Halfway Through...

Our holiday, through my eyes

21 Dec 2008 We're back home in Manila. I'm still trying to digest that it has been more than two and a half years already the last time we were here. Our nephews and nieces have grown now, from toddlers to kids.

The first thing that we've done is to visit Mommy. I felt happy this time, maybe it's her way of telling me that she's alright.

Next stop was Ninong Johnny. He has cancer and very thin right now. It was a drastic change for him. Barely a year ago he was a healthy man and I can't believe in such a short time, his health deteriorated. "Buti pa Mommy mo nakaraos na", he said to me. I didn't take any pictures because I don't want to remember him that way. "I'll see you again", were the last words I told him before we said our goodbyes. I'll always remember him as a Tito and Ninong, from the day I first met him at
Ate Claire's wedding, to the day we got Enzo and the day he was our Ninong at my wedding day.

Spending time with my family was the best part of our holiday, even though it was a short one. Bitin but that's how it goes. I am thankful that we had spent Christmas and New Year with the people that we care about the most.

Everything becomes a blur, especially when it's time to go, but my family helps me keep my focus.

Disney Princesses

24 July 2008 - I guess dreams do come true. Here are pics of our Princess having a chit chat time with Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora. Snow White had a long chat with her, guess she likes Tyla!

Mommy's Song Perhaps

Was it something in the rain
Or a chance of love again
That made me explain
The secrets of my soul
I guess I only needed
Someone to hold

But I was gone without a trace
And the rain blew away

Was it something on a dream
That touch my memory
Or a picture I didn't know I've seen
That made me stop and stare
And then I lost him
If he was ever there

And I'm afraid of being close
But I need to be the most

And it seems I've spent my whole life
Waiting for love
And when it comes
I always run away.

"I'm missing them already.."

6 Aug 2008 - ..were the four words that came out of Tyla's mouth halfway on our flight to Minneapolis and tears fell from her eyes. I felt Tyla's pain. I saw myself when Tyla was crying. It is hard to leave someone that you love. Instead of crying too, I held back my tears and helped Ingrid comfort Tyla.

Fourteen days earlier, we had arrived in LA for our holiday and had spent her 6th birthday there. It was great to see Tita Lin, Tina, Tita Ador, Tito Fermin, Ate Judy, Kuya Dannny, Ate Muger, Steven, Nicole, Kuya Ferdie, Vanessa, Chelsea and Christian again after two years.

A song comes into my mind whenever I feel sad and miss the people that I love.

Sometimes I wonder
Where I've been
Who I am, do I fit in?
Make-believing is hard alone
Out here, on my own

We're always proving
Who we are
Always reaching
For that rising star
To guide me far
And shine me home
Out here on my own

Until the morning sun appears
Making light of all my fears
I dry the tears I've never shown
out here on my own

When I'm down and feeling blue
I close my eyes so I can be with you
Be strong for me
Belong to me
Help me through
Help me need you

Moments

27 Nov 2007 - So many things have already happened for the past four months. I guess I got too preoccupied with so many other things. One of which is my child's education. Tyla is in year 1 and we're a bit nervous on how she's going to cope up with her studies. Thank God she's doing well at the moment. We also enrolled her in Kumon. I hope it will help her.

My parents-in-law was here last July and August for their holiday. We all had a great time! We've travelled all the way up north of the UK and all the way down south. From Scotland to the Isle of Wight. One of my favourites was our trip to Cadbury World in Birmingham. We had a tour inside the chocolate factory and it was like I was one of the kids in the Willy Wonka movie (60's one!). There was this one area there where you have to stand up and a camera will take a picture of you and you'll be suprised that a chocolate will be moulded in your own image! Just in pictures of course. Reminds me about life, we are all the product our decisions.

I was really sad the day Papa and Mama have to go back to Saudi Arabia. I was even counting every minute before they entered the boarding area. I held back my tears but couldn't help it when I saw Mama. I really miss their company. I'm still wondering why we're all living apart. There must be a better way.

Christmas is just around the corner,and this is the best one yet. It just keeps on getting better every year. Less than a month and it will be a new year again, a new beginning. What a year, a very exhausting one, both on my personal and business life. I will stand up next year and I will choose a better life for us. I will strive for the best. I want it all, and yes you can have it all at once, I think it's just up to you to make it happen.

Finally..

..I was with Tyla this time when she turned five last July 23rd this year. I was in the UK when she turned two and three and I was in LA when she turned four. She had a party last July 19th. We all had fun! I think it's a custom here that you need to have a party for your child when she's five until seven. It's such a rewarding feeling seeing our daughter enjoying her childhood.

What had happened for the past two months? Tita Ador and Tito Fermin had a holiday here in the UK last June. It was a chance for me to give them a great time here as what I would have done to Mommy. It was the closest thing that I could get. I hope to see you again real soon!

As for Tyla, it's summer here and that means school break! We were really proud of her when we had read her school report. It says:

"Yzabella had settled well into school. She is a popular, quiet and polite girl. She gets on well with her peers and with adults. She enjoys a wide range of activities particularly imaginative play and art and craft.."

Papa and Mama are here for their holiday. We've been touring England! I'll upload some pics on my next post but for now, here are some pics from Tyla's birthday party. Our BIG thanks to all our friends here who had helped us make her party to be a fabulous one, you know who you are! Our big thanks also to all our family and friends overseas, Ninongs and Ninangs who had wished her well. God bless you all.

My toy balloon!

Yzabella with Darren Redd (or maybe Adam Sandler?)

Family pic!

..with Goergia

My birthday cake!

We're all asleep!

I love to dance!

My guests!

Mum had done a great job! Thanks Mum!

I'm Stephanie!

A New Family Member

14 May 2007 - I'm driving on M25 and on our way to Heathrow to meet Tita Ador, Tito Fermin, Ate Muger and Nicole. My phone rang but I can't answer it, so the caller just left a voice mail. I asked Ingrid to check my voice mail and put it on speaker phone. "We're here at Terminal 1 and have checked-in already..", it was Ate Muger. I haven't seen them for the past ten months. Tyla was excited to go to the airport. Ingrid did ask her if she still remembers Ate Muger and she replied,"You mean the one that gave me the Cinderella dress? (thanks to Ate Judy as well)". We arrived, met them at Zone K and am I so glad to see them again. They have a five hour stop over and their next destination is Nice so we went to a cafe and had mirienda. Tyla, as usual, was quiet most of the time because as what she had whispered to me, "I'm shy".

We bought Tita Ador a chocolate cake because it was her birthday! She had a treat. Ate Muger did tell me that once they are here in London, to please watch over their diet.

7 PM, time to go through security, so we said our goodbyes. I had a great time. I was happy to have spent time with Tita Ador, well for an obvious reason, and I won't mention it this time, otherwise I'd sound like a broken record.

And who is Nicole? She's the new addition to the family, Ate Muger and Steven's unica hija. When I was carrying her, she made me feel like I was holding Tyla again, when she was still a baby. See you again soon.