hotels, bed and breakfast and restaurants budding all over the place. This is not the same as Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach but is more about communing with nature. Driving by the city streets you can see century old houses and churches dating back the civil war era. This is already the 4^th time to be in Chincoteague but I never seem to get tired of it. The homemade ice cream is where we frequent most of the time and those seafood market and buffet. Crabbing on late September and walking on mile long sandy beach should be in everyone’s to do list. The most significant landmark of the island is the Light House especially at night. It will remind you of the mystery books you read during high school (Hardyboys, BobsyTwins, etc…).

The Chincoteague beachfront is located on a separate island. This is a protected by the Maryland National Park. It is also connected by another bridge hovering over a wide wet/marsh land. Unfortunately, you could not bring any pets (not even inside your car) on the island due to conservation law because it might disrupt the ecosystem of the island. Your pets might get loose on the National park and would become invasive specie. The island is also home to herd of wild horses. These wild horses roam freely on the Park. This is a nature lovers paradise because this is as close as you get when you live on a highly urbanize city like Rockville or Silver Spring.

Camping trips are usually done on late spring and early fall when the weather is just right enough for you to sleep outdoors. If it gets too humid and hot, mosquitoes as big as a bee will feast on you. If it gets too cold, you could not also do anything on the island. There usually are 5 families on each camp: the Renegado’s, Cale’s, Olo’s, Carmona’s and the Aguila’s. Around 50 people including children and it is quite a large and noisy group. As in every Pinoy gatherings we always feast even on camps and Ghost stories but this time we were able to experience one.

Once, on a bright sunny afternoon enjoying the beach then suddenly came a very dense fog from the Atlantic. It quickly engulfed the entire Island so eerily. The fog can be seen miles away quick engulfing anything on sight. You can’t help it but to feel scared. I have never seen anything like these; visibility is reducing to 100 ft only and it felt so cold. It is exactly like the one on the movie The Fog. This is what you get of watching to many movies.

Also, the funniest experience I have encountered on the Island is the Ghost Story. It happened on a late October camping trip to Chincoteague. When we arrived at the island the forecast will be a freezing negative –5 by dawn. So the groups have decided not to camp but stay on one of the inns. Since it was already off-season the hotel rates are quite reasonable. After our activities for the day, we all decided to have a b-b-q party outside the Inn. We took some pictures and continued the party indoors when it was dark. Suddenly one of the campers complained that most of the pictures taken on the digital cameras have small circles on it. It was just brush off as to poor lighting but when all of us complained of having the same result on the camera we suspected something else. Then idea was brought out on the open that these small circles could be ORBS. ORBS are said to be spirits captured in pictures. I saw a documentary in Discovery Channel about spirits and ghost and it exactly looks the same as what we have. We were all scared. We ended the party early that night. We did pray before we parted and all were a bit bothered by this. Days after the camping trip, we studied each of the pictures in our computers, lo and behold a picture was indeed taken: a teenage black girl dress on early 1900 outfit outside the Inn. Scary…. Is it ????….

A very bussy week

The past weekend was quite hectic but fun.

Wednesday:
I decided to attend the meeting for CFCFFL at the Alvero’s with guest speaker Xavy Padilla and Family (Dess and cutee Sabina). Xavy is the son of CFF-FFL head Frank and Gerry Padilla. They are staying a the Alvero's in Columbia MD. I was surprise that the Alvero's just live very near JECi3 store.

The meeting was very informative on how they do evangelization on countries like Peru, South Africa and Botswana. It was also interesting to know how they manage to travel almost everyday with a 2 year old tagging along. It reminds me of how trivial my dedication towards the cause CFCFFL compared to what they have to done so far. It was also good to know that finally the organization is overhauling their directives on their family ministries, which I have, emphasize long time ago that it was so outdated and not at tuned to the current situation of the family. I openly told Xavy that the former CFC was so out of touch, and if Vatican has change from Vatican I to Vatican II, there is no reason for CFC not change its rules. After all the spiritual movement of the laity has to go with the flow of the needs and culture of the people that formed it.

Friday:
I got a surprise call from Bro. Ernie Pineda about Sis. Sionie’s 70^th Bday to be celebrated on August 17 at Christ the King Church. He won’t take no for answer, I have committed myself to attend this very grand celebration to party with friends on the other side (CFC Global). I do miss them a lot; after all I have been with group for almost 5 years.

We were already late when we arrived at the CFC-FFL assembly. Xavy and Dess Padilla shared to the community on their experiences with CFC-FFL. They are a young couple (married only for 2 years) and they are now forming a young couple ministry. I told Xavy that I could relate to their story when we initially started with CFC 5 years ago. At that time there were no young couples then. We were ask to joined the hard-line CFC stalwarts like : the Medina’s, Perrin’s, Cuevo’s. Although it was a big adjustment for us but it was also a very good learning experience because we as a family have learned a lot from this very strong and loving families. There is nothing like being surrounded with a role model families that you look-up to. Happy and accomplished families that you see in movies and on the books.

Saturday:
Spend the whole day cleaning the house. Janjan wanted the bunk bed to be on two separated beds to share with her sister Jayjay. She helps in the cleaning and redecorated her bedroom. I have to move the reclining chair to Jeter’s and have installed a cable TV connection. My son watched a lot of cartoon shows until now but He is more inclined to watch animes and adult cartoons like the Simpsons, Total Drama Island and Family Guy.

The Prayer Party at the Bustamante’s residence went well. It was the first time I heard Bro. Lito do a Family discussion. The topic was all about the things we need to look out for as members of CFC-FFL. The talk was very well prepared. The teacher in Bro. Lito is evident on the delivery of his teaching. He indeed prepared for it very well. This is exactly what is good about CFCFFL, the teachings. Great way to remind us sinners/saints of the beatitudes in the Gospel.

After the prayer, the fun begins. It was overflowing with food. The chef, Bro. Rino prepared a very sumptuous dinner. Sis. Ching bake a very huge cake for his dearly beloved Bday Boy Bro. Amante. Sis. Ching’s cake will give Rachel Ray or Paula Deen a run for their money. It was a feast of grilled fish and blue crabs. There is nothing like the smell of grilled pork on a hot summer day. Although it rained early that evening but it never stop our appetites to gorge over the grilled feast.

As in every Pinoy parties the Karaoke is always there to regale the group. Darwin and Ric took turns to swoon us of their baritone voice. Sis. Ching sang her signature song Blu-bay-Yu (forgive the spelling). It was a lot of fun. The Bustamante children kids proudly showed us their singing talent (nagmana talaga sa Nanay). It was surprising to know that these kids, whom practically grew up in a Western Culture are still very much in touch with Philippines. They sang Raymond Lauchengco and Sharon Cuneta’s songs. Jayjay and Earl wanted to sing but they could not find their duet on the list. My daughter did come a very long way from being diagnosed before as a selective mute. Now she can sing anywhere and making friends without being anxious.

Over a few drinks and some chitchat. Bro. Jet informed us of their trip to Niagara Fall this coming weekend (Aug. 8-10). I have always wanted to see Niagara but never have the time. Their group has been traveling quite a lot. They even went to Orlando (Disney World) and Chicago just to taste the best hotdog and pizza in the east coast. This is their way of making themselves feel like a community for the newcomers. I have not decided yet If I will join them for Niagara or the New Jersey camping trip. If I did, its one very expensive trip considering the price of gas.

Sunday:
Janneee(Janjan) went to JECi3 with me. I guess she does not really want to go but she wanted to accompany me so that I wont get bored. I met Sis.Marinella and Bro.Jun on store. They were buying a lot of stuff for their halo-halo. They were so surprise to see me there with Janneee(Janjan). Earlier that day I have a regrettable scuffle (I lost my cool) with one of the customers. I think I said something stupid out of my anger. It really is very annoying to serve customers who kept on complaining on the stuff you sell. I tried to reason out with her that I am only on duty once-a-week and whatever discrepancies, which I dont really know about until someone complains is out of my capacity and knowledge. To make a long story short this Pinay customer gave me the taray gesture which is typical of Pinoy shoppers who wants to be serve like they own something big. I guess what I said was out-of-line and I do hope she will come back so that I can apologize. I do hope that Pinoys should be a little bit circumspect in airing complaints. We don't really have to be taray about this stuff and be reminded that the one serving us are only there to serve, that person might not know anything about it or is just following the policy of the store owners.

Just the day after attending the seminar about the beatitudes and here I go losing my cool. But we did fun that day. Janneee is doing a good job in cashiering. I still owe her $10 as payment for her service. I am so proud of her that an early age she already knows the value of how hard it is/of the fun of it to have a job and the value of hard earned money.

Adtu ta sa Landsdowne Resort

The Landsdowne retreat this year was held on July 26, 2008. I always look forward to this event since it is an all expense paid junket courtesy of my moi-mucho-generoso-empleyo.

I started the day by rushing my kids to my nephew who is just living 25 mintues away in Rockville. We dump the kids on his pad and hurried off to this 2 day spa-vacation. As a treat I allowed them to watch Batman (C.Bale and H.Ledger vesion ).

Driving to Landsdowne takes about an hour. I tried to take a different route and followed whatever the GPS told me to do. I ended up paying $4 plus in toll fees. Betty the GPS lady has been very naughty for routing us to that fast but expensive Viriginia road.

I came in late for the first session on the seminar. What the heck? I will not even remember anything after lunch. I only came in after the break. I don't really like doing dramatic entrance. They already had the raffle promo on the first session. I still did not win for the 7th time (not much luck on raffles). It would have ruined my day if I did win. The American express gift car would surely made my day.

Lunch was good. I forgot my diet. I practically had a taste test on all the dessert treats but kept on telling myself to at least to stay healthy. Yeahhhh... healthy dessert if there is such a thing.

There is not much really to do that afternoon. Myrna wanted to go shopping at the Leesburg Outlet stores. I was too lazy to go and it was too humid. We ended up having drinks in the pool.

The hotel room was good. The bed and the sheets are clean. Aircon was not that cold. Even if it read 68Fdegrees on the there control panel it still feels like 75. We took a quick shower before going down to the Spa Mineral. The Spa waiting room was cozy, a very nice fireplace gives a warm ambiance. You can have Tea or lemonade while reading the magazines.

This year we had a couples massage. For 50 minutes we were pampered like royalty. Myrna heard me snoring. Really!!!! hahahah... this is soooo embarrassing. The masseuse never really complained . I guess she was doing a good job for putting me into deep slumber. I have no choice but to give the masseuse a very generous tip.

Dinner food was not as good as lunch, but we were really looking forward to the after dinner hang-out session on the Resort lobby. Myrna had too much drink. She was all over the place. As always she live up to her name as the life of the party. The Bisdaks were quite loud laughing all thru out the night on Myrna's joke antics. I was just quite alarmed by this, Myrna might go overboard on some jokes and might hurt feelings on some serious people. It almost did, when she made a joke on someone's attire why she was dress in drapes. Sure, everybody did laugh but she was quick to turn it around to be a joke on everyone. The party ended past 1am... most people were tipsy but not drunk. That's what social drinking is all about.


We usually head-off home after breakfast but this time we stayed behind. I really wanted to take a dip in the pool. We were accompanied by the Cale's and by another Filipino couple. I later on realize that it was like swimming with the whales. That is, I am a blue whale, the others are Orcas and Baluga whales. As you age thru time you will certainly loose that fab body and washed-board abs ( I swear I did have one before...hahahaha).

For better pictures you can visit mawmag flickr and luvkodabyana . These guys are aspiring maniniyots or to make it classier paparazzos...

I love Cebu

Pictures taken on Myrna's recent trip to Cebu last April 15, 2008. The triplets have already grown since the last time I saw them in 2007. They are almost 2 years old by now Jenna, Joanna and Jasmine. They are identical twins and not paternal. It is really difficult to distinguish which one is which. The triplets might also be confuse of their names as well because people tend to call them on 3 different names. The only way to know is to see each child Birth mark. One complain though is that they attract too much attention from the general public. People taking pictures every now and then. You cant go to the mall without people staring at them. Wish that they will grow-up to be just fine and happy.

Clik on this link to see the full slide show.

Christmas

The scent pine wakes you up on a cold Christmas morning. Children running down the stairs to open gifts from St. Nick. Christmas is magical, makes us all act and think like children. The child in each one of us brings hope and joy on the simple things in life. Let there be peace, hope and joy this Christmas.

We attended the Christmas Mass at St. Jude around 5pm. It was a family mass with children's choir and the traditional Christmas pageant. The kids did not join the choir this year, probably they will join again in 2008. The Church was full with people wearing red, green and gold.
We spent Christmas at the Cale's home in Germantown, MD. We sang songs and had a few drinks. Gift giving and a lot of fun. We stayed up late until 3am.