A Day in Paradise

I loved field trips as a student. It was filled with so much excitement that no matter where we went, it was FUN just being with friends and classmates. When I started teaching in 1997, I began to look at field trips as something not just fun, but SPECIAL and truly meaningful. As a teacher, it is a chance to see my students in a different light. It is always pure joy to watch them just being kids having fun. When I see the happiness in their smiles, my heart swells. Yesterday's trip was extra special. The bond between parent and child, the laughter and giggles they shared, the cheers, the encouragement each mom and dad gave, the way their eyes lit up with pride  when their little ones crossed those tight ropes and hanging bridges... Wow. These are moments when I feel truly grateful. Not everyone can see what I see through these God given lenses 😊 Thank You, Lord for making me a teacher! 

Cagbalete Island

Our journey to Mauban, Quezon began at 4am as planned. We had our first stopover at Jollibee Sta. Cruz for a very quick breakfast and rest for our 
driver, Daddy Rey :)

We left the car at the pay parking for tourists in the town of Mauban. They charge Php 150 per night. From there, we took a tricycle to the Port Area where we registered for our 40-minute boat ride to Pansacola Resort which is found at the tip of the island of Cagbalete. It was quite a long wait ( 3 hours!) as it was Labor Day weekend. But it was worth the wait! (Note: Php 70 per head for the boat ride)



At around 2pm, we were already checked in and settled at Pansacola Resort. 

Here is a picture of our Treehouse!!!

under the treehouse is the dining area and a very comfortable hammock :)

When it was time to hit the water, we realized we were missing a bag! The one that had ALL of Uan's and Mito's clothes! Fortunately, the owner of the resort was there and gladly helped us retrieve the bag. She immediately contacted the Tourist Port and had our missing bag located and returned to us. All's well that ends well! :)

No words can describe the beauty of the island and the wonderful experience we all shared as a family. So here are snapshots of our Cagbalete Island experience!  ( Note: All photos are without filter!)

breathtakingly beautiful.... it's like a giant pool! :)

At night...

the resort had fireworks and fire dancers each night...to the boys' delight!

my family :)

my b, our trei and myself 

my 4 boys enjoying the water and some bonding time!

me and my b :)

We left the island with a heavy heart that was happily filled with memories that will last a long, long time....

the locals patiently transport the visitors to the boat

they didn't get seasick anymore...thanks to the calm waters and....Bonamine! :)

 My heart is forever grateful for my family and so many blessings we are given each day. 

thank you so much to my b for a most wonderful summer vacation to remember! :)

Mito's Journey Begins

"I don't want to go to school, mom..." Those were your words, said each day with many tears, when I told you you'd be going to school soon. When asked, you would say "My mom is my teacher and my school is my home." Always the brave little one, you went anyway...and you've been having FUN since day one! Today as you stood and walked to receive your very first medal, my eyes filled with tears and my heart with so much pride. Your goal was the Gold, but to me and dad, your Bronze is just as good and YOU are our Gold. Like what Mr. Ramelle said in his speech, and as you continue to reach for the stars, our prayer is for you TO LIVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART. Forever.  
May each day find you taking little steps towards making your many dreams come true. May your journey be filled with wonder and countless beautiful moments. We love you, Mito Budi! You are our JOY! 

Setting Goals and Making Dreams Come True

...and so I am thinking of doing something for each month of this year. 

For January, it was learning to drive. What can I do this February? 

My heart tells me I'm going to bake a CAKE :) 

The Road Called Life

January has been amazing. A great way to begin this year. I did something I thought I could never learn--drive! I had always been content being a passenger all my life and just left the driving to Dad, Mom, Kuks, and now Rey--who gave me driving lessons as a Christmas present. He enrolled me in a short 5-hour course. Looking back, I realized how "fear" had kept me from doing more. I was always afraid of this, afraid of that... Too many what if's. It's true regret comes in the end, when too much time had already been wasted. When mistakes and wrong turns can no longer be undone. But then, life is not a straight road. It does not run in straight lines. It is a combination of rough and smooth ways. One only needs to follow the path that is right, no matter how bumpy the road gets. Driving is not about knowing where to go all the time. We get lost. We get scared. Driving is about trust. It's about Faith. Though I know how to drive now, I know I'm not not behind the wheel. He is. And that's how I know I'll get to where I need to go. I am in the best hands, and all will be well. 

Christmas Magic

As a child, Christmas was never my favorite season. Something about it filled me with melancholy. Some deep sadness I could never explain. I remember how I would always look forward to December 31st, where welcoming the new year was filled with more excitement and cheer. For many years, it was like that.

Then came December of 2000. I met Rey, and suddenly, Christmas was filled with magic and joy. It was then that December became a truly merry month for me, such that the start of the "-ber months" had me getting all giddy and excited for the season. He brought magic into my days, and true love filled my heart. Ours is a love story like no other. The years may have changed us both in many ways, but our story will always bring us back to where we started, and to where God wants us to be. It will always be "Our Story"~ He will eternally be God's best gift. 

Just like the kings who followed the star to find the Messiah, we too, shall forever have our star to light the darkest of nights... to make brighter the happiest of days yet to come. December is here, and as I wait joyfully for Christmas day, my heart remembers the happiest of memories brought by our Christmases past. 

        

Got Tied to Colored Dye

This obsession started with the LSGH Kinder Musicale (which is happening tomorrow!) and the costume of the boys is a tie dyed shirt. Rey and I made a few for Mito until we got it right. Since last weekend, I had been dyeing my old white sneakers and Rey's old white undershirt which I now use to sleep in :) Today, when I should be making lesson plans, I decided to have more fun with colored dye instead! Hmmmm.... I wonder what's next....