Keep Smiling

 

As I see it, Life as it is with Selfies, you gotta take a lot of shots to get that one shot you like... (Mind you am not talking about the super photoshopped ones that you do not even recognize your own self.)  It's the one or two  shots you are truly happy with...  The one that  you post and hope your friends and contacts will like, too...  

 

But in case they do not, you just have "Keep Smiling" anyway...  What really matters is that you can  look at the photo (or your life for that matter) and know that it is the real you, the best of you,...  the one where your True Personality comes through...  

Still, we all know that we cannot possibly be liked by everyone,  nor can we possibly like everyone...  What matters is that we can look at ourselves in the mirror and genuinely like what we see..  That we can be happy with what we put out there...  To know that we are not there to harm, stir troubles, or  spread negativity...  Instead,  to actually spread happiness and hope that we make others smile in our own little ways...  

And to have one or two friends (as well as other FB friends) like that selfie shot is just an added bonus.

Mother's Day 2015

The Month of May.. Used to be it just signifies the freshness of Spring Blooms and Summer Rains...  Of Celebrating Moms all over the world...  All of it equals Love Love Love!!!

But for me, May, now also marks the Anniversary of Mom's passing...  When she finally lost her battle with Breast Cancer...  This year will be the 3rd Anniversary of her passing. So for me, each year, May will be forever bittersweet...

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Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day, Mom! 

There are times when I wish I could see you again- even for just a day..  Even in my dreams...  You are surely missed, and am happy to keep you in my thoughts and heart everyday.

Green Day

Wow.. Feb sure went by fast...  Not only because it is the shortest month but with all the Holidays thrown in (VDay, Chinese NY...) things were just too busy to even know the days flying by...

So here we are ..  The month of March upon us..  Almost time to welcome the First Day of spring with the flowers blooming - and the smell of refreshing days in the air.   

It is also the month we get to celebrate St Patrick's Day - so time to color the days Green! Starting with dressing Green the first day of the month!

Have a Marvelous Month of March Everyone!!!

It's that Old Devil Called Love!

Here we go again...   way into the LOVE MONTH ....  actually in just one more day (Taiwan Time) it will be Valentine's Day once more....  A day of Flowers, Chocolates and other Love Gifts - Big or Small - all to profess Love to our significant others, or those we wish would be our significant others.  As Christmas and Thanksgiving is a time for all loved ones - family and friends, Valentine's Day gets a bit more exclusive and personal - mainly meant for partners, lovers, significant others!

 

I for one, just like any other Holiday, get excited over this....  not so much anymore about flowers or chocolates I used to expect - but more now, about that something in the air that makes most people smile a bit more....  be loving a bit more....  and we all know, we could always use a bit more loving in this world!  So enjoy the Special Day Lovers....   it matters not what you do, what you get, what words are uttered or not uttered....  what matters is that you are with someone you love.... and God willing , someone that Loves you, too!!! 

 

And if so happen that you find yourself single on this day - go and enjoy the day still....  share it with a good friend, with family, or even just by yourself doing something you absolutely Love!!!

 

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY ALL!!!

 

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!

 

 

 

 

Travels 2014

Travels 2014

So Thankful for all the opportunities to travel last year... Besides the numerous trips to see family in the Philippines , was able to fit in Nagoya, Okinawa. Thailand , Myanmar & Hong Kong.

Loved seeing the snow - in the Nagoya region of Japan - again, having not seen it for a long time; spending Holy Week in the Philippines for the first time - such an emotional experience; Disneyland through Juju's eyes; and being able to add another country, Myanmar/Burma, to the list of countries visited.  Revisiting Okinawa was a lot of Fun, and this time around, a tastier treat as we ate sooooo much!!!   And seeing the awesome Holiday displays in Manila and Bangkok are always a FAVE of mine.  So many first time experiences in 2014 - and I love them all!

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After all these years, I finally got to see Mayon Volcano in my Mom's Province Region of Bicol!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Nagoya, Japan

Hong Kong Disneyland with Juju n GioGio!

Foodies in Okinawa, Japan!!!

Goofing about at Terminal 21

Bangkok, Thailand

Travel Anyway You Can!!!

Rockwell XMas

Manila, Philippines

Awesome fishermen of Myanmar!

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Thanks to my families (The Palmas, The Teruels, The Wus),

and friends along the way, for making it all much more FUN!😚😚😚

Here's hoping 2015 will be just as Good to me!!!😃😃😃

#FlasbackFridays  #Happiness #Travels

16 Years!!!!

16 years ago yesterday, January 9th,  I arrived in Taipei, Taiwan to make a go of a new life...  And what a life it has been...  Would not change any part of it. Okay maybe one or two - but truly, for the most part it has been filled with adventures & happiness...  Got to spend more time with my family in The Philippines....  Got to spend tine with Mom and Dad before their passing.., see my nephews and nieces grow into adulthood...  and have been Blessed to be a part of another family, The Wus!!! 

To You, Thanks for being my Best Friend, Biz Partner, and my Family all these years...  Through the Ups and Downs we have managed to stick it out...  Here's to more years of adventures, more countries to explore, and more of everything to come...

Happy New Year!!!

And so another year begins again...  

Here's to a bright, healthy, prosperous, and Issue Free 2015!

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...

Happy Halloween!!!

Wishing you all a Safe N Fun Celebration!!!

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JEALOUSY - is not a part of my vocabulary...   for me,  it is a wasted emotion...  

Instead of looking at others and being jealous, try looking within you...  Inside you... Past and present...   See all that you have been blessed with..  And are being Blessed with. 🙏🙏🙏

Be at Peace. See how light, simple, easy and happy life could be.

✌️✌️✌️

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"OPM"

Woking Friday while listening to a few OPM Faves...  

Now, am not well versed on Pinoy music , really..  I actually own more Spanish CDs than OPM but I do have my faves!!!

Gary V - i have admired and idolized growing up in the Bay  Area to present...  Others I discovered during trips in Manila - some i hear on the TAXI ( Ogie Alcasid, Wency, Nina, Yeng) or bought for the first time just because the CD cover caught my eyes (Mark Bautista, Ariel Rivera, Jericho Rosales)...

Then there's Piolo Pascual - totally different level of admiration😜😜😜.   Besides Gary V and Mark Bautista, his CDs are the only ones I buy without fail!

OKINAWA Revisited!

With next week just around the corner, am getting more and more excited to the upocoming week long OKINAWA trip with the whole Wu Clan....  it made me look back at photos from my first time there....  Can't believe 3 years have passed already!!!  

Am sure so much has changed....  and with us renting cars to get around, am pretty sure we will get to cover more land and see more of the outskirts....  just hope it will not be as rainy as the first time.