One fine sunday...

I was supposed to watch the latest Batman flick with my boys last Sunday but I wasn't too keen on going out. I can see the trees outside the house bending over from the strong winds.

I opted to stay home instead, grateful for some quiet time and uninterrupted time on the internet. Well, it was not uninterrupted, afterall, because I saw the pile of laundry waiting to be ironed. I fought hard not to get the ironing board but then, i felt guilty that hubby finished ironing all our pants and the heavy items Saturday night. So, what must a girl do? Iron clothes while surfing the web and chatting with my mother in Pinas. Hmn..multi-tasking at it's best!

When the boys arrived three hours later, i was already fast asleep. But hubby was pleased that the clothes have been neatly placed in their respective cabinets, ready for the week.

And I did not regret not going with them at all. Apparently, there was a hail storm outside. The little one was amused to see ice balls falling around him, though. He was boasting that he saw snow! hehe

Awards

Thanks, Cee for giving me these awards. It was so sweet of you. :)

Tagged again

I've been tagged by Marnellie.

Click theSimple Woman Day Bookfor more details.

For today, July 29 (Tues)

Outside My Window… it's very dark, it's 10pm already haha

I am thinking… of putting on my socks, turning the heater to maximum, curling up between hubby and son under the warm quilt and aim to wake up late because tomorrow is Saturday. Yahoo!

I am thankful for… countless opportunities, time with my boys, parents, sisters, friends and relatives, good health and the chance to start a new life in a new place

From the kitchen…there's nothing going on there right now, sleeping time na po.

I am wearing… two layers of clothes..anlamig pa rin!

I am creating…an entry to my blog.

I am going…to answer my emails tonight.

I am reading…other people's blogs

I am hoping…that winter will be over soon.

I am hearing…music from hubby's ipod

Around the house… it's very quiet, everyone must have fallen asleep already

One of my favorite things… good food and good company

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: go to the park with the boys this weekend because we promised Vince we'd try his new bike two weeks ago. Never had the chance, ang lamig kasi. And then clean up, iron clothes, sleep, sleep, hehe

Here is the picture/thought I am sharing…a photo of us cousins some years back when we had a vacation in the beautiful island of Siquijor in the Philippines. (that's me wearing green)



Thanks, Marns.

World Youth Day 2008

We visited the city on July 20 to join the hundreds of thousands of Catholics who were celebrating mass with the Pope. Knowing that it will be difficult for us to get near, with people camping the previous night to get the best spot, we opted to go to St Mary's Cathedral instead. It was on the news that a huge screen will be placed broadcasting the Pope's mass. But when we got there, there was no screen and it was so quiet.

So we just stayed at Hyde Park, took pictures again and went to the nearest burger stand to get lunch.

It was an unusually quiet day for a city which is always bustling with people. But it's heartwarming that most residents joined with the Catholics in celebrating the World Youth Day mass with the Pope.

Muddy Feet

This photo was taken last December when we visited my Uncle's farm. It was raining so hard but we had to move around the farm a lot to get some things done. We were unmindful of the heavy rain, strong wind and thick mud. All we cared about was to have fun, stuff ourselves with good food, sing and dance using a huge videoke machine. I love this pic because it reminds me of good times spent with loved ones.

Can you guess which one is mine? Hehe

The week that was...

It's been a hectic week with A starting an 8-5 job. We only got to squeeze in Vince for a day at childcare which is Friday. The rest of the week, our friend who does the night shift takes care of him. We learned that the waiting list for child care here could take up to a year. What the....? Eh, by early next year, Vince will be in kindergarten already. Hahay, buhay!


Since we don't have househelp here (waaah, ibalik nyo 'ko sa Pinas!), A and I wake up early, prepare breakfast and packed lunch, assist Vince in taking a bath then leave him with our friend. Then A makes a dash for the train and I, for the bus.


After work, he cooks dinner, I wash up our lunch boxes, A does the laundry while I fold those from the previous day's. We only get to relax after dinner when we get to surf the net, chat with family in pinas, watch dvd's or listen to Australian radio. There is one program we love tuning in to, pretty much like what we have back in Pinas. Kana bang mag-dedicate ug song sa loved ones. Hehe! Would you believe they have it here, too? Corny man pod diay ni sila! Haha A and I get a good laugh everytime we listen to the program.

Weekdays are tough since we still have to take care of housechores after work. But i wouldn't have it any other way. Masaya pa rin kahit pagod. :)

Tagged

I've been tagged by Cee.

Rule: Place an X on all the things you've done,or remove the X from the ones you have not.This is for your entire life!
Gone on a Blind Date --
Skipped school -- X (in college, a number of times hehe)
Seen someone die --X (twice, my grandma and cousin)
Been to Florida --
Been to Mexico --
Been on a plane -- X
Been lost -- X
Been on the opposite side of the country -- X (yeah in the Phils)
Gone to Chicago --
Swam in the ocean --
Felt like dying -- X (almost drowned on a beach when i was small)
Cried yourself to sleep -- X
Played cops and robbers when i was little --
Recently colored with crayons -- X (with my son)
Sang karaoke -- X (always! back in pinas and moreso now in Aus hehe)
Paid for a meal with only coins --X (not in the Phils, all the time here in Aus)
Did something you told yourself you would not -- X
Made prank phone calls -- X (in high school hehe)
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose --X (very recently with hubby)
Caught a snowflake on your tongue --
Danced in the rain --
Written a letter to Santa Claus --
Been kissed under the mistletoe --
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about --X (with hubby countless times)
Blown bubbles -- X
Made a bonfire on the beach -- X
Crashed a party --
Gone roller-skating --
Gone Ice-skating --
Gone skinny dipping --

1. Nickname? Totskie
2. Mother's Nickname? inday
3. What is your favorite drink? iced tea
4. Tattoos? none
5. Piercing? Ears
6. How much do you love your job? not much
7. Birthplace? Phils
8. Favorite vacation spot? my parents' home
9. Ever been to Africa? Not yet
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? nope
11. Ever been on TV? nope
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? yes, twice
14. Was it your fault? nope, i was only a passenger
15. Doors or 4 Doors?
16. Salad dressing? any
17. Favorite pie? Buko Pinya pie
18. Favorite number? 7
19. Favorite movies? feel good ones
20. Favorite holiday? Christmas
21. Favorite dessert? blueberry cheesecake
22. Favorite food? lechon hahaha
23. Favorite day of the week? weekends
24. Favorite brand of Body Soap? i use what's on sale hahaha
25. Favorite TV Show? i don't get to watch tv anymore
26. Favorite smell? my baby's
27. What do you do to relax? read, eat, sleep
28. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? Hi Friends! Miss y'all!
29. How do you see yourself in 10 years? a mommy for the 2nd time, travelled to places on my wishlist...
30. What do you do when you are bored? surf the net
31/ Farthest place you will send this message? not really sure
32. Who will respond the fastest? I can not tell
33. Who will LEAST likely respond? I can not tell

All my Blogger Friends who would like to grab this, please feel free to do so :-)

Thanks, Cee.

Birds in the City

Although Sydney is a big city, it is not unusual to see birds right smack in the middle of the central business district. Birds freely roam around here. They're so tame, they'd even gladly eat from your palm.

One afternoon, hubby saw a parrot sit on our veranda. He slowly went near the bird, tentatively touching to see if it won't fly. And it didn't!

Last week, when we were at Burkinhead Point, i saw this bird inside the foodcourt, calmly nibbling on morsels on the floor.



It is amazing to see people and birds live together.

Wooohooo!

We went to the market this afternoon and I was very happy to see Durian!!! Although it's quite expensive at $3.50 per kilo (wag na kasi mag-convert!), we still bought one and hurriedly went home to eat.

It didn't have the normal smell of Philippine durian. It did not even smell until you open the fruit. And it actually tasted better, sweeter and there was none of the bitter after taste we had back home.

I am just so happy to have found out that they sell durian here. Babaw no? :)

Tiangge

Thursday is 'tiangge' day in our suburb. At a clearing among the rows of stores beside a big mall, booths are set up that sell various international goodies. Last Thursday, we sampled spanish cuisine. Today, we did Malaysian. Then we walked to the nearby pinoy store to buy chicharon and pandesal. Next Thursday, I might try Japanese food.

The best thing about it is there is a free show everytime. Last Thursday was a string quartet. Today, it was a band. Other times, students from nearby schools perform mini shows.

Yeah, one of life's cheap thrills.

random

I have been busy again because I am starting work at another company. Just to update you with what I've been doing the past days...

• Thank God for technology, i was able to see my relatives through webcam last Saturday. They were attending my Lola's burial and they all trooped to the house so that we can see each other.

• We went to Burkinhead Point last Saturday to do a little shopping at the factory outlets of well-known products. We were able to get branded shoes and clothes at very low prices. While there, we had lunch at the wharf with a charming view of the yachts in front of us. Haay, wish ko lang, someday we'd be able to own one. Hehe

• On my first day at work, I was asked to join a meeting for a new project the company is looking at. I was hired to fix some mess in that company, which I should say is very challenging. This is just a temporary job though, but the boss told me this afternoon that she will get a justification to make me permanent. Hmn..let's wait and see.

I am pleased to see that the pantry is always stocked with fresh fruits (grapes, oranges, apples,pears,bananas YEY) milk, coffee and even beer huh! I had to remind myself to slow down on the grapes, though.

• It's getting colder everyday. We should probably get another heater soon. It is an effort to walk to the bus station. But my son, as usual is still clad in his sandos.

More updates soon...

Patriotic?

A few days ago, much to our astonishment, my son (4 yo), his cousin Gabbie (3 yo) and their friend Ysabelle (4 yo) were chanting "Pilipino ako! Pilipino ako!" They were marching to the sala, raising their fists and wearing defiant smiles.Hehe Cute!

I don't know where they got that but I am so proud of these tots for knowing early on that indeed they will remain to be Filipinos even after they get their Australian citizenships in a few year's time.

Dee Why Beach

the long stretch of white sand

We visited Dee Why Beach last June 7 which was about an hour from where we are currently staying. Quite a long trip, actually, but it was well worth it.



Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia about this beach:


"Dee Why Beach runs for about 1.2 km along the eastern border, overlooking the Tasman Sea. To the north are the dunes separating the beach from the Dee Why Lagoon. On its southern end, the foreshore is given over to Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club, and Dee Why Beach Reserve, which contains picnic areas and century old Norfolk Island Pines, similar to the ones in Manly. The reserve is contained by a seawall running for approximately 400m, and has recently been upgraded, with new pathways, stairs, lookout platforms, an upper promenade and the restoration of the war memorial.[7] There are two playgrounds in the vicinity, located southern end of the beach and west of the Life Saving Club, and several ocean pools located below cliffs to the south."



It is a great place for families as there are activities for all age groups. The folks can go swimming in the beach or the pools, the teen-agers can go surfing or fishing while the kids can frolic in the huge playground overlooking the shoreline. It is also a good place to just commune with nature.


We did not get to swim because it was still very cold even with the sun shining. Eh, winter pa kasi. We made a promise to go back come summer.



view from the playground

Sariwa

My apologies for the lame title. Hehe

One good thing about Australia is the abundance of fresh food everywhere. In the groceries, maglalaway ka sa rows and rows of fresh fruits, veggies and meat. I am now able to meet face to face all the food that I only get to read about in books and magazines. I relish going through the shelves one by one to memorize the names and sometimes, if the budget permits, we sample the new things we find.

One of my favorite fruits is grapes and boy, how I love the seedless grapes here. I can even finish a kilo all by myself! Nahubog na gani ko ug kinaon Hehe! Although we are miles away from the Phils, we still get to eat Pinoy food--kare2, pinakbet, chicken/pork adobo, tilapia..name it, Australia has it! Some items come in weird sizes though. Like the small and irregular shaped squash, the giant eggplants and pepper to name a few.

Sometimes, when we get a little sentimental, we go to the nearby Filipino store to get a quick fix from our favorite chicharon, sardines, pandesal or the instant noodle brands that we have grown accustomed to.

The other night, we passed by the fresh food market and bought a cartful of fruits and veggies. I was amused to see the loaded cart make it's way to our unit's doorstep. Yeah, you can actually bring the pushcarts to your home! Hubby made fresh fruit salad, pinoy style. He just had to put strawberries on top for aesthetics.

Yummy, eh?