Green

One of the beauty of living close to nature is, it brings a feeling of comfort, peace and freshness. Couple green with blue and there...almost paradise.

The word green comes from the Old English word grēne, or, in its older form, grœni. This adjective is closely related to the Old English verb grōwan (“to grow, turn green”), which in its wonted usage referred primarily to plants.

I grew up in the province surrounded by luscious greens, blue sky and fresh air. Where fruits can be picked directly from the trees abundant in the yard. Where plants and flowers grow effortlessly under the basking glory of the sun.

I miss the greens especially because where we are at this time of the year, we mostly see gray. So here's a look at last summer vacation's green adventures.

Photos taken during the prenuptial shoot of my older brother and his ex-girlfriend -- now wife in Tagaytay; a few minutes from home...Tagaytay has a different and more beautiful landscape but still there's that familiar warmth that home gives, where I would always run to, a place I welcome with an ardent embrace.

Older bro (kuya) with my daughter on his shoulder and my older son tagging along.

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Kayumanggi/Brown

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(guhit ng aking apat na taong gulang na anak)

Isang araw nang aking sinundo si bunso sa Kindergarten ay ipinakita sa akin ng Pedagogue ang larawang ito. "Ako iyan" (Das bin ich) ang ibig sabihin ng titulo. Ang sabi ng pedagogue ay natuwa sila ng iguhit ni bunso ang tila batang imahe dahil nilagyan daw niya ito partikular ng leeg. lol. Hindi daw lahat ng bata ay naiisip na lagyan ng leeg ang mga drawing na tao...Ang sabi naman sa akin ni bunso...."tingnan mo mommy, brown yan, kasi ako brown," habang tinataas ang kanyang manggas upang ipakita sa akin ang kulay ng kanyang balat.

Sa aking tatlong anak, si bunso ang may pinakamatingkad na kulay. Gayunpaman, siya din ang pansinin at kung minsan ay huli na kapag makikita ko ang mga tao na kinukurot siya sa pisngi o hinahawakan sa buhok kapag kami ay nasa labas...harhar! Happy LP!

Night out

It's winter, school still going on and we were doing what we're supposed to on lazy Saturdays at home. That would be any of the following: watching Miyazaki films, finishing a PS3 game, tickling each other to laughter, baking goodies and most of all: sleeping like logs.

Had we not scheduled a visit at a gallery, the day would have ended up with spaghetti and more sleep. So out we went, 5 train stations and 4 more plus a few minutes tram ride to the gallery. We chatted with the owner, a Filipina who has been in Vienna for 28 years now and who has made a name in the European art scene but has not done so unscathed. (I'd be posting more about this and the art display on my other blog.) 

We arrived around  3 but there were so many stories, many questions to answer that it was already dark when we parted (although it was nearly 5 pm only). Good! I can practice night photography (was what really in my thought bubble).

The kids expressed hunger not long after leaving the gallery. So Hubby decided we eat out. We went to the nearest fast food even if I insisted we travel the city center and use up one of my Groupon gift certificates. Well, I get his point, kids are the most impatient people in the world. ;) Not complaining though, I totally understand and despite, I love the kids just the same.

BK (Burger King) has a drive-thru branch so we went there. Not surprisingly, there weren't much people. I ordered long chicken but forgot to say I'd want it with cheese. On first bite I already realized that there's something missing so I looked and I instantly knew, it was the cheese gone that made the sandwich taste bland. At the counter, I asked for cheese slices and they were handed to me at 20cents each! :D

Hubby had a traditional charchoal-grilled burger while the kids munch on chicken nuggets (they had noodles later on at home).

Hubby joked that should there have been a Pinoy (Filipino) the cheese were given free, the fries already salted and the meat would be much tastier! lol.

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It's winter so it is but natural to dress up in layers. I got all three kids red jackets but little boy used a blue one as spare. My daughter matches hers with the red beanie I made.

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Enjoy!

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Certified Doglovers - Day 11 - Project 365

(My youngest son with a friend's dog.)

I grew up having a dog at home...mostly gifts from Dad's or Mom's friends which I would take care of as much as I could. (I was a normal student and kid back in those days hehe). I'd feed them, give them a bath and play around with them when I can. I still remember most of the dogs I had and my favorite would always be a bulldog I named Caster.

Don't be surprised that my kids have taken the same liking to dogs as I did. They know  a dog breed just by looking  which amazed most of the owners of those they identify. Like the one below...while on our way home my daughter bursted out "Mom, it's an Akita Inu!" The owner smiled and asked us if we were Japanese. :D I explained to him that my kids like learning about dogs and that they knew them from pictures and films. Since then he would let us stroke and play a bit with C (his dog) everytime we chance upon them by the playground. He even let me took a photo of C one  snowy day.

(An akita inu around our neighborhood that we often say hello to.)

Given the chance I'd get us a dog to take care of...it would be nice to have one that would grow old with us as the kids do. Their loyalty has long been tested, remember Hachiko?  I know  too that the kids would learn a lot about discipline having a dog around. Plus, walking dogs is a nice exercise for hubby and I. Living in an apartment is not an appropriate setup for a dog and 3 kids so might as well wait until we get a bigger place...for the meantime, we would just play with friends' dogs and our kois at home.

10 years and counting

(photo from Cupcakes by MommyVanj)

I was chatting with a friend one lovely afternoon when she suddenly blurted out, "Ang tagal nyo na..." (You've been together for so long.) I absent-mindedly ask "Who? H?" We both ended up laughing. "Why, is there somebody else?" was the reply and we had more laughs.

It has been more than 10 years that I've known hubby...we'd be celebrating our tenth year as husband and wife 6 months from now. In between almost 10 years we had our quarrels, some petty and some grave enough that I won't talk to him for 3 days.

I would share more about our life together on this blog but I have to go sleep now. I was actually looking for wedding anniversary presents for couples when I thought of writing this piece. I think the cupcakes above are wonderful ideas to give as personalized items. (If you're the one baking them.) Any ideas? I'll really appreciate your input. Thanks!

Biking Weekend

(Trying on a new dress I bought from the pre-teens section.)

I realized that my daughter has grown when I started buying clothes for pre-teens and not for little girls. :) Time really flies so fast and I thought I don't really want it to go by just like that. Thank goodness, hubby is in tune with this.

We went biking as a family for the first time, the little girl got on her old bike which seems too small now. Good thing I sill have my other bike around, hubby took it out from the cellar and she can ride it well now. Same thing goes for the bigger boy, so we need to upgrade him to dawty's bike now. ;) Our youngest has yet to ride with daddy as he can't go on for long runs, he actually fell asleep.

(Dawty on the small bike, son on even smaller bike.)

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We didn't plan on going anywhere so we just followed the road less travelled...I mean the bike lanes. The city is very friendly for bikers, providing paths for easy travel. We travelled a route that usually takes 15 minutes with a tram and so it was a bit too much for me :D . Muscle pull perhaps but I did jog a bit before we left, but the pain was too much I wasn't able to walk the next day. We ended up at the Waßserpark and saw that lots of flowers has been blooming, there were also kids at the playground, families on picnic, old people/couple out on a walk and ducks at the lake. This is after all adjacent to the Danube...I so wanted to come back and take my camera with me to get some serious photos. (Photos taken with an iphone camera, sorry about that).

(Daffodils in full bloom, Ume/plum blossoms in bloom and dawty watching ducks from afar.)

Next weekend would be a better time, the plants would surely have their leaves then. Have a nice week!

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A (first) post for:

A come back post for:

Schoolday - Weekend Memoirs

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Many weekends or weekdays ago, we used to make those floors shiny, tidy up the chairs, clean the blackboard, raise our hands to answer the teacher's questions, neatly make artworks and see to it the we are at the top of the class...only later on to realize that ability matters more than school grades...well not entirely hehe. Point is, we took our schooling seriously and disciplined ourselves well thus making our parents proud. ;-)

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It's my little boy's turn to shine. A class of 22 kids, fewer boys perhaps (as usual), he could be the most talkative there...though not the one to be best in speaking German, I guess...I had to explain to the director and the teacher that German only comes after Tagalog and English, we barely speak the language at home.

On the first day of school, he told me that his classmates say he is brown, well he is hehe because he spent almost a month everyday going in and out of the pool and the sea---he's actually yellow lol. (not hepa, chinese are actually from the yellow race hihi).

Dad put on his hairgel that day...and I did prepare his Schultüte (school cone) for him, filled it with school stuff and sweets. Last year, my daughter's cone was bigger and I thought it's too heavy for my son, who is only 118 cms (too small for grade 1!) so I bought him this smaller one, no complains naman...

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Singapore - Weekend Snapshot

The Singapore Flyer, drive by shot.

Dr. Jose Rizal once said  "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinaggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan." (He who does not look back at where he came from will not reach his destination.) Reason why I thought it important that my kids learn about their paternal grandfather's (and aunts) as well as their dad's second home, Singapore. It was also to somehow help me and my mom feel better about the loss of my dad. We did enjoy our trip then though I forgot to take a photo of sis in law. :D

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Outside Vivo City, biggest (or one of) shopping malls in Singapore.

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By Images of Singapore near the Sky Tower, Sentosa.

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Butterfly Park....actually where the birds are.

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Looking at cable cars.

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Merlion at Night.

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Fashionista at work

Going home to the Philippines isn't complete without a day spent on a shopping spree....of course with my bestest friend.  But because she works and I don't our choices for clothing were pretty much different. However, there were also stuff that we agreed on, thank goodness office clothing/suits need not be as how it used to. Nowadays, fashionistas at work are not talked about behind the back but are more accepted if not asked upon by co-workers as to where they can buy rare if not  modest clothing for women. My friend and I had big bags of loot that day but it does seem not enough. Glad there are online shops that sells gorgeous dresses and skirt or office wear (just in case I would need some in the future). Tabeez.com is one of the recommended stops for those who love to dress up, ocassionally, casually or just at the office. Visit and see their great gallery of women's clothing at the best prices offered.

Disney World Tickets

For families who love to travel, the beach or anywhere water fun is available would be the first choice for summer or fun rides and fantasy parks, read: Disneyland. Aside from our neighboring countries surrounded by water, Orlando (Florida) is one of the best spots that vacationer's deem worthy of their money especially with packages tailored for individual or group needs. The child in each of us would surely come out when visiting theme parks as Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Sea World or Universal Studios. How about Disney Waterparks such as the Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach?

Budget alloted for an Orlando vacation might not be too easy though. Considering the high cost of travel (whether land or air) plus the cost of accommodation, meals and tickets with the number of persons included (for us, 2 adults and 3 kids) means $$$$$!

Nowadays though, package vacation deals are the trend. When we went to Disneyland Paris, we got plane fare, hotel accommodation and meals plus Disneyland tickets for a reasonably-priced package, all booked by our agent. Saved us bucks and time of looking around for each as the agent gave us a good deal, everything included.

Buying an Orlando vacation package is the same. Agents selling Orlando vacation packages get discounted rates from theme parks directly and shares this with their customers. Surely there are other ticket sellers around Orlando, but which one provides the best? Having over 50 years of management experience in the theme park industry, Orlandofuntickets.com takes pride in having reliability and convenience with their service. Orlando vacation packages will present you with lots of options for theme park tickets but it's up to you to choose what you like for your vacation.

Let the guys over at Orlandofuntickets handle your booking and needs, vacation fun starts from getting the best deal anyway without the hassle. Get your vacation package in the Sunshine State now, visit Orlandofuntickets.com and seal the best deals including your Disney World Tickets!

Random - Weekend Snapshot

This sky shot was taken sometime in the middle of the week. Friday and Saturday were rainy days so there wasn't much to do but stay home. Hubby played a lot that time...Guitar Hero, and a couple more games (rainbow six I think and another one I didn't bother  to ask the title of, I just don't like games with too much blood).

The kids played Mario games in their room instead...since I do not allow them to watch too much bloodshed games...I on the other hand finished some opps (yes, trying to raise some funds hehe!).  Cooking most of the time but unfortunately not able to study for the exams. I finished school and now I need to take the test on Wednesday, good thing tomorrow and tuesday are holidays.

At home, I asked dawty to try on the strappy sandals I bought her last year, they were still big then but now they fit her perfectly. You can see this same pair on my other blog's header. We're having too much debates over shoes, dresses and socks. She likes wearing socks with whatever shoes she wears and its a mismatch of course! She even wear socks while sleeping and it does irk me because its too hot, she wouldn't even listen if I tell her that it will make her feet sweaty and smelly...sturkopf (stubborn) I would say! She's starting to dislike wearing dresses too and nicey shoes like that...

Meanwhile the little boy enjoyed playing with wooden puzzles, their Oma brought when she came. He was so ecstatic about these and about the cheese that the Oma brought too. Below photo was taken at breakfast, he was munchin on nothing but cheese and was so happy about it. If asked if he likes the cheese he would enthusiastically answer, "Hmmm yummy! Käse käse  käse!" while jumping.

So how's your weekend? Hope you enjoyed it too!

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Books - PhotoHunt

Some months ago, the theme for the City Daily photoblogs was "Books." I shared the kids' books there because our collection (hubby's and mine) are not here. :D Today, let me show you my little boy (3 yrs old) who loves browsing the dictionary. lol. Everytime I do my homeworks, he would be beside me shifting pages after pages while saying 'hausaufgabe' (homework) and would point on some words as if trying to read them. He is also fond of other picture books and tries to identify the colors and what is pictured there (mostly animals and insects). It is still some more years before he could read but I am glad that he has a fondness for books as I do.

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Thumbs up by the way to Johannes Gutenberg for inventing the first  printing press! We now have books to read.... :D

Libro, is the Spanish word for book and has also been more often used in the Philippines rather than the tagalog word 'aklat'. Here in Vienna, Libro is one of the biggest school, office supplies and bookstore. My daughter loves visiting Libro and I am biased too because her first magazine appearance was with them.

Happy weekend!

Painted (Repost) - Photo Hunt

(June 08)

Little boy painted his first work of art and I was so excited about it, I rolled up the painting the kindergarten tantes gave me and took it home. I showed hubby our youngest son's first attempt on Monet (hehe) but ended up forgetting to take a shot. Now I completely forgot to and thank them kindergarten tantes, they also have photos of the little boy doing his painting in action.

Its given, he likes playing with water a lot so painting for him is double the fun as he gets to play with colors too! And yes, my little boy is a left- handed as most famous artists were, the list goes from Albrecht Dürer, Paul Klee, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and more!

Here's a mom hoping for his little boy to follow their leads! =D

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Painting or drawing can get messy sometimes, especially for younger tots. Our walls at home would once in a while have markers on them, handprints and taped papers with scribbles. Messy as it may be, kids should not be stopped doing so. (I call them the Painted walls.)

Painting at an early age gives children the capability to recognize colors as they choose what colors to paint with. They see how combining the primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) create other colors.

Painting also becomes an outlet for kids to express their emotions that they can not easily speak out. Stroking, or simlply having to hold the brush practices their motoring skills...they learn how to do darker tones or paint lightly in the process.

Its good to have coloring books but blank papers give them more space for creativity. Who knows, your kid will someday join the ranks of Van Gogh or Monet when honed early. =)

Feuerameise

Sometimes on our way home, the kids would suddenly shout "Feuerameise" or fire ants, something they heard (and saw) from the movie Meet the Robinsons. I got curious about these insects so I looked up how they actually look. I am glad that they are different from what the kids thought to be fire ants because if they are then they could have been bitten! To think that fire ants are like bees in the sense that they release venom when stinging. I just hope that the kids won't meet a real fire ant on the way so that I won't need to apply what I read about treating fire ant bites. Fingers crossed! :)

Roofers

Following the home remodeling article sometime ago, let's look up roofers thie time. Having a home with a roof that is not durable or is of a mismatch to how your home is designed would be chaotic.

As with other jobs, roofing requires skills that is gained through learning and experience, we might not see it that way but it includes various areas like math, carpentry and construction.

How do you get the best roofer in town? Asking around is the old way, ask a family member if they know people in the roofing industry, surely they will point you to someone who had a roofing done job too. Using the phone book is another easy step or ask a local home supply center. Contractors will often leave business cards or ads posted there and roofers are of course included. The internet is another, gather roofer names online then do some comparisons.

But I'll give you the edge, the best Houston Roofing that offers the best solutions to roofing problems. They offer the most reasonable prices on the roofing industry, also establishing itself as the best in quality service with affordable service cost. They cater to residential and commercial builders offering various services including roof replacement, roof installation, roof maintenance and repair.

Walking - Photo Hunt

I found stock photos of the kids walking from my treasure box! Above, my older son when he was barely 2 years old walking up the grassy playground going to his sister. Below, youngest at the same age walking home.

Not contented with photos, and a photo would not really show that a baby is actually walking so a video would be better, just an addition. :)

(older son at 9 months and some more days)

(little boy at 9 months and 8 days)

Happy Photohunting!

Also, hubby and I did a lot of walking at the City of Bridges last year. Scroll down to see photos we took during that 4 or more hours of walking ;)

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Tulay/Bridge - Litratong Pinoy

Para sa tema ngayon "Tulay" - dalawin natin ang Siyudad ng mga Tulay. Tinawag ito sa ganito dahil sa mahigit 400 na tulay na nagduddugtong dugtong sa mga kalsada ng Venice.

Para sa mga litrato ngayon ay dalawa po ang potograpo, ako at si H, nagkamali lang ako ng lagay ng watermark, itong sa itaas ay kuha ko at ang nasa baba ay sa kanya.  Sa itaas ay makikita ang Starhotel Splendid Suisse na talaga namang naniningkad sa pagka-pink. Ang tulay na ito ay gawa sa kahoy, mangilan-ngilan lamang ang tulay na kahoy pero siguradong matibay din naman.

Nakakatuwang tuntunin ang mga kalsada sa Venice, sorpresa ang bawat makikita at sa dami ng tulay ay maaari kang maligaw sa sandaling magkamali ka ng isang liko. Ganun nga ang nangyari, naligaw kami bago kami nakarating sa Piazza San Marco. :D

Ito ang Rialto Bridge, ang pinakamalaking tulay na matatagpuan sa Venice. Ang tulay ay naguugnay sa magkabilang gilid ng Grand Canal. Dito din makikita ang pamilihan ng iba't ibang klaseng produkto.

Habang naghihintay kami ng mga gondolang makukuhan ng litrato ay kami muna ni H ang nagkuhanan hehe.

Sa 400 tulay sa Venice, malamang wala pa sa 50 ang nakuhanan namin pero hindi ko na ilalagay lahat, kulang sa espasyo :D. Sana ay nagustuhan nyo po ang aking lahok.

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Gondolas, waterways, one look and you know its Venice. A city in northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto, Venice relies on water for its transportation. The city is connected by more or less 400 bridges. No wonder Venice has been nicknamed 'The City of Bridges' and "The City of Waters' among others.

Venice is Europe's largest urban car free area, unique in Europe in remaining a sizable functioning city in the 21st century entirely without motorcars or trucks.

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Happy LP!

Click here for more photos of bridges!