Nanay @ 60

We do not celebrate her birthdays in a bonggacious way but this year was different because she turned 60!

And 60 is a significant number as almost every tens after 50 naman is. So the Mariano siblings went out to give her a party hmmm similar to a debut hehe because she hasnt had a debut celebration as she was married when she was just 16 :)

Here are some pics ;)

She got 6 gifts and 6 roses/dance. Yes she is 60 but hey if we'll put 60 gifts and 60 roses baka umaga na di pa tapos ang party! So here she is with her last dance, her husband, my dad who loves her sooo much. You know when someone loves a person di ba? They glow and there's spark? That's tatay when she is with nanay vice versa. Few more years and the couple will celebrate 50th anniversary. Tay, ipon ipon lang pag may time!!!

 Me and my sisters were asked to give a short message. Each of us had our turn to make her cry hahaha nope really we were only telling stories and we all end up crying. Our stories were simple, real, heartfelt, memorable and full of love and sacrifices that each of us melted with tears when we realize how great a mom she is to us. Hoping and praying to dear God that we may be able to be at least a portion of what she is to us. Here's my turn, mine is the shortest and my mom had to look me with her "why did u say that look" when I told everyone I was her favorite. It was meant to be a joke but only me gets it siguro, hehe me and my jowk walang nakakagets.

Oh I told them about the story of sardines when we were eating dinner and there was this last piece and I know it's hers but I still asked her if she's busog na, syempre Nanay the generous woman she is said Yes busog na ko sayo na yan when in fact she hasnt eaten much yet nagkasya na sya sa sabaw ng sardinas! I told them now I know two things. 1 is how much she loves me that she is willing to give her piece for me even if she's still hungry. Second is I am really a matakaw kid back then!

(Note to self, stand properly when  you give talks especially now that there are cameras everywhere. Pangit ng tayo di pwedeng pang beauty queen hehe. Oh and also can you please buy a new pair of shoes?)

It's Ate Lala's turn. She told about how Nanay worked a whole lot for us. That she even sold Yakult - driving a bike with side car to places and even near school. She said that when Nanay's about to come she'll hide because classmates will tease her, Nanay said "Nahihiya ka" I had to defend Ate here because I do hide too not because nahihiya kami but because our classmates are bad and they call out 'jacult' when our mom pass by and it hurts us. If I could go back I'd probably be stronger and fight those boys that are teasing her but we are taught not to fight so there.

Ate Leng naman told everybody that she is the most sakit ng ulo amongst us and cried buckets. You know Ate we are all sakit ng ulo and it is not a contest hehe. We gave her wrinkles here and there and I bet she doesnt even know na who to account for most of it. So chill na! Narinig tuloy ni Yaz and told her mom "Ma ikaw pala pinka pasaway sa inyo?" hahaha

 And the panganay syempre is the last one, Ate Mai a professional that she is has a ready card to read in front of the crowd 'kadaya' hahaha. I know you're reading this :P She told everyone how great a mom she is carrying her in her young years of 17 and having her on her 18th birthday. She was young yes but that did not stop her from being a great mother to all of us.

And here she is, our debutant, a beautiful mom, a faithful Christian, a beloved wife, a true friend, a loving sister.  Pretty pretty noh? Bili ko yang blouse na yan! Haha ayaw ko kasi yung dress na pinatahi nya hahaha peace!!!

Present on her birthday were her siblings, Tita Myr, Tito Jessie, Tita Cel and Tita Belle. She has other sibling across the globe somewhere in California we alll hope that one day they can be together again in one place - that would surely be wonderful!

 Syempre me, Ate Lah, Tatay, Ate Leng and Ate Mai are there to be with the super Nanay!

 While the birthday girl is busy with her guests the kids posed for a picture. My kids werent there :( Someday soon Caleb and Thea will come and pose for pictures too.

Happy birthday Nay! Wishing you more years, good health, good life and more means to help people. You are an inspiration to many. We love you to bits.

Caleb @ 6 months

Half a year? Agad?

Son,

6 months went by fast and everything changed for the better because we had you. Your father, me and Ate Thea are very happy to have you. You add joy to this family, you bring hope and you exudes love.

Did I say 6 months? Oh boy had it been really? Sometimes it feels like yesterday when you were still in my tummy but everytime I hold you it feels like I have always been your captive.

I am still your number one source of food, mama's milk is still the best for you (hehe) but yes you've started solids na even before your 5th month. I am betting you wont be picky, please dont be. Your first tooth erupted last May 6 it was your front lower right tooth that showed first followed by the left the next day! You've been droolling a lot since. Btw, can you stop biting after feeding babe? Masaket kasi eh :p

I love you to bits Leb. You will always be my baby boy. Remember that always.

Love,

Mommy

Our Brunei Vacation

I waited 2 years to be able to go back to the Abode of Peace! And last March 31 to April 21 my wish was granted!

Three weeks pure family experience is something to be treasured. I love how we help each other out albeit the late night sleep of our little call center agent who always log in on graveyard shifts.

Everyday we go to either Supasave or SoonLee, hobby ang mag supermarket! In fairness Supasave has improved a lot after the renovation, it looks more like SnR now with Coffee Bean and Tea leaf and Crocs outlet, Panbright travel has a branch there too. Happy for the residents of Panaga area and the KB district for a fancy supermarket hehe. Oh I think a year ago the Seria gym and OGDC movie house opened also. The Seria town is really improving they now have KFC, excapade and Mums bakery too. I know thats not much for a town but if you lived in the place for a while and you came back and see improvements wont you feel extra happy?

Well I guess I am just super happy that I was back! We did not live at the same house as we rented a bigger one since the family got bigger. The little boy and his dad need bigger bed space what with the position that both of them likes when sleeping. Here's some pics of my men having father and son moment even as they sleep!

On our first weekend, Alvin's team at BSP had a day out at the beach! All of them Bruneian except for my husband. They scheduled it in time of our vacation so we could get to meet them. Their day out, or what they call 'away day' is an activity to refresh, reunite or just go away. Families are sometimes included, so they timed it on our vacay. I guess they are excited to meet us, put face on the name. I was pretty much excited to see them too. Lamb and chicken barbeque, baked potato with tuna plus some malay food are set for lunch. Here's my picture with the cantik (beautiful) girls of IBA team! Bossing sukinah, lovely azzy, beauty laila, gracious and sometimes Tagalog speaking izzat and bubbly dayah. Cant forget Dayah calling me out saying "Alvin's wife Alvin's wife!!! hahaha and they hushed her and said it's Emma!

Thea and her dad at the beach. Away day was over when Thea wanted to swim, her dad sweating much needed to carry her out of the beach to the car. I had the following picture edited BUT couldnt find it so here's the orig pic from my phone, science ;p

After beach we went to Gadong to check in at the Rizqun Hotel, its the hotel attached to The Mall. But shopping is not the reason for checking in, dear husband is going to participate at Standard Chartered's Run for a Reason and call time is 4am. We were anxious because he hasnt slept much. Was tired the day before from carrying thea and wasnt able to practice the whole week we were there. Yet I have faith he'll finish, my only prayer is hopefully no injuries. He came back around 8am with a medal for finishing the race! It was his first half marathon and I am very glad he did it! Cheers to more half marathons and marathons next year.

On our second Sunday we went to the Beach again for a fun day with our BTN family. Someone volunteered to hold Caleb, thank you Lala, I was able to eat lunch. We werent able to finish the program because it was toooo hot. The kids are sweating so bad. After which husband asked if I want to go to Bandar and I said yes! Good thing we did. How I miss those long drive chika with my man. Caleb was asleep and Thea was probably exhausted too she wasnt fuzzy much that time. Jalan jalan ( jalan means walk) at Yayasan, buy some toys then off to coffee bean to grab some coffee and food then off to the road again we went to head home. There might not be much to do at Brunei but those chika during long drive has always been memorable. We passed by the famous gold plated Mosque, some streets that were renovated and a collegue's house err mansion - she even offered us to use their Spa building, oh btw they have Spa, Recreation, Main and Amah's building sossy no?

We were able to spend time at Billionth Barrel monument. After office, 4pm, husband goes home for merienda then we'll all head out to some place usually to supermarket but one fine afternoon we headed to the Billionth Barrel! The weather was nice for jalan jalan, it took a while for Thea to feel the place but when she finally decided to roam around she just couldnt stop. The little jolly boy and me needed to go inside the car before them because hunger atttacks - he needs mama's milk. Thea had so much fun she didnt want to go home her dad had to carry her to the car (agaaiiin) because its getting dark na :) It was a fun fun time for all of us, mostly because Ate Thea joined in and had fun too herself!

Thea wasnt at ease yet on her first and half of second week, she spent our afternoon dates inside the car looking at the window but after her billionth barrel monument moment our afternoons were waaay much fun as she gamely goes down the car to play or go shopping. Here she is at the KB playground.

We were also able to cross country, nyahaha as if its a big thing noh?, to Miri as we needed to had our passports chopped because our tourist visa is going to lapse after day 14. At Miri the only place we went to is Parkson - Miri's Megamall :) Got no pics there haha but at least I was able to buy a pair of pants and went a lil shopping at their dept store.

Our last week went by soo fast. Next thing we knew we were preparing to go home. I was feeling sad that we had to go home where I'd be an OFW wife again, that I cried when we left the house we stayed in for 3 weeks. Husband appeased me by saying we could always go back but I knew it wouldnt be that easy with all the things needed to be finished back in Bulacan. 

Good thing my dear hubby planned well for our last 2 days, he took us to the Empire Hotel in Gadong. Going there we saw welcome signs to ASEAN delegates, turns out they will be hosting this year's summit. We were 3 days early for the summit but you can tell that there were delegates already checking in. At the hotel we were greeted by a note from the manager and chocolates! Yumminess yung chocolate ha :)

  

It was drizzling when we came so we ordered food lang. Then when the rain stopped Ate Thea slept na. So basically we were just inside the room except when we sneaked out to have a photo by the fountain and when it was time for brekky. Still our stay was great, it was a great way to end our vacation to the place I fell in love with, the place where me and hubby will always consider second home.

Brunei might notbe the place "somewhere only we know" but it is definitely the place "where our family has bloomed". We miss you na Brunei. Till we see you again. Always be good to us eh? We love you.

Caleb turns 5 months in Brunei

Hey little boy! Thank you for bringing more happiness to me and daddy. Thank you for your generous smile and your cute laugh, they are definitely the stress busters mom and dad need during challenging times.


I dont know how big you are Im tamad to weigh you eh. Pero you are definitely still bigger than your peers. I usually say 9 kg thats how u weigh 2 weeks ago. Oh and u have sipon and ubo hopefully the garlic I've been eating take effect na. Do u know bane, mom doesn't like garlic? Also weve been drinking oregano juice eeeew I know but that's our only option. You're still young to take meds eh. So far you're feeling better naman and no fever.

Btw, you sing when you want to sleep. You shout when you want attention.  You pinch us when we fall asleep hehe. You call ate thea mre frequent than you call mom and dad. But when you're hungry your eyes are only set n mommy! Those kawawa eyes you you do on an expert level melts my heart.  Kaya even if I dont want to stand up yep I just had to.

Know that mommy loves you. And the pictures tell how much dad cares and adore you. Remember that always. Ate thea loves you too babe. Happy 5th month. We are blessed to have you.