Ang LakWatSeRa

written: September 18, 2007

Yeah ! I won. Who would know that just spending 5 mins answering a survey would hand me 4 tickets to Sesame Street Live. A show that my good Aldwin likes so much. He loves Elmo. And since my hubby’s not here in US, we’ll see the show with tita Bambie and her princess, Lara.

The show was the typical one that we always see in tv, with abcs and 123s, and singing and dancing with the songs. But my kuya Aldwin enjoyed that and so do I. Even my newborn, Anthony, didn’t give us any hassle. That night was fun… and the funniest of it all, it was….FREE.

written: November 7, 2006 at Yahoo 360

  My unico hijo knows how to be alone now and play pretend. Wala kasi s’yang ibang kalaro. It’s just mum & Aldwin or dada & Aldwin. But I can say that, it’s part of growing up and being independent. Everyone should have the time alone and do their own thing, like searching for one’s self and reuniting the senses. Hey! Aldwin’s still young for that.

   Anyway, last weekend we brought him to EdVenture, a Children’s Museum in Columbia, SC, and my son had so much fun. He kept on going and going and…going. Kami ni Lito ang napagod. But it was enjoyable, Aldwin’s happiness couldn’t be compared to our tiredness. There’s a bunch of things to discover there and children can learn things by doing and pretending.

written: September 18, 2007 at Yahoo 360

  A very warm thanks to our friends who gave us the surprised party. All of you made us feel loved and important. We’ll never forget you all. And your gift, Contour Dual Stroller,is a very big help for me. I can stroll with my boys with ease and comfort.

MARAMING SALAMAT.

written: December 18, 2006 at Yahoo 360

I just found out this morning that I’m preggy.

I have a feeling that I’ll bear a child again. I felt a little restless, my tummy’s somewhat bigger and I’m kinda irritated to my hubby (always). That’s why I did a PT this morning and it’s positive. I just wish that everything with me and my lil one would turn out well. I hope it’s a girl, if not, no problem. Soon, my Aldwin will be a big bro and he’ll have a playmate. Things will never be the same again.

I’m overwhelmed with happiness. At least, our plan to have a baby before we go back to Philippines came true. This is a great gift and a blessing to me and my family.

written: November 27, 2006 at Yahoo 360

   Last Thanksgiving day was a good one for us, we went to Jacksonville with the Tijing family. I thought we would celebrate with our friends in Charlotte. I never knew Lito already had a plan. That’s why we missed our friends in Charlotte especially Ninna’s birthday celebration. Anyway, we had a nice thanksgiving celebration with the Tijing family’s relatives and friends, who are now our friends also. They are so warm and loving. And they cook really well, I gained some pounds!

   Shopping for sale items after thanksgiving was what we all anticipating, that’s why we had a short sleep. I just got frustated because I didn’t got a good buy. What I enjoyed was the yard sale. We need a lot of stuff for our townhome so we dig the yard sale. Stuff there maybe used but still good and cheap. It’s fine for us to own second-hand furniture and home basics. We’ll buy new things when we got lucky to have our own house.

   After the bargain hunting, Ate Tonette and Kuya Louise hosted a surprise massage birthday party for Lito with our new friends. We had a great time, not only coz of the food and gifts. The massage was so relaxing which our tired bodies need for so long. Lito had a blast!

   We are fortunate to see the annual boat parade and fireworks display. It was great. Actually it was the second best fireworks that I ever seen. Disney’s the first. The twinkling lights from the huge christmas tree made me miss my family back home. This will be my second christmas without them. Hmmmm! Holidays are nearby. I should start decorating our small house and wrap gifts. GASTOS is coming and so as the holiday season begins.

written: October 16, 2006 at Yahoo 360

   Today’s our anniversary but we celebrated the whole weekend. In fact, we started celebrating last wednesday. We grabbed the chance while Lito’s work slowed down. We started the celebration by visiting the historic church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in La Fayette. It was kind of our renewal of our marrige and looking forward for the our brand new year together and as a family. The next stop, Children’s Museum of Acadiana which made my lil one very happy. He had his own world there. He’s starting to play make-believe and the museum is very hands on. He had a lot of fun. As a proof, check out his photos at my album.

   Last friday, we brought Aldwin at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. It’s known for the unique exhibits like the white bengal tiger and white alligator, “pearl of the swamp”. They are surely unique.The zoo has a lot of animal exhibits, tram ride, carousel and play area.

   And then came saturday, we drove early to Houston to see the Space Center. My hubby’s a frustrated astronaut. Pagbigyan na. ‘Coz a week ago, we went to US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He really enjoyed there that’s why part of our plan was to see the mission control center. It was nice and interesting. They have a tram ride and the exhibits are different from Huntsville. After that tiring and enjoyable experience, we had dinner at Kemah Boardwalk. Bands were playing and kids were trick or treating there. How I wish I brought Aldwin’s costume, lil Darth Vader. We had a scrumptous meal.

   The following day, Sunday, we attended mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Galveston Is. We didn’t know that it only has spanish masses. We still stayed, prayed and observed others. Ganun din yun.We had a rainy sunday but it didn’t stop us from continuing our journey to Moody Gardens. It was so lovely, with 3 pyramids inside the resort. Aquarium Pyramid, Discovery Pyramid and Rainforest Pyramid are the pride of Moody Gardens. We had fun but I can’t tell anymore. It’ll just break my heart. I carelessly deleted all of our memorable pictures there. I didn’t know how and why it happened. I feel so bad.

   All in all, we had a great celebration and I pray that more blessings would come our way.

   Another year has gone by for me. I’m a year older and… wiser. I hope this year would also be a good one for me like the last one. I wish that more opportunities would come my way and sana makapagwork na ko. To my families (Keyser & Caluag), relatives and friends who remembered my birthday and sent me their greetings, testimonials, wishes and gifts, THANK YOU very, very much. I had a great day and I couldn’t ask for more.

My bday in DC

  The 65 acre gardens of Bellingrath Gardens and Home boast a bloom every day of the year. With the self-guided walking tour,you will envy the 2004 Top Public Rose Garden in US, as awarded by the All American Rose Selections. There are many themed gardens and my favorite of them all is the Mirror Lake Garden which is so alluring and romantic. They have hanging flowers all over the bridge which will make you feel like a princess as you walk by.  I didn’t got the chance to step inside the Bellingrath Home but from what they said, it has a great collection of antique furnitures, silver, china, crystal and cut glass. Visitors can also enjoy the surrounding estates and wildlife by the Southern Belle Cruises.

   At this time of the year, the Bellingrath will host a Magic Christmas in Lights. The entire land will transform into a winter wonderland with giant swan lakes, charming toy soldiers and millions of twinkling holiday lights. Everyone is welcome.

 Wall of flowers                                                   The fountain

   Beautiful arrangements

  The front view of Bellingrath House

The Grotto

A royalty-feel bridge, my favorite

Swan-decorated Mirror Lake

   A special thanks to my travel buddies daddy and Aldwin who made this trip aspiring and memorable. I don’t care about the long distance drive or the oil/gas hike but this place is great to visit and deserves a second one. I hope to be back there again next season.

Inside DeSoto Caverns is a Great Onyx Cathedral Room and variation of black and white formations, which will truly exercise your imagination. The room is larger than a football field and as high as a twelve-story building. The guide offers an hour-long tour of the history and information of the development of the formations. A colorful sound, light and water show is also included in the tour.

   The Caverns , which is located at Childersburg, Alabama, also cater camp grounds with free WIFI and over 25 fun attractions for everyone. Just come and explore this underground treasure and have your own story to tell.:)

 No touch for the formations, Buddah formation and lil Aldwin with daddy enjoying the view

 Pick your own gems, family pic inside the well-lit cave

 It’s cold inside there.

 Kiddie ride for my tot

   For the past several months of our stay here in Louisiana, I learned to love this state. It’s not because I have no choice. Bayou state is simply lovely, gifted of nature’s wonders and the locals are warm and welcoming…though some may be intimidating. Takot kasi ako sa mga lalaking itim na may malaking katawan at malalim na boses. Anyway, it’s my problem, not theirs.

   Before, I was hesitant to live here but I concluded that my first impressions were definitely wrong and blinded because of Katrina. Here’s my list why I love Louisiana.

1. Cajun food is full of flavor. Very tasty. Lito always shouts for more. More gumbo and etoufee!
2. Festive mood of Cajun music
3. Laid-back, easy living. There’s no need to worry about how you look. Never overdress. Baka mahold-up ka pa! Joke only!
4. White tigers and white alligator in Audubon Zoo are unique.
5. Natural landscape of the state. It’s bayous, swamps, rivers and large area of undisturbed wildlife can be unsettling but magnificent.
6. Lots of historical places
7. Mysteries and intrigues of voodoo and Myrtle Plantation, which is the Most Haunted Plantation
8. Favorite location shooting for movies, like The Guardian, shot in Shreveport and All The King’s Men, shot in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
9. Competitive training for health workers. They recently launched telemedicine technology which is used to deliver “real-time” internet for instruction, counseling, education and research.
10. Unimproved telecommunications. That’s why we’re here.
11. Britney Spears was raised here. Kentwood Community Museum included her mementos in their exhibit. Akalain nyo?!

   If only it has pinoy stores, more pinoy kapuso, not too high sales tax ( 9.+%, over! ) and extended work for my hubby and his colleagues, my family would like to stay some more…but definitely not for good.:

Lafayette Children’s Play and Learn, Jackson Square

Atchafalaya swamp

Boat tour at the Missisippi River

Colorful-lighted bridge at Shreveport-Bossier City

Downtown New Orleans, The Dome and my and Aldwin’s favorite place to visit, the Aquarium