We are still sitting in the Mabuhay Lounge waiting for our delayed flight to Hong Kong to board. Earlier today, while at Greenbelt 3, I visited Power Books to check out some Hong Kong travel guides. Here are some of the things that we plan to do aside from the city and Macau tours. We are going to dine at The Peak Lookout which has an amazing panoramic view of Hong Kong harbor. We plan to visit the flower market on Flower Market Road in Kowllon. Of course a trip to Hong Kong has to include a visit to some factory outlets. This time around we plan to go to the outlets located at Spring Garden Lane also in Kowloon. My parents want to buy some electronic goods. So, we’re going to take them to 298 Computer Zone, Broadway Shop 714-15 (Apple Computer central) and Photo Scientific Appliances. After all that shopping and sightseeing, I think I’m ready to head on to Singapore.

I don’t like to travel when it rains. But it is raining. Hard. With thunderstorms.

We are at theNAIA’s Mabuhay Lounge, waiting for our flight to HKG. Our plane doesn’t leave until 2:20PM, which means we still have some 30 minutes to read magazines, eat carbs and surf the Internet. The Mabuhay Lounge is a convenient place for people like us who need to do last-minute emails [as if we couldn't do it abroad] to associates [read: wedding planner and writers] and family members. Actually I’m not doing any of that. Read more »

I’m so looking forward to traveling with Amarind this summer (to those who are living in North America and Europe, summer in the Philippines starts mid-February and ends mid-June). We are planning to hit as many places and beaches if possible including some foreign countries before we finally move to the States in August. It’s been a while since we took a vacation together as my pregnancy put a kibosh on all our travel plans last year. Now that we could already get some help from relatives as soon as we transfer to Iloilo, we could just pack our bags and go.

Of course going to the beach won’t be complete without wearing a nice two piece– not that I really have to but you can’t expect me to stroll in my long gown just because I couldn’t wear anything beach-appropriate. The problem is, I still look flabby so there’s a great need to lose some weight to fit in a medium-sized two piece. I gained so much weight when I got pregnant and now I am just in the process of shedding excess fat. I was 118lbs prior my pregnancy and I peaked at 167lbs on my nineth month. Now, two and a half months after I gave birth, I am down to 144lbs but that’s still far from my target weight of 118lbs.

I’ve never been this heavy in my entire life. I just feel so uncomfy when I weigh past 122lbs before I got married so I was trying to at least maintain my weight around the 118lbs-120lbs mark. Now, I am determined to be fit again and it’s a challenge to lose 25lbs before May. I am doing it not for vanity’s sake but because I feel so much better when I’m lighter. Besides, it’s frustrating to try to find nice clothes that look good on me, unless I go for plus size. In other words, I want to revert to my old self. I want to look like this again.

It’s a good thing that Amarind is working out with me everyday for the past week. He’s actually a gym buff and a huge fan of peanut butter and protein shakes– his secrets to keeping fit. It’s a huge advantage to have him around because he encourages me to do some exercise routines that will expedite my weight loss and make my arms and legs more firm. I also feel that the chance of achieving my goals is higher if I have a gym partner who constantly checks on my progress. And since we blog, I’ve decided to chronicle my quest to a better figure until I reach my ideal shape. I will allot a section at the front page of our blog exclusively for this plan. Perhaps some of you will find some of my tips useful.

So we look forward to fun-filled trips this summer and I look forward to look better by May. It’s no small feat since I have to forego my sinful indulgences but I hope to be rewarded later on.

I’m giving motherhood a top priority these days. My son, who just turned three weeks, has been the light in our household and makes our every day life worth looking forward to. Indeed, in a short period of time, he became the center of our world. 

Daniel is an adorable and great kid. I would like to think this is because I always wished for him to be one, even when he was just inside my belly. I would sing to him, read him the Bible, pray for him and yes, talk to him. I actually missed that feeling of oneness with my child but now it’s even better because I could hold him anytime I want.

Unlike most babies, Daniel doesn’t give us a hard time especially at night. He’s very considerate and easily content.He could already lift his head at three days old and at three weeks old, he eagerly responds to us when we talk and play with him. He’s indeed our little bundle of joy and makes our lives more complete!

On Friday, three days before he turns one month old, he will have his first plane ride. I hope it will all be worthwhile. It will be the first time for relatives to see him. As for me and my husband, we are excited to participate in the Dinagyang festival.

If you are a camera-touting foreigner who has never been to the Philippines and wanted to conveniently travel around the beautiful provinces of the country, better rent a car. Or else prepare yourself spending half of your vacation time waiting for the next colorful and crowded jeepney.
Some travelers will prefer the adventure of riding a jeepney and bus around the Philippines. But for some this will be a cumbersome experience. The benefits of renting a car for example around Bohol Islands are the following :

Convenience. You can go anywhere and anytime you want without worrying for the next jeepney. Sometimes the tourist destinations are far apart from each other. The Chocolate Hills is a few kilometers away from Panglao Beach. Taking a bus will take you half day while a rented car will take you for one hour.

Save money. If you are traveling as a group you can save money because it’s cheaper to rent a car where it can take as many as five persons inside. So if you are traveling alone, better make friends with as many tourists in the airplane and start convincing them to travel with you.

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