InstaSmile

"Just like the rain that gives a new lease of life to a dying plant, a smile and kind words can help someone who is about to give up."

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

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-Am sure most of you who knows me well enough, knows that one of my pet peeves is being cooped up in the house - the whole day😱😱😱.  No matter how busy working indoors I may be, I need to at least get out for a walk for a little bit...  Need the fresh air and see nature and people..  Good for the soul, my soul!😃😃😃. 

But during the typhoon season - it is safety first - so, just gotta "suck it up" and stay indoors...  Which could be trying and make me gloomy at times..  But now and again something or someone makes me snap out of it...  And today, Jube did just that...  

While we are having our Banana and Peanut Butter sandwiches - good on a rainy day😜😜😜 - she made this while I was  preparing my coffee...  She said, "now we are having Smiley sandwiches - and I know you like smiley."  

Need I say more?  Of course I was instantly with a SMILE on my face...  

😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

Off we go again......

So looking forward to this Summer Vacation in the Winter😜😜😜.

What is that, you ask?  Stay Tuned and you will see...

This time around, it will be Juju, GioGio, Johnny GeGe and I only...  

It will be an adventure to say the least - am sure!!!

Swimming with Juju!

"Am Just A Little Girl!"

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Conversations with Juju

2nd June 2015

Swimming with Juju is getting a lot more fun now...  Little by little, she is getting braver and braver...  The last few times, am able to get her to swim with her paddle board in the longer pool - where people really do laps... Longer and deeper...

We compromise, 10 laps - a snack break  - then another 10 laps.  One way I swim back float pulling her...  the  other way she kicks with the board on her own...  10Xs laps, then break to eat her cookies n drink then 10 laps again!!!  

She did not complain at all or pretend to be scared and ask me to hold her...  So i kept telling her she is doing good - to which she replies: "I am Supergirl".  

In the last few laps though she was getting slower.  So I was telling her: "OMG, what happened Supergirl, why are you getting slow?"  She stopped kicking, looked me straight in the eyes and said without blinking: " Am just a little girl, you know!"  Then continued on with her lap.

I laughed so much...  I was so elated with our swim, i forgot that she IS just a little girl!😜😜😜

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Yep..  We try to make everyday and everything FUN!!!

1st of the many, I Hope!

So we are off to a hood start in the Travel department, as I was Blessed enough to have been able to Travel this past January...  For over two weeks!!!

It matters not that it was just in the Philippines - Again!!! - as this time around I got to:

-Visit 2 new Destinations: Baler and La Union..  

-Wander about and see some old historical and marvelous churches....  

-And got to visit the island of Puerto Galera once more!!!

 

Yep, Yep... you read that right....  we hit a total of  3 BEACHES!!!   Just in time too as it was the perfect getaway from the cold and dreary winter of Taipei.....   First stop was Baler....  a looong drive from Manila but soooooo worth it....  they call themselves the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and judging by the folks surfing - locals and tourists alike - it surely looks like it!

The second beach town was La Union... used to be surfing Haven before it all moved to Baler...  I requested this place as I really wanted to stay at Thunderbird Resorts....  The Greek decor inspired resort that I first got to see in the movie, "The Other Woman", a few years back... and have been admiring posts by other on Facebook and Instagram....  It was A OK....  not as IMPRESSIVE as it looks in photos....  pricey for what it had to offer... but it helped that there were not many people staying at the time we were there... got to enjoy the pool very much...  especially since no one can really swim on their private beach...

a few days break back in Manila and we headed back to Puerto Galera in Mindoro....  it has been many years since we were there last, about 2008, and it was great to be back... has changed... has grown... and just have so much more to offer - young and adults alike...  the waters were so calm... not too cold....   even Juju did not scared and swam every chance she got....   The nightlife is soooo much fun - even if you do not drink....   lively entertainment right along the beach... one after another....  our last nite, we even went from venue to venue to venue... not wanting to miss out on anything...

I truly had a WONDERFUL TIME this trip....  it was a promising start to a brand new year of travels - and I hope that it will be just like that - full of firsts, fun times, unforgettable memories....  Here's Hoping and Praying!!!  

 

You can see more photos of the trip by CLICKING HERE!

 

 

 

 

Sunday in the Park

Had a lovely time at Flora Expo Park yesterday, Sunday the 2nd!  Nice cool temperature with soothing breezes...  Live music...  And even the Annual Flora International Award Expo is in full swing...  Juju and i was having a lot of fun, we must have spent almost 6 hrs there...  A really nice way to end the week!

Enjoying the lively Blooms.

Me and a friend!

Monster High Doll, Jinafire Long, was Juju's tag along doll for the day.

So much beauty!  Some of the prettiest and most amazing arrangements on display

at the annual Flora International Award Exposition.

And of course, we stopped by St Christopher's Church to pay respects and light candles.

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We were even treated to our first XMas tree sighting...
this giant tree is on display now at the Flora Expo Park.

Halloween, Taipei Style!

Halloween is really not that big here in Taiwan - mostly relegated to the International Schools and PUBs frequented by expats...  Even the Department Stores are not much into it... A few decors here and there, mostly in the candies and chocs section...  Makes me miss the Halloweens spent growing up In the Bay Area...

Still, Juju and I managed to find something and make the most of the Holiday..  Celebrating best we could...  This year it was spent at Maji Square.

Jimmy Liao character figure sighting... of course, we had to stop for a photo!!!

 

Juju as a Bat Girl was truly happy....   not sure why some Chinese parents do not want to let their kids celebrate Halloween - nevermind that it is not a Traditional Chinese Holiday, it is a FUN one for kids...

Oh such simple pleasures that packs loads of delights!

Yesterday, Oct 5th, our little girl turned 4....   it boggles the mind how this could have happened... seems like she is just a little baby and BOOM... she is 4!!!  

Time really flies when one is having fun - and since she arrived on the scene, we have had a lot more fun...  Her personality is just so that she has always kept us entertained.... and if you are following me on Facebook, am sure you know that the two of us has become quite a pair when it comes to goofiness and having fun....  We make the most of each day we are together... and we always seem to manage and find something to do, rain or shine, and create our own fun!!!!  We share the same love for colors, toys, and music....   and this makes taking care of her a lot easier.... Thank God!!!

Amazing how I have seen this girl grow....  from being born...  to her first step, first smile, first word, and a bunch of other firsts!!!   And each day, she does or say something that amazes me....  even her comprehension and command of English still surprises me....  so many words am pretty sure a lot of others I know cannot even say - much more know the meaning of - but this girl picks up fast....  unbeknown to us until she utters them....  and she now speaks complete sentences in ENGLISH!!!  I for one am HAPPY that am able to help on this part - ut if you ask her - she will say: "I taught myself English!" - LOL!!!

I had a few things planned for her SPECIAL DAY - since Mami N Papi are both working, and GioGio is working in Italy,  I made sure I get her on her BDay - so as it will not pass without marking the day with any kind of memorable event....  so I planned.... at first I thought it was not to be so as she had a little bit of accident at her home before coming to me....   but after an hour's rest... she woke up with a smile and asked: "When can I wear my Sofia dress?"  Her birthday present from me.... Put it on her, much to her delight and she said:  "let's go out!  I want to show everyone my Princess Gown!"   Not sure if she is really OK already, I decided to just walk over to Dajia Riverside Park... get some fresh air and take a few shots....  She was in Heaven... acting as if she is really Sofia....

This was not enough...  she remembered my promise...  Hello Kitty Cafe for her 4th BDay....   since this was already on my schedule, and she seems to be doing fine...  off we went....   take the bus and walked a couple of blocks over to the Hello Kitty Heaven....  the whole time she is in full Sofia costume, high heels even!!!  Such a delight to see her happily stroll the streets in her costume....   savoring every minute of it....  Made the whole trek worth it for me...  it mattered not that the food was not really that great....   and a bit overpriced....  every minute spent, as I can see in Juju's eyes, was like being in her idea of Heaven!!!

The night did not end there... she is still energetic, raring to go... and wanted to still be walking the streets in her Princess costume....  so we walked a bit more....  stopped by a Temple to give thanks....  and walked to Breeze Center to window shop and take a few more photos....  Juju was in heaven, remembering I have taken her here before....  loved the Castle looking buildings in the backdrop so she wanted to take loads of photos.... and she even chatted up with a few passers by - in Chinese and in English - proudly explaing why she is dressed as Sofia, The First! 

Oh such simple pleasures that packs loads of delights!

 

Mission Accomplished! The day turned out to be as memorable to me, as it is for Juju....

  and for her 5th BDay - I already promised The Barbie Cafe... LOL!!!

 

Just a Couple of GooFBaLlS!!!

"We are Sparta!!!!"

 

I think it is already no surprise to anyone how when am with Juju, rain or shine, we still pretty take advantage of the day and we make our own kind of FUN!  We try to still go out and see where our feet and our umbrellas would take us....  and at times when the weather is really bad and we have no choice but, so as to not go too crazy, we just do goofy to be stuck at home, we get goofy and just do some  selfies...  and to PROVE it, here's a few outtakes...  LOL!!!

On The Bus!

 

"At The Park!"

 

"Bored Out of Our Heads at Home!!!"

 

Yellow Mellow

Yep....  that is just how we entertain ourselves and each other....  

and so far, so good...

Lantern Festival 2014

Be sure not to miss this year's Lantern Festival display happening now at the various Taipei Flora Expo Pavilions in the Jhongshang district.

An abundance of Glorious, Amazing, Creative, whimsical, wonderful lanterns

to thrill the young and old alike.

Had the pleasure of visiting and admiring them earlier this week with Juju...  Lights are turned on by 5:30PM... And a light show everynite at about 7:30PM.  We were lucky enough to get there just a little after 5PM so not too many people yet..  

This is one of my most FAVE pieces on display...  Dragon, of course!

Marvelous Peter Pan Diorama!!!

The drops if rain did not bother us st all..  Way too many nice lanterns to thrill us.. And in some cases the rain is even an added touch as the lanterns' reflections on the wet grounds added to the beauty of it all!

 

See More of my Lantern Festival SNAPS by Clicking Here!

 

The God of Love!!!