These Days

We enrolled Neil in a football clinic which runs for 4 Sundays.  The first session was on May 26 held in one of the villages in Makati.  We've wanted to let him try sports for summer since he did Orkidstra (music) last year and Enopi (Math and English) this year. I thought the 1-hr session was too short but the kids were all tired even before it was over.  They did some drills with coach.  Neil enjoyed it, and we did, too.  I was surprised that a peaceful residential area like this can be found right in Makati.  Soo nice.  I wanted to move there.=)  

Making Friends by Andrew Matthews.  I think Rich bought this book before we got married so it's an old shelf dweller.  I stated reading this several times before and finally finished the whole thing yesterday.  It's practical, straightforward, funny and lightweight.  Plus it has illustrations.  Who doesn't love a book with pictures? =) We're halfway through the year and this is actually the first book I finished reading.  Not good. And I would not have completed it if the family routine did not change this week.  Rich started working again, day shift, which means I am tasked to take Neil to his classes/sessions.  That's 6 appointments every week.  Because there's no Wifi in school, I read while waiting.  Or journal the old-fashioned way. I'm excited to tackle my next book.  Time to take a look at what we have on the shelf, or maybe buy a new one.  Happy thoughts!

This blog turned 4 years old last month, April 20 to be exact.=)  I have created and deleted blogs over the years including the very first one on blog-city started in 2003 (so it's really 10 and counting on the medium) but I have managed to maintain this one with a hodgepodge of personal and family related posts, pictures, and other interests. Last week, I changed the address from deephotostories to darleneph.  I've used the latter for years but I was never really attached to the name.  I liked darkblue which was what I used on blog-city but it's not available in Blogger.  I think darleneph is here to stay (until I get the compulsion to change the name again, hehe). Anyway, just blogging to say I'm glad to have started this little project and I hope to keep it going for as long as I can. =) Photo credit

Neil is now 4 10/12 years old and he has an amazing memory.  He is able to recall things without effort.  Once, he recited the order of letters in the QWERTY keyboard.  We asked him to repeat it so we can validate, and it was perfect.  Em asked "Aren't you amazed?"  I have to admit that I take these things for granted sometimes because I've gotten used to them and also because I don't know if it's normal for kids his age.  But it's really amazing. Neil obviously did not get this talent from me.  I am trying to recall other things he has memorized just so I don't forget... The actors in the Avengers movie which he recalled from reading the credits.  From "Robert Downey Jr.," up to "and Samuel L. Jackson."  Neil likes reading the credits to anything, be it TV show, movies, iPad games or book authors from the cover.  There was a time when we could not change the channel or turn off the player once the credits started rolling beca...

Our chosen accommodation in Boracay was Microtel Inn and Suites located in Diniwid Beach.  Rich did the research on accommodations and the Four-Square Adventure package looked sulit.  It is 3D/2N accommodations for 4 adults plus breakfast, welcome drink, roundtrip airport transfers via Caticlan, environmental and 2-way seaport terminal fees and one activity (we chose paraw sailing). We were all very satisfied by the service provided by the staff of Microtel.  From the guy who met us at the airport, the shuttle drivers, restaurant staff, to the guards.  If only the girl at reception who checked us in smiled more, it would have been perfect service-wise.=) We were originally booked in a double room without a view but decided to upgrade to the room with beachfront view, for a fee.  I think it was worth it because the scenery was really nice.  Our room was overlooking the pool and restaurant as well. Microtel is a beachfront property although the beach is...

This is the first time that I spent Mothers' Day, as a mother, with my mother.=)  And we were in Boracay which made it extra special. When we were on the plane going home, Neil said, "Mommy, I want to make you happy."  This was out of the blue so I was both surprised and pleased.  "What? You want to make me happy?" And he confirmed, "Yes."  Ah, this boy.  He is not always sweet but he gives you awesome reminders once in a while.  I asked him to show me a happy face and this is what I got. Mommy and me I call her Mommy and he calls me Mommy

Day 3 was our last day in Boracay.  We had breakfast at the Microtel then went to D*Mall for last-minute pasalubong shopping.  We sent off Papang and Mommy first, who were flying to Cebu from Caticlan.  Then we went to the bus stop to make our way to Kalibo for our flight to Manila.  We also saw Caloy, Charm and Eli as they were making their way to their bus for Iloilo. A quick stop before heading home On the boat On the plane Back in Manila It was a short but sweet time spent with family and friends in Boracay.=)

Our second day in Boracay was all about activities over the water.  We booked a boat to take us island-hopping and snorkeling in the morning, then we parasailing and paraw sailing later in the afternoon. Island-hopping At Ilig-Iligan beach, our stopover for lunch. Next activity after lunch was parasailing, which I enjoyed immensely.  It was surprisingly quiet and very peaceful at the top.  Neil, Rich and I talked, played I Spy and said a prayer of thanksgiving. Our last activity for the day was paraw sailing.  I thought this might not be so special after everything we did during the day but I was wrong. The paraw was wind-powered so it wasn't noisy.  We were on the water while the sun was setting.  It was a very pleasant way to end the day.  Very nice!

Finally, we set foot on Boracay!   We were all first timers on this trip and I can definitely see why it is very popular summer destination. There were 10 of us on this trip.  Papang and Mommy were flying to Caticlan from Cebu. Our good friends, the Angs flew from Manila to Iloilo then bus to Caticlan, Kuya Arnold and Arnel (Rich's brothers) took the Manila-Kalibo flight and we flew from Manila to Caticlan. Papang and Mom waited at the airport because their flight arrived earlier, then we all proceeded to Microtel.  We had dinner at Station 2, with the whole party of 10 present.