Random Thoughts

Hey, this is a nice quote to start off this beautiful day...

Nice one, isn't it?

Makes me feel guilty because that's probably what I do the most these days. Oh yeah, I should stop comparing and focus on the blessings.

Stop comparing. Someone will always have more or less than you. There will always be someone who is better or worse at what you do. You can’t assess who you are or what you have based on others and if your focus is on what they have or do, you can never fully appreciate all of the extraordinary blessings in your own life. Even your past and future cannot be measuring sticks for your life today. Keep your eyes on your own paper.

Have a great day! (*wink*)

SOURCE.

Another new discovery that we will surely try again one of these days... Kimukatsu.

I'm so glad we tried Kimukatsu. The meat was so tender and so are the other katsu. They also serve unlimited rice, soup and cabbage.

Oh yes, we will definitely be back here again. And hopefully, SOON!

Happiness is...

1. Safe flight back home. Thank you God!
2. Dream travel destination ♥
3. Family
4. The kids' smiles and laughters (I missed them!)
5. Hubby
6. Coffee
7. Bonding time with the kids
8. "Me" time
9. Never ending blessings
10. God's Love

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Our first, but definitely not our last in try Momo Cafe.

The salad was so fresh and tasty. Pasta was good too. Pizza was a bit heavy but the kids loved it. As for the BBQ ribs, it was the best of everything we had for lunch.

Oh, not to mention the view at Ayala Triangle Gardens, it definitely made our day! ♥

A couple of months ago, we all know about typhoon Yolanda hitting our country. Since we also couldn't forego a birthday celebration, then we just availed the "Dine for a Cause" at Guevarra's.

I'm glad we were able to celebrate a family friend's birthday at the same time was able to help out to our fellow kababayans. Kudos to Guevarra's for this kind of project. ♥

Feel like dancing on this summer heat?

Let's Dance!

Love, love this song! Perfect for the summer!

Hello, Saturdaaaay!

And, its ubeeeeer hot, so I consider this "Gong Cha Kind of Day".

S.L.U.R.P.

It may be a very hot day today but with Gong Cha, I will be fine and I look forward to spending it with family. ♥

Aaaah, I will never forget this trip because it was my 23rd birthday. A trip with my parents to Disneyworld and EPCOT, Florida.

We all had a blast!



I hope that one day I will be able to bring my whole family back to Orlando. SOON.

For our last activity in Pico de Loro, we had a sumptuous lunch at the restaurant to celebrate our eldest's birthday.

Look at what we had for lunch...



These are all soooo good! ♥

Oh yes, the birthday girl had a blast! And was even surprised by the cake and a birthday song from the staff of Pico de Loro Cove.

Thanks guys!

When I saw this beautiful chapel with a view in Pico de Loro, I can't help but wonder, if ever Hubby and I get married again, this is the place to be.

Beautiful, isn't it?


Not to mention, it's huge too! Just look at the view as soon as you go out of it...


Breathtaking...

And with the sun shining on the other side, I just had to take this...



Yup, that's us! (*wink*)

The highlight of our trip to Pico de Loro aside from the beach? Swimming Pool!

The kids love this area apart from the beach. They just love to swim!


The view from the country club was breathtaking, but when you are in the pool, you would even enjoy it more.


Aaaaah, would love to go back here one of these days!

One of the places that we went first in Pico de Loro is the Country Club.

We were impressed, the moment we went inside. The structure is simply beautiful.


It's like we were welcome with so much love. (*grin*)


Hello, Pico de Loro!

Thank you God for another beautiful day. ♥

Have a nice Sunday, peeps! (*wink*)

Finally after having lunch at the condo, rested for a couple of minutes, it was time to go to the beach!

I heard good and not so good comments about the beach so I wasn't expecting that much. So, imagine my surprise when I saw the beach and the sand.

Wow! Not bad with a place that is just 3 hours away from the city.


We loved it!


This is a perfect way to start our 2014 summer. ♥

So this is going to be our home for the weekend - Pico de Loro in Hamilo Coast.

The kids are ecstatic, they saw the clubhouse and the swimming pools. They saw the beach. And the lobby of our "home".


I was surprised I wasn't able to take photos of our condo. Oh well, hopefully next time. (*wink*)

Welcome to Pico de Loro!

This is what greeted us as soon as we were at Hamilo Coast. By this time, the kids were already itching to go to the beach. We travelled for 3 hours on the road so they felt hot and sticky.

We went straight to our room, ate lunch then rested for a couple of minutes before we went to the clubhouse.


This is going to be a fun weekend!

We've been planning for this trip for months. It was supposed to be an all girls trip but since it's just a couple of hours away from home, we decided to bring along the rest of the family.

The view was spectacular. We knew that we arrived in Hamilo Coast. We can see the ocean!


And this is our drive on the way to the "paradise".


This is going to be another adventure! Watch out for more posts and photos soon! (*wink*)

For the busy Moms and Dads, here's another article I found very helpful. Read on.

5 Ways to Reduce Stress Now and For Good
by Leyla Shamayeva

Short-Term Stress Relievers

A good day can turn into a long and difficult one at any time. Luckily, the opposite is also true. A short-term pick-me-up can be enough to lift your spirit, clear your mind and revitalize you enough to tackle the rest of your to-do’s. Try:

- A change of scenery: Step away from a stress-inducing setting, whether it is at work or at home, and even if only for a few minutes. This time will offer a mental break and an opportunity to assess your situation and reframe it.

- You can change scenery after working for a set amount of time. Studies show that we are most efficient and least overwhelmed when we work in intervals, particularly 90-minute intervals, and then take a break. Use the break to take a walk, meditate, visit a co-worker and chat, or enjoy some stress-fighting foods. Another option is to vary your work settings when possible. Switch between relaxing places like a coffee shop, outside park, or comfortable library spot.

- A bout of exercise: What’s one healthy way to relieve stress? Exercise. Any sport can serve as an outlet for frustration and negative thoughts, particularly because of how exercise affects hormones. When a structured exercise program is not an option, a short walk is effective too. Another option is progressive muscle relaxation. All you need is a few minutes, some privacy, and a comfortable place (like your bed!). You can also take a fitness vacation to enjoy a change of scenery at the same time.

- A nap: The sleep and stress relationship can be a vicious cycle: too much work and anxiety contribute to lack of sleep, and lack of sleep contributes to even more stress and anxiety. Even when you think you don’t have time for a nap, a 20-minute power nap in the middle of the day is likely to work in your favor. You’ll wake up rejuvenated and ready to keep working.

Long-Term Stress Relievers

A spontaneous and difficult situation can’t always be prevented. As the saying goes, “stuff happens.” Long-term action plans can make the situation less overwhelming though. Try to:

- Establish healthy habits: This includes three crucial ones: a balanced diet, consistent exercise, and proper sleep. When a stressful situation arises, these can help you feel in control and prevent you from going completely over the edge. All three affect energy levels and how you feel about yourself, leaving you less stressed day-to-day. Start forming them with the choices you make.

- Stay Organized: Time management directly affects your stress levels, especially when it comes to taking on more responsibility. Try planning and other strategies to prioritize what needs to be done. Remember, when you stay organized and complete tasks in a timely manner, you have more time to unplug from work and de-stress later on.

For the rest of the article, click here.

Another beautiful song by 30 seconds to Mars.

Have a great Sunday, everyone! (*wink*)

Another unforgettable trip that Hubby and I took, our trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The butterfly sanctuary was small but pretty.


The crocodile farm was a must-see! From small to medium to huge crocodiles. Kids will enjoy this place.


The highlight? The Underground River. Definitely my favorite part of Puerto Princesa.

Wish we could go back again one of these days! ♥

It was our first to get invited to a Retro Pary.

We didn't know what to expect, but yes, we were definitely excited about it!



It was even more fun because our close friends were there too.


Thanks again for the invite, Dong and Marit! We all had fun! ♥

Happiness is...

1. Fun weekend with family
2. Dad is here!
3. Window shopping over the weekend
4. Good book
5. Long nap time
6. Exercise
7. Bonding with kids
8. Quick dinner at a Mexican - Filipino Restaurant
9. College friends
10. Coffeeee

To know how this started and credits of the header, click here.

Every month we meet with the whole family to celebrate a "family day" and one month last year, we had a boodle fight.

Everyone was so excited. We get to eat from the banana leaves with our hands. How cool is that?

So yes, let the boodle fight begin! (*wink*)

It was my birthday month and I needed a massage so I went to avail my voucher at Fifth Season Spa.

It was my first time to try so I didn't know what to expect.


The place was so small compared to all the other SPA places that I went to. But the place smells so good and very clean.


Cozy. That's how I describe the Fifth Season Spa.

We loved Uncle Cheffy specially their panizza when we went to a birthday party a couple of months ago. So when we were craving for it, we went straight to the mall.

Of course we were with the kids so we went for our favorites...

Pasta



It was indeed a MEAL. We were happy with all of our orders most especially the kids. We will surely go back again one of these days.