Here in Sydney

I arrived this morning here at Sydney Australia. I will be going to Fiji tomorrow...will be posting some interesting things along the way. I will be back in the Philippines in a weeks time.
God is good indeed.

Isay's Birthday cake

Isay's cake is made with lots and lots of love. The whole concept I got from birthday pictures on the net and long kwentuhan with Rolyn. The main square cake is home baked chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. This is specially made by Nina of Toni's which is much much less in price compared to commercially made cakes. Plus! it is baked with love and affection. The cupcakes Tatay bought from Eunilane these ordinary cupcakes that came in a variety pack of chocolate, butter, and pandan flavors. The frosting is marshmallow frosting given for free by Nina. The chocolate droplets and candy sprinkles I got when Rolyn, Hannah and I went to Choco lovers in Kitanglad St. near welcome rotonda. I also got the stars and butterflies at Choco lovers for about 20 pesos per dozen or more I think. The candle I got from Goldilocks for only 12 pesos. We almost lost it during the prep hahaha the dangers od do-it-yourself things. The Dora doll as a cake topper was a gift from Hannah, they gave it a week earlier. We assembled all of these a couple of hours before the party. I made the first cupcake frosting samples. When Nine and Mayer arrived, they helped finish the whole set up. It turned out really well. Looks expensive but I spent only a fraction of the cost of the theme cakes available in the popular bakeshops.

Thank you to all the loving hands that helped prepare this 1st birthday cake of Isay. I want to blog about this so she can read it here that there were so many loving hands that helped prepare for her special day. Our love and thanks goes out to all of you!

Maligayang bati Isay!

Happy Father's Day Tatay

Happy Father's Day to my own Dading. I may not show it always but know that we love you and thank you for all the love spoken or otherwise. May God bless you always.

Amats it is your first true Father's Day. I truly appreciate the way you have taken in the role of a father. You are indeed a non-traditional father. I see your loving hand the way you change diapers, or feed baby Isay. Never did I hear you complain that you will be looking after her any hour of the day be it 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning. Truly you stand out from the rest with your uncanny ways of showing your love. Your loving ways and kind words always sooth and calm baby and yet she understands when you try to discipline her. A self proclaimed "Sandman" as you are the one who can easily help her to sleep. I feel that you are as happy and elated playing with her during bath time singing "rubber ducky". You always always make time for her to play, to sing, to read over and above any other work or chore that needs attention at the moment. Everyday I see the joy that you have just holding her. Truly endearing is your patience and understanding. We love you Tatay.

Birthday ni Isay

understanding

When I became a mother, I knew that there will definitely be many changes in my life. I became excited knowing that there are many things in store for me and my family. I was expecting changes in many dimension that will be life's lessons. I was both afraid and excited at the same time, worried about many things at all fronts. At times a certain sense of inadequacy scares me but that is always erased by His grace. Knowing that most probably all mothers was a first time mom once in their lives. Still nothing prepared me for the lessons that I've been learning the past weeks. It was a roller coaster of realization after another that I cannot even begin to share exactly the many changes both happy and melancholy. The most striking realization is absolutely at its simplest form. I realize now that I can completely understand my mother. When I was young, for many many years, I've always wondered why my mama kept silent most of the time. I cannot undertand her silence. At that time, I saw it differently. I was surrounded by a happy bunch of relatives, to describe them as talkative is an understatement. I've always wondered why, she was always quiet. She speaks her mind at important concerns but it was mostly for our concern. Now, I can honestly say that I understand her. I believe that she chose to be silent. I can now truly understand the reasons why she opt to be silent. I cannot share for now the circumstances at the time and now why this realization came about. Suffice it to say that my own learning process as a mom has helped me deal with the past that I thought was not significant anymore at present. Indeed all of our experience in life formed us to be the persons we are today. It has been 18 years since my mom died. God bless you Mama!

***

My father in law, Amat's Dad passed away last Sunday morning. God bless you Dad. Thank you for the love. Albeit our time together was short, indeed it was blessing .

Kota Kinabalu

The highest peak in Southeast Asia is Mt. Kinabalu. Haay this one trip has been in the drawing board for the longest time. I have several friends from different circles that have scaled the mountain. Some just visited the national park. Hopefully soon we can visit KK.

I am also posting this for the benefit of my good friends who are planning a honeymoon.

Thank God that now there are many trips offered at very affordable rates.


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