catch-up weekend

The past weekend was spent with friends. Saturday night dinner at Nando’s to catch up with Tin & fam and Roselle & fam. E had tons of fun playing with Ate RD, CN and A, and kept running around the restaurant. Sunday afternoon was spent catching up with Ness & Joel and their baby J. It was a fun afternoon that included a birthday pavlova for me and E.

It was a good weekend indeed!

blue mountains

Last boxing day, we decided to go to scenic world in blue mountains. We purchased a scenic pass that includes a return skyway and return valley (either via cableway or railway). The view was fantastic and we’re sure to go back again sometime maybe for a little hike.

canberra weekend pt2

The following day was reserved for Questacon and it didn’t disappoint. E had tons of fun and didn’t want to leave. On the drive back to Sydney as expected E slept like a log.

christmas at bondi

On Christmas Day we decided to go to Bondi Beach and as expected it was packed. We didn’t really get to explore the area, save that for the next trip. And yes, E spent the whole afternoon playing on the sand, digging a hole for a mini-pool.

checkmate

E playing with be-chiak .. well more of clowning around haha!

christmas lights

A day before Gar (who’s on assignment in Melbourne) arrived to spend the chrissy holidays with us, I saw on tv a feature on some streets in Sydney that do a yearly christmas lights decor. So I looked up the streets to check if there was one nearby. After picking him up from the airport, we spent the afternoon at wentworth common at the olympic park and after dinner along with the Bauis off we went to Ashbury to check out the houses. We were all excited to see the houses (the ones they showed on tv were really nicely decorated, I just didn’t catch which area it was), according to the website there were four streets that participates in the yearly tradition. When we got there, the first street that we went to had only 1 house that put on christmas lights, as it turns out it was only the second street that most of the houses decorated. One particular house had all the people stopping and spending at least a few minutes (see the pic of gar below). I’m guessing that this was the house that started it all on that street, I read that they have been doing this for 18yrs. We only managed to get a few photos, we weren’t really ready for night shots haha!

turning a year older

I am thankful.

For the blessings – that come and continue to come.

For the little bumps – for they make me grow wiser (hopefully!), learn and appreciate what I have more.

For my family – for loving me in spite of all my shortcomings. hehe. miss ko kayo!

For my extended family – for being there for the three of us.

For old friends – for making the effort despite the distance.

For new friends – for making our life here a bit easier.

For Ichi and E!

2008 has been more of a transition year for us, I wish that this year we will get our groove back. Here’s to exploring more of Oz this year.

Happy birthday to me!!

canberra weekend pt1

A couple weeks ago we drove to Canberra for the weekend at the invitation of the Molinas. They had planned an early Christmas get-together with their friends there and invited us. As we had been wanting to go for a while now, we didn’t pass up on the invite. Before we went to their home we visited the Australian War Memorial. E had a great time looking at the various items on display. After picking up some food, off we went to the Molinas. It was a fun christmas get together, complete with great company, good food, nice gifts and plenty of laughter.

Driving to Canberra	Car seat fun
Happy passenger
Australian War Memorial
requisite peace sign pose
liking the diorama
party at the molinas
putting to use tita carlene’s christmas gift
gift giving
games
kids turn

With all the pics that we’re accumulating, its a good thing we have external hard drives for storage.

merry christmas!!

Credit: 2007 Holiday Card Collection by Shabby Princess.  Photo by Tin.

ichi’s xmas gift

I was thinking for the longest time what to get Ichi for Christmas, was initially wanting to purchase a dslr lens for him but those don’t go cheap and even with the discounts it was still way out of my budget. But I was still determined to get him an accessory for his camera. So this is what I got him, it fit my budget (what little it was from my blogging money) – The Puffer, a pop-up flash diffuser. I ordered it online from one of the local distributors here and got it the day before we went to Canberra to visit friends. Just in time to test it out. I had to make him open his present as soon as he got home from work.

Images from Gary Fong.

Oh and this I like haha! Flash diffuser for point and shoot cams. Size 4 for me please!

Image from Gary Fong.

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Speaking of Christmas, I’m sure our families in Manila are busy preparing for Christmas eve dinners and pre-Christmas gatherings with friends. Hopefully they’re still mindful of their diets so that they won’t have to look into fenphedra or the likes to slim down after the holiday season.