A PROMISE TO KEEP

One of the few things that marred my beautiful vacation in Cebu was the lack of Internet connection in the area. My mom did have the Smartbro USB that you attach to your computer to get connected to the Internet. The only problem is that you have to be in a perfect spot to capture the most signal. Uploading my picture while I was there was such a drag, took forever. Still I was glad I had my laptop with me and had a place to store all the picture I took of our vacation. A few days before we left for the Philippines I was reading a lot of laptop reviews since I wanted to give my sister her own netbook computer as a birthday gift. I was not able to do that though as I didn't have enough time to order what I wanted to get for her. I had the funds but I was not sure if the item would get to me before we left for our vacation. So instead, I promised my sister to give me at least 3 months to replenish my depleted funds. She mentioned that most of her classmates have laptop computers and they bring it with them to school. I couldn't very well give her my laptop since this was a present from my husband. She does know that I will do good on my promise and buy her one as soon as I can. Besides, nowadays computer is no longer a luxury but a necessity specially to most students.

WOULD HAVE

Since we have been here in Cebu my husband has been calling us or me calling him. We miss him so much and he misses us to, even our dogs missed us. I worry about him though since his doing a lot of overtime while we are here. I also have another reason to be worried, my grandfather was admitted in the hospital. Even though he is in the hospital he acts like everything is fine and tries to be strong. Before I left he even asked me to buy him some vitamins and if I could send it back in my balikbayan box. I could not hold my tears when I gave him a hug and kiss. I held on to him and just breathe in his scent. When we got back in Cebu I called my husband and cried on the phone. My husband kept assuring me that my grandfather will recover and get healthy again. Ralph is already counting the days until we will be home, I on the other hand want to stay longer. I know my mom will be crushed when we leave and my daughter will be missing all of them here in Cebu. Next time we will be staying a little bit longer so that I can enjoy more.

PASSED OUT

Poor baby girl got so exhausted that she passed out on top of me. I thought she was just playing but when she got heavier and didn't move I realized she was already sleeping. Kaitlyn is still a moving tornado here, like the energizer bunny she keep going and going and going until she just passes out from pure exhaustion. She loves running around my mom's small house and just playing with my stepdad. Kaitlyn doesn't really mind that she gets to clammy and sticky from the heat as long as she gets to play and run around. The only drawback to being here is she has gotten very very clingy to me specially when she gets very anxious. Usually I can leave her with her Mima but now I can't. I guess its because she knows that we are not really home and worried that I will leave her.

SMELL OF THE PIPE

Vacation is almost coming to an end.I don't even want to think about going home and not seeing my mom and sister again for many years. My MIL and I are dreading the long long flight going back home. The flight coming here she worried about smoking, will she be able to control her urges. I told her to just bring her e-cig for use at the airport and it did help with her urge to smoke. I remember that my grandfather use to smoke so much. From cigarette, to pipe and lastly cigar. When he smoked the pipe it was pleasure for us coz we loved the smell of it. As for the cigar we hated it. He even got imported cigar from my cousin who worked at Tinder Box. She probably knows arturo fuente cigars and familiar with its brand. My uncle stopped smoking before and so did my husband but they eventually went back to their old habits. That is my husbands only vice which I don't really mind as long as he smokes less. I hope once day my husband, uncle and MIL will be able to stop smoking.

WAR OF THE BULGES AND MORE

For my MIL and I one of the perks of going on a vacation is not doing the dishes, cleaning the house, picking up dog poop and so many more. I told myself and my husband that when I visit my home counry Philippine I will really enjoy my vacation. So far so good I have not washed a single dirty dish and I have been really enjoying it. The drawback to my vacation is the food. I have gained so much and it all went to my stomach. Its imperative that when we return to the US I get a hold of the most effective diet pill to help combat the weeks of food binging and hoarding. I told myself that I was not going to go out and visit other places but rather I would go on a food trip. Food has always been my passion ever since. MIL on the first hand is enjoying everything as well as the food. She agrees with me that both of us have been gaining weight. But like my mom said to me when I got conscious of my body, Vacation is enjoying yourself and not worry about what other people will say to you. So I am taking my moms advice and just enjoy our vacation.

KAITLYN IN RED

Let me start off my saying the Princess Bruiser is enjoying all the attention she is getting here in the Philippines. She had that instant bond with her mama 2 (my sister) and looks for her when she is not around and screams in delight when she sees her. In the photo she has on a cut out piece of my mom's red curtain. It was like love at first sight when she saw that piece of cloth. She puts in on her head, wears it like a bandana , like a scarf, wraps it around herself and she does everything with it. The are all smitten by her sweetness and her beauty. They still can't believe she has such a small face and she looks so tine. Pictures can be very deceiving but they all said she is beautiful. Kaitlyn got shy at first with my mom but eventually warmed up to her. I am sure she is going to miss everybody when we go back home. Next time, we will make sure to stay more than a month.

CLEAN AND MOISTURIZED

Winter weather brings out the worst of my skin. My skin gets so dry and I get cuts specially on my hands from lack of moisture. It is also my fault for not using lotion every single time I wash my hands of get out of the shower. I feel sorry for my face with the dryness in the face that I feel like if I smile my face would crack into small pieces, lol. This coming Winter I will make certain about getting a moisturizer that is not that expensive but works great. A moisturizer like prevera is suppose to be the best out in the market and does wonders to your skin. I have to really take care of my skin since I am not getting any younger. I know that if I take care of my skin and keep it clean and moisturized I know I'll be alright.

KAITLYN AND THE DS

It was all so quiet while I was cleaning in the kitchen so I sneaked to take a peek in the play room and these is what greeted me. Princess bruiser in all her glory sitting on her pink bean bag. What is that she has in her hand you may ask, it's her sisters DS. She actually knows how to play some of the games. Super Mario is her favorite and she just sits there playing or play the mini games. The whack a mole mini game is her favorite and she does get a few moles. I'm kind of glade she know how to play that DS and it keep her occupied so that on our trip to the Philippines she can play with it if she gets bored coloring. She is so precious and growing up so fast. I swear, she thinks she is 5 years old. Soon enough she will turn 3 this coming October. Time to give her a baby brother or a sister perhaps?

FUTURE CHEF

Have I told you guys that my sister is enrolled is culinary school? Yup, she started last week and got to meet her first instructor a Moroccan chef. My sister is super excited about having this chance to finally go to school for something she really loves doing. Before she got into culinary school she worked for my aunt's little pizzeria place that had a location inside the bus terminal. That pizzeria seemed to be the best franchise to own with people clamoring for bigger and affordable pizza. Working there was great for her it polished her people's skill which she is already great at. Unfortunately she had to quit the job due to long hours and health reasons. If my sister keeps up with the demands of culinary school she will be successful in it and maybe become a sought after chef.

TO GROW VEGGIES OR NOT

It's crazy hot hot hot today. The vegetable plants are probably loving the sun shinning on them. Our neighbors little garden is flourishing and will be bearing some veggies very soon. To bad we may not be here to enjoy the veggies his giving to us when its ready. Angelo also has a garden full of veggies, I told him that we are planning on making our little patch of garden veggies next year. He said that next year he wants a bigger patch of land to plant. He might want to think about getting a garden windmills. Hopefully next year I will try my best to do that project and grow my own vegetable. I may even bring back some seeds from the Philippines like lemonsito, if I can do that. As long as Ralph will do the tilling and will get rid of any worms I see while I'm doing the planting I will do it.