My Birthday Bouquet: A Home Movie

December 17, 2009
TGR to Dangwa and back

It's all in the effort!

See how my sweet & thoughtful better half (and my adorable son) prepared and greeted me on my birthday.

*Raw footage taken using our reliable Ixus digicam, shot guerilla style by our DV rebel hero! Galing! :)

Love you guys! Mwah!

TGR - Our Starter Home

Year 2009

If 2008 was the wander year for the Garcias, 2009 was all about settling down. After five years of marriage, Riki and I finally took the plunge - invest on real estate that is (well in our specific case, an expensive box of air).

After coming back home to Manila in mid-December of '08, we began the quest for the perfect home for us. Given our budget considerations, the choices were narrowed down to either a house & lot property way far from Makati (our place of work and school) or a condominium unit a few miles drive away from it. Since we were never morning persons, we finally decided on the latter. Our dream house will have to wait.

After almost a month of checking out all our condo options, we were ready to commit to THE ONE! :). Now the whirlwind affair begins!

January - made reservation and later on, signed Contract to Sell
February - paid the required down payment (no turning back now!)
March - hired Interior Designer #1. big mistake. after disagreements, fired ID #1.
April - hired another Architect+Interior Designer team. was finally happy with proposal, service and relationship. Condo unit was turned over by the developer to us, interior fit-out project commenced.
May and June - interior construction on-going. shopped for furniture, fixtures and appliances. Enter all the stress and financial drain.

July - it was a Wednesday, the 22nd (a new moon), we finally moved in to our new (first-ever owned) starter home. Happiness! :)
August - Fr. Robert performed the House Blessing.

Sept - originally planned Housewarming Party. Invites had been sent out, but Evan got sick and was hospitalized a few days before the event. Party cancelled.

December - finally pushed thru with the housewarming party, combined with our joint birthday party this time. http://purplepinay.multiply.com/photos/album/106/1st_Holiday_Dinner_Party

What a year indeed huh? Whew!
Now, to a simpler, peaceful and better life in 2010! :)

EVANTales: Xmas Mallrats

December 13, 2009
PowerPlant Mall

Evan loves the Rockwell mall this holiday season, we keep on coming back. I can navigate KidzStation with closed eyes already.

But highlight of every trip of course is a visit to the family's favorite store, Fully Booked :)

Dad's Day (again) by the Bay

June 20, 2009
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Manila

Another excuse for us to once again pack our bag and check-in to a hotel - Father's Day! :D

Evan had a blast "swimming" in the Japanese tub and "singing" under the rain(showerhead) with gorgeous mosaic tiles in the background.

It was an intimate weekend of eating, sleeping and eating again with the two men in my life.

Hope you had a blast Dad, we love you! :D

Mum's Day by the Bay

May 8, 2009
Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila

We celebrated Mother's Day by packing our bag and hauling it to Sofitel for an overnight stay. Evan the traveller was so ecstatic to be staying in a hotel again (carpet everywhere!). I was just happy to snooze on 500+ thread count pillows and super-soft bed.

Here's the link to the Mom's Day Video my two boys made for me:
http://purplepinay.multiply.com/video/item/50/EVANTales_Sofitel_Invasion

Visita Iglesia

April 9, 2009
Laguna

This is the first time we brought Evan along to do Visita Iglesia. We didn't have any map with us, we just went from one town to another in Laguna and looked for the old churches. It was already dark towards our 5th visit, so the last two were already in Alabang and Makati (the church where we got married and where Evan was baptized).

On the road, I have to explain to Evan the meaning of Holy Week, he keeps on asking why was Jesus dying and when is he gonna be back. I truly hope we have imbibed in him the essence of what we did that day.

The Repatriation

December 15, 2008
SFO-HK-MNL

After 21.5 months of exploring the land of the free, the Garcias are finally going back home to beloved Pinas, just in time for the Christmas season.

When we were about to leave the Walnut Creek house, we had to explain to Evan that this is not our usual travel/trips where after a few days we go back to the same house. This time we have to finally say goodbye to our "old home" because we are moving in to a "new home" in the Phils. Initially, he doesn't want to leave and cried a lot. It hits me hard and I promised myself I won't subject my kid again (in the near future at least) to such kind of major relocation. But being the seasoned traveller kid that he is, once we hit the road and told him stories about Pinas (he do'nt remember it anymore), he became excited on what's in the horizon for our new adventure.

CRIBS: Walnut Creek, CA

March 2007 - December 2008
California, USA

This is the (corporate) apartment that Riki, Evan and I (and for a time Lola Lynne) called HOME for almost two years while in expat assignment in Northern America. I didn't exactly loved the "country-feel" interior but hey, it was free lodging (and utilities!), fully furnished, spacious and located in a premium and very family-friendly neighborhood. We even got housekeeping twice a month!

We had a lot of happy times and good memories in this place so it merits a separate album in my page. Sometimes, I missed the serene views of the trees from our balcony and windows.

Evan still refers to this place as our "old home in Walnut Creek" till now. Feeling ata nya babalik pa kami someday dito. Hehehe...

EVANTales: Sofitel Invasion

May 9-10, 2009
Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila

We burned some miles (about to expire) and spent the night in Sofitel during the Mother's Day weekend. Evan was ecstatic to be in "carpetland" once again and immensely enjoyed the hotel's facilities.

A good day to spend by the bay. :)

Spring Awakening

Hell yeah, I’m still alive.

Tons of things had happened in the winter season, sans snow and layered clothing. The family repatriated back to Manila last December, just in time for the holidays (iba pa rin talaga ang Paskong Pinoy!). I went back to California alone in January to land our project’s first release/go-live (and spent Valentine’s day Riki-less and Evan-less), but flew back home just in time for the Eheads Final Set and the onslaught of the summer heat. We finally bought our starter home in January and is now in the process of sprucing up the unit’s interior with the help of professionals. Hopefully we can move in by the beginning of June and start enjoying the magnificent view! (Living in between houses is difficult especially if all your stuff is still in unopened shipment boxes).

Amidst all the relocation activities, Evan had gradually transitioned to his new home location (Makati for now), quickly brushed up on his Tagalog skills and have breezed thru Nursery in two months (he even grabbed the Most Obedient Award during Moving Up day and got perfect scores in his Science and Math exams!).

If two years ago, relocating to another country proved to be physically and emotionally draining during the first month (detailed story here), going back to Pinas was the exact opposite. After a day or two of shaking off the jetlag, we are already in our comfort zone. It’s like we never left at all! Certainly there are a lot of things we will miss in the Bay Area – beautiful neighborhood and weather, speed driving in the freeway, outlets and shopping, zero financial worries, flexible working schedule allowing frequent family travels, the public libraries and community parks, and first-world facilities and services, among others. It was indeed a great family adventure and we are very grateful for the blessings. But believe it or not, we are genuinely happy to be finally back - to be with family and friends and always be present at their lives’ important milestones, to be able to eat all our favorite Filipino food anytime, and yes, even to drive in the exciting and traffic-stricken streets of Manila. Evidently, pilipinong tunay talaga kami and this is our home.

So, pictures and more updates coming up in my Multiply album soon, as I start to open my boxes and find my hard drive photo repositories. J

Mabuhey!

Not a Purple Christmas Tree

Dec 18, 2008
Somerset Salcedo, Makati

I made it!

After recovering from jetlag overnight, off we went to SM to buy a Christmas tree and pick up ornaments to match my preferred theme this year - peppermint candy canes (inspired from our recent Madonna concert experience). Yes, I finally deviated from my normal purple theme this year! Haha!

Spent 3 hours straight putting it up (career high!) so it will be ready when Evan wakes up the next day. When I saw the surprise and joy in his face the morning after, all effort was totally worth it. Priceless.

I did not hang our "special ornaments" yet, so that Evan can do it himself in the morning. He totally had fun hanging his ornaments on the tree! Happy day!

And yes, I ordered special (and huge!) Christmas stockings from Pottery Barn Kids. Aren't they lovely?

I really love Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!

EVANTales: Treat or treat not. There is no Trick.

October 31, Friday:
Walnut Creek

Father and son had been doing the whole Jedi thing for the past few months, it was obvious what Evan would choose when we presented him with the catalog of Halloween costumes.

He had been wearing the mask and swinging that red saber everyday since we bought it weeks ago, counting how many sleeps yet before the BIG NIGHT.

This year, we decided to skip the house-hopping and hit the bigger gig - downtown Walnut Creek. Evan had so much fun filling his Vader bucket with candies! Not a bad night. :)

Happy Halloween everyone. May the BOO be with you!

Orlando: WDW-Epcot

September 7, Sunday:

EPCOT highlights for the family were the following rides/attractions: Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Test Track (Riki's favorite, he videoed the whole fast and furious ride).

You also get to walk (alot!) and explore different countries/culture in the World Showcase lot.

Orlando: WDW-Animal Kingdom

September 6, Saturday:

Among the WDW theme parks, I have the least expectations of fun from the Animal Kingdom, having reached my zoo-saturation point this year already. But lo, I found myself having a blast during our AK day!

My favorite of course was the Finding Nemo - The Musical (this attraction is for now only available in the Orlando park). Dory and Crush were as usual, awesome dude! Mine, mine, mine!

The production of the Festival of the Lion King was also good, but of course, not as great as the Broadway version we saw in NY last December.

The Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade was also a breath of fresh air.

Evan had a blast on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, where he got to see the usual suspects - elephants, giraffe, lion, hippo. Now I am adding African Safari in my places/things to do before we die!

Hakuna Matata!

Orlando: WDW-Hollywood Studios

September 4, Thurs:

HS was kinda similar to California Adventure Park in Anaheim, but better. It has all the Pixar rides, Disney Placehouse shows and the Block Party Parade, PLUS the awesome night show FANTASMIC.

In Fantasmic, Mickey faces and defeats the Disney villains. The story is told with awesome water animation, laser and fireworks. Galing!

Here's the link to a preview of Fantasmic:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/entertainment/entertainmentDetail?id=FantasmicEntertainmentPage

Orlando: WDW-Magic Kingdom

September 5, Friday:

Magic Kingdom is basically the same as Disnyeland in Anaheim - with Cinderella's Castle, Main Street, It's a Small World, etc. I guess the only thing different is that MK don't have the Finding Nemo submarine ride.

Anyhoo, we still had a lot of fun doing all the rides, meeting and greeting the Disney characters, and of course, watching the Dreams Come True Parade.

My two boys had a blast on the Speedway ride, Evan demanding that he be on the driver's seat! :D

Orlando: WDW-Port Orleans Resort

September 3-9, 2008:

To have a complete WDW experience, we book our accommodations in a Disney Resort - Port Orleans French Quarter. Totally worth the package! From airport transfer, bus shuttles each day to all the theme parks, food and billing arrangements, everything was so convenient and comfortable.

We were each given a "key to the world" card, which serves as room key, entrance card to all parks and charge card for all purchases, all in one! All charges go straight to my credit card. Hehe!

The whole week was of course spent going around the (huge) theme parks, and in Downtown Disney afterwards for shopping galore.

And oh yeah, we dodge Hurricane Hannah and Ike (who were initially suppose to hit Florida). Prayers are indeed powerful!

We love Disney!!!

Evan's 3rd Bday - Walt Disney World

September 4-8, 2008

Same as last year, since we are continents away from our family and friends in Pinas, we celebrated Evan's birthday in our favorite place here in the US - where all of Evan's favorite characters live!

It was a week-long flurry of greeting, hugging and partying! WDW is huge! "Four parks, one world". It is indeed the happiest place on earth!

More of our WDW party in upcoming albums! :)
Hotdog!

Illinois: Chicago

August 21-25, 2008:

I LOVE the Windy City!
Love the food, love the architecture, love the art, love the river and the lake!!!

We visited the following attractions of course:
1. The Art Institute of Chicago - amazing collection of European painting! We finally were able to see a real Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso & Seurat.
2. Architecture Boat Cruise - a must-do when you go to Chicago! You'll get to see the awesome buildings (modern and old alike) from an interesting perspective (cruising along Chicago River). I learned that the Gotham buildings in The Dark Knight were actually Chicago buildings. Coolness!
3. Harpo Studios - i TRIED to get tickets to the Oprah Show. I ended up just going around the block and taking a souvenir photo on the famous building.
4. Magnificent Mile - where you can see John Hancock Building, The Water Towers, and numerous shops!
5. Millenium Park - my fave park next to Central Park! Where you can find The Bean, Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Crown Fountain.
6. Navy Pier - a great family place to enjoy the Lake Michigan view and where the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Window is housed.
7. Sears Tower - a trip to the Windy City will not be complete if you don't go to the Skydeck of this famous tower.
8. United Center- where you can find His Airness, Michael Jordan's famous statue and where the Bulls play.
9. Wrigley Park - home of the Cubs.
10. Buckingham Fountain - one of the largest fountain in the world, located in Grant Park.

Illinois: Skokie & Des Plaines

August 23-24, 2008:

The main reason for our Illinois vacation was to visit the family of my grandfather, whom we fondly call Tito Dick. His family migrated to the US when I was still a baby and thus, we have not seen his kids and their own families yet.

It was such a happy reunion! We clicked right away and Evan gained another friend, his Kuya Dylan. We spend the whole weekend EATING Chicago's famous dogs, deep dish pizza and Pinoy home-made ice cream. They even prepared a surprise Tiki party for my Mom who was celebrating her 60th birthday!

To the Magahis family, thanks again for a wonderful time and hope to see you all soon in Pinas! Love you all! :)