Looking Forward for the Challenges and Travels in 2017

The moment I took the new post, I know that life will be different than what it is used to be.  I know that work life will be more demanding, challenging and somewhat stressful. But behind the work load comes the perks of travelling to new and old places, and get to stay in “starred” hotels plus gaining more Getgo points of Mabuhay miles, which I am not sure if I can enjoy the free flights (wait to be seen).

This year 2017, I am looking forward to the bi-monthly or monthly travels to attend meetings and other activities. I do hope few hours of having a “me time” and enjoying the sceneries while on business trips will help relieve some of the stresses.

Go fighting for the survival and success on the new responsibilities! 

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Beautiful Lights. Cheerful Music. Christmas is indeed here

Less than 100 days and it’s Christmas. Homes, offices, establishments, malls, etc. are getting ready with their grandest decorations that they can think of to show this season. Christmas songs fill the air, some are singing their heart out along side with the best instruments of danelectro 12 string.  This is the season to be festive, colorful, fun and full of love and appreciation in our hearts, it's the joyous season to celebrate our Saviour’s birth.  

 

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My hometown Zamboanga showcases one of the brightest Christmas decorations. The classic city hall holds thousands of lights and beautifully lit at night. Hah! I’ll be traveling to my hometown next week, I hope the lights are already set up. I miss my hometown and hope to visit during the Christmas.

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Trip to Divisoria

After the Venetian Moments at Grand Venice Canal, the three of us headed to Divisoria. Aside from getting the stainless jewelries from my supplier, hubby went for something we can get for our kids, while Jef also went on his way to find the items he been looking for. We thought of getting a toy guitar from the guitars center  if any, but unfortunately we found none. Nevertheless, we’re still able to buy something, wooden toys to be to sell online.

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The Venice Grand Canal in Taguig

Landed at NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:45PM from Cagayan de Oro, the 3 of us went directly to booked dormitory in Quezon City. Still, thinking we’re to spend our whole day the following day. 

 

The next day, with the trip to the beach cancelled, the three of us decided to spend our whole day in the Metro Manila. Jef wanted to shop at Divisoria, while Jessie and I were waiting for feedback as to where to get the auto parts in Banawe. Since, it’s too early to do both we decided to visit the newest picture perfect destination in Metro Manila. 

Getting to Venice Grand Canal Mall, into McKinley Hills is pretty much easier, thanks to the detailed directions in the internet. As much as we wanted to take the easy ride by “taxi”, we opted to take the cheapest public transport, the MRT + the jeepney. 

We strolled our way to the nearest MRT station, the Quezon Avenue Station after a quick breakfast at the Seven Eleven (easiest and cheapest place to find something clean and decent to eat). Way back, MRT is the best transport when you want to go places quickly, but this time around, we waited for 30 minutes before the lady guards allowed us to go inside, and waited another 10 minutes for the first train to arrive which unfortunately was fully loaded, we waited and waited and the area became crowdeswith so many commuters, good thing an empty train came was sent to our station, and all of us currently in the area were able to get in. 

We disembarked at the Guadalupe Station and rode a jeepney enroute to AFP Housing. Not really sure we’re going to, I switched “on’ the GPS tracking our location at the same time looking for pokestop to gather pokeballs. J

The Venice Grand Canal Mall is easy to find, all you have to do is follow the alleys and read signs, 2 hours after our very long travel, we arrived at the entrance of the mall that’s due to open in 10 minutes (11AM). The sun was pretty harsh, but still we positioned ourselves anywhere possible, trying to get the best photographs. Though I haven’t been to Venice or in Macau, I believe this place is stunning just like the original. 

There are gondolas too, but there were all parked under the bridge, I think the gondola rides are open at night, not really sure. 

It was a good decision, to visit the place before heading for a cheap shopping spree in Divisoria, it felt like we’re in a romantic setting. I even posted this photo in my instagram, and some even thought that we actually went to the real place. Cool to daydream!

Lunch? Nah, the restaurants in the area are quite expensive and we don’t have the budget for an expensive food tripping. J

So if you are in the Metro, take time to visit the Venice Grand Canal in Taguig.

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About Folk Music

Who loves Folk Music? Though, I am not that musically inclined, but I love to hear some. I love to hear the folk songs of our native land that runs in our blood way back from the 19^th century. Produced from ordinary to unique musical intruments that I have not known, including also the distinctive sounds from irish tin whistle. Folk songs are usually heard during small community gatherings and are passed down orally from one individual to another.

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Bad Weather: Cancelled Trip

The time has finally come, that we have to fly to the Metro and enjoy the promo air fare that we have booked months earlier. 

I contacted Bakasyonista a travel agency and booked for a special tour to Anawangin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales. We have a lot of beautiful beaches in Mindanao but we wanted to try and see for ourselves the known travel destination facing the South China Sea. With booking deposit paid + all the research I have done, gathering all information we needed to know, we’re basically all set. However, 5 days before the much awaited trip, the travel agency called us that Anawangin Cove is not fit to visit until the weekend, due to big waves in the area per coast guard advisory. Huh! Bad luck! 

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We have no choice but to look for another alternative and booked ourselves to the Fortune Island Day Tour in Nasugbu, Batangas. I did all the research as well as to how to get there, and we’re pretty much excited to see the Ancient looking Greek style structure on the island. But luck was really not on our side, because a day before our trip the travel agency contacted us again and told us that the island will be closed on that particular weekend due to bad weather again. What! Heartbroken!

The much awaited trips were really not meant to be. We decided to refund our initial payment, since the reason was due to bad weather and it was the agency that cancelled the trips. Bakasyonista was indeed very accommodating and wired the payment to my bank account a few days later. I do hope to be able to avail their services in the future. And this time I’ll make sure to schedule trips during summer, when the weather in the Philippines is very ideal for beach tripping.

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Drums Sets for Toddlers

One of the playhouses that I brought my kids to have a drum set for children to play pretend that they are drummer, or musician. It’s actually a great idea to engage the kids to musical instruments as early as possible. That way we can determine if the kid has an inclination to music. 

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One of the music instruments that I am eyeing to buy for my kids is a cocktail drum set.  But since they are still kids, I’ll settle for a kiddie drum set for toddlers for now. Who knows in the future, they will become great drummers or musicians.

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