It was only last month when I wrote about my dream to fly to Philippines again for Christmas to be with the whole family for the celebration. And guess what? We’re flying tomorrow already! Well, just me and little C coz M has an important business trip to another part of the world to take care of. He’ll follow next month, hopefully if the travel agent can find him an available flight.
M and I originally didn’t plan to fly back to Philippines this soon since we’ve recently gone home last March and spent two months there, but upon learning that all my siblings will spend Christmas at our hometown, we considered going home again. M had to ask for leave before we could decide on our trip. And then we later on found out that little C’s passport was expiring this December and my permanent residence permit has to be renewed. After all the travel documents have been complied it was then that we gave our preferred dates of departure to the travel agent.
This time we’re taking a different route. Our carrier is Korean Air which will fly from Prague to Seoul and from Seoul to Cebu. We’ll stay a day in Cebu before proceeding to Bacolod. I’m quite excited about landing in Cebu. hehehe I’ll get to meet family and friends there whom I haven’t had the chance to see on my trip last time. little C’s cousins are excited to see her as well.
So Cebu, Philippines, here we come!
Related posts:
almost ready to travel
dreaming of holiday in the philippines
destination: philippines
Little C was overjoyed to see her dad again. As soon as she saw him, she ran and hugged his legs. Haha The whole day, little C sticked to him like a glue. I think she’s afraid he’ll leave again.
We took her for a lunch out coz it was sunny (yeah! sun always plays a major role in our decisions for outdoor activities in this part of the world!). There were many kids in the pizzeria we went to, so little C enjoyed watching them play. She also had her own time walking and picking the flowers. Unfortunately she didn’t like the pancakes we ordered for her but preferred to share with our pizza instead.
Pancakes with fruit fillings.
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, we spent it sleeping and at night, we went to shop for groceries. What’s important is that the family is together again! 
And this little girl is more than happy!
This year will be my third to celebrate Christmas in Prague (that’s what I thought). But it might change. Weeee..
Yesterday I sent an email to our family yahoogroup asking everyone’s plan for December. I know my sister in Finland is going home for the Christmas break, but how about the rest? I wanted to know.
Soon their replies came; Asia and Europe responded. I found out all my siblings and their family will be in our hometown on Christmas and even New Year except US! Whaatttt?
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While rummaging on our drawers the other night looking for my postcard collection, I saw a sealed paper bag lying amidst the pile of folders. Who owns it? I opened the bag and saw familiar pieces of souvenirs - souvenirs which were bought when we went to Cesky Krumlov. My mom forgot this while packing up in haste the night before their departure for Philippines. With the numerous souvenirs she collected from her Europe trip, it’s no surprise that she overlooked these:
You still want these mom? =)
What can I say? Being a parent is the toughest and most challenging job especially if I want my child to be the “ideal” one. It’s more than just changing diapers, feeding and bathing her, playing with her… This for me is the hardest part - disciplining her. At age one, it’s hard to make her understand the difference between wrong and right, what’s acceptable and what’s not. So what’s a mom gotta do? Set a good example! Be a good role model. (Hmmmm aren’t they just the same? LOL!) What else? Hopefully when I’m done reading the book, I’ll learn more.
We sent off the last of our turista (my sister) who came here for summer to the airport this morning. Waaaaa! Thank God we said a hurried goodbye coz she only had 15 minutes left to run to the boarding area. I don’t like long goodbye’s actually coz I might get emotional and cry, so that was okay.
Waaaaaa!
Anyway, as we were driving home, M asked me “so, what shall we do now?” I told him I’d rather stay at home. Even if Accuweather forecasted today’s weather to be sunny and nice, I didn’t want go out. Being constantly on the move for the last 5 months, our things needed to be arranged and put back in place. There are a lot of things to do! Or I might sleep. That’s what I thought. BUT half of the day has already passed and I still didn’t do any of those. I’m feeling lazy and already missing my sistah! Waaaaa! Who knows what I’ll think next, I might scour the net for some cheap air tickets to Asia for December to be with the family again or browse on New York City Tours for the next summer.
I dread facing next week when it’s just me and little C left at home when M goes to work. I’m sure the little tyke will notice someone is missing here. Waaaaa!
The birthday girl.
Yesterday was little C’s first birthday. We’re overjoyed as to how this baby turned out to be. She’s such an amusing little girl! She’s very playful lately and teases us a lot. She’d also melt our hearts with her abundant smiles and giggles. Many times I had to bite my own tongue instead of her. Weeeeee!
The pretty bouquet from Marielle.
Anyway I was surprised to receive a bouquet of mixed flowers from a friend. It wasn’t my birthday but I got a present from her! She said it’s a gift for surviving my first year as a mom.
I’ve got plenty to say about how I survived the ordeal in a foreign land but my mind is pretty much drained right now to form my thoughts in a comprehendable fashion. All I can say is, compared to other mother’s experience, thank God little C had no serious health-related problems or accidents that could have worried me to death.
To end this post, let me send out my BIG thanks to ALL – our family and friends who have helped me get through the first year most especially to M, for being such a good dad and husband. We made it! Cheers!
I’ve been meaning to write about our thrilling and dramatic trip back to Praha but as always here I am with the same excuse, I’ve been BUSY! Okay, we left Manila on May 17 on board KLM in the morning via Amsterdam. WE were expected to arrive that evening in Praha. WE would be my dad, my mom, little C and myself. Yep, I brought my parents back with me to Europe!
Anyway our flight was delayed so we arrived in Amsterdam 30 minutes after our plane to Praha left. Waaaa! Unfortunately, it was the last flight to Praha for the day. There was no other choice for us but to stay in Amsterdam for the night courtesy of KLM. We were billeted in Van Der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4 Amsterdam, the sanctuary of airline passengers who had missed or cancelled flights! We met some Filipinos who were also on the same flight as we had from Manila to Amsterdam. We arrived in the hotel only a few minutes before they closed their restaurant. Dinner was buffet style but I was very tired to even enjoy the food.
Van Der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4 Amsterdam
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Geeee! It’s my first mother’s day! It feels good to be part of this prestigious club hehehe. It’s the most tiring and demanding work, but also the most rewarding.
Anyway, I’d like to greet all the moms out there especially my mom and maminka. Happy mother’s day to you!
My two moms and my baby:
my dearest mom and little C
maminka and little C
Not all parents are capable of taking care of their kids personally. Sometimes both mom and dad have to work hard to provide for the needs of the family. Leaving their kids in the care of a nanny is their only choice.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but with many cruel and bad nannies around (they got caught with nanny cameras!), parents should be vigilant and careful in choosing the person who’ll take care of their kids while they’re away.
Need a nanny? Got some tips for you before you hire one.
Check out the records of the nanny you’re hiring. Does she have a good record as a nanny? How long has she been working as one?
Hire only from reputable agencies. They screen the nannies before sending them out to work.
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