The importance of my family

I wrote this poem in 1997. I felt alone abroad. My ex was always traveling for work, and we were often apart. I didn't have any economic worries, but I felt lonely. During that period, I missed home, and missed my childhood. And when I think of my early childhood, I think of my aunt. In this poem, we are back in Matabungkay in Batangas. My grandpa had two small fishingboats then, and they were named after me: Jeanina 1 and Jeanina 2.

A summer recollection
The summer sun scorched the skinbut she remained in the seaclinging on the side of the fisherman's boat.Her voice was drowned by the sound of waves,but she was waving to me.I plunged into the blue salty waterand struggled to swim across.As I emerged, she reached for methe way she did when we played at seamany years ago.And she was suddenly young ang beautifuljust the way she looked so many years ago!She was young again!And so was I! A childfirst discovering the taste, the touch of the sea.

Below are pictures I have in my office room. My aunt, me and Tuwa...

Mouse pad from Wawi.

Here's my ultimate best friend, my sister, who defends me and supports me no matter what. Her love is unconditional. I am so blessed to have her as a sister. Having her already makes me a winner.

I know, I look like his puppy in this picture.

Now these two have completed me my life. All my insecurities disappeared since they came into my life. Long ago I was afraid of having my own family. I was afraid of ending up with a broken home. Afraid that having a baby will change my physique and lifestyle. But I am glad I overcame all these, because having my  own family,  my own baby, is the best thing that ever happened to me. 

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Three days at H20, Manila

H20 Hotel in Manila is a good place for families. We didn't have to roam around Manila, we just stayed in the building and there were many things to see - the Oceanarium, fountain show and sea lion show.

Early  morning, I even had the chance to experience park life in Luneta with all forms of exercises performed in groups: tai chi, chi gong, aerobics, chako etc.

There were two choices of hotel rooms: the one with the bayview and the other with aquariums. We chose the latter. 

We thought that all four walls are covered by aquariums, but only one wall is.
Another wall is mirror, to reflect the aquarium.

Here's where we listened to guitar music in the evening. There weren't many people here. But it had a nice atmosphere.

The whole top floor is the hotel. The first two floors are restaurants, boutiques and the oceanarium area.

Restaurant and bar. Here's a good place to see the famous sunset of Manila.

The gym.

Many tourist books mention the famous sunset of Manila. My hubby had to see it.

We just happened to get thirsty and decided to order some drinks...

Then Tuwa said: "Look at the sky, mom." I mean, if a kid can see the beauty of it, then I understand why the sunset in Manila has become so famous among tourists.

My three-year old didn't want to leave. She wanted to see the sunset. 

There was silence in the area as the sun went down.

Tourists took numerous shots of the sunset.

The fish spa in Oceanairum, for 10 minutes, I think. Later on, Tuwa and I would try fish spa all over the body at the hotel for a good 30 minutes. It was torture. It felt like cockroaches creeping on you. Or a nicer way to put it -chicks pecking at you. We were laughting like monkeys when we did this. It tickled like hell. Why in the world did we pay to be tortured like this? But it was to experiment how it felt...

 It's said to be relaxing, but I guess it depends on the person. 

The foot spa exfoliates the skin. The fish removes the dead skin. In the body fish spa, we could go naked. But we decided to  keep our swimsuits on. 

"When you dip your foot inside a tank of fishes, all the fishes attack you and start eating the skin. This tickling increases the secretion of endorphins (chemical from brain). Release of endorphins provides a pleasant feeling." -  According to: http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/body-care/2012/fish-spa-benefits-190312.html   

I ordered siopao late in the night. Yummy.

The aquairum looks empty late in the night until 6 am. They  turn off the light so fishes can sleep?

The swimming area. At night, it turns into a bar where guests can swim. But there aren't so many guests coming here in the evening. I wonder why?

Tito Paul on a visit!

I was pregnant in this picture. 

A daytime fountain show. We could see it all from the pool area. Cool.

Tuwa pretending to be a seal, just as she saw in the sea lion show the day before.

Tuwa loved the bubbling fountain.

After the fountain show came the sea lion show.

The impressive breakfast buffet. Breakfast is included in the stay.

Chicken feet for breakfast?

I just love arroz caldo for breakfast

And siopao, too.

Tuwa's 4th year party

Here are the ideas to our party:

We did this. But instead of a heart, we made
butterflies and flowers with cheese and butter.

We did cupcakes, thanks to my friend, Noc.

These were our give-away gifts.

Lovingly wrapped.

Tuwa's idea.

The love of my life turns four.

The other day, Tuwa said to us: "Mama, you are the best mama. Papa, you are the best papa".

Naughty Tuwa