Happy Thoughts » Our weekend

Reunion After 20 years

Paula — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:26:36 +0000

Okay, so for those who were asking we weren’t able to ride the PNR train because come Saturday Z and I were too tired to go out. I heard though that the trains are okay and some are even airconditioned now. My brother-in-law who is studying at UST is even using it as his main transport to school everyday. I’ll post some pictures once we actually get to ride one hopefully, next Saturday.

Anyway, we still got to visit our relatives on Sunday thanks again to my hubby who was kind enough to drive us even though he has been busy at church from 7 am to 1 pm. By the time he arrived home at 1:30 we decided we really had to get my camera which my mom borrowed. Unfortunately, just as we were about to go hubby’s lola (his mom’s mother) arrived to spend the night with us. We were at loss at what to do because that meant Bam was supposed to come with us and no one is going to be at home with lola. Then we had a brilliant idea to visit hubby’s other lola (his Dad’s mom) who was just a town away from where we’re going. It turned out Lola Rosing knew Lola Puring (of course they knew each other they’re “balaes” after all. tama ba?) and was quite wondering what happened to her old friend whom she lost contact with after her son and his wife (hubby’s dad and mom) separated.

So to make the long story short there were a lot of tight hugs and stories that afternoon. Hubby’s Dad’s sister told us they used to be close as they lived just next door to each other. Lola Rosing used to be a good cook and would share her food with Lola Puring and her children and they would even accompany each other when they go out.

Here’s a picture of them together. It turned out they’re the same age. Can you guess how old are they?

Finally, we can’t help but make Z pose a picture with them. After all his two Lolas are the reason why he’s here on earth. hehe

Picnic and Kalesa Ride

Paula — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:50:28 +0000

We decided to go on a whim to Luneta Park. Since we’re going to Caloocan to visit my Dad we figured we might as well take Z to Luneta because it’s on the way.

I didn’t want to eat out in the usual fastfood chains that we frequent so I hurriedly ask Bam to prepare a packed lunch for us before we went. Yes, we were going to have a picnic!

Our plans changed when we arrived there. Upon the instructions of my FIL, hubby parked the car at the Quirino Grandstand which is just in front of Luneta. We were so famished that once we saw there were tables and chairs there we decided to just eat right there and then. Hubby couldn’t believe his eyes when I took out our baon. We had a lot of leftovers from the day before so we feasted on lechon manok and pancit canton. I even brought apples for dessert. Next time I’ll be more prepared and would prepare a real treat for dessert! For our drinks I bought a pitcher full of ice tea which was still cold. Z was so happy just eating outside and I so was I. Hubby asked me if I like eating out like that and my response was, “Absolutely!” It’s really different when eating you’re outside. So note to self, we would have picnics more often!

Our original plan was to go to Luneta after we satisfy our stomach’s cravings but one look at the kalesa and I knew Z would have to have to ride one. He can’t take his eyes off the horse I tell you! I asked the kutsero how much and he said P100 around the grandstand but if we want a 30-minute ride he can take us to Intramuros for P250. We opted for the longer ride and went around Intramuros in style. I would have to upload the pictures later. Mamang Kutsero acted as a tour guide and pointed out the historical places. We had a long ride and after 30 minutes the driver deposited us back at the grandstand. When it was time to pay it turned out we had a little misunderstanding. The price the driver quoted me was per person! I thought, “Oh no, we’re going to pay P750!” but manong said it’s free for Z so we only paid P500. It’s still too expensive for hubby but I knew Z would dream about the kalesa in his sleep if we didn’t ride one that day. Back home just before he slept he was asking me if we could ride again next time. Good thing his Daddy didn’t hear him because I know he’ll have a heart attack if he did! haha

We were just an hour over there but it was an hour well spent. I promise we’re going to be doing this more often and much longer next time. It’s definitely better than going to the mall every Sunday. I am already making a list of all the places we’ll be going around the metro. We can’t have an out-of-town vacation but that doesn’t mean we would have to sulk all year long. There are so many places to see here in the capital after all.

Looking for a Children’s Bible

Paula — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:00:13 +0000

Daddy and Z have exhausted all the Bible stories in Z’s children’s Bible so last weekend they went to hunt for a new Bible with more stories that they could use in their nightly Bible study ritual.

Our first stop was National Bookstore. They have three shelves full of Bible for the kids but none satisfied both Dad and Z. It’s either the illustrations are awful or the stories are too short and too few for my 5 year old.

We were about to leave when there beyond my reach at the top most shelf was a big and thick children’s Bible – thicker and bigger than netbooks I tell you – but with nice illustrations to boot. Aside from it having lots and lots of stories it has interesting facts about the persons and places in the Bible. It was love at first sight for me. I really love books and this Bible was no exception. I didn’t care that it was a bit tattered on the edges plus there were no saleslady nearby to ask if there was a new stock – what’s wrong with National I can’t seem to find the salesladies anywhere the last few times I’ve been there – so hubby put it back in the shelf.

We decided to go to Powerbooks to check on their stocks but if they’re customer service was better than the former their choices are even more limited.

So we went home empty handed that day but I hope we can find a good Bible fit for our growing boy soon.

At Wendy’s

Paula — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:44:10 +0000

We usually eat out at Megamall after church. Agreeing on the same fastfood is usually a problem. Daddy wanted to eat at Sbarro while Z insisted on Wendy’s. I told Daddy he can take out food from Sbarro so off he went. A few minutes later he came back apparently turned off from the long queue. So Z got his way and the three of us ended eating at Wendy’s again. If I got my way I would have eaten at Goldilocks. I really miss their dinuguan. Yum, yum!

Anyway, after filling our stomachs with chicken, fries, and burger we gamely posed for a shot.

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Car Problems

Paula — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:05:27 +0000

If only I knew we would be needing mechanical breakdown insurance last Sunday then I would have gotten it way before. My dad warned me that the car he gave me has one known fault and unfortunately, it was too technical for me to describe even here. We didn’t know anything about cars and where to have it fixed so we ignored it. Last Sunday, we couldn’t ignore it anymore as it stopped in the middle of the road on the way to Megamall. There was a horrifying incident that followed involving a post but now that I look back it’s actually a little bit funny. Thank goodness, my stepdad came to the rescue and drove from Las Pinas to Megamall in order to help us. The car has been in repair since last Sunday and now we’re finally getting it back. I’m so happy because he also repaired all the other things (most aesthetics) that we couldn’t get repaired because we didn’t know where to go.

Long Day Ahead

Paula — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:37:08 +0000

I was looking at turks and caicos hotels when the phone rang. It was my stepdad telling me the car was already fixed. I’m so happy when I heard but I think my husband was a lot happier. I’m always at home while he’s the one who has to go out to work so he uses it more than I do. I’m just glad it’s fixed before Valentine’s day so we can go finally go out on a date.
So this morning as soon as I get my work done we’re going to hubby’s office to fetch him, have brunch, and then go to Alabang to get the car. It’s almost two hours away but I don’t care as long as we get it. Z would be happy because aside from getting our car back he will be able to step foot inside Festival Mall again. We were always here when he was a baby but since we moved we haven’t been there in such a long time. Afterwards, we’re going to visit my mom and then we’re going to visit my in-laws that leave near the area too.
So it seems like it’s going to be a tiring but full day. I got to get moving so I can finish all the things that I need to do.

Family Time at Quezon Memorial Circle

Paula — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:59:02 +0000

I always passed by the Quezon Memorial Circle when I was still studying at UP Diliman. I was curious what’s inside but never did it occur to me to see it for myself. Of course, I was a teenager then and I still have my social life. LOL! Now that I’m a stay-at-home mom with no social life a trip to Quezon Memorial Circle is a reason to be excited. Okay, I’ll tell you the truth – I was really giddy with excitement!

And boy, was I right to be excited. We had a GREAT time there! We even enjoyed it more than our trip to Enchanted Kingdom last week and the irony of it all was we didn’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it.

Here’s the breakdown of our expenses:

Entrance - P 15.00

Snacks - P 50.00

Bike rental – P 100.00 for one hour

When we went there we didn’t know what to expect so imagine how surprised the three of us were when we were able to go inside.

There were slides, slides, and lots of slides! Z thought he was in slide wonderland. I’m not talking about the slides that you see in the playground – the metallic, rusty ones – but plastic one like those found in the malls but it gets even better here because there were about ten different kind of slides all in one area. Z didn’t know what to pick so good thing he had the time to try it all.

We arrived at 4PM. Z played around until sunset at about 6 PM while Mommy and Daddy were just too happy that their only child got to play with so many children.

If you think our adventure stopped after Mr. Sun said goodbye then you’re wrong. At Quezon Memorial Circle there are so many things to do even at night. For our trip, it was the perfect time to ride the bicycle. After Z had his exercise now it was his Daddy’s turn to stretch his atrophied muscles! So off we went to rent a sidecar. I know I told you it was cheap there but we still thought P100 was too much to pay for an hour of bike riding so I challenged S to make sure our money was not wasted. Which simply means he had to pedal the bike non-stop for 60 minutes. For the first time in years, S had sweat running down his face, his back, even his armpits. We were laughing all the way. He was complaining ever so loudly how hard it was and how heavy I was but he stuck with it. We went around the circle three times and then the fourth time he had to let me down the sidecar. He said he can’t do it anymore with me on it! I wanted to tease him more by staying put but I conceded it was time to step down. I was afraid he would collapse due to exhaustion. Oh, we had such fun time there. I never thought a simple bike ride would be so much fun. The cool December breeze and the romantic lights from the lamps made it even more special, even Z enjoyed it tremendously. He didn’t want to leave the sidecar when the 60 minutes was up. Yes, my husband pedaled the bike for 60 minutes. He did confess though that at one point that he couldn’t pedal anymore so he went down and had to push it. LOL!

What could be the perfect thing to do after such a tiring ride? Of course, it was time to eat! Good thing they have restaurants inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, too. They have Max’s, Tropical Hut, Chicken Inasal just to name a few.

After eating, we wanted to explore the park more but Z was already tired. We were looking forward to go here:

Circle of fun is a carnival. We were shocked to find that some of the rides we saw at Enchanted Kingdom we also saw here like the Anchor’s Away and the big balloon on top of a pond where you can go inside and make a fool of yourself. Sorry, I don’t know what they call it. There were also bump cars, octopus, a race track for toy cars, and so many others. Too bad we weren’t able to go inside. We already had so much fun and we didn’t want to push our luck. haha

There are still so much to see at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. I can’t wait to go there a second time. How about you? Would you like to come? hehe

PBW – Enchanted Kingdom Weekend

Paula — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:47:02 +0000

So last weekend was really so busy and so tiring for us. I don’t know how many kilometers we drove to visit our relatives – his side and mine.
We also visited Enchanted Kingdom at Sta. Rosa, Laguna. If you’re planning to go too be prepared for the long lines and the bus loads of people! Here’s our Enchanted Kingdom Experience in photos.

It’s December at Enchanted Kingdom and the traffic was horrible!

Parking is full so cars are lined up on the street.

But of course, we still go ahead. Here are the prices as of December 2009.

Don’t forget to get Enchanted Kingdom Maps that comes free when you enter. Sometimes they forget to give it.

The lines are long and there are so many people.

But if you wait patiently you get your turn.

Or if your kids know how to fall in line by themselves they can make “singit sa pila” unknowingly which in turn would be a huge time saver. LOL!

If you’re kids get tired falling in line then let them play in the slides while your husband falls in line. LOL! That sure helped kept Z from getting grumpy.

My FIL came too but couldn’t stand the crowd and simply fled. Poor Lolo!

Don’t forget to take pictures of yourself. You won’t get to ride anyway but at least you have your picture taken. LOL! These pictures were taken by Z. I think he did a pretty good job!

Of course, don’t forget to take a picture of your little one as a keepsake. Z, this was the first time you ever set foot at Enchanted Kingdom. Don’t ever forget. Love and Kisses, Mommy and Daddy.

Pixel Bug Weekend

Paula — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:36 +0000

The past weekend has been really busy. Saturday, I went out with fellow mommies that I’ve met from S’s office. You can read all about it here. It was supposed to be mommies only but S had to accompany me because, well, I’m still too afraid to drive on my own. So we brought Z along and I told Z that he and daddy are going on a date while mommy is going to meet with some friends. S was really great that day – he came from his office that day, slept for two hours at home, then woke up so I won’t be late. Then at Trinoma, he accompanied Z to all the kiddie rides to kill time while waiting for us to finish. What would you expect? When girls get together an hour or two is not enough. I was quite worried about S because I know he’s already tired but I’m so thankful he was understanding and waited oh so patiently. LOL! I think all in all it took 7 hours for us to finish eating, talking, window shopping, and of course, picture taking.

Sunday was, of course, church day and we went to St. Francis to attend the service at CCF. We went to Megamall afterwards to eat, went around the mall, and since Toy Kingdom is on the way going back we had to drop by. Oh no, we didn’t buy Z more toys to add to his already mountains of toys at home but we did buy some to give as gifts to our inaanaks. Good thing we were able to pose for a family picture just before we finished shopping or else I have no picture to share.

Family Pic at Toy Kingdom Megamall