Vision

Our Small Garden

My future dream house would have to have these three: a library, a nook, and a garden! The thought of harvesting vegetables or fruits from my own garden appeals to me. I will plant pechay, tomatoes, okra, eggplant, sili, and a lot more. That would really give me pleasure. For now, I just have to be content with our small garden at our small house.

 

 

Riley's Game Show Party

Recently, I threw a birthday party for my son. He is already two and my mother said why bother having a party? The fact that I have to save every penny I earn and parties always mean mon-ey! But this is my son we're talking to. I just have to make it SPECIAL. Special but practical. It's hard but it can be done. Every possible way that I could save on, I did. I even bought the toys at Divisoria. As the saying goes, if there's a will, there's definitely a way!

here's the birthday boy with his two outfits for the party

Since the party's theme is game shows, we had games like Pinoy Henyo, PNV (Pambato ng Videoke), and All for Riley, Riley for All segment. If you're a fan of game shows you know all these games are inspired from Eat Bulaga. We also have Kendeng-Kendeng dance contest and Putukan Na from Wil Time Bigtime. As I've mention, I bought most of the prizes from Divisoria. The Pinoy Henyo t-shirt I customized. I like to give gifts that kids would really love. There's the house (with no lot), cars, appliance like electric fan, there's cellphone which is sight sensitive (that's a joke of course!), PSP, and my son's giveaways are S.O.S. (flashlight and whistle) and a chocolate that's worth a million dollar! :)

A party is not complete without singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing of the candle. I made this tuxedo fondant cake and please don't make fun of it. It's my first time to make fondant out of marshmallow and the moment I started kneading, I know I was in deep trouble! Haha! I have high respect to all the bakers who have done this and truly you are a master of your own. Anyway, good thing our guest are mostly kids and they didn't care as long as they have their cakes! That's all that matter! :D

my son loves blowing the candle!

We also had fun posing at the photobooth:

Most importantly, in any celebration that I planned for my my son, I make sure he enjoys it. My son is most happy when he is with his friends so I limit the guest to whom he is comfortable with. After all, it's HIS birthday. Not mine! 

And that concludes his Game Show party. Having this kind of party is really fun. Who knows what might be the theme for his next birthday? I hope I can think of something when that time of the year arrived again. Say, he loves Ben 10 so much next year, then all I have to do is hire an alien from outer space! Mothers! 

Busy Bee

I've been absent from the blog world for a while because I am so busy with my son's 2nd birthday party preparation. And when I plan a party for him, I am just too occupied and my mind doesn't work properly. I can't think, I can't function, I can't focus except all about the little detail of the party. Hehe. After the party, then I am normal again. Speaking of the preparations, here are some of the things that I have already accomplished:

the invitation

the tarp

the money (do you expect a game show without cash prizes?)

the overlay for his photobooth (sorry the model is too busy to fix herself) 

That's all for tonight! I will now create a video so my son's friends will have something to watch after all the games and food that they will eat. Oh I hope they will enjoy the party. I am really crazy when it comes to detail. (I think obsess is the word) But hey, kids are easy to please right? More blogs about my son's birthday in just few days. Bye for now! Muah!!!

P.S.

Black and white is the motif for his birthday if you haven't notice yet ^_^

Here Comes the Sun

Finally, nakita ko din si Haring Araw ngayon! Oh SUN, I  miss you so much! After a week of rain, I don't mind the warmth you gave and bestow upon us. And I feel like singing this song all through the day :)

Bangon Pilipinas!

I think Maloleño is at their lowest point right now. So many calamities in less than one week. First, was the fire in Malolos Public Market. My family, especially my mother who is a meat vendor there, were all worried that her stall will be burned. We're lucky my mom's place wasn't caught in the fire, but those businesses that were burn to ashes, that was just sad.

Then, came HABAGAT! Tuesday morning, we were watching news how many families were affected by the great flood cause by Southwest monsoon rain. The Filipinos were reminded of Ondoy once again. How it takes away lives and left million of properties destroyed. At that time, we are all praying that the rain would stop for good. We didn't know that the worst is yet to come to my hometown Malolos. One by one, baranggays were submerged in flood and homes were invaded including ours. A first! My  family decided to evacuate to our former house that is on higher ground and it has second floor. PAG-ASA said that the weather would not improve until Thursday so we have to took precautions and left.

ankle deep water inside

but outside the water is above the knee

Our town was all over the news. The officials were baffled as to how these happened to Malolos. Many typhoons, storms, rain came but this is really a first. But whatever the reason is, I am happy that it is over and as I am writing this, floods have subsided and we return to our house this afternoon. And after cleaning our house, it is good as new. ☺

This experience has teach me many lessons. Calamity can struck in any minute in any form. But what inspire me is after all these trials, I know that everything would be alright. I salute those who make an effort to help out and reach their hand to all who needs help. To my fellow Filipinos who are still in the evacuation area or your house is still submerge in flood, hang in there! We are stronger than any calamities put together! The Filipino spirit is waterproof, nothing can beat that! 

Passport for Minors

Recently we went to the new DFA office to apply my son a passport. The new DFA is now located at  ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City. From LRT Gil Puyat station, we ride a white shuttle that would bring us in SM Mall of Asia. And from MOA, we ride a yellow shuttle that dropped us at DFA. I was really surprise and impress at the service they have provided us. Unlike before, that the moment you enter the gate, you will be lined and wait for who knows how many hours before they can accommodate you! Today, you have to schedule for your appointment first. You can do that in here. Just fill up the form and check if your desired appearance on DFA is not yet full. An email message will be sent to you and you have to click the provided link to confirm. Just print the pdf file in the link and bring an NSO authenticated birth certificate of the minor applicants. Either parent should be present and accompany the child when applying for a passport. Arrive 30 minutes ahead of your schedule. Once inside, the process are divided into four steps:

1. Presenting the documents

2. Payment: P1200 for express processing  (7 days) and P950 for regular (15 working days) 

3. Encoding and taking of passport picture. No need to bring passport pictures unlike before.

waiting for his turn to be interviewed. :)

4. Paying for delivery if you don't want to return and pick the passport yourself. Just pay P120 and it will be delivered right in your home.

I think the whole process took only less than 30 minutes. I wish all government service would be like that. Hassle free, friendly faces assistance, efficient and most importantly FAST! So that people can have more leisure and bonding time together! :)