Thank you to my colleagues for your thoughtfullness, I appreciate your kind gesture. Thanks Armel for the flowers, our valentino in the office, you made sure every lady got a rose, and Miguelito for the cute cake and of course the chocolates from the ladies.. Thanks. Love love love

November 21, 2018, we were not informed that all flights will be cancelled in the afternoon due to the no fly zone order because the Chinese president is leaving Manila , Philippines after his 2 days visit.  Instead , Cebu Pacific employees just repeatedly  announced that the flight will be delayed, no reason stated.  We patiently waited, anyway Cebu Pacific is known for delayed flights. It is good that internet connection in NAIA is good, so we can do some work on our strama which is due 2 days later. Finally  after 8 hrs in the boarding gate, we are on flight bound to Legazpi. 

The flight was smooth, everything okay, we are expected to arrived a little earlier , the pilot announced we are ready for descent,  my seatmate on the window seat is excitedly  telling us , she is now  seing the city lights in Legazpi City, Albay., then a sudden strong turbulence. Then were up again, then another try to land but turbulence is really bad. Up again, the pilot announced that  we are going back to NAIA , we cannot land due to strong tail wind, and it is for our safety. So that means we  have fly another 1 hr without reaching our destination. Passengers kept on grumbling , but we remain calm.

So what shall we do now, but to book another flight, but the only available is 3 days later, or refund the airfare. We decided to refund and   take the bus next day which means 12 hrs ride. 

From our experience this is what we do on our delayed and later cancelled flight.

1. Keep your cool. Do not let the delay ruin your day. When the airline people announce that there will be a delay, we  ask the airline staff how long, and when they cannot answer exactly how long it will take us to wait, that means it would not be just an hour or two. A good internet made our day productive, we were able to work on our MBA strama paper.  My seatmate was also doing her office work, she has a  very lucky boss.
2. Stretch, walk and look for a nearby coffee shop, a cup of coffee can last for an hour with friends. 
3. It is tempting to have a good massage in the airport , but do not do it you do not  know the exact time of departure.
4. When flight is cancelled as in our case,  immediately go to the airline desk in the airport and  decide to re book flight or refund the ticket
5. Be aware that if flight is cancelled due to weather you are not entitled to free hotel  and food, so in travelling always have cash or credit card

I’m giddy while watching the box office hit Crazy Rich Asian. I had been to some of the places in the movie . Can’t help telling my husband , I’ve been there and expectantly watching the next scene to be the place where I had visited. The movie is a like a tourism promotion of Singapore. Oh ..you don’t have to be rich to be in those places , some are open to public.

Gardens by the bay

No entrance fee in Gardens by the bay. The best to go there is at night.

There are several Merlion in Singapore, but this one near the Esplanade is the most photograph.

It is best to go there early morning or late afternoon. It is so hot at noon and the place is crowded. Everybody wants to have a good picture of Merlion

At about the end of the movie , the pool on the roof top of Marina Bay Sands was shown. The pool is exclusive to guest. There are several high end shops on the ground floor where our eyes feasted on things we can not afford .

That boat shape structure on top of three buildings is the pool exclusive for guest.

High end shops at the ground floor of Marina Bay Sands

The crowd that I mentioned.

On domestic flights when I can see the sea of clouds and its shadow that protect the ground from the heat of the sun , reminds me of the story of Israelites coming out of Egypt and walking day and night towards the promised land.

During their journey , God provided them a pillar of clouds during the day. Imagine walking in the desert road on a sunny day. And the cloud is there. What a great comfort. My realization : My God is an awesome God. He always provides and protect His children.

Genesis 13: 21″ by day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way…”

There are lots of hotels in Davao to choose from , but we are a big group , so we opt to stay in a 4 bedroom Chateau Veronica Appartel for our 3 nights and 4 days stay in Davao City

For only 4,900 php or 94 usd per day we have the entire house . The Chateau Veronica Appartel can accomodate 12 persons , we are 7 so we occupy only 3 rooms and the owner gave us a discount. We only paid n 4000php or 77usd per day, forex rate 52 phil pesos per 1usd.

In the Ist floor are the living room, one bedroom , kitchen and dining. In the second floor are the 3 bedrooms which we occupied. I forget to take pictures of the bedrooms. All rooms are simple but comfortable. This is a budget appartel so we do not expect much.

The kitchen is equipped with rice cooker , and electric stove so we cook our breakfast . Dining and kitchen wares are also available.

There are 2 common bathrooms and 1 in the masters bedroom. They do not provide towels and toiletress .

The Chateau Veronica has several units , all duplex type building.

I like the grill in the front yard.

Calm waters and early morning sun is a perfect time for kayaking. Actually I don’t know how to row the boat , it is my husband who did all the rowing

I enjoyed pound fitness than the regular zumba. The steps are easier to follow , and it is a cardio exercise , just right for my age .

With the joy and laughter with these children, we never consider our activity a mere compliance to our Volunteerific Program but a genuine sharing of our time and the simple things we can give.

Why do people give? Because giving makes the giver happy.

And with the expectation that in the future, when these little children are able to give, they will in turn do the same to communities that need help

I’m so disappointed with Tugawe Cove Cafe. I had high expectations because of some good reviews . Last Sunday we were at Robinsons Naga and we were looking for a place to lunch. We are five in a family, and because most of the restaurants are full , we opt to dine in Tugawe Cove Cafe where there is only a couple when we arrived. My husband jokingly said ” siguro bako masiram, mayong tao “. He is so right , the food really taste awful. Pwera busong kan grasya

Pan seared chicken with mango means chicken with very salty sauce, and a thumb size mango..

Dont they know that fried food should be drained in a rack or paper towels before serving?

The beef hash is a beef tapa except that their version is not friendly to our kidneys.

Lesson learned , when choosing a place where to dine ,you can go wrong if you go against the crowd.

No need to go far. I have this litle forest in my hometown where I can do a Shinrin Yoku on weekends. One of the relaxation technique which is also called forest bathing. No it’s not the usual bath we know. You do not need water and soap. I just walk or sit there , in of the forest, feel the sun, the wind. Smell the dew, the trees, enjoy the chirping of birds and the sound of creek. It is so relaxing.

My millennial kids influenced me to love Korean foods . I’m health concious and I noticed their food is a healthier option. Every dish is loaded with vege, unlike our Filipino food when it’s meat dish it’s meat only like our adobo. So when we went to Seoul , South Korea we really ate their local foods in our 5 days stay. Here’s the account of our food trip .

1st day We arrived 12 midnight. Our place is Itaewon Seoul, unlike in Meongdong ,we have’nt seen street foods but pricey restaurants and coffee shops abound with brands not Korean so we opt to have dinner at 7/11 store and try their noodles. It’s not as salty compared to our noodles back home. I also love the bingrae flavored milk @ 7/11 . I was able to consume half a dozen in our 5 days stay .

2nd day We arrived at the port going to Nami Island at 12 noon, there are many choices of restaurant but we go by the crowd. If people flocked to a particular restaurant, food must be good in that place. True enough we enjoyed our lunch at Chuncheon Dakgalbi and paid 10k won each or 400 php. Its a little bit pricey but it’s okay we are still full until late afternoon so we were able to save for the snacks.

In the evening we have a free korean bbq c/o my husbands’ cousin who flew from Switzerland to Seoul for their sons’ wedding

Thanks also for the fruits. My first time to eat jujube ,we have similar fruit in the Philippines it is called sinigwelas, but jujube is sweeter ,their nectarine and pears is crunchy but I love most the persimmon, I brought the seeds back home, hope it would grow and bear fruit .

Day 3 From the palace we scout for food stalls and we end up eating all these.

At dinner we went to Meongdong .A haven for street food lovers

I was not able to take good picture , but I will never forget that spicy fish cake. It is sooo hot

4th day Breakfast at macdo. They have their Korean version of burger, a good try. Then we attended the traditional wedding of our relative at Korea house and we had our lunch there.

5th day Our last day in Seoul, I tried the churros. Would you believe the churros is filled spicy vege ..In fairness it’s delicious. Also some of the foods we bought

I love to be back South Korea anytime soon

I was thinking, is this enough or is this too much for 20 people.? We will be mixing shirley temple, tequila sunrise kalimoxto and margarita.We dont have a bartender, nor anyone who knows coctails, wines or liquor, we will just rely on pass on knowledge and some info from the net . We will do the mixing by ourselves. Im so excited. Happy weekend everyone and merry christmas

In this little park in Itaewon , Seoul South Korea, it made me wish we are like them , they never and will never forget their own history.

What about us? part of our history depends on who is in power. I’m sad that our history is in danger of revision, that part which I have seen and felt . How would I now believe the things of the past, when in my very own time , lies is spread about the things my eyes have actually seen and I actually experienced. Note: I was in grade I when martial law was declared and I was graduating in college during Edsa Revolution. I’ve seen it all, and I intend not to forget, though how revisitionist work hard for it.

Here are the words engraved in the Yongsan Peace Statue

Peace Statue

We will not forget. We will remember and remember again. The history of Japanese soldiers that snatched away the dreams and lives of young girls

Lest such painful history be revisited with a peace and loving heart with respect for human rights.

In this here where foreign troops have long resided. We the citizen of Yongsan , with one heart and one mind raise this statue

A chinese restaurant inside the Cash &Carry , Palanan Makati. Service is fast, it took only 5 minutes for my order. I ordered Noodles in soup Chicken strips. It is of generous serving, taste is ordinary. Price is affordable only 120 The Radish cake, 3 pcs for 100, taste good, I prefer the pan fried than the deep fry. Popular stores like Jollibee are always packed with customers so I tried this less visited restarant . Dont be intimated by the interior and ambiance of Luk Yuen , it seems pricey like other chinese restaurant but actually its not. Besides , you can sit comfortably since only few try this restaurant.

I used to buy groceries every weekend or holiday, go to the mall with my son, eat out, see a movie or do anything outside the home.

One rainy holiday I challenged myself not to spend even a single cent for one whole day. After waking up I checked the ref and the pantry, almost empty. But no, I promised myself not to buy anything , instead I’ll make use of what’s available.

Heres the inventory:

Tahina , 1 loaf of bread, 1 can chickpeas, 1 bottle olive oil, small can evap, 2pcs egg

400 gms chicken, 1 medium size potato, 5 pcs small carrots, 1 small nestle all purpose cream, 3pcs tomatoe,eden cheeze, 200gms macaroni, condiments, a handful of flour , 1 pc cucumber,1 eggplant

Coffee and tea

Heres what Ive cooked for 4 people at home

Breakfast

Pita bread with hummus

Tahini toast topped with tomato

A failed attempt of baba ganoush with toasted bread lol

Thats not our usual food at home. At breakfast we usually have rice with dried fish or hotdog or scrambled egg, or corned beef or tocino, longanisa.

My youngest son and husband were happy, we are adventurous on food, but my son in university preferred to have just coffee and a toast. He will never try anything unfamiliar

Morning Snacks

Slice of boiled egg, and cucumber dipped in hummus

Lunch

Chicken casserole, my own version. I marinated the chicken in vinegar and fish sauce, then saute the chicken together with potato and carrots, simmer until tender , then thicken the sauce with nestle cream. So…yummy Ive got praises from my hard to please husband.

Afternoon snack

Macaroni soup

Dinner: food left the day: chicken casserole, macaroni soup and rice

So we did not spent on food the whole day and we got good food , all I need was stretching my imagination on how I will make use of what is available

It was raining the whole day so we just cooked and watched tv and play the whole day. Zero expense.