catching up series: gotta love summer

Summer na summer na talaga on this blog! Summer 2016 that is! Hehe! This was back when Dana just graduated college so to celebrate another family milestone, we thought of visiting another nearby resort, Pacific Waves. O dba, hindi naman Patio Isabel this time. Haha!

Actually, we had quite a few reasons to celebrate April. Aside from Dana's graduation, the said month was also my mom and my brother's birth month. All special occasions in one go para tipid! And as usual, we were with our cousin's family. We used to live in one compound kasi that's why we were so used to doing life together. And after all, they still live near us so it's still convenient for all of us to share special occasions and holidays.

Unlike our impromptu visits to Patio Isabel, this time around we came prepared. We had a lot of baon! But honestly, food is our family's guilty pleasure. We don't travel a lot.. we are not brand conscious when it comes to clothes.. Pero sa pagkain, naku! We don't even follow a certain budget when it comes to our daily meals, or when doing the groceries. Like crispy pata anytime, ganun!

As usual, there were a lot of picture taking! Especially of the kiddos! I'm actually the culprit when it comes to this. I'm the master memory keeper and documenter (ano daw?!) Hahaha! But kidding aside, I really love looking back kasi. And everytime I feel blue, I would just browse through my gallery or read my old blog posts to make me feel better. Instant pick-me-upper! Who else can relate?

But at this point, I'm running out of words. I actually just finished work before I thought of de-stressing by writing. Pagod na yung brain cells ko.  I guess I would just let the photos below do the talking. And maybe I'll re-introduce my family via the captions. I know I've been gone too long from the blogging world. :)

my brother, mom, grandma (mom's mom!)
my sister, my sister-in-law, Mithril and me, pop 

Mithril

ate Faye and ate Avie
my cousin's daughters

of course here's Mithril's OOTD

my brother's fam

Faye, Avie, my sister Dana and mommy (my cousin's wife)

Avie and finally, my cousin Yags

ELSEWHERE

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

family picnic and whatnots

Backloooogss.. So many things to blog about, so little time to blog. I wish someday I can get paid for  simply blogging about my life. That will be the best job ever, dude. Haha! :) 

Anyway, today's 'story of my life' is my mom's birthday celebration last month at La Mesa Eco Park. Yes, last month. But hey, I really waited for mother's day to come so that this will be extra special. Really. You have to believe me, it's a good excuse. Phhbt!

So, in our conscious effort to do something different each time, we found ourselves having picnic in Eco Park's cottage {which by the way is worth P500 but we got it for free just because madiskarte ako. :') }. We may not be the richest-of-them-all type who gets to celebrate birthdays out of town often but we make it a point to make each family occasion special, worth-remembering and a little different - in any possible way we can. ♥

the incrediBorbs'  obligatory family picture

these and a little more

Aside from having picnic, there are actually lots of other things you can do in Eco Park. Eeep, I sound like I'm promoting the park or something. Disclaimer: I'm not in any way connected to the park's ownership nor did I get paid for this. Haha! But kidding aside, whether you're after adventure, nature tripping or just steady chillin' the park is an instant way to get you covered, plus on a budget pa! Did I just hear the promo girl in me again? Hahaha! :))

Moving on, our whatnot number one is.. pictorial! Ano pa nga ba? These days, you just have to take photographs of anything and everything that you do. It's a practical solution to memory gap nga naman. Plus when you're feeling sad, it helps a lot browsing through them. Been there, I should know. 

ang mag-booboo! ♥

my bitchesas :')

with the mother and the father

my feeling gawjus shot

And because I'm making the 'whatnots' from my subject literal, whatnot number two is.. horseback riding. The royal family - mommy, daddy and Faye chose to ride a carriage {kalesa in tagalog, calesa in spanish. why thank you, google}. Meanwhile, Joyce and Nikka chose to punish some white horses. In behalf of my whole family, I'm asking for apology from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. :P

poor horse, you evil sister

And finally, whatnot number three.. WALL CLIMBING! But only for the thrill seeker like me and my number one fan. Hahaha! We were hesitant at first because we were nervous, shy, and whatever other excuses you can think of but we just threw ourselves to it. Bahala na si Batman! But then again hindi na ata uso si Batman, so bahala na ang Avengers {which by the way, I haven't seen yet. loser!}. Hahaha!

We were screaming all the way to the top - "Kuyaaaaa hindi ko na abot", "Kuyaaaaa parang maaalis yung hawakan", "Hindi ko na kayaaaaaaa", "Pagod na koooooo". Hahaha! But we ain't quitters. Hell No! We were able to finish it - LOUD AND PROUD. Literally. :))

GOAL #17 Try wall climbing - CHECK!! I'm a happy kid. xD

before and after. see the difference?

I am macho. see those muscle flex?

Rest for a while, freshen up, some more picture taking and we called it a day. One for the  books. Thank you Lord for the blessing called family. Happy Birthday {and Happy Mother's Day} mom. You know we love you. ♥ ;)

just before going home

----

♥ Happy Mother's Day to all Moms out there!!

Below is my Facebook greeting to mama. The first thing I did this morning - before morning rituals, before breakfast and before greeting her personally. Cramming ang lola nyo. :P

ELSEWHERE

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Bloglovin'

crazy is as crazy as it can get

Allow me to take a break from my summer stories as something not so summer-ish but of great importance made it between my beach trips. Obviously, I am such an OC that I want to post things in chronological order. Just bear with me, will you? :D

Anyhoo, my mom had her 5oth birthday last April. Over IM, me and my sister were thinking of how we're going to spend it. I suggested that we celebrate it in a KTV. I felt like it was a light bulb moment. Haha! Yet again, because of my bucket list.

22. SING IN THE VIDEOKE

..AND RECORD IT! hahaha! I find this funny, and well, kind of shallow slash disturbing slash challenging. Because you know what? I have NEVER sang in the videoke in my entire life {in my 24 years of existence, major major, hahaha}. Not that I don't sing completely, but I have never sang with a microphone. I know how my voice can get so high-pitched, that's why! But because I can no longer think of anything else {realistic enough} to include in this I-wanna-try-everything project, I thought of simple things I have never done. Frankly, I also remember I haven't drunk beer in my entire life but that one, I need to think about gazillion times {until I get tired of thinking and decide not to try it at all} *wink*. Anyway, I'll be needing a lotta help here. I'll set a schedule with the sisters, we'll have fun and we'll look STUPID. Don't you just love the idea?

ang tweenhearts

their kiddos

So there, we celebrated my mom's birthday at Elyong's, a KTV and resto bar at Regalado. It's the most affordable KTV I've been to. They only charge 100 per hour for the room, most KTVs would charge per person per hour. Minimum food order is as low as 600. We really didn't mind as we know we'd consume more than that.

We had the group meal good for 10 persons, reasonably priced at around 2 thousand. The group meal includes Sinigang na Maya-Maya, Sweet and Sour Pork, and Chicken Barbecue, served with rice, drinks and Leche Flan. Good enough for a KTV.

 

dinner time

After we had dinner, the party started. I had a hard time selecting my piece. Kay gulo-gulo naman kasi ng songbook. After a while, I got accustomed to it that I became the official song picker. I suggest songs for everyone and key them in when they agree. For Papi though, Anit would always joke "mas luma pa dyan". Haha!

Mama sang her national anthem, "Top of the World". Ate Tin was Kim Chiu in her own rights. Papi was Barry Manilow. Kuya Ga and Gigi shared "Multong Bakla", "Martyr Nyebera" among others. Dana and I shouted at each other with "Complicated". And Anit being the singer that she is, sang countless songs.

wag ka daw mag-sing daddy, nakakainiiisss!

But the highlight of the night was the girls' "Waka-Waka" song and dance number. We even sang it twice because we weren't able to take a video of our first performance {or maybe because we enjoyed it so much we had to do it again. XD}

Now I demand, you watch the video and see for yourself how crazy we can get. Goal #22. Sing in the videoke. - CHECK!! It was more than just singing actually. Go waaaatccheeett!

apologies for the low quality and for looking all haggard :P

Before the night was over, I FB statused how much I feel blessed for having such an awesome family. I can never thank the good Lord enough. One may have countless friends, the sweetest partner, or the perfect career, but having a tight-bonded family is the best gift one could ever have. How I wish everyone is as blessed.

indeed blessed ♥

ELSEWHERE

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Bloglovin'