Macau - March 21, 2008

The day started "late" since there was no schedule/itinerary that was told to us the previous night.

1st phone call: Ma Sonia asking if we are up already and telling us to prepare for breakfast.. we are all still sleepy.

2nd phone call: Tita Heidi asking if we are ready to have breakfast and the activity after breakfast (a walk downtown with Mr. Alonzo). It was just Mommy Goose and Tose who took a bath already and the "bird siblings" not yet.

Mommy Goose and Tose went ahead to eat breakfast while the 3 of us just followed after we all got ready. But since we were kinda "late", the 5 of us got left behind and went someplace else.

We were hoping to go back to the Cathedral of St. Dominic to do the way of the cross but instead we ended in St. Agustine's Church. After which we came across Paroquia de San Lazaro after a Filipina guided us to it.

And as we found ourselves again at the Cathedral of St. Dominic (after a long walk) we then decided to go back to the hotel and get a ride going to The Venetian. But before that, I got my US$50 changed to HK$.

THE VENETIAN part II. This time with just the Bird Family we were able to go into the other side which we weren't able to go to yesterday. Times store.. I bought my 1st purchase in Macau for my Crunch.. then cookies for Mrs. Canet in another store. We didn't stay long in The Venetian because I really wanna go to a Novelty store to buy my pasalubong.

Lunch... I had noodles in this place beside 7-11 (I'm poor with names especially now that they are in Chinese). Then, we went to Leal Senado to buy my pasalubong. Ducky was our guide to find the place and with the help of another FIlipina, we found the store with the shirts Im looking for..=) ..I bought 5.. for Tatay, Kuya, Jasper, Me and Crunch..=) .. And in Kei something shop, I bought another box of cookie for Mrs. Dotimas. A purple phone purse for Mrs. Datu-Ramos and a Porky Pig pin from Warner Bros store for me.

And as we continued walking, we found ourselves again at the Ruins of St. Paul. We were able to visit THREE (3) places twice: Cathedral of St. Dominic, The Venetian and the Ruins of St. Paul.

After that, we went back to the hotel and Tito Tic texted asking where we can meet them. Walking to Lisboa, he called and said we just meet them at MGM. It was raining already but went on walking. When we were with them at last, Mommy Goose lost her temper and was sungit to Tito Tic. When Ma Sonia called the attention of Mommy Goose, she walked out... I followed and so as Ducky and Pato.

We ended in a noodle house place but I was just the only one who ate coz I really like to have real noodles. Mommy Goose told us what she feels and Pato was annoying and annoyed bec. of what happened. I thought we'll be going back to the hotel after but they were nice enough to accompany me at the Factory Outlet to buy the dress I saw yesterday. After all my purchases, I still have HK$40.80 left..=)

Back to the hotel.. packed up for the early flight back to Manila tomorrow.. bathed.. went down to the restaurante where Pato ate steak and where I wrote the draft of this blog entry.

I was just able to send a morning message for my Crunch... when I'm about to reply to Jane's text, it said "Check Operator Services"... Grrr... I miss my Crunch soooooo much and I was not able to tell her more about that coz I already ran out of load.. =( .. I look forward to her every text but I get sad coz Im not able to reply.. She never fails to make me smile and she makes me "crazy" too. I "fight" her everytime I see our picture in my phone and I miss her more and more. I wish to get another message from her before I sleep. (I did.. 10:34pm.. me happy na but still misses her more).

SUMMARY OF MACAU EXPERIENCE:
- had fun and made the most out of it even with its ups and downs.
- got to experience new things as we went to different places.
- tummy always gets funny ..=(
- hope that things will get better between mommy goose and her siblings

* miss my crunch so much
*looking forward to going back in Manila because of her
*loved crunch updates but I love her more than anything else. =)

Hoping for a safe trip back home tomorrow =)

P.S. - I'm hoping to make a scrapbook about this tour.. Good luck to me.. hehe..=)

Macau - March 20, 2008

We are just waiting for some people before we take our turn on the Buffet table.

Breakfast at McDo... Mommy Goose is sad coz of the situation.. I hope I can do something.. but I really feel helpless.

10 am.. CITY TOUR.. at last we were able to see the Ruins of St. Paul; it's Macau's symbol. We stayed there for sometime to try some food and of course to take pictures. Ma Sonia made me finish her squid/shrimp balls, they were good but spicy... egg tart is good!

We also stopped by the place where we are so near China, actually its the boarder line between mainland China and Macau. Then we dropped by a Chinese souvenir store.. I just went around quickly coz I know Im not going to buy anything there (the store sells mostly jades and other stones). I found myself instead in a playground and took pictures of 3 kids playing.

Then, we went to Ritz hotel for our lunch.. buffet.. just ate "right".. I feel fat.=(
After which we went to Macau's oldest temple built way back Ming Dynasty.

Enough about Macau first... I MISS MY CRUNCH SO MUCH!!! I smile everytime she texts me but I always wish to be with her already. Can't wait for this tour to end and go back home where my Crunch is.

After the temple, we went back to the hotel and Patrick (our tour guide) led us to the Factory Outlet. I saw a nice dress and I'm still thinking if I'm going to buy it.

THE VENETIAN, they said it is the largest hotel in the world. But it's not the size that awed me but the structures inside the hotel. You'll feel like you're in Paris. The Gondola ride was fun with Mosimo as our "driver". He has a nice singing voice. He said he wants badly to go back to the Philippines and go to Boracay. I was sad though coz my phone which I use as my camera got battery empty. We had dinner at the Food Court (I had grilled chicken burger and strawberry shake from fatburger), window shopped and went to the Casino and got water from a nice Filipina employee.

My tummy got funny though after the dinner probably coz of the shake, good thing Tita Heidi got candies that helped me feel better and not to throw up. ......On almost the entire Venetian experience I was tampo with Crunch. It ended after I had my dinner. But things went well after we "talked" about it.

Free shuttle rides brought us back to our hotel.

NOTE: Mommy Goose and Tose didn't go with us at the Venetian.. hope things will get better for them.

I loved the updates except the part where my crunch is not feeling well, I hope I'm there to take care of her. But more to that, I LOVE MY CRUNCH so much and I miss her so badly.

Macau - March 19, 2008

We arrived at Macau around 2:oo p.m. I find their airport strategically located.

It was a sight even with just a short cab ride to Sintra Hotel where we are going to stay till Saturday morning. Since we came ahead of our other companions, we decided to walk around the vicinity of our hotel. The temperature was just right, less pollution than Manila, 7-11 in every corner.. these are just some of the things I observed.


After we got settled, we again walked around hoping to go to the Ruins of St. Paul. But it was a blessing that we ended at the Cathedral of St. Dominic and we were able to hear a Portuguese Mass of the Chrism. But before that, we had snacks at KFC and dropped by the Church of San Lorenzo.

Back in the hotel, we played cards, then took a bath, had room service for dinner and talked to the housekeeping to ask for extra pillows.

Everything is ok except that I miss my crunch soooooo much. Im worried coz she has fever and Im not there to take care of her. =( She was able pa to update me with what happened in American Idol.

I look forward to seeing more of Macau and excited to be back in the Philippines where my crunch is.

Finding God in the midst of a busy academic world!

I'm so happy to ba a part of the "Bible group" in school. It actually started when I seek the help of Mr. Tabada to teach me more about the Bible. Then, Ms. Celestino joined too. Mrs. Morales also joined us since she also teaches in their Church. Last Thursday, February 21, Mr. Sahagun was able to join us too. Now we are five in the group and still counting.
Although we are all busy with our work, it is such a refreshing feeling that at one point, we all join each other and study more about God and His words through the Bible. I always look forward for Thursdays to come so we are again gathered in His name.
It feels great finding God in the midst of our busy academic world.. And whoever wants to join, you are all welcome.

Hurting but still Trying to move on!

There are times I just caught myself staring blankly. Then I'd realize that I'm still hurting.

I was craving so much for spaghetti and I was already planning where to eat once I get my salary. I asked people around me where I can eat a very delicious spaghetti and explained to them my craving. But then the realization came to me that I'm not craving for the most delicious spaghetti there is.. I want my mama's spaghetti. She cooks it very well that my taste like so much!

I got sadder as I reminisced when was the last time I had her spaghetti.. guess when?.. yeah, my birthday...

I Miss My Mom Sooooo Much!!!!!!!!!

I still can't believe how things happen so fast... I'm not sure what to feel that I'm the last person my mom talked to before she passed away... I miss her sooooo much....

But with all the things that happened, I got to reflect and say to myself that the Lord is so good and that how all things happen for a reason.

My mom spent her last days in Batangas with my Tita Precy and her family and my tatay there to look after her. She so wanted to go back to Manila, it's one of the last things she told me. We were able to come up with an agreement to that we'll go home in Manila on Christmas day. But we were not able to make real that plan we had. She left us December 22, 2007, 3:30 pm.

My kuya and I wanted at first to fulfill her request to have her wake in Manila for 2 days and have her remains cremated and her urn will be brought to Bicol and be kept with her mom. However, with the generous help of our relatives in Batangas, we finally decided to have her wake in my Tita Precy's house and be buried in Tanauan Municipal Cemetery together with my brother who died 22 years ago. I "talked" to my mama every night telling her not to be tampo with us for not being able to fulfill the arrangements she wanted.

Things went well in Batangas and we are so thankful to all our relatives you supported us all the way.. Tita Precy and Tito Peter, thank you so much for accommodating us in your home.. You made us feel so safe with you.. Kakang Ayot and Kakang Tinay, thank you for being strong for us.. Kakang Belen, Tito Insog & Tita Edna, Tito Ikoy and Tita Chi, Tita Elsie and all our titos and titas.. Thank you so much for all the help you extended to us.

I'm glad to revive my ties with my cousins whom I have to list down the names in order for me to know them all.. To all my 26 cousins, I'm happy to get along well with you especially to the younger batch.. I hope Celine can say my name already next time that we come back in Batangas. Von, Ivy, Teten, be good to your parents because they are such great parents to you.

To all our friends and relatives from Manila who really went all the way to Batangas to extend their moral support and sympathy... Thank you so much... Words are not enough to tell you how so thankful I am to all of you. Fr. Serge, my heartfelt gratitude for saying a mass for us and going through the hassle of driving in the rain from Tagaytay, Mommy Goose, it wouldn't be possible if not for you.. Thank you so much to everyone!

Tatay, Kuya Paolo, Jasper... Let us be strong for each other.. I love you all and always remember that Im here for you all the time.

Mama, now that you are in heaven together with Jericho, Lola Dida and our other relatives, continue to watch over us.. We will always miss you and never forget that we love you so much.. I love you mama!

A Great Birthday

I just turned 28 and I had a great day!!!

My life is always a continuous journey... I had my own shares of ups and downs of life. But through all the good and bad things that happened to me, I never want to change anything!

The people I've met are gifts that I will forever treasure...

My parents-- no matter what happen, they fully support me in their own different way. I love you mama and tatay!

Kuya Paolo and Jasper.. my brothers whom I love so much. Thank you for helping me become a stronger person. You just don't know guys how much I care about you.

My second family.. the Bird Family... Mommy Goose, Patozy and Keiduck... thank you for adopting me (turkey). I enjoy every moment I spend with you. Thank you for making me feel that I'm needed. Mommy Goose, I'll never get tired of helping you... Patozy, thank you for everything, most especially for bringing me back to HIM... Keiduck, you're the sister I never had and I'm happy that I now have a littlebig "sister"

My bestfriend, Maria Antonnette Leachon... even though we don't see each other that often, you know that you'll stay as my bestfriend no matter what! I love you gurl!

My students -- past and present -- thank you so much for teaching me things about life than I can ever imagine. You are the reason why I stay in this profession. Yjez and the rest of I-B (SY01-02) - thank you for the trust and the friendship.. I-D, you'll always be my original anakis.. II-F (SY 02-03) - you're the best... The whole batch of MAGHARI (GH) - thank you so much for everything, you truly rule!.. II - A (SY 07-08) -- you're all my "baby" .. thank you so much for making my day very special, rest assured that I'll take care of 2A the bear.. II-B (SY 07-08)-- galing ng drama nyo.. thanks for the necklace!

My co-teachers -- everyday is special coz I get to work with the BEST! The Science department will stay solid.. Shyla the superstar, Patryk the comedy king, Al (si Al na walang malay) the ever loyal, Jeanna the song bird, Rheema the tallest "bunso" and Jeorge the Tissue Culture Master -- I'm so happy to be working closely with you guys!

As an honorary member of Nerdox-- Ai, Hans, Isabella, Melai and Lalaine-- thank you for including me in the group. Hans, you're the man! Isabella, I miss chatting with you. Ai, you're a very special gift from above to all of us.

All these things will not be possible without the Almighty! Finding you again Oh Lord is the greatest treasure I can ever have. Thank you for all the blessings you bestow upon me, upon all of us. Thank you for another year of service to you.. I'll do my best to perform well the task You've given me.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING A PART OF MY LIFE!