The city is extra colorful and bright this time of year because of all the Christmas lights and decor. Of course it can also really be frustrating to be out because of the Christmas rush and traffic jams. But last Saturday, Kayo, the kids and I found ourselves walking the streets (and underpasses) of Makati. We really only ventured out to try to get some gift shopping done. But because we got stuck in the car longer than expected, we decided to relax first and simply enjoy each others company. We dropped by The Curator in Legazpi Village for a much needed coffee break and as Read More
Weekend Snapshots: Morning Swim, Art in the Park & Late Night Soft Serve
Aside from doing crafts, decorating the house for the season and work, Kayo, the kids and I did a number of other fun things last weekend. Let me begin with our latest sweet obsession – soft serve ice cream at Family Mart! This new convenience store has started popping up here and there around the city and when Kayo discovered their "Twirl-all-you-can" ice cream for only P25, he just had to let me try! He took me and the kids on Saturday night and impressed me with his soft serve twirling skills! It's super cheap but was such a good treat. On Sunday morning, Kayo decided to do some Read More
Weekend Snapshots: Just Around The Neighborhood
Kayo, the kids and I did a number of things the last weekend that weren't originally part of our plans. We had to skip or cancel some events we had scheduled due to the unpredictable weather and some family members getting sick. But aside from the unfortunate turn of events, we still had a pretty good weekend. We got to spend time together as a family, as well as meet people and make new friends. The Neighborhood: A Pop-Up Flea Market Power Plant Mall and Manila Pop Up put together a one-day only, fashion, food, music and art market at the Rockwell Tent. We only really found out about it Read More
Weekend Snapshots: Simple Joys
It doesn't take much to make Summer and Emma happy. Crumpled paper, bubbles, bath time, watching the birds playing outside our bedroom window, a bowlful of cereal make them giggle with glee. When I see them that way, I hope for the same sense of wonder. I want to be able to laugh and take delight in the simplest of things all the time. I'm grateful because my girls remind me and show me how. When the bills pile up and the amount of chores seem endless, stopping to smell the roses does not come naturally. But once I hear Summer and Emma playing and laughing together, everything else becomes a Read More
Weekend Snapshots: Oh Happy Day!
I had a really good Saturday. After having a series of stressful days and long sleepless nights, I was so thankful to finally get a break from the tireless routine and simply enjoy. In the morning, while Kayo and Summer slept in, Emma and I woke up relatively early and had breakfast together. While I was having a cup of coffee and Emma was nibbling on some bread, I took that time to finish an artwork I started making the night before. Turns out, it was a foretelling of how the rest of the day was going to be! Our fun family adventure began in the afternoon when Kayo took me and the Read More
More Weekend Snapshots: Filipino, Mexican & Argentinian Adventures
1. Last Friday, Kayo, his sister Martine and I watched a Filipino musical entitled Lorenzo, which was about the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the patron saint of OFWs. It's been a while since the last time I watched a theatre performance so this was a real treat for me. The music, the voices, the old fashioned Filipino dialogue, even the set design and costumes were fantastic. Kayo and I were very impressed by the performance of OJ Mariano who plays Laurence, a condemned Filipino OFW in the Middle East who, while awaiting his execution in prison, plots out a theatre production about the life of Read More
Weekend Snapshots: Coffee and Crepes
Yesterday afternoon, while rain gently poured outdoors, our family, together with Kayo's Mom, sister and nephew, Vito, dropped by the Le Creperie to satisfy our sweet cravings. Everything about the place was charming and delightful. It was cozy, clean and filled with many interesting decor pieces that instantly sets you up for a memorable dining experience. The crepes were delectable! I had the house favourite, Salidou (Salted Butter Caramel) and shared a frozen hot chocolate with Kayo, which we thoroughly enjoyed. It was a perfectly comforting meal on a cool, rainy afternoon. Afterwards, I Read More
Weekend Snapshots #5: Pops of Color
I had another tough and stressful week last week — getting chores done, nursing a baby round the clock while chasing around a very active and curious toddler who almost always leaves a trail of food or juice or something sticky behind her, plus having to deal with some unexpected and hassling occurrences at work and in the house. It’s also the middle of the summer season in this part of the globe so the intense heat has been no help. So one can say I am ecstatic to have had a pleasant weekend. While many of my friends went island hopping (Thanks for the pasalubong!) and others spent it Read More