My earliest birthday celebration

with my co-parents, Lovely Santos & Wednesday Palanca

lunch at Shang Palace

almost 43

loving the Anne & Anna callado tops

Since my birthday is in 3 weeks already

My co-parents decided to treat me to a pre-birthday dim sum buffet at Shang Palace

They're good friends of mine who are quietly in my life and they're the ones I talk to about my children, their children, being a mom

Though we try to avoid talking about it all the time

Conversations just go back to our, yes, children!

As I get older

I become more discriminating with the people I spend time with

And also the kind of celebration that I want

Eversince I was 16, I have been honoured with friends giving me surprise parties

or throwing get togethers on my behalf

Last year was Lillian with their Assumption group and Maureen Soong with our painting group

I am really blessed to have such wonderful friends

This year, I still don't know if I will have my usual party

Though I have promised my painting classmates that I will host them

Me not knowing if I'm going to have a birthday party???

Man, I MUST be getting old!

Have a good week ahead and vote for the TRULY, 100% HONEST ONE

THERE MUST BE EVEN JUST ONE OUT THERE!

Happy birthday, Rics!!!

with Rica at Lillian's birthday get together


Another dear friend of mine is Rica
Ms. Heart-2-heart
Rica is actually the cousin-in-law of Trish
And they share the same birthday

I have heard about Rica from our common friends even before I met her
They were talking about her new blog then
Until we became co-parents in school
And would see each other regularly

The rest is history

I am so thankful to her for documenting our lives
and for always supporting and cheering me through all my endeavours
She's also one to go to when I need maids or drivers
I think that says a lot when a friend tries to help you in your domestic staff woes
She's one of those few who really want to help me and recommend
Others don't even respond, haha
She obviously want me to have an easier life :)

I am so grateful for having Rica as one of my dearest friends
Always supportive, always listening , and apparently a big fan of my comedy
She put me as the funniest mom she knows on her fb page, haha

It helps that her husband, James, is as cool as a rockstar
Love it whenever I ride his cool wheels, wink, wink

Friendship is one of the most enjoyable, fulfilling gifts in life
And I am glad I have Rica as a friend

Happy belated birthday, Rics!
Still looking for the right heart gift to give to you.

Figured you have a big one already!

Happy birthday, Trish!!!

w/ birthday girl at Las Flores


One of my closest friends is Trisha
If I met her 16 years ago, for sure she would be my bridesmaid
We met at the gym 8 years ago and has since then become good friends

It helps that her relatives are also friends of mine, by other circumstances
Manila IS small!

Every year, it has become our tradition to celebrate her birthday, just the two of us
And of course, she's always present in my annual birthday get together, except for that one year she missed

It's always easy being with her
There's just never a dull moment
And what I like about her
Whenever I talk and she just listens
She really does
Like one time years ago when I was looking at a school for my son
She texted and told me some options, but that was way after I told her
Just goes to show she listens and was actually thinking about it

To Trish, a happy, happy birthday, belated as it may be
Always wishing you the best!

Til the next!

Happy birthday, love!

Can't believe how much my baby has grown
All his pajamas have gotten shorter
I asked him, is it you or they shrunk in the washing machine?

Happy birthday to the one who fills my days with gentleness and warmth
Who kisses me while am asleep
Like some kind of Prince Charming
Who calls me when I'm out just to say where are you, I miss you
Who worries when I even trip
And made me like ice cream because of the concoctions he's made

The one without fail calls me beautiful everyday
And inspires me to always be my best
Happy birthday to the one I adore so much
Who makes my days complete
And leaves me with something to smile about everyday

To that one who makes me proud I was blessed to be his Mom

Happy birthday, my love

I have a teenager!

Happy, happy birthday to the one who first called me Mama.
Showed me how much love I am capable of

Can't believe how much you've grown
And how time just flies like the blink of an eye

And all the changes I've seen and observed
How we're now going through that challenging phase of teenhood
But with you as my first
I know the journey will be magnificent.

Happy birthday, my dearest!

They still keep coming!

When I got home today from lunch at Anna's
Guard gave me a gift from Hindy
She wasn't able to make it to my party last Friday
But she still sent her gift
Thanks much, Hinds!

Anna also gave me a gift for our kitchen
and a souvenir from their last trip to Shanghai
Awww, you guys!!!

I already feel so special
You guys can't help it, huh? haha

Thank you, thank you, thank you

How can I not love getting older?

My impromptu party

w/ Rina, Jeanne, Eds, my boys, Cel, Rowie, Rima & Anne G.

w/ Eds, Lils, & Rowie M.

w/ Rowie, Cel, Leah, Jeanne, & Anna

w/ college friends Rowie & Lills, Jeanne, Eds & Rowie

Anne G. & Rhea Matute

w/ Rima

W/ Rhea M.

Had an impromptu birthday party last Friday

Wasn't planning anymore to have one as my birthday was past

But my friends also haven't seen our new home

And since I always feel that birthdays need to be celebrated everytime

Whether simple or not

It is just a thanksgiving for another year

I love birthdays

I enjoy getting older

I am proud of my age

I feel I earned it

It's a gift and a milestone everytime

It's celebrating life

So here's to friends and making it easy for me to have a great celebration each time

Enjoy the photos...

Thanks, Mai!

Thank you so much to my dear friend, Mai Kaufman, for always being so sweet, kind and loving.

Though she couldn't make it, she sent her lovely gift which I surely will enjoy.

Thanks, Mai. Stay well!

Happy birthday, Kea!

w/ Jackie Laudico

w/ my godchild, Kea

Happy, happy birthday to my cute goddaughter, Kea.

Spread your wings!

Pleasantry is alive

lotus flowers, my hubby arranged for this

the ever reliable staff of dela Paix

the one on the right was my "butler", even going to several churches (he's not familiar with the difference between Catholic & Protestant Church) to find me a Catholic Church

getting me a 110v transformer just because I didn't want to plug directly in a 110v outlet (go figure!)

and etc, etc

One of the things I took with me was how pleasant and warm Cambodian people are

Part of traveling is getting to know the culture and history behind the place

And knowing that, I am quite amazed how people with such a painful past

can be so positive and giving

They seem to have this innate desire to serve and please

I tell you, one time we had a meal at the restaurant and when I was asking for the check

Waitress comes and tells me no need because we didn't eat a lot!!!

Huwhattt???

Even at the airport, we were supposed to pay 25USD each exc for 1 which was child rate

I was just asking them if I can pay by credit card

So I can use for my mileage

Then they answered something I didn't understand

So I repeated if credit card okay

they said no credit card

machine is broken

We were going to pay the dollars then

when the lady just said, never mind

you may go in

Huwhattt???

Will that ever happen in Manila????

I guess being pleasant has its perks

And just like the memory of our stay , it is always the thing that sticks.

Always believe!

Happy Wednesday!

A-ha

Notice the fancy tuk-tuk of dela Paix, it's slipcovered!

on the way to A-ha, sister restaurant of Meric (Hotel dela Paix's restaurant)

birthday girl at 41

apples of my eye

Alright so I skipped several things we did but this is the easier blog, haha

Just sharing with you my birthday dinner at A-ha

A sister restaurant of the dela Paix's Meric

Khmer food, not really for me, but part of traveling is absorbing the culture

More importantly the Cambodian people are really pleasant and nice

It's like I felt we're royalty the way they treated us

In my family, my 3 boys really treat my birthday special

Well, I demand that from them, haha

Not frankly but in so many quiet ways, hahaha

They call June my birthday month

Oh well, I guess I've trained them well.

They're probably thinking

Thank goodness it only happens once a year!

after dinner, kids slept and hubby & I strolled through the hotel

Siem Reap's Catholic Church

After watching the sunrise by Angkor

We had to head back to hear Mass for my birthday

They only have 1 mass everyday and it was at 6:30 in the morning

I was pleasantly surprised that in this dominantly Buddhist country

I can still find a Catholic Church

It was small and modest

but somehow gives you a real connection up there

I was even touched that the nun came up to us & asked me to read the reading

And thought what a nice gift and honor from above

There were like 15 of us in that small chapel

4 from our family

and several really small children that I can assume the nuns were taking care of

It was simple, solemn and sincere

It's heartwarming to know that despite the minority

They still keep loyal to their faith

In these times where the world's direction and moralities

are justified by comfort and worldliness

It is encouraging to see steadfast men & women

who stay true to their journey to holiness

God bless His people.

My photographer in tow

inside the grand Angkor Wat

photo credit: my husband

walking to Ta Prohm where Tomb Raider was shot

by Bayon temple

I don't know any other person (okay, fine, my youngest is another budding photographer)

who takes my photos best than my hubby

He loves and I mean loves taking photographs

and lucky me, he likes me as his subject, at times

So, on my birthday

he was trigger happy with his camera

and asks me from time to time

amidst the wonder of the world

to shoot his own "wonder", hahaha

Really great sites we saw today

You'll be amazed at the work and talent that was put in

Such intricacy & detail

All the more you appreciate how God gives everyone talents

for all of us to enjoy

Happy birthday to me!

How I'm spending my birthday

41 today!

This is me at 5:30 a.m. today, waiting for the sunrise at amazing Angkor Wat

It's probably my first birthday that the only people

who greeted me

Aside from the most important ones, my family

are strangers from another land

I have no cellphone

and have not checked my e-mail, yet

Just really enjoying being away and admiring another wonder of the world
I was planning this post to be another way

But just to load one photo takes half an hour!

Will have to ask my hubby first to lower the resolution.

Til then, will be enjoying this amazing wonder of the world

Happy birthday to me!

Remembering my 40th

This time last year

I was so excited to turn 40

I was doing a countdown and was busy preparing for my party

This year, I opted for a more quiet, serene and exotic way to celebrate it

So my family and I will be out of the country marvelling at one of the wonders of the world

Decided to re-post my good friend Rica's take on my party last year (thanks much, Rics!)

Her site is one of the few blogs I visit

So here's the link and though I couldn't share this day with all of you then

I hope sharing it with you now makes one feel they were part of the event

Like how I share my everydays with you

Enjoy....

http://www.heart-2-heart-online.com/2010/06/13/rachelles-40th-birthday-celebration/

Happy birthday, Trish!

w/ one of my closest friends, Trisha

celebrating her ___ birthday, wink, wink

birthday lunch at Cerveseria, Greenbelt 3

Trish & I have been celebrating birthdays for the past 6 years now

We always have a great time EATING (yes, we love that) , chatting, and just

talking about anything, we can go on for hours

I would say having a friendship you truly enjoy

makes one of life's greatest gifts

Happy birthday, Trish!

Til next!

Happy birthday, dear Rima!

with my dear friend, Rima,Christmas 2009


To a very special, dear, and loving friend
Happy, happy birthday!!!
Wishing you all the best you deserve.
Stay beautiful, inside and out!

Happy birthday, Mama Mary!

To the Mom of Moms
the best woman ever
The one who's got in her resume
raising the best One who ever lived
May you show all mothers the way

Happy birthday, Mama Mary!

Happy birthday, Mom!

Today's my Mom's 71st bday

Not bad for 71

Since I have a lot on my plate

I had to celebrate her birthday with a breakfast date

We had a simple get together over omelettes

Nice, simple, quiet time

Though I'm 40 and my Mom's 71

I still call her up everyday

Our conversations are not always jovial

But she's still one of the biggest influences in my life

She's my biggest fan

It's embarrassing how proud she is of me

And I, in turn, still do things wanting her to be that

Before we parted ways today

I kissed her happy birthday

She looked at me like she was so proud of what she has accomplished

I wish someday

I could give that same look to my children.

Happy birthday, Mom!

God bless you always and more birthdays to come!

I want my ATM

photo credit : my 8 year-old
clutch bag from Aranaz, given by my friend, Anne Gonzalez

photo credit : my 12-year-old

Unlike me, my son doesn't like parties.

I sometimes have to beg for us to do something on his birthday.

So, since he likes paella, among other things (he's a real gourmand, by the way)

we decided to have a casual dinner at Terry's Selection (Pasong Tamo Ext)

Eversince, my husband & I always thought about unique and original gifts to our kids.

Something not only lasting but will teach them lessons.

This year, since he's already 12, decided to have him own his own ATM account.

Went with him today to open an account under his name and wherein it's him who signs

No dad or mom

Explained to him the values of saving and keeping track of his balance
He loves it!

He feels grown up and responsible.

And of course, cool!

Gives him some kind of independence to decide on his own.

Wonder what could top that feeling for Christmas...

Happy birthday!