what-a-week!!!

Just came back home from taking Cousin Jhay to the SongShan Airport - where he will take the bus to TAOYUAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.....   yep, he is on his way back to Manila......  cannot believe time flew by - FAST!!!!   As they say, ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END. 

Really hope he had a good time...  as I Did.....  and Juju, too......   will Miss him singing to Juju that MINAJ song and she jumps up to dance right away - smiling and  shaking with all her might....     will Miss our walks, talks, photo taking,  and eating adventures.....   and most of all, will Miss having family visit me here in Taipei....  it is not an often occurrence.....  So it matters not that this past few days am a bit more tired, between babysitting, working and playing tour guide - it is all worth it!

Am actually AMAZE and PROUD of my Cousin Jhay.... already 5 years with Philippine Airlines - and already flying Internationally....  so far he has flown to all the Asian countries that the Airline flies to... plus he has been to Canada and USA (both San Francisco and Los Angeles)...   he has hung out with not only his half brother in America - but also my nieces and nephews - who are all back, living in the Bay Area....  it gives me joys that they all keep ion touch - no matter how little - they manage to see each other and enjoy each others' companies....  Family is indeed, Family - no matter what!

The other thing am in AWE of Jhay is his CONVICTIONS....  he has managed to stay focus....  fight for his rights both personally and professionally (where he also fights for other's rights!); keep up with his family and help where he can; and most of all, his religious convictions.....   I had the pleasure once more of attending mass with him Sunday....  and watching him go through the Mass is always amazing....   he knows very part, every line and every song.....  and this I LOVE as for the most part, I just know the hymns.....  

Sometimes I think that maybe:

-if only I also grew up with our Grandmother (Father side) maybe I would be as religious and as focus..... 

-if only I grew up in Manila, surrounded by families, I would not have missed out on all the family bonding and sharing - and not soooo independent....  plus, I would know most of our family - and not just on Facebook....

But reality always sinks in....   and I know that "Life is How it is Always Supposed To Be."   so am not complaining.....   Going with the flow and just enjoying life and living it as Best I Know How...

Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of WuFong Ci

Day 3 of Cousin Jhay's visit (March 2nd) was an out of town outing as it fell on both Lyn & Shaun's day off and with nothing to do - we all hung out together and they wanted to take us to - SURPRISE: Yilan!!!   Shaun's favorite destination.....  All fine by me as it gave us a chance to get out of the sity without having to take the train and the bus.....

First stop was Jiaosi...  a little hike up the Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of WuFongCi....   I remember going to this one a few years back but ti was nighttime - so this is a different kind of experience as it was still light - better to appreciate and really enjoy the surrounding views.....   mountain trails on one side and the other side, a look down into the vast city......

This Sanctuary Retreat place is quite a popular destinations bot just for Catholics but for many other tourists....  Legend has it that it was built on the actual place where Mama Mary appeared to 5 lost hikers and helped them guide them our of the mountain trail, which was not fully developed back then....   Mama Mary's Grotto was built on the exact location where she supposedly appeared... and a beautiful church and retreat homes adjacent to it.....   as an added bonus,  the hike is blessed with beautiful water falls...   we spent quite a time here - giving respects, admiring the design of the place, and taking in the views.....  Relaxing and Peaceful place, indeed....

Afterwards, we took a dip in one of the city's many Hot Springs.....  a nice relaxing break....   after an hour's dip, we drove on a few more minutes into Yilan and went to the famous LuDong Night Market for some Taiwan delicacies for dinner....  and of course, sweet treats!

It was already 11PM by the time we got back home....  just enough time for a shower, a cup of tea and processing photos from this beautiful place.....

Balancing Act!

This is going to be March Madness, indeed - and it all started since the 29th of Feb!!!  My cousin Jhay is here visiting for the 2nd time - His first time was back in the  Spring of 2010......  so, in between Babysitting, dealing with Mom's ever changing moods, and of course, all the hassles of work lately - am playing TOUR GUIDE once more!

PHOTO LEFT: We are Cousins alright....   even in clothing we matched without knowing - LOL!

Am not complaining... am HAPPY to see my cousin here again... I do not get a visit from family or friends that often - so each and every time is MOST WELCOMED!!!  Just a matter of time management and making the most of things....   making it all work out.....

Since his arrival the 29th, we have been on the go...  with Jewel in tow...  First day, after I met him at the bus drop in the SongShan Airport, we took in the view at the Airport's Observatory Deck....  and had a lite lunch in MOS Burger.....   then  we went back home, waited for Jewel to be dropped off and headed to Miramar area to take in the buildings....  the views... and of course, ride the Taipei Eye on top of the Miramar Mall.....     This is my 5th or 6th time riding this Giant Ferris Wheel and I still am scared of it...LOL....even Jewel was a lot more  at ease on her 2nd venture on this ride...  not sure what it is, I really cannot get over this, somewhat, fear of heights...... 

Right after, we window shopped a lot.....  enjoyed the little rides for Juju....  and then we had a Japanese Dinner - Tonkatsu, Sushi & Sashimi, Oh My!....    it was culinary Heaven!!!!    we were all so stuffed right after, we did not even have room for dessert.....  IMAGINE ME saying NO to Desserts....   not a common thing.... hahahahahahahaha...

It was already night when we headed back home.....  tired but happy....   and even happier as we got to see the night lights of MIRAMAR before heading back home....  such a pretty sight!!!

Complete Photos of First Day Here: Feb 29th, 2012

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Fay 2: March 1st

Today was Museum day.....  I went for a morning run... then Jhay and I got ready and went to the market to look around and pick up something light for Lunch....   Pancakes and Taho....  as we were still stuffed from the steamed PORK BUNS for breakfast.... 

After JUJU arrived, we right away took the 307 bus and headed on to the MOCA district....   I know that I have not brought Jhay there yet and it is such a place that is always worth visiting - for the cool, modern exhibitions - and even cooler area to walk about.....

  we had such a GREAT TIME taking photos of/and with the different art pieces sprinkled all around the area of the Museum....  Cool, Colorful & FUN!  Even prettier and brighter on this sunny day.....

Then it was onto the Museum to take in the AUSSIE EXHIBIT: WONDERLAND....various installations from many of Australia's cool and popular artists - in different mediums.....   as always, it is a GREAT SELECTION of pieces exhibited....

Tonight's Dinner Choice was Shabu Shabu....  Always a FUN and Filling Choice!  Something for everyone... including Juju!!!

Complete Photos of Day 2 Here: March 1st, 2012

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Photos of the WONDERLAND EXHIBITION Here

Cousin Jhay

It is not often that I get visited here in Taiwan.... the 10 years I have been here, too far and few in between, that I got to be visited by friends or family.... Come to think of it, only about 4 times.... My sis and her kiddies... Carl from the Bay Area - albeit he was really visiting another friend, Scott.... Miss Mary.... and just recently, my cousin Jhay....

I first met Jhay back in June of 2005.... while visiting my Dad at his home.... Jhay is the son of my Dad's youngest brother.... and it seems he also had the pleasure of living with my Dad for a while... many of our relatives and people that got to meet us both feels that we look-a-like and that we are similar in more ways than one... am told that he is just as friendly and as sweet, as I(hehehehehehe.... and that we smile alike.... and from the very first meeting, I could not help but agree.... he actually reminds me of myself - when I was his age....

So over the years we get to know each other more.... but alas, distance and our busy scheds (he is a Flight Attendant for Philippine Airlines) do not allow us to get together much.... so it was much to my pleasure that he was actually able to come for a visit, even though it was only for 3 days... we made the most of these three days... went here and there... ate this and that.... and chatted a lot about life, loves and of course, family... needless to say it was GREAT to catch up... learn more about my family, and my Dad, from someone who was there... TRULY enjoyed his visit - and I cannot wait for the next one, hopefully if his sched permits, this coming September....

PHOTO ALBUMS of Jhay's visit - May 24th thru the 27th:
Day 1 - Taipei 101, Warner Village & Roa He Night Market

Day 2 - LongShan Temple, Sie Men Ding, CKS Memorial Hall & IKEA with Ann & David

Day 3 - POOL & Water Spa Relaxation plus Dan Shuie