BRINGING THE JOY OF WALKING TO A HIGHER LEVEL

​“Mom, I have an idea”, said Aira, a professional Therapist and daughter of Carol. 

“I suggest you wear only one color of shirt each day, I think it would look nice”. 

We welcomed her bright idea that the following day we decided to wear pink. We were amazed by the turnout of the different shades of pink in our photos

My neighbor Ruben took a fancy on our getup that he took our picture across the street from his gate. 

Then his wife Celine came out and offered us papaya from her garden. 

Happy on the turnout, we decided to wear green the next day. 

“ What color will it be tomorrow?, one of us asked. The next day we walked in seven shades of gray. The day turned bright and light as shown in the photos even if our shirts were gray. 

We even ended up to a sumptuous breakfast at Tess’ home. 

Let’s do orange tomorrow”, Carol said.  And orange it was. 

“Let’s go to my home; breakfast is being prepared”, Carol invited. 

We didn’t have a chance to choose a color for the next day as we were all in a rush. In our chat group, I asked if they like blue for the next day. 

“Blue?”, asked Claire

“Royal”, asked Joy

“Any shade of blue” Carol replied. 

And the photos turned out great. 

The next day on Tess’post:

“On a sunless balmy day we tried to bring sunshine to each other. Six kilometers done in a breeze with my awesome neighbors. Wishing you a Saturday filled with everything you wish for. 

And I say;

“We really brought sunshine to our day, great photos as always. Happy Saturday everyone” 

On Sunday, feast of The Infant Jesus, we chose red. We noticed the immense impact of red  on our photos. 

As our designated photographer if we couldn’t meet friends/ acquaintance along the way to take our photo. Tess documented on her post; 

“It drizzled early Monday but it didn’t stop the Sweet Magnolias from painting the streets white in their pristine attire symbolizing purity of mind and body. Six kilometers after brought us to breakfast with more bonding” 

On Tuesday we completed seven days using one color palette in different hues. This day we chose lavender to violet to purple. 

What was interesting though was when Tess used UBE HALAYA to describe our day; it drew lots of interest on her Facebook post when they saw  Ube Halaya being stirred among the photos. 

Today, Wednesday was really meant to be a HAPPY PINK DAY, so pink we wore. 

We really enjoy walking in the lovely neighborhood of Bayanihan, clean streets and pleasant with well kept gardens.  Our photos are enhanced by the beautiful curve appeal of several homes where we posed. Thank you for the opportunity to take our photos in front of some awesome Bayanihan homes. 

THE MOST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

​This year was the most wonderful Christmas celebration in our family. Almost a week passed since our children went back home and it’s been quiet again after two weeks of excitement. You would think that we are lonely; on the contrary we are not. 

Our Christmas photo. We were happy that my sister was able to join our celebration. 

We are still in seventh heaven reminiscing  the recent memories of Christmas and the happy times spent with the whole family. 

They say that real happiness of being together is better felt and appreciated after they happened. As we look back to the happy times, the laughter, the fun, then look at the photos again and again, we feel the joy of what it has been. 

This Christmas is truly a blessing; we were able to spend time with all of our children and their families. Someone said: “my heart felt more airborne than Santa’s sleigh” and that’s exactly how I felt. 

From the time my younger daughter and her husband arrived in mid -December, life had been busy and exciting since then. 

Before she arrived, my daughter has a  list of restaurants where she wanted to dine ;one of them is Manam where they serve the beef-watermelon broth. 

Then our son and his family arrived and life has been more busy. 

The first order of the day was lunch at Shakeys, our grandson’s favorite place for pepperoni pizza and chicken with mojos. 

Of course we are never complete without our older daughter and her family who live in town. 

That’s my favorite granddaughter with her parents. 

We always gathered in the living room where we catch up on each other’s activities; talk about things that could never be shared on FaceTime. We also took some photos. 

Grandpa and grandson

Papa and grandchildren. 

Papa and Nana with grandchildren. 

We went to Tagaytay and had brunch at The Farmer’s Table. 

We also went to a family reunion and house blessing of my sister’s home. 

We went three times to The Black Bean

Below is my sister who enjoyed the place as well. 

My son treated us to experience the Korean samyupsal at Samgjunikothey. We enjoyed the food along with the soju. 

Since we are a bigger family now we couldn’t fit in the dining room so we took the Christmas dinner in the backyard garden where we had most of our meals. 

And through all the eating, drinking, the laughter and the talking, I felt like Grandma Nell in the Chesapeake Shores series on Netflix who said in one of their dinners:

“The love that flowed around the table was much more precious than the food on top of it”

I enjoyed every minute of this Christmas celebration and I guess everyone did as well. Our children are so appreciative of everything and they are such generous souls too. 

Wishing forward to another wonderful Christmas next year. 

CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH THE WALKING BEAUTIES

​Last night was such a lovely party with my walking buddies, the Walking Beauties.  Though  I’m a bit self-conscious to mention that in public since it was meant just to identify our group, but then, why not? As paraphrased buy the Greek philosopher, Plato, “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”.

We thank Tess, the no. 1 jogging/walking beauty who graciously offered her home to celebrate this Christmas party. 

We admire and appreciate her lovely table setting. She brought out her blue and white crockery, so beautiful and pleasing to dine with; it was above and beyond our expectations.

That was my place with my initial. 

Look at this special cake she ordered from Aggie’s; so pretty, so Christmasy and so delicious! 

Joy was the earliest bird, she and Tess were already having cocktails when we got there. 

Jim and I arrived next. Below, see Tess toasting Jim for coming early as well 

The the rest of the Beauties arrived 

The garden and pool was beautiful that I couldn’t resist having my pictures taken. 

Finally DINNER!

Imagine the piano music of Christmas songs played by the pianist Tess hired. It felt like we were in a hotel lobby. It was pleasant and soft enough to carry conversation. 

After dinner, we had the cake and tarragon/mint tea; once again served in tall blue and white mugs. 

Then there was dancing. 

Sorry, I missed taking a photo of the dance instructor, DI that Tess hired as well. 

As if we hadn’t taken enough photos that we had to take more

Jim andI had a great time, thanks Beauties for your enjoyable company. To Tess, once again, thank you. 

Let’s have another one before Valentines. Meanwhile, we will carry on with our impromptu breakfasts. Please, no hassle, bread and coffee and interesting conversation will be great.