Skokie, Illinois

This was taken at my uncle's backyard at Skokie, Illinois. I love their place! So cool, calm with lots of flowers. His wife, my aunt, loves gardening and she was really good in taking good care of her plants, most especially her flowers. I guess this picture was taken during summer coz she took out all her plants to get some lights from the sun. During winter, she placed them inside her house :-)

My aunt asked me a few months ago when I'll be visiting them again. I hope to see them, too, but I still have to think about it for it's so hard to leave my kids, especially Zoe, who is only a year old. She has no yaya and I'm the only one taking care of her. But who knows, I might be able to go there next year ;-)

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My Halloween Escapade

I think I posted these pictures a very long time ago but am going to post it again coz I almost forgot all about these! I thought I didn't get the chance to celebrate Halloween but here I was, having a Halloween blast at L.A.'s Universal Studios. Gosh, this was eons ago but it seems like yesterday!

Halloween was not popularly celebrated in the Philippines until recently. It seems that the people are now enjoying this event. I've noticed that not only the kids wanted to wear their costumes but adults as well. Next year I might join my kids doing trick or treat at the mall (",)

I've the chance to meet Edward Cullen's gramps.. and he almost bit me.. :p)

Striking a pose at the red carpet! harhar

Outside my uncle's place in Skokie, Illinois.. Did you notice my friend scarecrow beside me?

My entry for:

The Search Is Over :-)

This picture was taken so many years ago. I joined the search for Miss Freshman and I ended up 1st runner-up. I was nominated by my classmates and teacher to represent our class, First Year Section Tindalo (it's a name of a tree), and although shy, I consented. But I think it was my mom who was excited for this contest...

I can still vividly recall the question asked to me: "Do you agree to have a steady boyfriend at the age of 13?"
And I answered: "No, because it disturbs my studies."

Actually, I was only 12 years old when I joined this contest. Backstage, my mom told me I could have answered "Yes, because it serves as my inspiration". She said a positive answer was more favorable for the judges.... And in my mind, I was like, Halllleeer! As if she won't freak out if that would happen in reality! Besides, I was very conservative so my answer obviously came from my heart :-)

I was still happy of the result. It was even scary if I won the title because I still have to compete another pageant and I couldn't take that anymore. But looking back I say it was a nice experience. I think I had fun and the support of my classmates, class adviser and friends was overwhelming. Well, this is one of the highlights in my high school life and I kinda miss it...

My entry for:

Electrifying Youth :-)

A picture of a 15 year old teenybopper who was a big fan of Phoebe Cates and Debbie Gibson. You can see their posters on the wall, right?

Well, okay, that girl was me and I miss those good ol days. I guess I was in third year high school when this picture was taken... And those posters were given to me by my best friends.

Gosh, can't believe that was years ago!

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Birthday Girls

My 2 daughters Chloe and Zoe are both July babies. Chloe was born on July 18 and Zoe on July 12.

Chloe used to have parties every birthday but after her 7th bday, I told her that she will have a simple birthday when she turned 8. I let her understand that she will give way to her baby sister. Glad to say that she understood but told me she will help plan the party for her sister.

Anyways, Zoe had her birthday party on a weekend so that many people could join. She had a Tinkerbell-themed party wherein she wore the costume of the pixie fairy. I had her cake made from a friend and I was so satisfied with the result.

Prior to her party, I was the one making her invitation cards, prepared her lootbags, pabitin and piñata but I just contacted a party organizer for the mascot, host, games and magician. We celebrated Zoe's birthday in a hotel and decided to stay there overnight for they were offering a 50% off discount...besides, the baby needs to rest also..

Chloe, Me and Zoe

Chloe as Silvermist and Zoe as Tinkerbell

A day after the party: Zoe happy in her dad's arms and Chloe swimming at the pool with daddy.

Since Chloe's birthday falls on a Monday, she had a McDonald's snacks for her Classmates and Teachers at school. After I picked her up at lunchtime, I brought her to San Augustine Cathedral to pray and light a candle. In the afternoon, I bought Chloe a pizza, as she requested, and a cutie glee cake with candle for her to blow. And even though it was that simple, she was very happy and I think that's what mattered most.

I'll surely miss these moments in my children's life. I can still vividly recall carrying Chloe before putting her down to sleep, changed her diapers and feed her in a bottle. And I just can't believe that 8 years had passed. I'm now savoring the moment with Zoe for time flies so fast I might miss something...

Anyway, every time my daughters celebrated their birthdays, it also makes me reflective. I often asked, what are we doing to improve ourselves? But there are lots of opportunities in the world and one of them is online education. I have tried to Check out
GuidetoOnlineSchools.com and somehow it's inspiring. I hope my girls never stop learning and should they continue to take up for any online masters degrees, they will always have my support. After all, knowledge would be the best gift.

Nostalgia: High School Life

One of my turning points in life was when I officially became a teenager! In this picture, I just turned 13 and I had a happy celebration with my 1st-year classmates/barkadas at home. My mom prepared snacks for us and a cake with candles for me to blow.

This picture was taken at the lawn outside our house in Butuan City. We stayed there for 3 years and then left for good to Cagayan de Oro City. I still miss this place for the people there were nice to me :-)

And oh, if you have a hard time looking for me at this pic, I'm the one with long hair and grinning from ear to ear =)

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