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...