Early Start for Us

We are flying via Sydney to get to Manila.  These days, there are no direct flights from Brisbane to Manila anymore.  If I remember correctly, the direct flights have been cancelled a few months before our previous visit - which was more than 2 years ago.  Anyway, as we are flying from Domestic airport in Brisbane and landing to Domestic airport in Sydney, we intentionally book an early flight to give us ample time for the transfer from the Domestic airport to International.  Hence, the early start.

Our original plan was to get our luggage packed with Protect-a-bag, a plastic wrapped around the luggage. We did our research and found that there's one in Brisbane airport, level 4 but we didn't check which airport is it.  Little did we know that it is in the International only.  Oh well.

But we did wake up really early, as in 3AM.  That gave us an hour to putter around, have coffee, load our bags in the car, etc.  We left home a little after 4 AM and it doesn't take long to drive from home to the airport in the early hour of the morning. 

Getting early to the airport worked in our favour as I am using a new passport and apparently my travel records were not updated yet.  The Qantas staff was so patient to call the Immigration and confirm/update my records.  We finally got there.    

And now, we are having breakfast and relaxing.  And writing this post but I am not connected to the internet so I can post it yet.  

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The Brothers Gibb

I didn't know what Beegees mean until we have visited Thee Beegees Way at Redcliffe, the hometown of the band.  Mcj told me that it is short for The Brothers Gibbs, as Aussies are known for shortening or giving things nickname.  But really, it was not an Aussie who gave Beegees their name.  It was Bill Gates and he was also responsible for launching their career.  How sweet is that?

Going to the Beegees way will give you an insight of their history.  They were really sweet brothers who dearly love one another and their parents.  Just like new aspiring artists, they've been through a lot.  I have not read if they resorted to guitar maintenance as young upstart but they might have.  I'll have to read more on their history to find that out.

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Things I am Thankful

Mcj's birthday.  

Busy at work.  Working at home now on a Saturday night.  

Leaving a bit late to go to work.

Time to make breakfast on weekdays.

Time to do yoga on a weekday morning.

Abundance of Filipino Christmas Songs in youtube.  I'm listening now and it just makes me sad and happy at the same time.

Time to read lots of books, again.

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Half Packed

It's not long now.  Mcj is doing a countdown every Monday, it seems.  Four weeks to go.  I can't say that I am ready.  I have packed one full suitcase and stuff for the two other suitecases are lying about.  I still have many things to attend to, some last minute shopping for presents, hotels to book, extra domestic airline baggage - they only have 15 kilos free baggage.

I only have weekends to get ready but I am taking the day before we leave off from work.  Hopefully, that is enough for me to sort last minute stuff like schoolwork that the Tatapilla's teacher is giving him while he is away.

But whether our baggage and other stuff are ready or not, I am so ready for a break from work.  It has a very busy few months.  

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Happy Today Daddy-o

This week, we celebrate Mcj's happy today.  

We had our special dinner on Sunday and just had cake on the actual day.  

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Updates, updates, updates

We've been working in our garden, mostly on ornamental plants though.  We don't have a full-blown garden yet, still in the works but maybe we'll get it built or made when we come back from our coming trip.  We have repotted some plants and fertilise them.

I did some packing for our upcoming trip.  It's been going on for quite a while now but today, was quite serious.  The stuff are in their final suite case.  No shifting anymore.  I have a month left to prepare.

Been working at the office for most of last week and I think it'll be the case until the carpet will be replaced.  

The Tatapilla has been good at school.  He needs to focus as he will be missing a lot when we go overseas. 

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Working from home

Most of last week and today, I have been working from home.  it's not an ideal scenario when there are customer items to address or when i have to connect to shared databases or files.  but over all, it has been okay.  connection is good albeit slow at times.  

so what happened?  well, due to the hail storm last weekend, our 2nd floor office got flooded.  we can blame it to poor design of the building, poor drainage, un-usual hail storm, etc.  but at least, fixing the office is underway.  it might need recarpeting and replacement of some of the desks not to mention some of the machines.  

the good news is, we will all be going to work tomorrow. 

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I won

yeah! we're talking of monetary value here.  I'm not a gambler but for fun I joined our footy tipping competition at work.  You know, the one where you pick the team that will win every week.  hopefully before the game for the week starts. 

It has been a tight competition for all of us.  there have been different leaders at some stage.  different winner for the half-way mark, different winner for the state of origin, different winner for the finals and of course different winner for the over-all comp.  and that's ME!

even if my favourite team missed out on winner, I still got the money.  but really, i am hoping for Broncos to win.  never mind me.  i was heart broken, to say the least.  i think, i have been on denial.  i have nothing against the Cowboys, infact... I want them to win but as an avid supporter, you just can't take it away from me. 

huhuhu!

hooray!

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Busy Month

It has been a busy weekend and busy month altogether.  A lot of things happen in our family - fun, exciting things.

Got in touch with friends. Reconnected and shared a lot of news and laughters.

Busy helping friends move house.  A big month indeed.

New developments, new blessings, new beginnings.

All in all, a lot of things to thank the Lord Almighty.

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Bitter Sweet

Okay, another chick flew out of the coop.  I'm the first to and that was almost 18 years ago.  I have been back to peck but didn't really stayed that long.

This time, it's the youngest chick who has a chick.  And it breaks my heart to know he went with a bit of a heavy heart.  I suppose, it's a sacrifice that one has to make at some point in one's life.  

On the other hand, this is also good.  I know, he's matured but this event will really test him and his maturity.  I am really praying that he will come out a better man than he is now.

Another blessing to the family, thank you Lord, albeit bitter sweet.

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I call this rustic

I grabbed this from facebook (if you are the owner and dont want this on my site, please send me a message and I will remove it). Isn't it ingenous?  I really like the idea of using a barrel for a sink.  I might copy this if we are going to build a country house.  

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Bahay Kubo

Tatay built a small shelter at the block of land that we bought recently.  While we are planning and saving for the ideal family home for the whole extended family, he had this built for shelter.  It's really for his benefit as everyday he is at this place for work.  Also, we are planning to put up a garden while nothing has been going on in the building department.

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Bubu App

I'm really surprised that there are not many apps available that will help parents measure and reward productivities of their kids.  I'm talking of itunes.  Maybe, I don't know the keywords to search for them?  Maybe, I am stingy that I don't want to pay unless I have seen how does the app works?  

So far, I have read reviews, mind you not from itunes, for Bubu app.  It is obvious that English is not the first language of the developer or maybe, it's just me.  This app is good as it is free and you don't need to buy add ons if you are not fussy with colours and adding points over the limit.  Plus when you only have one kid.

I am not really serious in implementing all the points, rules and rewards but it is a bit fun for the family.  

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Christmas in July

err, it's now September, I know.  But my poinsettia just bloomed and it was supposedly in July when it was the height of winter.  

I have this for 3 years now and it has been thriving on neglect.  I seldom feed them with fertiliser.  They get watered not so religiously but then it's in a water saving pot.

Merry Christmas from my garden. 

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Spring Cleaning

the shed, anyway.  

Mcj has been spring cleaning the shed.  It's not really because he wants to.  Yes, has been in dire need of cleaning since we moved but you know, it's something that nobody really wants to do.  Today, it has been done or started as he needs room for more tools and stuff.  Funny that.  You would think that, he's cleaning so of course, it will be clean.  Make sense?

Anyway, I have done my bits of work around the house today.  I didn't contribute on the spring cleaning of the shed.  But that's alright

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Happy Father's Day

so around dinner time, I was told to "distract Dad while I get his present".  I wasn't good at following instructions.  how can you distruct somebody sitting across you eating their dinner.  Anyway, it was a great Daddy and Bubby moment when he handed Mcj his advanced present.

Happy father's day to all!

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Junk Mail

those that are dropped-off your yar or mailbox.

We used to have a sign on our mailbox that says "No junkmail".  we intentionally put it there when we bought the house.  actually, it was more of Mcj's idea as he is so opposed with too much waste paper.  plus, it feeds my vice - shopping.

anyway, recently I had it removed.  why? so i can actually check the catalogue and decide which shop to go to to get a good price for the things that we need during the week. but i dont check it religiously really.  only when i have the time and inclination to do so.

but i do love to browse.  how about you?  

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I Don't Even Own One

<div id="blogthings_result">

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        <font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'>

          <strong><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theshoepersonalitytest/results/?result=Boots">You Are Cowboy Boots</a></strong>

        </font>

      </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

      <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">

        <center><img src="https://images.blogthings.com/theshoepersonalitytest/cowboyboots.jpg" height="100" width="100"></center>

        <font color="#000000">This doesn't mean you're country, just funky.<br>

You've got a ton of attitude and confidence.<br>

<br>

You're unique, expressive, and even a little bit wacky.<br>

You wear whatever you feel like – and you have your own sense of style.<br>

<br>

You are straight shooting and honest. You tell people how it is.<br>

Low maintenance and free wheeling, you're always up for an adventure.<br>

<br>

You should live: Where you can at least get to wide open spaces<br>

<br>

You should work: In a job that allows you to take change

        </font>

      </td>

    </tr>

  </table>

  <div align="center">

    <a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theshoepersonalitytest/">The Shoe Personality Test</a>

  </div>

  <div align="center">

    <a href="http://www.blogthings.com">Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!</a>

  </div>

</div>

true. i don't own cowboy boots and I think, it's something that need to be rectified soon.

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Ten years ago...

.. today, we professed our love, devotion and loyalty to each other.  

It is a wild ride.  It has it's ups and downs.  And these ups and downs are what make it all exciting and exhilirating.  

We are blessed with a lovely boy (who used to be an angel - haha) who added spice to our lives.  

I am praying that we will be blessed with many more years together to enjoy everything that life offers.  

Here's to us! Cheers!

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And it is on...

..it has been a while but things have been doing good on the homefront.

Been busy at work for Mcj and me.

The Tatapilla has been busy at school... lots of activities and homework.

So far so good.

More updates coming up.

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