21 of September was a holiday here in the Philippines, so mom took the time to clean up the garden. I don't normally do things in the garden as it was mom's sanctuary - I want it to look the way she wants it to look like. While she cleaned it up, I went to the garden to be her assistant and of course, I also took the time to take some pictures.


I don't know the name of this plant, but the flowers looked good! =)

I saw a very interesting spider (something I have never seen before) by one of the plants' leaves, but as I chased it for a photograph, I lost the little critter. It did made me see a leech, though, so all's still good.

A fern about to unfold.

Mom trimmed a banana looking plant (which isn't really a banana), and the leaf was home to a colony of ants, good thing I didn't step on it, or else my feet and legs might be injured, but since I was okay, I just took the time to take pictures of the ants. It was way too difficult to take pictures of them, and my attempts only gave me this shot. The ants were busy salvaging the eggs, so I just let them be. I am not an ant lover, but I didn't want to hinder them the right to live.

I took quite more pictures from that day, but I guess you'll just have to take a look at it when I upload it in my Facebook.

*** Jenn ***

ps - it was a stormy day here yesterday... some of my friends living here in Metro Manila were greatly affected, as the sun shines today, I hope all the people affected by the sudden rush of water are okay now. It was really a disaster, I pray for everyone's safety.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

One of the good things not having a monitor gave me was that I was able to spend more time playing with the kitties. Well, they were big cats already, but I still call them kitties. Our black cat, Paborito is nearly three years old now, and although he's such a grown up cat now, there are times that he would come near me or would sleep in my side of the mattress. Of course, I would take that time to play with him. Sometimes he would hate the sound of the camera, or would go away when the camera would let out that red light, but nothing a tight hold would handle. Hehehehe.

My other kitty, Orange-y Garfield is just a few months old, but is already big for his age. Like Paborito, he's not really that sweet of a cat, but there are times that he would allow some cuddling - provided no one would touch his tummy. He would get upset when his tummy is touched, maybe because it's always full. =) He's such a glutton that cat. Hahahaha.

We have two other cats, one is another black cat and the other the mother cat (Paborito's sister), but they were busy sleeping elsewhere, so no pictures with them. Oh well, maybe next time.

*** Jenn ***

Like what I told in my last post, I wasn't online for more than a week, but I am so thankful that our neighbor has an unused computer monitor, which they let me take home to use. I am not sure just until when I can use their monitor, but as soon as we get a new one, or they decide to have their CPU fixed, I will be using this monitor. Borrowing something from a neighbor took some courage to do, but overall, I am just happy and thankful to have very kind and great neighbors.

Some other things I am thankful for this week:

• Being able to capture macro pictures with flash. When I first tried doing it, I really can't pull it off, now I can do it with ease. Great!
• Hearing Hanson's new songs through their "Stand Up, Stand Up" EP. I am hoping I could get my own copy of it.
• Receiving a copy of Queen's "Greatest Hits 1" album. Thanks, Mr. Green! You're an angel... really.

• Mommy Teddy giving birth to three kittens. This picture above was taken when she went near me to rest after feeding her kitties. Mommy Teddy's one sweet cat, I hope her kitties will be as sweet as her, too.
• Eating dinner out with the family.
• Meeting my SFC household leader, Teacher Rhona for a short chit-chat.
• Totally sick-free! No more flu, please!
• Receiving an international call from a friend.
• Knowing who are worthy of my friendship.

Here's to a great week for everyone! Take care, wherever you are.

*** Jenn ***

The past week has been a tough one for me - our monitor died on us, and we really can't think of any other way to bring it back to life. It has been more than a week of no Internet for me, and like most people who were used to doing the same things, I became depressed and a little bit crazy for not being to update my blogs and play the games over at Facebook. Hehehe.

Yesterday, I met up with my family to have dinner out, and before we went to the meeting place, brother and I went to the computer shops in the mall and we were surprised to know that there were no CRT moniotrs now. We asked about the LCD monitors and it was way too depressing to know that the cheapest was about 5500pesos. Oh geez!

Just this morning, I mustered up a courage and was able to borrow our neighbor's monitor. Last Saturday, I went online using their computer, and they told about a CPU dying on them, too, and since their monitor's still okay, I asked this morning if I could borrow it, just until I am able to get a new one. Happy to be back again, and I do hope I can update all my blogs as quick as I can.

Farmville and Koream noodles... a sweet taste of life.

*** Jenn ***

Once when I was quite young, there was a local actress who talked about a holiday she spent with her significant other. It was the first time I heard the place called Cyprus, and for a moment, I thought what it would be like if I would go to that particular place. Have you ever thought about going to Cyprus, too?

Cheap Holidays To Cyprus is now not difficult to find, thanks to ULookUBook.Com, which has lots of information about that perfect getaway. Looking for Cheap Flights To Cyprus instead? They certainly have it, too. Actually, they don't just cater to travels to Cyprus, their easy-to-use search bar can give you information to trips to just anywhere to wish to. Feel free to browse the site for more cheap holiday deals.

Now that the Christmas season is fast approaching, why not go traveling with your family or your friends? It's time to discover the world and learn a new culture. One of the things I've learned from my trips here in my own country is that it's always fun to discover something new, and it was more fun to share and live the moment with people dear to your heart. Who knows, it might be the one break you've been waiting for.

Just don't forget to bring your camera so you could let other people see that great holiday you just had.

*** Jenn ***

Mommy celebrated her 60th birthday yesterday. The whole family woke up early to help prepare for stuffs, and we were so thankful that mom asked the help of another friend who cooked most of the dishes. I cooked 2 kilos of spaghetti carbonara, and I was way over the top happy to know that the guests have liked the taste of it.

Foods served that day aside from the carbonara were: Beef Caldereta, Pork Menudo, Rellenong Bangus, Rellenong Alimasag, Pancit Malabon, Puto Pao, Fried Chicken and cake. At first, mom thought of having two parts for the celebration - one in the afternoon (snacks) for some officemates and neighbors, and one at night time (dinner) for her friends from Couples for Christ. She intended to have two different celebrations because our house was a bit small and we might not be able to accommodate all.

First to arrive were her officemates. We were a bit shocked when they arrived at 1PM, when the party would officially start at 3PM, but good thing we have this old videoke microphone that kept them entertained. Of course their presence made us speed things up in the kitchen. Soon after guests started to arrive, and the first plan of having two separate parties became one.

The party officially ended at around 7PM, but of course like most parties held in the house, we busied ourselves by cleaning up. There were just so many dishes to wash, and my hands were dead tired! But of course, I was happy that mom's celebrating another birthday. Love you, mom.

*** Jenn ***

Saturday morning (05 September), mom left for her hometown in Bolinao, Pangasinan for Uncle Dennis' funeral. The interment was Sunday morning, and since mom would travel back home right after the ceremony, she decided to attend alone. Sad, but I guess it was just fine considering that I just came from sickness - I had colds and sore throat.

Afternoon, we were invited by our next door neighbor for Jamy's baptism party. Us three siblings went to the party - just a simple celebration, not much guests aside from the godparents and other friends and relatives, but it was a nice celebration. It was also a nice time for us to talk about things.

Sister and I were talking before that we want to attend Jamy's baptism, but because my siblings were taking their afternoon siesta, we weren't able to come with them to the church. How great would it be if I was able to take pictures of the event to think I have taken pictures of Charmy even while she was pregnant. But, of course, it was just fine. At least we were able to attend the baptism party.

To you dear Jamy, welcome to the Christian world!

*** Jenn ***

Sometime last week, mom was approached by one of our neighbors asking if mom would like to have our house painted. She said her son and grandson would love to re-color our house. Thinking it has been nearly five years since we last had a house renovation, mom agreed. Based on the color chart presented to her, she chose this one. She told the name of the color had something to do with pink or rose, but she was quite surprised that it was a little on the orange side. I told her it didn't really matter because our house motif has always been in rust / orange tones, so this one jived with the motif. Before this color, the walls are just in white, and the window grills were of red and white (a little off from the motif).

The paint thing finished last Sunday. We were quite impressed by it, and we were also thankful that the father and son team not only took care of the painting, they also took care of the ceiling and some other renovations. By the way, this is our terrace - where we receive guests. It kinda looks a lot like a living room - but it's not really. At times that is where we would eat breakfast while reading the paper, and when I was still into cross stitching, I used to do it there.

More things to be thankful for this week:

• Brother coming home safe from his flight. I am thankful that he was graciously received by the family of his girlfriend, and I am very thankful that he was able to enjoy a full week in Cagayan de Oro learning more about the culture, its people, its sceneries, and its food.
• The oh-so plenty foods brother took home from Cagayan de Oro. It was so great having to taste the Pastel again!
• Leila taking care of the ferry tickets for our trip in Coron, Palawan next month.
• Finding the necklace my ex-boyfriend gave to me. I have been looking for it for so long, only to find out it was basically right "under my nose." Thanks to my sister for reuniting me with my necklace.
• Fixing the template of my Photo Blog. Now, it loooks a lot like a photo blog! =)
• Completing August project 365.
• Constant calls and text messages from friends.
• Over-all good health (despite my colds).
• Successfully transferring my files into DVDs.
• Realizing that there are friends who may seem like they are, but they really aren't.

It's starting to rain here again. Hope everyone would be in good health. Stay dry, people!

*** Jenn ***